Animatics Integrated Servo Motors

August 2011

The option of adding additional axes quickly and without hassle, minimized cabling and fewer components are a few reasons for SmartMotors continued use in packaging applications. One example was high speed inspection of pharmaceutical bottles. Previously using a 3-position pneumatic cylinder, flow control and accuracy were problems on the line and severely limited the throughput speed. The accuracy could be improved by reducing the air pressure, but line speed was sacrificed.

The SmartMotor was programmed to take existing I/O or serial commands without needing a new control system, saving large system update costs. Since the SmartMotor has motion control electronics, drive-amplifier, encoder and communications in one, the only accessories were power/comm cables and a gearhead.

Download the complete case study "High-Speed Package Inspection" here

Animatics has also created package tracking systems for international shipping services such as FedEx. One application used a laser to measure the distance from the end of an actuator to a box, and then move the actuator within centimeters of the box and apply shipping labels to packages regardless of the size of the package coming down the line. You can see a video of the development of this application below.

Other Packaging Applications using SmartMotor
Heat shrinking – Tubes are fed down over containers with the SmartMotor, plastic is dispensed and heat is used to shrink the plastic to form fit the container

Labeling – Buckets and bottles are spun by one SmartMotor as barcode and labels materials are fed and applied by another SmartMotor

Bagging (Ziplock style bags) – SmartMotor recieves input from edge guide sensor over film to ensure alignment of Ziplock mating surfaces

Rapid Machine Changeover – Automated rail adjustment for rapid changeover. Conventional drives would have used too many sub panels and cableways for distance from machine to control cabinet. SmartMotors don't. Manual handwheel changeout to automated control

Dispensing – Metering specific amounts of adhesive material with consistent bead width for package or box final assembly

Stack Accumulator – Product comes from upstream conveyor, stacking if downstream process slows, then unstacking when downstream resumes speed (e.g. paper plates)

Box Manufacturing – Multi-axis system brings cutting and creasing rollers down onto large sheets of cardboard creating various box patterns for later assembly

See more SmartMotor applications here

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3200 Patrick Henry Dr, Santa Clara, CA, Tel: (408) 748-8721
All integrated motor products made by Animatics are covered by patent number 5,912,541