Production 4.0 with Modico Graphics

A universal approach – tailor-made solutions

Work processes often involve the repeated execution of very similar steps. Those who can automate such steps have more time for quality control, customer care and development. That is what Production 4.0 with Modico Graphics is all about.

We are convinced that our customers would like to spend less time on tasks such as loading or unloading workpieces, transferring orders from their shops to production, and similar activities. That is why, over the past two years, we have been working intensively on the use of cobots.

Our conclusion: As a small or medium-sized business, you can benefit from automation solutions just as much as the industrial sector!

Cobots: The ideal complement

The cobot principle does not view the robot as an integral part of a closed system, but rather as independent hardware whose capabilities are integrated into existing systems. For example, for cooperation with Flatbed printers such as the Mimaki UJF7151 Plus II or a LSINC rotary printing system. Even with a Laser system is the integration feasible?.

The robot is programmed to carry out specific tasks and to work alongside existing systems. Thanks to this universal approach, cobots are particularly attractive to small to medium-sized businesses that already have sufficient machinery and a steady volume of orders, but which, for example, are affected by the current shortage of skilled workers. Our award-winning products, amongst others, are particularly well-suited for working alongside cobots. Rotary printing systems as well as the Mimaki systems JFX200-2513EX, UJF7151 or alternatively Models in the MkIIe series.

The project in Donauwörth

As part of the Digital Pact for Schools by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, with the participation of several companies such as KraussMaffei, Jugard+Künstner and others were held around two years ago at the Donauwörth State Vocational and Technical College A complex project was launched: the development of a fully automated production line for the manufacture of a product customised to the customer’s specifications. In this specific example, the product in question is printed plastic cups. Numerous well-known manufacturers and their systems were involved. An injection moulding machine from KraussMaffei supplies freshly moulded cups; Universal Robots from Jugard+Künstner transfer the workpieces to the individual workstations; and a central graphical user interface from Trixtertec provides an overview and control.

Modico Graphic Systems We contributed to the rotary printing system and took care of programming the automated equipment. In the process, we have gained a great deal of expertise and built up in-house capabilities that can now help your company prepare for Production 4.0.

The complete system presented at the Technical College in Donauwörth impressively demonstrates the possibilities: a customer in an online shop uploads a photo that they would like printed on a mug. All subsequent steps are automated – from checking stock levels in the warehouse to delivering the mug to the printing press, loading it onto the press, and even dispatching the finished, custom-printed mug – all of which is handled by Universal Robots. Modico Graphic Systems assisted with the development of the control logic and the programming of the cobots.

Delivery

Even the task of transferring the freshly moulded plastic cup into the production line is carried out by a cobot. It picks up the cup from the injection moulding machine and places it on a pallet in such a way that it can be picked up by an autonomous, driverless transport system and transferred to the next stage of production.

Production

Once it reaches the printing system, the cup is picked up by a cobot and placed into the printing system. The system detects that the cup is positioned perfectly, and the printing system starts the finishing print process fully automatically. Programming this interaction to run smoothly and reliably was a task undertaken by Modico Graphic Systems.

Discharge

Completion of the printing process triggers the command to the cobot: the cobot removes the printed mug from the printing system and places it in the goods-out area. There, the operator can carry out a visual inspection and approve the finished product for dispatch to the customer.

Production 4.0 with Modico Graphics: A universal concept – tailor-made solutions

The pilot project in Donauwörth is the spark that will set the process of customising promotional items and many other products in motion: a networked, automated system can handle ballpoint pens or lighters just as easily as the mugs described above. Or, if necessary, it can also run and operate production processes on several printing presses in parallel.

Whether cobots in your company are simply used to carry out mechanical movement and transport tasks, or are also intended to support administrative and accounting processes – for example, using scanners and optical sensors – it is precisely the solutions that will be of the greatest help to you that are possible. And should your requirements ever change, your cobot is capable of learning and can be adapted to the new set-up.

Incidentally: Compared with the initial cost of a professional printing system, the cost of robots and their programming seems manageable. Together, however, the two generate significant synergy effects.

How can we help your business move forward?

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