When dealing with a large volumes of parts, an automated part marking or robotic system can have huge paybacks in terms of cost, error proofing, efficiencies, and operator job satisfaction. With a wide experience of parts from all industries and an understanding of handling systems equally as broad, our design team have the experience to recommend the best solutions for your process
Overview
One of the great things about working for Pryor is the incredible range of customers we have, this means that our products and our solutions have to be very versatile. We have been designing and building automated part handling and robotic systems for decades, and we have a team of in-house designers with the experience needed to develop a system to meet your requirements. Adding to this is the flexibility of our control systems and Windows based software that can both be used to operate our equipment and communicate with your network and other process equipment.
The range of systems we have previously provided covers everything from small nuts and bolts to huge gas cylinders with a two metre diameter.
If you want to automate your part marking process it makes sense to use a company that specialises in marking and traceability to not only provide the marking equipment, but also the solution that integrates the marking equipment into your process.
Overview
One of the great things about working for Pryor is the incredible range of customers we have, this means that our products and our solutions have to be very versatile. We have been designing and building automated part handling and robotic systems for decades, and we have a team of in-house designers with the experience needed to develop a system to meet your requirements. Adding to this is the flexibility of our control systems and Windows based software that can both be used to operate our equipment and communicate with your network and other process equipment.
The range of systems we have previously provided covers everything from small nuts and bolts to huge gas cylinders with a two metre diameter.
If you want to automate your part marking process it makes sense to use a company that specialises in marking and traceability to not only provide the marking equipment, but also the solution that integrates the marking equipment into your process.
Capabilities
We have the capability to build automated robotic marking systems, utilising Industrial Robots. By mounting our marking equipment as a robotic end of arm tool (EOAT), we provide our customers the ultimate flexibility to mark numerous components anywhere within the working envelope of the robot. Our robotic marking system can be integrated into moving production lines or used in within a dedicated marking station/cell.
We widely integrate Industrial Robots for Automotive VIN Marking Applications as well as Aerospace part marking cells.
Our pick and place part handling systems can be implemented to replace simple and repetitive marking processes, freeing up operators to carry out other tasks. We integrate a range of pick and place and collaborative robots, for the purpose of tending our range of marking machinery.
Video of Robotic Pick and Place Laser Marking System for Cutting Tools
We offer laser marking systems capable of marking components on a moving conveyor or shuttle system. We also have experience of marking of processed raw materials, such as coiled and strip material This is achieved using our Marking on the Fly software functionality; where the speed, acceleration and deceleration of a moving line is constantly measured and fed back using an encoder. This allows for a consistent, distortion free mark to be maintained, without the need to stop and start the process.
Our Marking on the Fly systems provide our customers an automated marking system, a high quality and consistent mark and maintains production speeds.
We can even design and supply a custom machine enclosure and safety system to ensure the laser marking process is carried out safely to Class 1 laser safety standards.
For the marking and identification of incredibly large batches of small components, its worth considering whether a vibratory bowl and/or linear feed system would be appropriate for your business. These systems can have a huge cycle time impact over a manual marking process and can be integrated with our dot peen, scribe and laser technologies.
How do bowl and vibratory feed systems work?
Parts are poured into the bowl and the vibrating mechanism causes them to move and tumble. As they move, the parts are guided by the track, which is designed to orient them in a specific position.
Bowl and Linear Feed. Marking System for Aerospace Fasteners Case Study
We have a wealth of experience in integrating our marking systems with our customer’s existing conveyor systems. We also scope out and supply new conveyor systems and integrate our laser, dot-peen and scribe markers to provide a robust and fit for purpose solution for our customers. When laser marking is required, we consider laser safety by designing Class 1 laser enclosures around the conveyor; where necessary changing conveyor direction or elevation to avoid direct line of sight with the laser. We’ve previously installed fast actuated “shoe box” style enclosures to locally enclose individual parts on the conveyor, for both stationary and Marking on The Fly marking.
For customer’s producing metal labels for identification purposes in large volumes, we have the capability to design and manufacture custom automated label feed systems. The general arrangement of these system is to:
- Pick blank labels from stack/hopper
- Transfer to an intermediary marking position
- Mark label (Laser, Dot-Peen or Scribe)
- Transfer label into a collection chute or re-stack hopper
For customers having a wide range of label sizes, we can accommodate this by designing multiple label hoppers and auto adjustment between hopper. Alternatively, we can integrate a pneumatic pick and place system, using a shuttle and suction cup gripper arrangement.
In 2016 we designed and developed a low complexity and cost effective laser marking system for producing tamper proof acrylic labels for the automotive industry (such as material provided by TESA). We work from a large roll of material and index the material through a roller driven feed system, which keeps the material flat and taught during laser marking. We utilise the flexibility of the laser to not only mark the required information, but to also trim the label outline as well as cut the label to be parted off from the main roll.
Since 2016 we have manufactured many of these marking systems for various Automotive OEMs, and is another example of how Pryor can rise to the challenge and provide a fit for purpose automated handling system for our customers. We continue to improve the design of these systems and can modify and upgrade the base system depending on our customers cycle time and label specifications.