Application of Robot for Automatic Case Loading System in Cigarette Case Filling and Sealing Machine

For eliminating the shortcomings associated with manual operation such as low efficiency and high error rate and creating a smooth connection with material logistics system in terms of automation and informatization, the case loading in cigarette case filling and sealing system was upgraded with industrial robot and image recognition technologies. The system adopted 6-anticulate light-duty industrial robot in order to grasp the case more flexibly and used large area cellular vacuum chuck with multi-stage vacuum generator as clamps to improve system reliability. An image recognition system collected the information and data about the cases via an industrial intelligent camera and carried out image data processing. The practical application showed that the robot system realized automatic tape unloosing, recognizing, feeding and grabbing, and the seamless connection between feeding station and AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) system. Comparing with traditional case handling, the proportion of compound cycle of AGVs increased by 40%, it allowed to reduce the number of AGVs accordingly. Comparing with traditional manual case loading, the accuracy rate of robot case loading was up to 99%. The labor intensity of operators was reduced, and working efficiency was improved.