March 2004

Responding to the food packaging industry's specific requirement for 'pick & place' solutions for in-process and end-of-line product handling, Quin Systems has developed the three-axis R-THETA³.

The experts in motion control, Quin has designed this unit to provide a cost effective handling solution offering full 3D motion, whilst eliminating the complexity, cost and over-performance often associated with standard 'robots'.

R-THETA³ has a small footprint, making it ideal for positioning alongside existing machinery. It can handle a food industry-optimised 1-10kg payload, depending upon the number of full cycles per minute required. One hundred 'there-and-back' motions per minute over a 300 x 600mm area are possible when lifting 1kg. The mechanical design of the unit is uniquely simple, and its high dynamic performance does not cause any structural problems for the lifting arm.

Three axes of motion allow R-THETA³ to track product and conveyor movements, allowing the unit to become accurately synchronised with the item that has to be picked. The system can be supplied with a suitable gripping head and includes software within the purchase price.

Quin has taken trouble to make sure that R-THETA³ is easy to operate. The motion steps are easily programmed on an intuitive, step-by-step, graphically-assisted basis. On-line and remote access diagnostics are also provided to ensure maximum up-time.

For many years, Quin has been the foremost supplier of motion control and positioning systems worldwide. The company has developed software solutions across many industries for synchronisation, registration and tension control and the logical extension of their business was to bring their expertise to bear on a complete Pick & Place solution.

Managing Director of Quin Systems, Mike Webb, commented: "Applications in the food, packaging and pharmaceutical sectors, and those with specific handling problems, will find a natural answer to their needs with R-THETA³ from Quin.

"Unlike costly, over-complicated 'robots' intended primarily for heavy industrial applications, the R-THETA³ has been designed specifically for packers' and processors' Pick and Place needs. Why should processors rely on a sledgehammer to crack a nut - when the nutcracker was designed for the job?"