Our continuing customer, a global leading developer of stone drilling tools and chisels, needed an automated assembly and packaging machine to improve their end-of-line production before being boxed for shipping. After undergoing rigorous quality testing, these drill bits still needed to be ready for consumers with appropriate packaging and labeling. They returned to SDC to deliver another advanced and high-speed automated solution.
Built on SDC’s pre-engineered Indexing Ring, this automated system is designed to handle a wide range of drill bit sizes and packaging configurations with speed and precision. At each indexing station, components are assembled and inspected using integrated vision systems to ensure quality before the final product is unloaded. The flexible ring platform supports synchronized, high-throughput assembly with minimal manual intervention.
The process begins with a six-axis FANUC robot retrieving components from an SDC Flex Feeder and placing them onto the indexing ring. A servo-driven foam peeling mechanism then inserts a small foam piece with repeatable precision. Another robot, guided by a Keyence 3D bin-picking system, accurately orients and loads drill bits, which are then secured using a servo-controlled press and vision-guided twisting mechanism for exact alignment.
For products requiring additional packaging, a second SDC Flex Feeder loads a plastic clip onto the drill bit, which is ultrasonically welded in place for secure assembly. The final product is robotically unloaded onto a takeout conveyor, where vision-guided label placement and high-speed robotic label wrapping complete the packaging process with exceptional accuracy and efficiency.
The implementation of SDC’s custom automation solution delivered measurable improvements across multiple areas of production. A 30% reduction in service-related safety concerns was achieved through enhanced design features like dual-channel interlocks and improved component access, significantly increasing technician safety. Production throughput was also greatly improved, driven by high-speed pick-and-place robotics, servo-controlled mechanisms, and continuous part feeding that minimized downtime and bottlenecks.
Additionally, product quality and consistency reached new heights, with vision inspection at each station and precise servo-driven motions ensuring repeatable, defect-free assemblies. The system’s flexible manufacturing capabilities allowed it to handle various drill bit sizes and packaging configurations, giving our customer greater agility to adapt to evolving product demands. Some noticeable business impacts:
Machine Rate: 3.5 parts per second
Our SDC Flex Feeding systems are engineered to provide a continuous, uninterrupted supply of pickable parts, eliminating robotic wait times and maximizing robotic pick rates. Designed to seamlessly integrate with automated material handling solutions, our systems enhance efficiency, ensure minimal downtime, and boost overall productivity for industrial and consumer product manufacturing.
The SDC Flex Feeder is built to handle a wide variety of part shapes and sizes with precision. Leveraging decades of expertise in automated material handling machines, we deliver a proven parts feeding solution that optimizes the flow of small to medium-sized parts through the production process. Whether working with complex geometries or varying part orientations, our flex feeding systems are engineered to keep parts moving smoothly, ensuring peak performance in advanced automated assembly and packaging applications.
Whether you need to streamline your automated material handling or enhance your part feeding, the SDC Flex Feeder provides the reliability and efficiency you need for optimal productivity in automated assembly and packaging.
The SDC Indexing Ring is a custom-built, high-speed assembly machine platform designed to meet the unique specifications of each client. Built with an extremely flexible footprint, the open-ring design allows workstation modules to be placed both inside and outside the ring, enabling a wide range of assembly and processing configurations.
The SDC Ring Indexer’s heavy steel frame, precision components, and customized tooling are meticulously designed, assembled, and tested to meet or exceed required specifications. A robust, modular platform supports multiple process configurations, providing automation solutions for consumer goods manufacturing like this with high throughput and repeatability.
This custom automated solution demonstrates how SDC’s engineering expertise and proven technologies come together to solve complex manufacturing challenges. By leveraging the flexibility of the SDC Indexing Ring and the advanced capabilities of the SDC Flex Feeding system, the machine seamlessly manages diverse part geometries, precise joining, and intricate packaging processes. Every step—from part orientation and robotic handling to ultrasonic welding and label application—is designed for high-speed, accurate, and reliable performance.
The integration of vision-guided robotics, servo-controlled motion, and smart material handling ensures a scalable and efficient system tailored to our customer’s specific production needs. Backed by SDC’s proven standard platforms and deep automation experience, this machine not only enhances throughput and product quality but also sets a foundation for future adaptability. It’s a powerful example of how smart automation and thoughtful design drive safer, faster, and more precise manufacturing processes.
A: This machine uses two SDC Flex Feeding systems as the core parts feeding solution. These flexible systems support continuous, high-speed delivery of varied part shapes and sizes—eliminating robotic wait time and maximizing throughput in automated material handling machines.
A: Robotic material handling with FANUC robots and Keyence 3D vision systems enables high-speed, angle-flexible pick-and-place operations. This drastically reduces manual intervention and bottlenecks, boosting the performance of fully automated assembly and packaging systems.
A: With vision-guided robotics, precision joining, and label application, this system meets the high standards of automation solutions for consumer goods manufacturing. Its flexibility allows it to handle multiple drill bit sizes and packaging formats, making it ideal for fast-moving consumer product environments.
A: Vision-guided robotic label positioning and high-speed label wrapping ensure precise packaging every time. These packaging automation systems enhance consistency, reduce human error, and increase the reliability of advanced automated assembly and packaging lines.
A: Yes, the modular design of the SDC Indexing Ring and interchangeable robotic tooling enables quick adaptation to new parts or packaging formats. It’s built to support scalable growth and evolving production requirements in both industrial and consumer product manufacturing.
A: This system provides faster time-to-market, lower operational costs, improved safety compliance, and superior product quality. By integrating servo-driven motion, flex feeding systems, and vision-guided robotics, it delivers unmatched efficiency in automated material handling and packaging automation.
