Machine Peripheral Equipment

FRANKLIN AUTOMATION machines are delivered turnkey and normally equipped with auxiliary stations to automate assembly from A to Z. All peripheral equipment is selected with great care according to the size, shape, fragility of components and other technical requirements.

We have dedicated engineering and production teams to integrate all necessary peripherals and carry out complete interfacing within an assembly line without the intervention of external service providers.FRANKLIN also offers specific and modular equipment for palletizing, de-palletizing and transferring parts. These solutions can complement any assembly platform.

Specific Devices

Palletizer & Depalletizer for Thermoformed Trays

Robotic palletizers and de-palletizers automate the distribution of packaged components in thermoformed trays. In particular, fragile or cosmetic products such as some medical devices, retail products, or Electric toothbrush heads, for example.

As a manufacturer of special machines, FRANKLIN AUTOMATION, in addition to a range of standard solutions, designs custom palletizers and de-palletizers according to the specific characteristics of your trays, your products, production rates and your dimensions.

Our palletizers and de-palletizers are flexible and can be completely autonomous when equipped with dedicated HMIs and integrated electrical cabinets. These conditioning systems are also suitable for use in IS0 7 and 8 clean rooms.

FIFO Conveyor (First-In-First-Out)

The FIFO (First-in-first-out) linear conveyor was developed by FRANKLIN’s parent company SOCIETE GUY NEYRET to optimize the productivity of indexing style assembly machines

The FIFO conveyor system connects two machines and consists of a very long chain with indexed links in the shape of a zigzag with an accumulation and decumulation buffer which moves on a table depending on the filling. It is fed continuously by components and the buffer is constantly filled between 50% and 80%.

If one of the machines stops, the others remain powered by the FIFO and continue their operations for 3-5 minutes. This time is sufficient to solve minor problems and restart the machine without immobilizing the entire production line.

Transfer and Synchronization Systems

For the simultaneous management of longer cycle time operations or the transfer of parts between stations or asynchronous mechanisms, The NEYRET GROUP and FRANKLIN have developed a range of trays and slides for adapting different platforms.

Indexing Systems:

  • Additional turntables or multiple slides placed in an arc of a circle integrated with pick and place actuators (eHELiCO ®) This system is very useful when performing operations such as torque measurement, electrical tests, resin application, leak and/or pressure tests

  • Conical trays allow the transfer of components by rotating them by 90° (e.g. ballpoint pen cartridge)

Continuous Systems:

  • Synchronized Indexed Satellite plates (SIS): used in the distribution of springs or tubes, this system allows the introduction of components during a stop phase and to synchronize them with a satellite plate continuously

  • Variable Pitch Satellite Plates (SPV): For cases where the component is too fragile, the use of the SPV makes it possible to collect the component at zero speed at rail pitch and then bring it to barrel pitch speed

  • CARDIOID platter (Double SPV): allows components to be transferred from one barrel to another with different pitches

Integrated Peripherals 

The choice of dispensing and transfer systems is guided by various factors. In order to offer you an optimal solution, our teams take into account the geometry and weight of the components, the number of versions, the speeds, the size, the environment and your constraints.

Loading Components

  • Vibratory or centrifugal bowl, selects components and distributes them in a natural orientation on a vibrating or fluidic rail, belt, etc.

  • Vibrating or lifting hopper depending on autonomy and loading ergonomics for the operator

  • Drum used in the distribution and disentangling of springs

  • Flexible feeding with the integration of robots (see below)

Flexible loading equipment - The integration of robots and industrial vision systems allows the selection of non-distributable parts per bowl and to accommodate the management of several component models.

Flexible Feeding systems include:

  • Vibrating table or bowl. Among the components arranged on the table, a camera indicates to the robot the selectable parts.

  • Tracking assembly with conveyor, picking up components from the moving belt

Transfer Components

  • Belt conveyor that guarantees good product stability during transfer

  • Plastic chain conveyor that allows great flexibility

  • FIFO (First-in-first-out) conveyor with an accumulation and decumulation buffer

  • Elevator conveyor that allows elevation or descent

  • Vibrating and fluidic rail allows to manage the accumulation of parts

Unloading Assemblies 

Once the product is assembled and checked, it will be transported to one or more packaging systems of different types:

  • Evacuation in bulk in a cardboard box, crate or plastic bag in a determined quantity;

  • Placing in a thermoformed tray or a bin by a palletizer with a pick-up robot on a belt or rail;

  • Blister packing in a cartridge, tray.