ESE International automates first aid kit production with OMRON’s cobot
Eliminating repetitive tasks in print-on-demand process
ESE International B.V., a leading provider of medical equipment including first aid kits and evacuation materials, faced a challenge in their production process. The task of printing on first aid kits involved manual labour, where an operator was required to insert each plastic box into a printer, wait for the printing to complete, and then place the finished box back on a pallet. This process was not only monotonous for employees but also inefficient, leading to unnecessary labour costs and wasted time. ESE International sought to automate this repetitive task, aiming to save on costs, improve efficiency, and reduce downtime during non-working hours. The ultimate goal was to allow the cobot to handle the process autonomously, including running overnight, while saving resources.
Key Benefits:
Automated repetitive tasks, freeing up employee time
Lowered costs through efficient labour and ink-saving technology
Improved lead times, meeting customer demand faster
The Solution
To meet ESE International’s needs, OMRON collaborated with its solution partner, KOM Innovative Solutions, and Bergstein Digital B.V., the provider of the printer technology. Together, they created an automated solution using an OMRON cobot. KOM Innovative Solutions led the integration from proof of concept through to deployment, ensuring the cobot could seamlessly manage the tasks of inserting boxes into the printer, handling them after printing, and placing them back onto pallets. This automated system replaced the manual, operator-driven process. The implementation of the OMRON cobot brought immediate and significant improvements to ESE International’s operations.
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"The automation of the printing process has been a game-changer for us. By eliminating repetitive tasks, our employees are now able to focus on more value-added activities, making our operations more efficient."
