Gandinnovations has introduced robotic technology to the grand format digital print world with the creation of its high-speed automatic loading robot.
The unit is called H.A.L. which stands for ‘High-speed Auto Loader’.
H.A.L. was designed to work in synchronisation with all Jeti True flatbed digital printers to achieve maximum production efficiency.
“Robotics is a branch of engineering which involves the conception, design, manufacturing, and operation of robots. What we’ve done is overlap this technology with electronic engineering and artificial intelligence to produce the ultimate in productivity,” says James Gandy, CEO at the company's Canadian-based manufacturing facility. “H.A.L. allows customers to perform multiple roles with more speed, precision and agility than ever before. They can now operate two machines at once, completing jobs faster and with more accuracy unsupervised.”
Designed to run 24/7, around the clock, H.A.L. will boost the production speed of any Jeti True Flatbed. It can handle materials simultaneously on two Jeti Flatbed printers’ situated back to back using new configurable technology and software that surpasses conventional automation or manual solutions.
“ H.A.L. will give our customers the perfect solution for running total maximum production on up to two Jeti flatbed printers with minimal effort” says Hary Gandy, Gandinnovations' President based out of corporate offices in San Antonio, Texas.
H.A.L.'s ‘magic eye’ – an intelligent camera station – evaluates the condition of material for damages and pre-determines the position to ensure perfect loading every time. H.A.L. also scrutinises the job for contamination between the transfer head vacuum cups and material between pre-selected cycles.
H.A.L. is capable of handling thin, flexible or rigid, non-porous materials up to 10mm thick, of 1.2mtr x 2.4mtr and 1.5mtr x 3mtr sheet sizes with stack heights up to 127cm and operates with a fully enclosed safety cell with safety interlocks. The standard print-to-print cycle is less than 60 seconds when used in conjunction with high-speed print heads, reducing the number of print passes. H.A.L. further eliminates the possibility of costly head strikes by detecting sheet corner damage up to 1 cm, and sheets with reasonably straight edges are repeatedly and accurately placed on the print bed within 1 cm.
The software comes with an option to monitor print jetting after pre-selected cycles are complete. H.A.L. also visually inspects the test pattern on the border to ensure minimal risk of producing scrap should print anomalies occur, as well as contamination between transfer head vacuum cups and sheets following completion of pre-selected cycles by visually inspecting the pick area.
Customers are able to extend production beyond normal work shift by running out sheet supply skid. Once the job is complete H.A.L. unloads the print bed and places the finished job in an allocated area.
Gandi have made a video of H.A.L. in action and can be viewed at www.gandinnovations.com/HAL (high speed internet connection required).
Gandiinnovations
www.gandiinnovations.com
