The Fanuc M-710iC lightweight 6-axis robot uses a SABO-designed end effector to transport and place/remove multiple plastic containers in a single lift

Athens-based DEMO SA, Greece’s leading producer of injectables, has successfully automated the loading and unloading processes around its tray-based sterilisation of plastic containers and bags, employing a series of Fanuc industrial robots to overcome challenges surrounding differing sizes, dimensions and handling requirements.

Established in 1965, DEMO SA manufactures a range of injectable drugs from its base just outside Athens, exporting to 85 countries worldwide. Hospitals and other medical organisations around the globe rely on the company to provide products in a timely and efficient manner, while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

SABO also installed two larger R-2000iC/165F 6-axis robots for handling the trays as well as two smaller Fanuc M-10iD/12 robot arms (pictured at the front)

In recent years, it has embraced robotics in order to meet these exacting demands, automating several production and packaging lines with the help of its long-term industrial equipment partner, SABO SA. As a long-standing strategic partner of SABO, Fanuc has provided robots for a number of DEMO’s previous projects and was once again the obvious choice for this latest installation.

Argyris Lellos, DEMO SA’s technical director, said: “We chose SABO for our new automation project because of their experience and because they use Fanuc robots. We prefer Fanuc equipment: to date, we have automated four production lines using a total of 12 Fanuc robots.”

The latest production area that DEMO was looking to automate concerns the sterilisation of plastic containers and bags in tray-based systems. After cleaning, DEMO fills the plastic ampoules with injectables, while the bags carry sterile solutions, so the need for the highest levels of hygiene was paramount for any proposed automation solution.

Eight robots
In addition to meeting superior hygiene standards, the robots would be required to perform a range of different loading, unloading, picking, placing and transporting operations involving the trays, containers and bags. The variety of tasks within this project led to FANUC specifying a total of eight robots spanning four different models.

Angelos Markou, industrial solutions sales manager at SABO SA, said: “For the task of loading and unloading the plastic containers into and out of the trays we selected a Fanuc M-710iC lightweight six-axis robot.”

The DR-3iB/8L delta robots use end-effector suction cups for handling the bags at very high speeds

This robot works at pace, using a SABO-designed end effector to transport and place/remove multiple plastic containers in a single lift. SABO also installed two larger Fanuc six-axis robots for handling the trays; R-2000iC/165F models, which can lift payloads up to 165kg and operate in tight spaces. The newly automated production line also features two smaller FANUC M-10iD/12 robot arms and three Fanuc DR-3iB/8L delta robots. The latter use end-effector suction cups for handling the bags at very high speeds.

Mr Markou added: “Fanuc robots are reliable products, but also important is Fanuc’s after-sales support, which is very quick and efficient.”

For DEMO’s Argyris Lellos, the main benefits of this latest automation project were clear from the start: “We now have 24/7 uninterrupted production, with faster throughput, reduced production costs and less downtime. We’ve also saved space due to the small footprint of the robots. Further advantages include a better working environment for our employees and a very flexible and easy-to-use operator interface. We are now relying on SABO and FANUC for our future automation projects.”