Tecnargilla Preview - SIR

At its exhibition space at Tecnargilla, SITI - B&T Group is showcasing an innovative and patented system for handling sanitaryware based on the research and development work carried out by its subsidiary SIR (Soluzioni Industriali Robotizzate). It comprises a plant for handling ceramic articles and in particular for loading sanitaryware on kiln cars for firing.

The plant is capable of moving sanitaryware of different types and sizes and in random arrival order towards the firing stage and then placing them on the kiln car shelves in a pre-established order according to the specific type of sanitaryware.

The robot is equipped with a Vistavision® vision system which recognises the type and position of the unfired piece, automatically adapts the gripper system for pick-up and loads the software for the recognised sanitaryware element. After pick-up it deposits the piece on the kiln car in the most suitable position and orientation.

The robot is positioned on a cam system that allows it to reach any deposit position on the car and to disengage in order to free the area for transit of the loaded cars. The system essentially offers the following advantages:
-    flexibility and productivity: the system is capable of handling any type of sanitaryware article arriving from the shaping lines automatically and more rapidly than the systems currently available on the market;

-    reduced space: the system picks up articles from a single line arrival point and occupies a very small working area, thereby reducing both the dimensions of the unfired product transport lines and the dimensions of the complete firing plant;

-    accessibility: the system offers the maximum accessibility to the kiln cars and where necessary allows operators to intervene on the sanitaryware loading and unloading stations;

-    traceability and supervision system: the complete system normally consists of a number of robotic units serving the kiln car. Each car has an identification code that is controlled by a centralised supervision system capable of determining and monitoring the complete state of the firing line. The same system is used to control and manage the unloading of fired products.