FlexiBowl
The FlexiBowl® system is a highly efficient solution for feeding, separating, and orienting bulk parts. Regardless of geometry, material, or surface finish, FlexiBowl® reliably separates components for pickup by a robot. Thanks to seamless integration with any vision system, the system enables extremely fast product changeovers without mechanical retooling, significantly increasing manufacturing flexibility.
variants
The versatility of FlexiBowl® is evident in the six available models, each of which is optimized for different component dimensions and productivity requirements. Each system features integrated backlighting to optimize component detection for vision systems.
An overview of the model variants:
- FlexiBowl® 200 & 350: Designed specifically for small parts. The Model 200 is ideal for components up to 10 mm in size and weighing up to 20 g, while the Model 350 handles parts up to 20 mm in size and weighing up to 40 g.
- FlexiBowl® 500 / 500 E: The all-rounders for medium-sized components up to 50 mm and with a unit weight of less than 100 g.
- FlexiBowl® 650: Designed for components up to 110 mm in size and weighing up to 170 g each.
- FlexiBowl® 800 & 1200: The largest models for heavy-duty workpieces. The 1200 model can handle components up to 300 mm in length and weighing up to 300 g each.
All systems support various operating modes, such as “FlexiTrack” for continuous feeding or the simultaneous handling of multiple part types. With options such as infrared backlights or cleanroom certifications, FlexiBowl® can be optimally adapted to industries such as medical technology or electronics manufacturing.
Technical details
| model | Recommended component size (x) | Max. weight per item | Max. Payload | |
| FlexiBowl® 200 | 1 < x < 10 mm | < 20 g | 1 kg | Download |
| FlexiBowl® 350 | 1 < x < 20 mm | < 40 g | 3 kg | Download |
| FlexiBowl® 500 | 5 < x < 50 mm | < 100 g | 7 kg | Download |
| FlexiBowl® 500 E | 5 < x < 50 mm | < 100 g | 7 kg | Download |
| FlexiBowl® 650 | 20 < x < 110 mm | < 170 g | 7 kg | Download |
| FlexiBowl® 800 | 60 < x < 250 mm | < 250 g | 7 kg | Download |
| FlexiBowl® 1200 | 50 < x < 300 mm | < 300 g | 7 kg | Download |
FlexiVision – The intelligent “brain” of your feeding system
Introduction: FlexiVision is the optional machine vision package for robot guidance, perfectly tailored to FlexiBowl® systems. Based on the powerful Cognex Vision Pro library, the software acts as a central control unit that not only identifies parts but also dynamically optimizes the entire feeding process.
Highlights of FlexiVision:
- Full system control: Autonomously controls all parameters, such as acceleration, speed, and the flip impulse.
- Precise coordinate transmission: Sends exact position data directly to the robot for an error-free pick-and-place sequence.
- Smart Bunker Management: A special algorithm monitors the number of parts on the tray and controls refilling via the bulk feeder.
- Future-proof recipe database: Enables easy saving and loading of parameters for quick product changeovers.
How it works: FlexiVision significantly reduces the complexity of integration. As soon as the components are securely positioned on the tray, the system triggers a scan, identifies the objects within reach, and transmits the coordinates to the cobot in a flash. If there are not enough parts available in the optimal position, the software automatically triggers the next movement or the FlexiBowl®’s rotation mechanism.
For complex applications, FlexiVision also supports up to two additional inspection cameras. This allows quality checks or additional inspection steps to be integrated directly into the feeding process without interrupting the cycle.
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