High-Speed Pick-and-Place Robots Power Precision
High-speed pick-and-place robots deliver a powerful solution for modern manufacturers who must increase speed, precision and reliability. As your automation partner, JHFOSTER can design, integrate and support a high-speed pick-and-place system tailored to your application so you can start operating smarter and more efficiently.
What is High-Speed Pick-and-Place?
Automated high-speed pick-and-place systems use robots along with advanced automation technologies to pick up, manipulate and move small, lightweight components from one location to another with extremely fast cycle times – sometimes up to 150 cycles per minute – to help manufacturers dramatically increase productivity and significantly reduce cycle times.
Because high-speed pick-and-place robots are programmed to perform these tasks with great precision, consistency and repeatability, quality also gets a major boost.
What are the Components of a High-Speed Pick-and-Place System?
Robots designed for high-speed pick-and-place tasks are integrated with advanced vision systems, custom end-of-arm tooling and high-performance motion control technologies to provide fast, consistent and precise operation.
Automated high-speed pick-and-place tasks are executed in 3 steps:
Step 1: The vision system accurately detects the part.
Step 2: Customized end-of-arm tooling grasps and manipulates the item without damage.
Step 3: High-performance motion controllers support smooth, fast and consistent motion as the robot moves and releases the part in the designated area.
High-Speed Pick-and-Place Integration: The JHFOSTER Advantage
The robot is just one component in a high-speed pick-and-place system, which also includes part feeding, vision systems, cameras and sensors, automation controls and safety devices that must all work together to achieve the highest speeds. Because expert integration is essential for optimal efficiency and reliability, it pays to call on JHFOSTER to design, integrate and support a tailored pick-and-place solution.
Types of High-Speed Pick-and-Place Machines
Robots provide the muscle in high-speed pick-and-place systems. Delta robots are most often used in high-speed pick-and-place systems, but Cartesian and SCARA robots may also be applied. These robots are selected for their high speeds, accuracy and consistency.
The table below highlights the performance characteristics and typical pick-and-place applications for each robot type.
| Robot Type | Description | Performance Characteristics | Typical Pick-and-Place Applications |
| Delta | Parallel robots with three lightweight arms connected to a single base, typically mounted above the work cell. | Precision movements at very high speeds. | Accurate handling and assembling of small, delicate items in electronics, food and medical device manufacturing and packaging applications. |
| Cartesian | Move in straight lines on 3 axes with rotational axes optional. | Precise movement, flexibile configuration. | Handling small components in electronics manufacturing, machine tending CNC machines and precision assembly tasks. |
| SCARA | Typically function on 3 or 4 axes, offer rotary and lateral movements. | High speeds, precision and repeatability. | Sorting and assembling, components in electronics, medical device and food manufacturing. |
High-Speed Delta (Parallel) Robots for Pick-and-Place
Delta robots, also called parallel robots, are often the preferred choice for very high-speed pick-and-place applications because the parallel, lightweight arms, fixed base and smooth acceleration and deceleration allow for the highest speeds and precision in a range of industries, including electronics, medical device and food manufacturing and primary packaging operations.
High-Speed Pick-and-Place Systems Offer Precision for Electronics Applications
Electronics assembly demands high-speed throughput without sacrificing precision or repeatability to ensure defect-free, high-quality electronic components. High-speed pick-and-place systems optimize these operations. Here are a few examples:
High-Speed LED Pick-and-Place Systems
When assembling LED components, extremely high-precision placement at low-force is critical for meeting quality requirements. The required level of precision, consistency and motion control demands the use of lightweight robotic arms fitted with customized end-of-arm tooling and integration with advanced machine vision systems to ensure accurate component orientation and quality control checks.
When JHFOSTER designs and integrates a tailored system for LED pick-and-place applications, you can count on high reliability and low defect rates.
High-Speed PCB Pick-and-Place Systems
Placing microscopic components onto Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) necessitates high levels of accuracy to ensure quality. High-speed pick-and-place robotic systems ensure precision and repeatability in these operations, helping to enhance quality and reduce waste and scrap in an industry where these goals are critical.
JHFOSTER has experience in designing, integrating and supporting high-speed pick-and-place systems for sensitive electronics manufacturing lines so you can focus on providing high-quality, defect-free PCBs.
Ultra-High-Speed Pick-and-Place Machines
For applications that demand the highest speeds, ultra-high-speed pick-and-place systems – some of which can move hundreds of parts per minute – complete tasks at speeds that are significantly faster than humans and at higher speeds than traditional pick-and-place robot systems.
JHFOSTER can design ultra-high-speed pick-and-place systems to achieve maximum cycles per minute, so you can dramatically improve throughput and consistency and boost productivity, while minimizing errors and waste.
Partnering with a High-Speed Pick-and-Place System Expert
High-speed pick-and-place systems maximize throughput, efficiency and quality so manufacturers can increase their profitability and remain competitive. However, to ensure that all the necessary system components work together, it is essential to partner with an experienced automation partner.
As a solutions provider who works with top-tier robotics manufacturers to provide the best technology fit for your specific application, JHFOSTER can evaluate, design, integrate and support a tailored pick-and-place system that ensures optimal efficiency and quality for your operation.
Contact us today to develop the most effective solution for your high-speed pick-and-place application.
