Buying Baxter from ONExia

Rethink Robotics Baxter

ONExia is going above and beyond the normal sale when it comes to purchasing a Baxter. We will review the potential application and make sure that Baxter will be capable of completing every task to the best of its ability.

Services offered by ONExia:

Presale

• ONExia will test application to make sure it is something that is best suited for Baxter.
• The application will be documented and recorded for further review of the engineers at ONExia.
• Results and feedback will be provided to customer to review.
• If application and results fit a quote will be delivered.

After Sale Support

• ONExia will be there on the day of to assist in intial setup.
• Full training will be provided for those purchacing a Baxter.
• ONExia will troubleshoot all issues and provide warranty repairs.

Additional Services

Custom End Effector

• Additional training.
• ONExia will troubleshoot and repairs that come up out of warranty.
• Facilitate Use of Baxter
• ONExia has the capabilities to build conveyors, grippers, and gripper modifications.
• Tooling to facilitate parts placement and other products and services is also available.

Greg Selke

CEO ONExia Inc

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Picking the Right Robot

Denso Robot

Robots can be used to automate manufacturing lines of all sizes and volumes. The main goals of using robots are to accelerate cycle times, increase throughput, and eliminate bottlenecks on a line. Each type of robot has its pros and cons so selecting one is based on what works best in the application with regards to time and budget.

An evaluation must be done of the application. The main things to consider are load, orientation, speed, travel, precision, environment, duty cycle and programming.

1.   Load.  This can limit which robotic solutions are available right away. Consult the manufacturer’s specs to each robot to see if it something the robot can handle. Heavy payloads can deflect a robotic arm making it harder to consistently position the load with accuracy.

2.   Orientation. This depends on how the robot is mounted and how it situates parts or products that are being moved. Space within the work envelope must also be considered. The main goal of this is to match the robot’s footprint to the work area.

Codian Delta Robot

3.   Speed and Travel. Similar to load robot-manufacturers also list speed ratings. If the application being considered is pick and place, the amount of time during part transfer must be given heavy consideration. Cartesian robots will typically best fit in this application when distance is a factor because they can be customized externally by length and internally by using faster actuator components (belt, linear, ball screw, etc.).

4.   Precision. Delta, SCARA and six axis robots have a predefined accuracy rating making it easy to determine their repeatability of movement. Although this is ideal for some applications it can lock the user into one level of accuracy. A Cartesian robot once again can be customized if necessary for better precision. Also consider deflection. Heavy payloads = tougher success with precision.

5.   Environment. Three main things need to be considered: space available in work envelope, hazards and environmental situations. Overhead mounting is a good option in limited space or pick and place applications. For environmental issues many robots are available in an IP65 model.

ONEreach Cartesian Robot

6.   Duty Cycle. This depends on the user’s intent. A robot running 40 hours a week will have a longer lifespan than a robot running 24/7. Robots have varying maintenance schedules so finding one that limits downtime but has a long run life is essential.

7.   Programming. The most suitable robot for an application also depends on the requirements for controls and programmability. Typically the most basic controls are available with a Cartesian robot because of the simplicity of the design. Articulated, Delta and SCARA robots require more advanced functions which results in more time implementing them into action. Another thing to consider is communication with external additions such as an end effector, tool or vision system.

Robots are becoming a necessity in any automation application and can show an impressive ROI within weeks of implementation. For more information visit onexia.com/robotics or contact one of our engineers to discuss your potential application.

Tim Pelesky

Marketing ONExia Inc

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Is There a Robot in Your Distribution Future? - Article from Modern Materials Handling

The following is an excerpt from an article written by Bob Trebilcock, Executive Editor for mmh.com entitled  "Is There a Robot in Your Distribution Future?"

The article takes a look at the use of Rethink Robotics flagship robot Baxter being used in the Genco Distribution Facility in Ft. Worth, Texas.

"If a new process for handling consumer electronics continues to deliver results, the future of materials handling may include a striking red robot with big digital eyes, bushy digital eyebrows and a quizzical expression that makes you want to smile.

At Genco’s campus in Ft. Worth, Texas, Baxter, as the robot is known (Rethink Robotics), is working side by side with team members on a packaging line. The campus includes 1 million square feet of distribution space spread across three buildings and handles the return, repair and refurbishment of consumer electronics products such as cell phones and GPS navigation systems.

In this process, employees load four products—one at a time—into a form that goes into the sealer. When they come out the other side, Baxter picks and places four packages at a time on a takeaway conveyor that delivers them to the next step in the process.

Why the interest in piece-picking robots? “The cost and flexibility of the technology has lowered the barriers to entry for robotics,” says Jeremiah Miele, a Pittsburgh-based project engineer who is leading Genco’s robotics efforts. Read more about how Baxter works in this facility.

“There’s an ability to do things with robotics that didn’t exist five or 10 years ago,” adds Pete Rector, executive vice president of technology and lean solutions for Genco. “We think it’s just a matter of time before robotics are mainstream in materials handling. It’s going to happen faster than people think.”

Read the rest of the article at mmh.com (Modern Materials Handling) and see how Baxter is revolutionizing the Genco facility.

Link to full Article: http://www.mmh.com/article/is_there_a_robot_in_your_distribution_future

Tim Pelesky

Marketing ONExia Inc

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ONExia is now partnered with Codian Robotics

Codian Robotics supplies high speed pick & place robots that do not run on a dedicated robot control system. The gearboxes and servo motors are mounted on the robot's frame and all other moving parts have a lightweight construction. This allows the robot to be dynamic and fast.

Codian robots use the control system of the customer, eliminating the need for a duplicate control system. Through this unique feature, they meet the needs of a growing demand from the market, to have one integral control system for the machine. In turn, purchase price, maintenance costs and physical space are saved. At the same time no communication is required between two control systems of different manufacturers.

Codian robots are supplied with planetary gearboxes. If required servo motors are included. Codian Robotics does not depend on working with a specific brand, but instead works with suppliers of servo motors and control systems worldwide.

Codian robots are specifically suited for the packaging industry as well as for the food and pharmaceutical industry. The Codian robots have existed since 2002 and were built by a manufacturer of robot lines. There are over 1000 robots world-wide in use.
On June 1, 2011, Codian Robotics was established as an independent company.

For more information on Codian Robotics visit onexia.com/codianrobotics

Tim Pelesky

Marketing ONExia Inc

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Rethink Robotics Launches Baxter 2.0 Software

BOSTON, MA, – September 23, 2013 – Rethink Robotics today announced a game-changing update to the software of the company’s flagship interactive production robot, Baxter. The 2.0 software will introduce a new set of applications, making Baxter an even more effective productivity tool for American manufacturers. Existing customers will be able to easily download the new software and upgrade their Baxter robot.

Baxter is now able to pick and place parts at any axis, allowing the robot to perform a broad array of new tasks, such as picking objects off of a shelf, or loading machines in a horizontal motion. The 2.0 software also allows the customer to define waypoints with increased accuracy; users will be able to define the exact trajectory that they want Baxter’s arms to follow simply by moving them. For example, the robot can be taught where to move its arms in and out of a machine. In addition, the 2.0 software enables customers to train Baxter to hold its arms in space for a predetermined amount of time, or until a signal indicates they can begin moving again. This makes Baxter useful for holding parts in front of scanners, inspection cameras or painting stations, and for working more interactively with other machines (i.e., moving its hand out of a machine while it cycles).

In addition to its expanded task capabilities, Baxter with 2.0 software also features a number of overall performance improvements. Baxter can now operate at a significantly faster pace, pick and place objects with increased consistency and move more fluidly between points. With improvements to its integrated vision, Baxter now has the ability to detect and distinguish between a broader range of part geometries, further broadening its capacity for variably shaped objects.

“Over the past year, our customers have seen increased productivity and efficiency with the help of Baxter,” said Scott Eckert, president and CEO of Rethink Robotics. “While Baxter’s 2.0 software will greatly expand the possibilities for both new and existing customers, this release is just the beginning. Baxter is a unique, upgradable software platform, and the robot’s capabilities will continue to evolve to help manufacturers increase their overall efficiency, and help them realize an even greater return on their investment over time.”

“Baxter’s ability to expand its capabilities make it a unique and invaluable platform,” said Jeremiah Miele, Project Engineer for Genco, a leading third party logistics (3PL) provider. “We’ve been running Baxter for a while, and with the 2.0 software upgrade we’re able to unlock new applications for our Baxter robots throughout the facility that weren’t possible before.”

About Rethink Robotics

Rethink Robotics, Inc. develops intelligent, affordable, user-friendly robots that can operate safely next to people in a wide range of manufacturing, production and R&D environments.  Rethink Robotics’ Baxter is the world’s first interactive production robot, making manufacturers of all sizes more efficient, their workers more productive, and helping to keep jobs from migrating to low-cost regions. The Baxter Research Robot is a humanoid robot platform with integrated sensors and an open software development kit allowing academic and corporate researchers to create custom applications.  Based in the Innovation District of Boston, Massachusetts, the company is funded by Charles River Ventures, Highland Capital Partners, Sigma Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Bezos Expeditions, the personal investment company of Jeff Bezos.

Are you in the Mid-Atlantic Region and want to see the 2.0 software for yourself? Sign up today for our Baxter Meet and Greet at our facility in West Chester PA this Ocboter

Sign up today!

Tim Pelesky

Marketing ONExia Inc

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ATX East 2013 in Philadelphia - The Vendors in Our Booth

We are really excited to be at ATX East in two weeks (June 18-20, 2013) at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Pennyslvania. In the past two years we have been fortunate to partner with the worlds best in robotics, machine vision, and motion control. All of which will be featured in our booth. Below is a quick rundown of what to expect when you stop by booth #1825.

Robotiq is a premier distributor of robotic grippers. ONExia will have their 2 Finger Adaptive Gripper-90 and 3 Finger Adaptive Gripper as a live demo as well as a stationary 2 Finger Adaptive Gripper-200 which is a larger version of the 90 capable of picking larger and heavier objects.

Delta Tau is our go to standard for motion control. To show their true power and capabilities we will be featuring two separate demo units. The first being a system that moves two rails in unison with and without a payload showing extreme precision. The second being the Delta Robot, a truly amazing demonstration of precision picking and re-stacking objects on a rotary table.

Datalogic specializes in machine vision (smart cameras, barcode scanners, etc.) and laser engraving and marking systems. As a demonstration of laser marking visitors will be able to engrave their names onto a ONExia pen and see the system work first hand.

We are proud to be the distributor Rethink Robotics in the Mid Atlantic Region. We will have the world's first Collaborative Robot,  Baxter at work in our booth. The revolutionary robot will be using our custom end effectors accessories that we have been developing. Piab vacuum cups, our latest partner, will be used in our demonstration showing that Baxter is more versatile then ever.

Want to see all this for yourself? Sign up for free through us and stop by!

We hope to see you there.

Sign up for ATX East for free through ONExia.

Tim Pelesky

Marketing ONExia Inc

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Disruptive Technology: Baxter

We were fortunate to be involved with motion control as it became practical for general automation in the mid-1980s. ONExia (called “Multitech” back then) was an early distributor for a California start-up named Compumotor, which sold stepping motor drives, controls and motors and then later, servo motors, controllers and drives.

Compumotor pioneered industrial applications for microstepping technology, which had been developed at Hewlett Packard for application in printers. Microstepping enabled stepping motors to rotate smoothly and precisely at all speeds and eliminated most problems with resonance. With easy-to-use-out-of-the-box drives and controllers, Compumotor was truly revolutionary. We had a great time presenting this new technology at seminars and applying this new product in a great variety of automation applications. Compumotor was acquired by Parker Hannifin Corporation which has continued to enhance and develop the products, as well as combine them with compatible technologies such as precision positioning systems and linear actuators.

Baxter is a new robot from Rethink Robotics that promises to be even more exciting and revolutionary than Compumotor. Baxter is the first commercially available robot that is designed to work side-by-side with humans. Baxter can be thought of and applied more as a “co-worker” than as a machine. It is not programed but, rather, can be “shown” what you want it to do, perhaps by a co-worker. By design it cannot hurt anyone and does not require a cage or other protection. At around $32,000 fully loaded with end effectors and extended warranty, it can be employed for under$4.50 per hour!

ONExia has two demonstration robots on order and will be scheduling seminars around our marketing area. Watch our website (www.onexia.com/Baxter) for information on a seminar near you.

Greg Selke

CEO ONExia Inc

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