The collaborative formulator

A fully collaborative platform that is designed to work alongside operators to formulate coloured products from up to 8 liquid dispensers. The platform consists of an unenclosed workstation fitted with a collaborative robotic arm (cobot). It has capacity for 60 formulation pots, which are loaded into ‘smart racks’ developed by Labman. The rack positions automatically identify and display the status of each pot. The caps are loaded into two removable stacks. A material cartridge is loaded into a dispenser using a quick release connector. The dispensers are easily loaded onto the platform and automatically engaged. An NFC label, that is applied onto the cartridge, is read and the material is identified by the platform. A software algorithm is used to automatically calibrate the dispense parameters for each material. The materials are gravimetrically dispensed. Once all materials have been dispensed, the pot is securely capped and automatically placed into a Dual Asymmetric Centrifuge (DAC) to homogenously mix the product.

While the platform is running, pots may be removed or added to the platform. The platform is controlled from an easy-to-use touchscreen with an intuitive, custom user interface. Run data is automatically uploaded to a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Safety force limits and height constraints on the collaborative arm, paired with SICK safety scanners that are installed underneath the platform, ensure safe working between the user and the machine. Image analysis is used to; automatically check and adjust the robot positions and identify consumables around the platform.