Bonetto Automation

Sector: Assembly, Robotics and Packaging for the industrial and medical sectors

Bonetto's ambitious plans for growth in the medical field have given rise to the development of a platform of highly standardised machines configured to cater to the end customer's needs. An interesting example is a recently-automated system for the production of pre-filled test tubes, realised with the support of Camozzi.

The company, based in Pinerolo, in the province of Turin, is recognised today as a pioneer in the construction of systems for assembly, robotics and packaging in the automotive, electronics and general mechanics sectors. In the last ten years or so, however, it has begun to diversify its range of solutions, opening up to other sectors - such as medical/pharmaceutical, eyewear, luxury, white goods, electromechanics, cosmetics – thereby achieving a multi-sector approach.

Needs

The growth strategy in the medical field being achieved by Bonetto follows a very precise roadmap, which consists of the development of a platform of pre-configured modules that enable the simple creation of a large variety of machines as if they were standardised.

In particular, there are two solutions designed for this sector: a linear system and a rotary system. "The first," explains Francesco Fraschetta, Sales Manager at Bonetto Automation, "is ideal for where the flexibility of production is required, while the second is more suited for scenarios where greater productivity is needed. So-called standard operating groups (SOGs), which are chosen and configured according to project requirements, are integrated into these systems. More precisely, each SOG is responsible for a specific operation, such as handling, dosing, gluing, welding and so on.
By comparison, comprehensive solution that is 90% standardised, the customisation procedure for each customer depends on the production process".

It was a platform solution of this kind that Bonetto recently proposed to an important company in the pharmaceutical/medical sector. "A few months ago," says Fraschetta, "one of our customers asked us to develop an automated system for the production of pre-filled test tubes.

"The system had to be capable of filling, capping, labelling, marking, as well as incorporating machines for primary and secondary packaging."

Solutions

The solution developed by Bonetto consists of three networked machines connected to a central control system: the first assemble the test tubes and doses the liquid into them; the second carries out primary packaging, and the third is responsible for marking and secondary packaging.

To develop this system, Bonetto turned to Camozzi for support.

"The high technological level of the solutions they offered us - including a valve island with patented CoilVision^® technology for predictive maintenance as far as IIoT is concerned - was decisive, as was their willingness to support us in customising some of their standard products, such as the Series CGSP grippers for handling objects. In addition to meeting certain space requirements, this made it possible to cover all the different application needs. While 90% of the solution was standardised, about 10% of the operating unit had to be customised, and Camozzi's support was fundamental.

"Partnering with Camozzi has also allowed us to create a line that is made entirely in Italy", continues Fraschetta, "which is an element of added value and pride for our company."

Results

The automated system for producing pre-filled test tubes for the medical/pharmaceutical sector was realised in record time: five months. This is the challenge that automation specialist Bonetto decided to take on a few months ago, with technical support from Camozzi.

The Series D intelligent solenoid valves manufactured by Camozzi and integrated into the solution developed by Bonetto are almost unique in the current market, both from a conceptual point of view and with the information they can provide for predictive maintenance planning.

"These are components that are able to monitor their own operation and carry out diagnostics on their sub-components," explains Andrea Camisani, Mechatronic Technical Director at Camozzi. "The traditional approach to the development of valve islands does not only envisage monitoring and diagnostics. An advantage of the Series D valve island is that it incorporates the patented CoilVision^® technology, which makes it possible to predict the state of wear and efficiency of certain parts of the valves themselves and then to calculate an estimate of the residual state of health, to prevent malfunctions and production stoppages. This data is processed onboard the component and transmitted (wirelessly or by wire) according to the preferences of the customer, who can integrate the data into their own platforms or use Camozzi's free UVIX software".

The high technology solutions they offered us were decisive, as was their willingness to follow and support us in the customisation of some of their standard products. While 90% of the solution was standardised, about 10% of the operating unit had to be customised, and Camozzi's support was fundamental.