Quick, easy, and precise: A Robotic Touch in Souvenir Crafting.

As we know, setting up a reliable automated robot is a daunting process, it takes programming, planning, designing and many follow-ups to get it right, not to mention it is not exactly cheap to acquire such technology. For many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the barriers to entry are not just technical complexity but also the considerable cost involved. This is not the case for igus’s RBTX, their low-cost automation marketplace which has helped a certain SME in the heart of Tyrol, Austria, where design meets technology.

Technik & Design Erler has seamlessly blended craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation. Founded in 2013 by Daniel Erler, a professional in mechatronics, the company set out to offer laser finishing, engraving, and customization of items crafted from natural materials. New innovation is the part and parcel of an entrepreneur, a new business idea came to mind during a customer event. "A business partner had booked my mobile laser engraving machine to engrave customised party presents. It was so well-received by the host and guests that it gave rise to the idea of building a laser vending machine," says Erler.

From idea to laser vending machine.

Daniel Erler teamed up with Alexander Merth of Lextronic, a specialist in robotics and mechanical engineering. The goal was to design a vending machine that customers can operate themselves to engrave a wide variety of souvenirs (keyrings, pens etc.) completely automatically. "I was enthusiastic about this idea right from the start and was looking forward to working with Daniel. The mechanics, including the sequence control system, was certainly one of the most challenging areas in this project, so we wanted to play it safe here and decided to use an igus robolink robot," says Merth. Technical Sales Consultant at igus Austria, adds, "Space was limited, so the robot had to swivel overhead. That's why we used the robolink DP articulated-arm robot, which can carry out such applications easily and cost-effectively."

The robolink RL-DP-5 multi-axis articulated robot.

The result? A vending machine that requires only a 230-volt power connection and one square meter of installation surface. The machine, controlled via a user-friendly touch display, allows customers to specify the text and position of the engraving. After payment, the magic unfolds — the igus robolink DP robot delicately lifts the chosen souvenir, aligns it for precision, engraves the customer's message or image, and presents the finished product in a secure compartment.

The Robolink DP, with its five degrees of freedom and a reach of up to 790 millimeters, emerged as the mechanical artisan of the project. Its customization options and precise handling, coupled with the user-friendly igus Robot Control software, simplified the planning and commissioning phases. The tribologically optimized plastics forming the robot's components not only reduced costs but also guaranteed longevity and minimal maintenance.

Affordable robotic solution.

What sets this apart is not just the technology but its affordability. Daniel Erler expresses his satisfaction, stating, "We are excited about the igus robot. It's easy to program, handles all the functions we need, and has a very attractive design. Not to mention the reasonable price. Any other robot would have cost us at least three times as much."

In the realms of automation, igus's RBTX has not just provided a solution; it has unlocked a new chapter for SMEs, an affordable gateway to the future of automation.

Learn more about igus robot here. 

Learn more about igus RBTX Marketplace here.