Robot Loading and Unloading Laser Marking Machine for Machine Tending

Project scope

We designed a tray-based loading and unloading laser marking machine for products that require robot handling and repeated marking orientation. The equipment combines manual A/B operation positions, tray transfer, a six-axis robot, pneumatic gripping, a laser marking module and an enclosed machine frame with safety light curtain protection. That makes the scope a Machine Tending application for tray loading, six-axis robot handling and laser marking.

The confirmed single-machine capacity is 500 to 600 PCS/H. The available project data does not include investment amount, labor-comparison data, ROI or payback period, so those figures are not claimed for this case.

Marking products from controlled tray positions

The process needs the operator to load and unload trays while the machine controls internal product handling and laser marking. The challenge is to keep the tray position stable enough for robot pickup, marking placement and return-to-tray handling.

Handling multiple marking orientations

The process includes robot flip-marking actions performed 2 to 3 times. That means the machine needs a robot path and gripper concept that can move the product from tray pickup to laser marking, change product orientation, and return the part to the tray without losing placement control.

Machine layout

The equipment uses an enclosed frame with an operation interface, manual A and B operating positions and a safety light curtain. Inside the machine, a tray-transfer mechanism feeds the robot pickup position, while the marking module and six-axis robot handle the automated portion of the cycle.

Module	Confirmed function
Manual A/B positions	Operator loading and unloading access
Tray transfer	Moves trays to and from the robot pickup and operator positions
Six-axis robot	Picks products and moves them to the laser marking position
Pneumatic gripper	Product gripping for robot handling
Laser marking module	Product marking station
Safety light curtain	Operator-area protection
Operation interface	Machine operation and status control

Operating sequence

The confirmed action flow is:

1. The operator loads products manually.
2. The tray-transfer mechanism moves the tray to the robot pickup position.
3. The six-axis robot picks the product.
4. The robot moves the product to the laser marking station.
5. The robot performs flip-marking actions 2 to 3 times as required by the product.
6. The robot returns the product to the tray.
7. The tray-transfer mechanism moves the tray back to the manual operation position.
8. The operator unloads the tray manually.

Reference parameters

The confirmed reference parameter table defines the machine size, utilities, control platform and labor requirement.

Item	Confirmed specification
Machine size	1400 x 1800 x 1800 mm, L x W x H
Air supply	0.5 to 0.6 MPa
Power supply	AC220V 50Hz
Rated capacity	500 to 600 PCS/H for one machine
Control system	PLC
Operator requirement	1 operator

Proposed operating result

The resulting machine keeps the operator at the loading and unloading positions while the enclosed cell controls robot pickup, laser marking, repeated flip orientation and return-to-tray placement.

Process value

  The main value is repeatable marking flow in a compact station: one operator, PLC control, defined pneumatic and electrical utilities, tray-based transfer, six-axis robot handling and 500 to 600 PCS/H single-machine capacity. Because commercial terms and payback data are not confirmed in the project pack, this case does not assign unsupported ROI figures.