© 2007 Visron inc.(SM)

Data and specifications

PRODUCT
The Visron Animal Cage Handling (VACH) systems are a combination of technology and hardware that has been proven over decades of applications. The unit is a modular design, tailored specifically for each area of application to ensure efficiency. The controls software is a state of the art PLC application.

APPLICATION
The Visron Animal Cage Handling (VACH) systems are designed to automate the traditional activities associated with the loading and unloading of Cage Washers in animal research facilities. The system can handle laboratory animal cages, pallets, lids, and water bottles baskets as they are loaded into and unloaded from a washer system. The system also offers the flexibility of a manual mode for odd configured cages and peripherals. The application intent is to reduce repetitive motion and back injury claims, minimize staffing requirements, reduce per animal husbandry costs, and increase productivity in the cage wash facility. The system can work with in conjunction with virtually any Conventional or Indexing Tunnel Cage Washer. The system can interface with the Dustcontrol Vacuum Waste Removal and Dispensing Systems, and Hammermill type disposal units.

CONFIGURATION SELECTION

  • VACH 300L/300U Load and Unload System with one Conventional/Indexing Tunnel Washer for up to four feet per minute
  • VACH 350L/350U Load and Unload System with two Conventional/Indexing Tunnel Washers for up to four feet per minute
  • VACH 400L/400U Load and Unload System with one Conventional/Indexing Tunnel Washer for up to seven feet per minute

CONVEYOR SYSTEMS

  • Load Conveyor System
  • Unload Conveyor System
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED EQUIPMENT TO INTERFACE (not included)
  • Vacuum Bedding Disposal Station (inline)
  • Bedding disposal units
  • Loading Pallets
  • Visron Material Handling Carts
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT TO INTERFACE
  • Preclean System
  • Bottle Handling System
OPTIONAL FEATURES
Parts Handling Accessories
Additional parts handling accessories are provided to accommodate a variety of materials within the washing facility.

  • Standard Mouse Cage Pallets
  • Standard Rat Cage Pallets

STANDARD FEATURES
VACH Gantry System
The VACH 300 Series Gantry System is a highly reliable, Gantry automation system. Gantry style systems have thousands of installations and hundreds of millions of hours of successful operations. Designed for harsh environments, it offers consistent and reliable performance within the Cage Wash function of Research Animal Facilities.

The VACH 300 Series Gantry System is made up of two main components: The 300L load side removes soiled cages and places the emptied cages and the pallet into the washing system; the 300U unload side removes cleaned pallets and cages from the washer, fills the cages with bedding and places them back on the pallet.

The system is made up of high reliability Four Axis Controllers, X Axis Positioners and Servo Drives, Z Axis Positioners and Servo Drives. The Controller has a mean time between failures of over 30,000 hours. The X and Z Axis Positioner motors and Servo Drives have a mean time between failures of over 40,000 hours.

PERFORMANCE
VACH 300L/300U Features a four cage handling arm that can load up to 11 cages per minute to the washing system. The clean cages are oriented and placed on the bedding dispenser conveyer at a rate of up to 11 cages per minute.  They are then filled with bedding and transferred to the pallet one at a time. 

VACH 400L/400U Features a four cage handling system that can load up to 20 cages per minute to the washing system. The clean cages are oriented and placed on the bedding dispenser conveyer at a rate of up to 20 per minute.  They are then filled with bedding and transferred to the pallet one at a time. 

HANDLING CAPACITY
The unit has a handling capacity up to 20 kg.

SAFETY/STANDARDS
A continuous monitored safety system is included.

The system controller is provided with three emergency stop push buttons at each end.

The motors and controllers comply with UL fire safety requirements.

The active cell is contained within a safety guard system which includes an interlocked safety gate.

DIMENSIONS
Customized to the building.

END-OF-ARM-TOOLING
The system utilizes multiple tools for handling the parts. The tools are comprised of a vacuum controlled gripper pads. Clamps are also utilized to handle pallets, and baskets.

AUTOMATION CONTROLLER
The PLC controls infeed and outfeed (optional) conveyors, monitors safety guarding, and other system controls.

PARTS HANDLING SYSTEM
End-of-arm tooling is designed to accommodate the most common components and their pallets in the facility. Non-typical items can be handled in the manual mode.

PALLET CONVEYORS
Automatic conveyors are provided to bring pallets of material into the System.

OPERATION
Load System: The system receives palletized, dirty cages, and/or water bottles, and/or miscellaneous baskets via the powered infeed conveyors. The dirty-end handling system picks up the incoming parts, empties them (cage bottoms), and places them upside-down on the infeed to the Conventional/Indexing Tunnel Washer. 

Unload System: Cleaned cage bottoms are sent through the bedding dispenser before placing them on the pallet. The outfeed conveyor transports the pallets of cleaned parts to a pick-up station, where they will be lowered onto the Visron material handling cart by the operator.

WARRANTY
Visron Design, Inc. warrants that the System is tested, inspected, and in proper working condition, free from visible defects. The System is warranted for one year from the start of the warranty, including parts and labor.

INSTALLATION AND SERVICES:
Full Installation

  • Unload delivery truck
  • Uncrate and set in place
  • Safety Fence assembly and installation
  • Utilities connections

Rigging Services

  • Installation Supervision Only
  • Freight to Job Site

ADDITIONAL SYSTEM TRAINING
Demonstration and Startup [Included]