ITQ GmbH

Collaborative Robots: The Intelligent Ice Cream Machine 

Nowadays, intelligent robots and 3D printers can quickly turn many a design into a smart solution. Complex handling tasks are taken over by a robot and the gripping tool required for this is manufactured using 3D printing.

With the demonstrator for the SPS trade fair in Nuremberg, consisting of a "Rethink Sawyer Robot" and an ice cream machine from "Fwip", ITQ GmbH produced a public-oriented trade fair exhibit as an example of an intelligent solution in the field of precision services. The robot uses a 3D-printed gripper to insert ice cream cups into the ice cream machine and, after squeezing out the ice cream, hands them over to trade fair visitors.

The robot's movements are made clear to onlookers by means of neopixels located under the Plexiglas. This makes it possible to place the cup precisely on target. Furthermore, an ice cartridge is automatically inserted by the "Rethink Sawyer robot" with the help of a "Vacuum Gripper" into the drawer of the ice machine provided for it and is also independently opened and closed.

About ITQ GmbH

ITQ GmbH is an independent engineering and consulting company focusing on mechanical and plant engineering. Its core competencies include software and systems engineering as well as process improvement, consulting and project management. Another special concern of ITQ GmbH is training concepts that meet requirements and point the way to the future. Therefore, the company promotes young academics in practice-oriented study projects as well as technology workshops for children, students and refugees through its own Gerda Stetter Foundation - Technology is Fun.