Robot dispenses DVDs

Hoerbiger Origa three-axis robots make the automated renting of DVDs possible.

A customised three-axis robot from Hoerbiger Origa is handling DVD-films in a vending machine invented by the Swedish company Instant DVD Sweden.

Instant DVD - a small but expansive company in Boras Sweden - has invented a internet-based concept for automatic renting of DVD films.

When the customer is shopping or on their way home from work they can stop by at the DVD kiosk, select a film, swipe their credit card and take the film.

Returning of the film is done by putting it in the same slot in the kiosk where they picked it up the first time or in any other kiosk belonging to the same rental company.

Late in 2004 Hoerbiger Origa was asked to develop and produce a low-cost and reliable compact robot unit to be fitted as a macro component in an already existing kiosk housing.

Despite Hoerbiger Origa's wide range of modular linear drives these specifications demanded customised products.

The management and engineers of Hoerbiger Origa in Sweden grabbed the challenge and started to use their experience in linear drives.

Early in 2005 Hoerbiger Origa provided an elegant solution which fulfilled both the technical and the cost requirements.

The X-, Y- and Z-axis in the robot were customised linear drives with motors fitted on the "robot-door" and were functionally tested before the complete macro component was delivered.

The successful solution resulted in orders for several hundred macros during 2005 and 2006.

Hoerbiger Origa is today delivering the linear drives to an automation company Noldor AB which makes the final assembly of the robot system as well as final assembly of the complete kiosk including total quality assurance.

The volumes are expected to grow further in coming years.

Instant DVD is successfully marketing the DVD kiosk concept in many countries and their automatic vending machines makes DVD films easily accessible for film lovers all over the world and also the opportunity to improve regular business for every day shops and others.

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