company
Hansgrohe
industry
country
France
staff
1000+
Why does Hansgrohe use cobots?
Hansgrohe's main goal was to significantly improve ergonomics and efficiency at a machine loading station. Employees there performed repetitive testing and handling steps that offered little added value but required a high level of concentration. By using a UR10e cobot, this entire cycle—from leak testing and drying to laser marking—was automated. The result is seamless collaboration between humans and machines, increasing productivity and reducing physical strain.
What challenge needed to be solved?
Manual inspection of shower heads was extremely physically demanding for staff. Employees had to handle the parts at different heights, which often led to pain in the shoulder and neck area as well as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). In addition, the process involved monotonous sub-steps: activating different spray modes at the push of a button, drying the parts in front of a blow-off system, and manually loading the laser machine. Since these tasks did not offer any direct added value, Hansgrohe sought a solution to eliminate these health-damaging bottlenecks and relieve the strain on staff.
What does Universal Robots' solution look like?
In collaboration with a certified partner, a fully integrated cobot cell was developed around a UR10e. Equipped with a customized double vacuum gripper, the robot now handles quality control, the drying station, and laser marking in one smooth process.
Automated feed
The employees place the assembled shower heads in green containers on a rotary conveyor, from where the cobot takes them over.
Quality & Radiographic Testing
The UR10e guides the part into the water testing machine. The different jet types are switched automatically and checked for conformity via camera feedback.
Drying & labeling
After inspection, the cobot moves the part to the blow-off system to remove any residual water and then places it precisely in the laser marking machine.
Discharge or packaging
Defective parts are sorted directly into a reject zone by the cobot, while good parts are directed to the conveyor belt for final packaging.
Why the UR10e was the ideal choice for Hansgrohe
High reach & load capacity
With a payload capacity of 12.5 kg and a large working radius, the UR10e is ideal for handling and feeding multiple stations simultaneously.
Improved ergonomics
By taking over repetitive tasks, the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) within the team is drastically reduced.
Intelligent handling
Thanks to a specially developed double gripper, the cobot can perform two work steps simultaneously (loading and unloading), which minimizes cycle time.
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Precise automation for the highest quality standards
The e-series from Universal Robots offers the necessary sensitivity to precisely replicate the complex test cycles for Hansgrohe shower heads. Thanks to integrated force-torque sensors and an intuitive user interface, the cobot ensures consistent output and guarantees that every shower head reliably meets the strict quality requirements.
"The solution we have developed enables employees to work in hidden time and concentrate fully on more value-adding activities such as assembly, packaging, and quality control. The specially developed double gripper reduces cycle time, which increases productivity. The cobot can actually load one part into a machine while unloading another."
Raphael Schwartz
Project manager / Automation expert
