Robot Module
This video was filmed by me in the early testing stage, the robot module picks up specially designed basket (from conveyor) which contains patient medicines and put it into preassigned cell. The nearby counter staff then delivers all medicines in the basket to the patient.
This project was part of TTSH Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy Automation System (OPAS) Project. It aimed to increase pharmacy’s overall performance and hence reducing patient waiting time.
I was in charge of all (total 3) robot modules. Each of them is consisted of barcode scanners, automation conveyor system, 6-axis ABB IRB-1410 industrial robot, I/Os, UPS, safety sensors etc. The robot module uses barcode scanners to scan the barcode on basket and asks for preassigned cell location from the server, the robotic arm then picks up the basket from 2 level conveyor and transfers it to the destination cell once the location is received.
You can find more info in the following links
https://www.ttsh.com.sg/about-us/newsroom/news/article.aspx?id=7235
https://www.ttsh.com.sg/page.aspx?id=7240
https://www.ttsh.com.sg/page.aspx?id=7242
https://www.ihis.com.sg/Project_Showcase/Healthcare_Systems/Pages/OPAS.aspx
RFID System
I also helped them prepared Basket Registration Software & Basket ID Auto Extraction Software by using RFID Tag reader/writer. Each basket has one RFID tag and multiple barcodes.
The Basket Registration Software is used to write tag ID for new baskets, each basket must have a unique ID before use.
The Basket ID Auto Extraction Software is used by counter staffs, by just placing the basket on top of the RFID reader, the basket ID can be automatically extracted and uploaded to the OPAS server, then the patient information will be displayed at the staff’s console.
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