Solutions & Projects
Robot solutions from over 600 customer projects
Since 2004, MRK-Systeme has been developing automation solutions and has completed more than 600 customer projects. As a robot system integrator, MRK-Systeme supports projects from concept and design through robot/PLC programming to CE conformity. Applications range from machine tending, assembly and machining to machine vision, quality assurance, bin picking and human-robot collaboration. The result is tailor-made solutions for production, logistics and medical technology – turnkey or as targeted engineering support. The following examples show the variety of projects and the technical range of MRK-Systeme.
Robot separating surgical instruments in the sterile supply department of University Hospital Augsburg
In the central sterile supply department (CSSD) of University Hospital Augsburg, MRK-Systeme tested a robot cell under clinical conditions in August 2026. The focus was on the automated separation of surgical instruments – a demanding task that can be stressful and potentially hazardous for people.
A key technology of the application is the in-house developed, AI-based machine vision system. It identifies the instruments, determines suitable gripping points and can also detect the degree of contamination. This gives the robot the information it needs to pick the instruments precisely and support the separation process.
The successful test shows: the robot cell is suitable for use in this environment. It can support staff in a demanding task and thus contribute to better ergonomics, safety and cost efficiency in everyday work.
At the same time, the test provided important insights for the next development steps. On this basis, MRK-Systeme will further optimise the solution and carry out additional tests in the clinical environment. This allows the application to be further adapted to the requirements of the CSSD and trialled under real conditions.
Many thanks to the team at University Hospital Augsburg for the constructive collaboration and the opportunity to test our robot cell in a clinical environment.
Grohnde nuclear power plant commissions joystick-controlled decontamination robot
For the new decontamination robot, the existing decontamination chamber TU17 B001 was first completely stripped. This stainless-steel chamber dates from the construction phase of the power plant and is almost four metres long, just under three metres wide and about two and a half metres high. In the next step, the chamber was equipped with a six-axis industrial robot, an electric rotary table and a purpose-designed media supply system for the process chemicals and high-pressure water. MRK-Systeme GmbH's “SafeGuiding” technology package, which allows industrial robots to be moved with a joystick, was modified to meet the requirements of decontamination operation.
With the new decontamination robot, standard tasks can be carried out fully automatically. Special tasks run automatically once the required path generation for the decontamination process has been completed. Path generation is the semi-automatic teaching of the robot: the “route” for cleaning a component is defined once by hand at the operator panel. Path generation is supported by special software and is carried out via joystick under sensor and camera monitoring. After the path has been saved, the process chemicals and the parameters for the high-pressure water process (approx. 100 bar to 500 bar) or the compressed air for draining/pre-drying are assigned according to the decontamination requirements. This allows the outer and inner surfaces of pipes, valves and many other parts with a nominal diameter from 200 mm up to approx. 700 mm to be treated. For this purpose, a special sensor-equipped application tool was developed that can reach up to 500 mm deep into the contours.
Human-robot cooperation in Audi production
Ingolstadt – humans and machines working shoulder to shoulder: in cooperation with MRK-Systeme, Audi operates a robot in series production at its main plant in Ingolstadt that works hand in hand with people – without safety fencing and ideally adapted to the worker's cycle.
The collaborative robot works hand in hand with Audi employees and is equipped with a 3D camera for bin picking and an integrated suction cup. It picks components directly from the load carriers and hands them to the worker – without a protective barrier, at the right time and in an ergonomically optimal position.
For the employees in A4/A5/Q5 assembly at the Ingolstadt Audi plant, this novel, direct cooperation between human and robot is an enormous relief: previously, they had to bend into material boxes to pick up the coolant expansion tanks. A seemingly simple work step that, when repeated frequently, can quickly lead to back problems. This task is now performed by the robot, internally called “PART4you” (production assistant hands over part).
“The increasing networking of humans and machines will shape the factory of the future. It gives us the opportunity to automate strenuous routine tasks and to optimise ergonomically unfavourable workplaces.” Nevertheless, there will be no deserted factory in the future either. “People will continue to make the decisions about the production processes.” – Dr. Hubert Waitl, former Board Member for Production
