Hanteringsblock

Hanteringsblock is a term used in Swedish industrial and automation contexts to describe a modular unit within a control system that performs handling operations on material, products, or components. It denotes a cohesive block that encapsulates both hardware and software necessary to carry out a handling task, such as gripping, lifting, moving, orienting, or storing items along a production line or in a warehouse. The concept emphasizes modularity and reusability: the same block can be deployed in multiple processes with adjustments through parameterization rather than rewritten logic.

A hanteringsblock typically contains several core elements. Mechanical actuators such as pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders or electric servo drives, grippers or end-effectors, and a selection of sensors (for position, presence, force, or vision). It is driven by a controller, usually a PLC or embedded controller, and includes software logic that defines the handling sequence. Interfaces for communication with upstream and downstream equipment and with higher-level systems like a manufacturing execution system (MES) or warehouse management system (WMS) are common. The block concept supports integration with other blocks in a modular automation architecture, enabling composed handling workflows.

In practice, hanteringsblock may be implemented as a physical hardware module, a software component, or a virtual construct within a digital twin, depending on the project and vendor. It is used across manufacturing, packaging, palletizing, and general material handling applications to improve repeatability, scalability, and maintainability of automated systems. While the term is widely used in Swedish contexts, the exact implementation details vary with standards and internal conventions.

See also: automation, material handling, function block, PLC, SCADA.