Robotic Packing
Throughput is a key metric used to measure an effective packing process in any manufacturing industry. If the
packing of a product is complex, however, and the product requires reorientation, the rate of throughput
can be severely restricted. Speed can be further hindered by the type of product being packed. Delicate
product such as glass vials or even hot bread rolls have to be handled with care.
Robotic packing solutions can vary from a simple, pre-programmed, automated system through to complex solutions
that require various checks to be made before product is packed. Often a more
complex solution will require the use of vision technology to assist when placing
product into cartons. This may be to check that a carton has been presented correctly, to locate empty spaces in a case or to ensure alignment is correct
before insertion.
Some solutions require vision to assist in the placement. This may be to locate empty spaces in a case or to ensure alignment is correct before insertion.
High throughput solutions can be designed for almost all packing applications as long as due consideration is given
to the design process. There are many packing methods available to suit your needs, including heat clamp sealing,
heat shrink sealing, boxing, wrapping and vacuum packing.
The complexity of the materials being used in the packing process can also affect throughput. Do boxes need to be
built before presentation? Do additional inserts need to be included? Do QA systems need to be instigated prior to
sealing?
The range of machines available that can be adapted and integrated into a production line covers every type of packing imaginable, including:
. Shrink sealing and boxing for the biscuit industry
. Filling, canning, gassing and sealing for the beverage industry
. Bag sealing for a range of products
. Sealing jars and containers for food products
. Ampoules, bottles, syringes and cartridges for the pharmaceutical industry
The packing process affects the entire line and, for this reason, should not be
treated as a stand-alone procedure. The design of an automated packing system can only be effective if planned for, and integrated, into the total production
process. In order to gain maximum efficiency other processes should be planned for at the outset. These include:
. Treatment
. Sterilisation
. Checking
. Labelling
. Testing
. Coding
. Filling
. Closing
When designing a system, even if the budget only allows for upgrading or modifying one part of your manufacturing process, by utilising the knowledge of
an experienced integrator, a small upgrade can still be designed to enable seamless integration into future upgrades.
Machinery Automation & Robotics
1/101 Derby Street
Silverwater NSW 2128
Phone: (61) 2 9748 7001
http://www.machineryautomation.com.au