MACHINERY Automation & Robotics says an Australian manufacturer of packaged goods has introduced its robotics and automation system to its operation.
The client had four production lines operating around the clock, with staff producing and packing flow-wrapped product in a variety of sizes for both the domestic and export markets. This resulted in high labour costs and a sizeable margin for inconsistency and error.
The automation upgrade project aimed to increase product consistency and output capacity. MAR proposed a turnkey solution featuring product conveyor systems for accumulation, feed and positioning of flow wrapped product and export cartons.
Dual robots, at times working in conjunction, were integrated to assemble the cartons for loading. One unit is used for carton gluing assistance and for packing the completed layers of product into the cartons. The other picks and places new flat cartons into the carton erector and transfer the finished product from the erector to the pallet.
According to Machinery Automation & Robotics, the system has multiple production cells, with both robots in each cell controlled by one controller, allowing a reduction in floor space requirements.
Automating the sorting process allowed staff to be reallocated to more value-adding tasks. Operators monitor flat carton magazines and pallet magazine levels to ensure they are sufficiently stocked for automatic operation and unload finished goods pallets.
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