Robots help to improve quality on packaging lines
Robotic handling systems and packing technology can help manufacturers to improve their competitive edge, improve product quality, reduce waste and increase throughput, with significant increases to the efficiency of packaging lines.
Pacepacker Services recently held an open day event to show just that, demonstrating a 25m² bulk solids automated packing line featuring the latest sack, box and crate handling technology. Pacepacker project managed the line integrating equipment from OEM heavyweights Festo, FANUC, Tascol Shore, Aetna and Lock Inspection (part of the Loma Group). Over 50 customers attended the event including delegates from Days Aggregates, British Sugar, Jewers Grain, Roger Skinner, WH Marriage & Son, and FH Nash.
The line on show, at Pacepacker’s Essex manufacturing site, was designed for a global chemical company. The turnkey system featured pneumatics technology and included weighing, inspection, bagging, palletising and stretch wrapping equipment from the OEM technology partners. Visitors were able to learn how each technology partner and each piece of equipment worked as part of the packing line.
Central to the line was Pacepacker’s own Total Bag Control (TBC) bagging system which supports and guides a bag throughout the filling and closing process. It accurately seals sacks, creating a consistent premium looking pack and eliminating sack waste. The TBC is designed to handle paper, plastic, woven polypropylene, hessian and even nets. It can be used for a wide variety of sack packing applications including agricultural produce, food and animal feed.
FANUC Robotics UK, which in 1999 appointed Pacepacker its strategic partner for palletising projects, showcased its new-generation palletiser robot at the event. The M410-iC/185 features a 185kg payload coupled with an average speed of 1700 cycles per hour results in heightened productivity and more efficient palletising of heavier loads. Darren Whittall, technical manager at FANUC Robotics, said the new machine is versatile enough for both palletising bags of sugar as well as shifting slabs of concrete: “It can handle anything from bags, sacks, cartons, shrink-wrapped trays and crates to cans, barrels and bricks.”
Paul Wilkinson, of Pacepacker Services, added: “Working as FANUC’s palletising integrator for 15 years, we’ve seen Japanese advances in design, servo drive and motor technology set the pace for a totally new generation of palletisers. The M410iC/185 has been well received by agricultural, food, bulk solids and aggregate manufacturers as it comes with 15+ gripper options and is quick and easy to install.”
Festo was also at the open day as part of the packing line, supplying the gripper technology used on the robot. Festo said the grippers are a combination of electric and pneumatic technology integrated in an innovative way by Pacepacker to provide a flexible solution. “Pneumatic fingers are then used to secure the products during operation to help keep costs down. This represents a good example of the technology knowledge from Festo and the application experience of Pacepacker to produce a dedicated solution which met the customer’s needs,”said Colin Harris, business development consultant at Festo.
Visitors to the open day, both existing customers and potential customers, found the experience informative. Pacepacker debriefed visitors on its ‘Try Before You Buy’ scheme which allows customers to run product trials on their systems in a bid to de-risk the equipment procurement process and instil customer confidence before placing any order. Rebecca Rayner, from Globe Farm Foods, wanted to learn more about the ‘Try Before You Buy’ offer. “The event gave me a good idea of the kit that is on offer – we have learnt a lot and it’s nice to see all the equipment together on show. When assessing new equipment we are always looking for value for money, and uncomplicated equipment. We don’t want to have to call an engineer out every time there is a problem.”
Joe Venner, operations director at FH Nash, said that his company had been using Pacepacker equipment for a number of years and had always found their support helpful: “We bought one of their first F1 palletisers, part of two packing lines with robots. The specification we look for in equipment is greater throughput – more production. But it is also important knowing that we are going to get the support that we need.”
Dennis Allison, managing director of Pacepacker, said: “It’s not often that our customers get to witness a full packing line at our manufacturing facility. Producers and packers of a wide variety of loose bulk products travelled from overseas to see the new compact line.”
Based on the success of the bagging and palletising event, Pacepacker have a second open day planned for June to demonstrate the company’s pick and place robot handling and assembly technology in association with FANUC and Festo.
Visit the Pacepacker Services website for more information.
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