Efficient palletising in the food industry
Intelligent automation with the Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow plus chain conveyor system and Hitmark Robotics solutions is delivering efficient palletising solutions for the food industry.
In the food industry, solutions are in demand that increase efficiency, meet strict hygiene and safety requirements, and enable gentle product transport. Therefore, manufacturers are increasingly investing in modern automation that fulfils these complex requirements.
One solution is the VarioFlow plus – a chain conveyor system from Bosch Rexroth, which, in combination with pre-existing automation and integration from Hitmark Robotics, enables excellent results in palletising, depalletising, and order-picking processes.
The challenges of the food industry – such as variable batch sizes, diverse packaging solutions, and the need for rapid changeovers – require sophisticated solutions for pick-and-place automation. Consequently, more and more companies are opting for comprehensive robotic lines that not only accelerate processes but also ensure their reproducibility and consistently high quality.
This type of implementation is offered by Hitmark Robotics – an integrator of industrial solutions specialising in the automation of end-of-line packaging. The company designs and implements palletising robots, picking stations, depalletising systems and complete transport and control systems. A recent example of this is a production line realised in collaboration with Bosch Rexroth.
Safe transport of demanding products
In the implementation for a dairy producer, the main challenge was to ensure the safe and smooth transport of cartons and crates without damaging them. The VarioFlow plus chain conveyor system, with a system width of 320 mm and a smooth chain surface, is used – ideal for sensitive goods that must be handled with care.
The Rexroth solution consists of: 10 VarioFlow plus chain conveyors with a total length of approximately 57 metres; 10 gear motors; 10 active transfer bridges; and aluminium profile rails with a slide rail for gentle product transport with a wide guide surface.
The cardboard boxes are delivered directly to the line from the packaging machines, lifted vertically, and transported at a height of approximately 2.5 metres. This system layout allows for continuous production while simultaneously leaving free space underneath the system, which is used for both employee traffic and for operating transport carts.
Robot palletising – precision that pays off
At the end of the line, there are stations that prepare packages for collection by the palletising robot. Here, the system automatically separates the products and arranges them according to a defined pattern. Thanks to the integration with the automation system developed by Hitmark, it is not only possible to smoothly connect the line to the robot but also to continuously monitor operating parameters and quickly reconfigure in case of packaging or format changes.
Bosch Rexroth supplied a highly developed transport system; Hitmark Robotics handled its integration, automation configuration and connection to the palletising system. Both companies share a common vision: to create solutions that function reliably, flexibly and scalably, even in the most demanding industries. Key benefits of the implementation included:
- Minimised risk of damage to transported goods
- Optimal use of space
- Consistent performance
- Ability for rapid expansion or reconfiguration
- Automatic preparation of packages for palletising
- Reliable operation even under difficult production conditions
The future of automation
Modern automation must be forward-thinking, consider the actual needs of the facility, allow for flexibility, and at the same time enable safe processes.
The combination of Hitmark Robotics’ expertise and Bosch Rexroth’s reliable products, such as the VarioFlow plus chain conveyor system, provides an optimal solution. And if palletising, mixing, or transporting food and its packaging becomes a bottleneck in your company, it is worth exploring which solution is right for you.
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