Robot takes 'load' off workers

“What helped seal our proposal with Forbes,” says LaMarre, “is that we have another customer in the area that also buys multiwall bags from Forbes’ supplier. Their reference about our equipment and service really helped us.”

How system works

In the Forbes operation, the palletizer operator simply uses the iPendant to program the robot for the bag size and product being filled, along with the desired load pattern for the customer. In addition, LaMarre says, there are some controls on the front of the controller that can be used for initiating a cycle, for example, but the iPendant is the primary control system.

Forbes’ packaging line delivers the packages through a bag flattener and then a metal detector toward the palletizer. Just before entering the robotic work cell, bags pass a label applicator from Loveshaw that applies a product identification label to the bags, which are preprinted with the Forbes Chocolate brand name. This print-and-apply labeler identifies each bag with item number, product name, usage rate, and ingredients statement, Geringer says. For some bags, bar codes are also printed onto these labels. The labeled bag is delivered by Forbes’ belt conveyor to the infeed of the palletizer, which consists of a roller conveyor.

The infeed conveyor is very short, so Fanuc didn’t have to worry about conveying characteristics too much, LaMarre says. It holds just a few bags, he says, so the bags don’t have a chance to distort their shapes. Sensors then alert the robotic head when a bag reaches the pick-up point. Roller spacing and side rails were designed for smooth transfer while providing access for pickup by the robotic head.

Earlier, the operator has staged an empty pallet with its corrugated tray, and the system carries the pallet into proper loading position, after being alerted by a push-button. Once it’s clamped in position, the robotic head then picks up the bag and transfers it into position on the pallet, repeating the process until the pallet pattern is completed. The tool employs three motions: two used to square and grip the bag and another to prevent any movement during transfer.

At this point, the controller initiates the transfer of the pallet out of the robotic work cell to a pickup position where it can be removed by a forklift.

Advance programming

With the test loads that were supplied to Fanuc, the supplier was able to create the two-part software that operates the system. The first part, which is on a separate computer, is software called Pallet Pro. This three-dimensional software is actually a simulation package, where the complete flow is programmed through icons, including how the system will operate and the pallet patterns to be used.

The second part is the software called Pallet Tool, for the robotic controller that calibrates and controls the robotic functions on the iPendant. Based on the information contained in Pallet Pro, it generates the specific robot programming. In addition, says LaMarre, Fanuc added some extra prompts to this software, specific to the Forbes application.

There is also a changeover function key, in case Forbes needs to add a new location or make any sensor changes. This will also allow Forbes to add any additional pallet patterns that might be requested by a new customer. Most of Forbes’ patterns are the interlocked “five-tie,” says Geringer.

The software had to consider both the GMA and European pallet sizes. “Because we import 90% of our cocoa on these pallets, we needed to use them for outgoing loads,” Geringer says. “These pallets are not only a bit smaller than GMA pallets, but they don’t have the same runners, so they must go into the palletizer in a different way.”

After palletizing, the loads are stretch wrapped on existing equipment that uses a film cover over the top of the load.

The benefits to Forbes

The primary benefit to Forbes is in output. “Even though our production increase isn’t spectacular, our rates are now much faster than a person could safely do,” Geringer says. “And there is room for future growth, because we’re nowhere near the 25 bags-per-minute capacity of the robot. Palletizing is no longer a bottleneck. Now the speed constraint on the line is our bagging operation.”

In addition, Forbes can now build taller pallet loads, sometimes as high as seven feet. “When we were palletizing manually, there were limits on how high a worker could throw a bag weighing up to 60 pounds,” says Geringer. “Now we can stack higher, so we use fewer pallets. Even more important, we save on shipping costs, since a lot of our shipments go at a pallet rate, regardless of whether the pallet holds 500 or 2귔 pounds. This way we can save our customers some money.”

He adds that the loads are much more consistent and straight, but Geringer can’t point to any reaction from customers. “No complaints is like a compliment,” he says. He adds that damage claims have also been reduced, but he declined to disclose any specifics.

Payback on the equipment is also something that Forbes can’t discuss, except to say that the previous workers who built pallet loads are a lot happier. “We didn’t lay anyone off by adding this machine, but we sure use our workers more effectively,” says Geringer. “Before, we had to rotate workers in manually building pallet loads because the work was so tiring. That’s why our people bought into this new system so enthusiastically. I can tell you that one back injury to a worker would more than offset the cost of the palletizer.” The new palletizer is also proving to be a focal point when customers visit the Forbes plant.

Plus, it’s also restored Forbes’ faith in new equipment. “A couple of years ago, we had a real bad experience with some new equipment, so we were almost gun-shy about doing this,” says Geringer. “For this project, the Fanuc people were great to work with, and their service has been terrific.”