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More Flexible Robots Allow for More Case-Packing Options

New robotic equipment enables end users to address the growing range of case sizes, counts, and formats required by their customers with ease of programming and changeover.

The new RTL-HV robotic case-packing system from Pearson Packaging Systems can load product both horizontally and vertically.
The new RTL-HV robotic case-packing system from Pearson Packaging Systems can load product both horizontally and vertically.

One of the most popular applications for robots in the CPG packaging environment is case packing. Today, with retail and other customers demanding a constantly growing range of case sizes, styles, and counts, including new formats such as retail-ready and reusable packaging, robots offer the speed, flexibility, and accuracy required.

The Spider 200i from BluePrint Automation allows end users to vertically case pack, close, and seal packages into standard RSC or reusable cases on the same machine.The Spider 200i from BluePrint Automation allows end users to vertically case pack, close, and seal packages into standard RSC or reusable cases on the same machine.One such system, the Spider 200i, from BluePrint Automation (BPA), has been designed to allow end users to vertically case pack, close, and seal packages into standard RSC or reusable cases on the same machine. Engineered specifically for the snack industry, the Spider 200i uses a multi-axis robot to pick snack bags on-the-fly and vertically case pack them into a cassette that forms a vertical pack pattern.

Says BPA, “With a four-point changeover in under five minutes, the Spider 200i will provide snack manufacturers more versatility by allowing various product sizes and case types to be run on the same packaging line, including RSCs, reusables, and 1x display cases.”

Among the benefits of the machine are that it allows users to service different supply channels, including Direct Store Delivery (DSD) and Centralized Distribution (CD) from the same line; it optimizes the plant layout, with a compact system that includes a case packer, erector, and closer; and it includes a fault detection feature that initiates the machine’s relax mode, which opens up the case sealer section automatically, making obstructions easily accessible and minimizing downtime.

The new RTL-HV robotic case-packing system from Pearson Packaging Systems can load product both horizontally and vertically.The new RTL-HV robotic case-packing system from Pearson Packaging Systems can load product both horizontally and vertically.A new robotic case-packing system from Pearson Packaging Systems, the RTL-HV, can load product both horizontally and vertically and is designed for lightweight products with flexible packaging formats, such as bags, pouches, or flow-wrapped products. The RTL-HV uses a delta-style Fanuc DR-3iB/87 robot to either pick-and-pack products flat into a case or to form patterns in preparation for vertical loading, which is completed by a Fanuc M-710iC/50 articulated-arm robot. Explains Person, “Resembling a pitcher’s mitt, this robot collects a full product pattern before the end-of-arm-tool clamps down to secure the load as it is being placed into the case.”

Customers can purchase the delta-robot module, the RTL-HZ, by itself if they pack products exclusively in a horizontal fashion. If they load products upright for shelf-ready applications or require the flexibility to pack both horizontally and vertically, the two Fanuc robots are linked together. The base model can load 65 products/min horizontally and 10/min vertically; adding further deltas and/or catchers can increase the speed to 165/min horizontally and 18/min vertically.


Read article   Read how flexible end-of-line robotics let Molson Coors mix formats.


Says Pearson COO Andrea Zaman, “Standardization promotes shorter lead times and reduced costs—highly attractive benefits that manufacturers across the country are desperately looking for. However, from an engineering perspective, standardization leads to narrowing of applications to guarantee the reliability of the solution. We had to strike a good balance.”

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New e-book on Flexible Packaging
In this e-book, you’ll learn key considerations for vertical and horizontal f/f/s and how to choose between premade bags and an f/f/s system. Plus, discover the pitfalls to avoid on bagging machinery projects.
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New e-book on Flexible Packaging