New Packaging Equipment: September 2021
New robotic technology is helping to streamline and improve bakery and snack operations in both primary and secondary packaging applications. Areas of innovation include end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), sanitation, and space optimization. Gripper technology also is advancing to handle delicate products such as soft bakery items.
Company: Soft Robotics Inc.
Website: www.softroboticsinc.com
Equipment Snapshot: Soft Robotics Inc. recently upgraded its mGrip Modular Gripping System with new capabilities and an IP69K rating to enable safe food handling.
Company: Yaskawa Motoman
Website: www.motoman.com/en-us
Equipment Snapshot: Yaskawa Motoman has introduced the GP-series robots, which are well suited for primary and secondary packaging operations. In addition, its material handling robots give programmers the option of affecting robot motion through a series of easy add-on instructions.
Company: JLS Automation
Website: www.jlsautomation.com
Equipment Snapshot: JLS Automation has introduced the Peregrine Carton Loading and Closing Machine, which enables full carton control from forming through closing, without turns or conveyors, at high speeds.
Company: Syntegon Packaging Technology
Website: www.syntegon.com
Equipment Snapshot: Syntegon Packaging Technology has introduced the RPP (robotic pick-and-place) platform, which is modular and allows bakery and snack producers to upgrade automation with simple add-on modules as production needs increase.
Company: A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp.
Website: www.abcpackaging.com
Equipment Snapshot: A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp. offers the M600 robotic packer, which offers many benefits for bakery and snack producers.
Company: BluePrint Automation
Website: https://blueprintautomation.com/en/
Equipment Snapshot: BluePrint Automation offers the Spider 300v Packing System, which utilizes Vision Guided Delta Robots to pattern form arriving products onto a pick belt for robotic placement into cases, trays, or cartons either in a vertical or horizontal pack pattern.
Company: FANUC
Website: www.fanucamerica.com
Equipment Snapshot: FANUC America Corp. has introduced the SR-12iA and SR-20iA SCARA robots, which have a hygienic design with no external cables or motors. An environmental option offers an IP 65 rating. The company also has unveiled the DR-3iB/8L, which features a 1,600mm-diameter envelope that allows it to reach all the way across large bakery conveyor belts.