Packaging robots come with a plethora of benefits in applications. Manual packaging pales in comparison to automated packaging. The latter makes the process faster, more accurate as well as more productive. Also, the ROI is much faster.
However, the processes must be performed correctly. For any robotic function to produce the desired results, you must learn to deploy it correctly. You must know what applications your robots are built for.
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How Packaging Robots Work
Packaging robots are designed to carry out a wide range of tasks. The specific application of any packaging robot depends on the end of arm tooling (EOAT). Some of the applications include:
- Palletizing
- Transporting products from one point to the next
- Opening and filling boxes or containers
- Sealing, coding and labeling product packaging
- Pick and place applications
- Warehousing
Any application that requires moving or packaging products can be performed by these robots.
Industries That Require Packaging Robots
Any industry that manufactures products that must be packaged will benefit from using packaging robots. Packaging robots ensure accurate and high-quality packaging, thus safeguarding product integrity.
They also help to boost cycle times as well as enhancing productivity. Manufacturers utilize packaging robots in their packaging processes. Food and beverage producers also use them for the reasons already mentioned. They are also used in the health industry.
What Are the Benefits of Utilizing Packaging Robots?
1. Increased Productivity
They help to enhance speed, accuracy as well as productivity. Packaging robots improve material handling applications making the positive impact last. Also, manufacturers who utilize these robots experience increased throughput.
2. They Speed Up Production
They are designed to handle more products simultaneously. Humans can only handle a single product at a time. Robots can pick up multiple products resulting in increased uptimes.
3. They Cut Labor Costs
One packaging robot can perform tasks that would take several human workers to perform. Hence, you can do without human labor for most packaging tasks. This saves the company a lot in terms of salaries and wages as well as allowances.
They can also complete many packaging functions consistently than human workers would. Packaging robots also provide a constant workforce that will not quit on you.
Types of Robotic Packaging
The product as well as cycle time will dictate the type of packaging robot you require. High-speed packaging and sorting are best done by SCARA and parallel robots. Articulated robots are ideal for packaging massive products. Collaborative robots are perfect for delicate products.
However, you will recognize robots and their applications by the names assigned to them. Hence, there are:
- Cosmetic packaging robots
- Pharmaceutical packaging robots
- Case packaging robots
- Food packaging robots
- Tray packaging robots
- Bottle packaging robots
- Variety packaging robots
Packaging robots help to keep packaging expectations such as hygiene and quality high. They also enhance productivity, ensure repeatability, and boost speed in their operations.
You will also recognize robot type from the way it picks and places products from incoming loads on the conveyor belt.
- Collation: Incoming products are collated in groups before being placed in the lug chain of a horizontal container.
- Cross Belt: Displays that the incoming product is vertical to the outgoing product.
- Inline/Parallel: Displays that the incoming flow coordinates with the outgoing flow.
- Top-Loader: It takes the product from the conveyor belt and transfers it to a tray or container
- Side-Loader: It loads from the side.
- Feed-Placer: It takes the product and then transfers it straight into a wrapper infeed, bucket chain conveyor, thermoformed infeed, or flighted conveyor.
- Wrap-Around Robot: It loads trays or cartons on edge or crosswise.
Conclusion
A packaging robot helps to save time and is more economic than having human workers perform packaging tasks. Packaging applications can be monotonous because they are repetitive. Also, they can be dangerous and therefore best left to robots.
Hence, they ensure that your workers are engaged in more cognitive activities that are ultimately more fulfilling. They are also kept out of risky applications.