ROBOTICS
Food for thought about the benefits of robots
Suzanne Callander reports on some interesting robot applications in the confectionery production sector, looking at how challenges have been overcome and the benefits that robotic technology can offer.
W
hile the use of robots is becoming more common in food manufacturing applications, they are still only used by a minority, with just one-in-ten food producers in Europe currently employing robot technology.
With plenty of room for growth in the confectionery sector,
Martin Sauter, Director of Sales at Gerhard Schubert GmbH, believes that interest in robotic packaging solutions from confectionery manufacturers is increasing. Explaining why, he said: “Confectionery manufacturers today are having difficulty finding suitable human operators to undertake manual operations. Even if operators can be found, the cost of labour is rising.” In addition, there is a growing need for greater production
flexibility to meet ever faster-changing demands from retailers, so confectionery producers are always on the lookout for more flexible and efficient packaging solutions. “Our Pickerline and Flowpackers can meet the need for automated packaging solutions for medium or high-capacity production facilities,” continued Martin. These smart automated systems know exactly which products will be arriving in the packing hall on production belts, because they can be connected to, and communicate with, moulding, enrobing and other production processes. “Today, sophisticated vision systems can recognise the
products on the infeed belt and do a quality check before the robots pick and place the products into trays or flowpack infeeds,” said Martin. “The dimensions and the shape of products can be detected, in addition to other characteristics – such as height, colour or decoration. Pickerline’s and Flowpacker’s from Schubert ensure that only products meeting the confectioners defined quality standards make it into the packs. “Last but not least, assortment packs, such as pralines –
either for packed or unpacked products – can be produced automatically by the Assortment Pickerline,” said Martin. “Tray denesting, various product infeed systems, product vision inspection, turning stations to change the facing if required, careful product handling, cushion pad placing, guaranteed card feeding and placing, carton tray and lid erecting (either with or without glue) can be combined in one
24 Kennedy’s Confection February 2023
“One robot picks up the mould into which the liquid chocolate is to be poured and then
moves to the pouring system
to allow the mould to be filled. It then swivels the mould with extreme precision so that the chocolate is evenly distributed inside it, and places it in a refrigerator”
automated packaging line. This is cost-saving and efficiency boosting at its best!”
Training is key Commenting on the important role that training plays in helping operators on the production floor work safety and efficiently with robotic systems, Uwe Galm, Director of Customer Services at Gerhard Schubert GmbH, pointed out that when it comes to high performance machines that include robotics, operators still have an important role to play in achieving performance targets. Offering advice, he said: “Operators need to be able to react quickly to events and make the right decisions without hesitation. To do this they need experience and knowledge which can only be achieved through appropriate training on the machine and the process – both in theory and practice. A variety of different learning methods are useful here. The mix can consist of classroom, onsite and online training. When designing a suitable training
KennedysConfection.com
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