HIGH-SPEED PRODUCTION
BY COMBINING CONNECTED AUTOMATION, ADVANCED MOTION CONTROL AND AI-DRIVEN INSPECTION WITHIN A UNIFIED
DIGITAL FRAMEWORK, CONFECTIONERY
MANUFACTURERS CAN
ACHIEVE BOTH, SPEED AND DELICATE HANDLING
Cobots at the end of the line Andrew Mason, Automation Sales Manager at RARUK Automation believes that one of the most effective ways to achieve a balance between throughput and product handling is through the use of collaborative robots (cobots) which are designed to combine precision, flexibility and controlled movement. He said: “Universal Robots cobots are widely used for end-of-line applications such as product packing and palletising, typically in non-high-care environments. One of our customers uses a Robotiq Palletising Solution, developed specifically for us, to palletise boxes of product. In this application, products are hand-packed into boxes before being conveyed through a case sealer, after which the cobot picks and places the boxes onto pallets. The cobot’s programmable motion ensures consistent, repeatable handling, reducing the risk of product damage.” According to Andrew, a key advantage
Neil went on to argue that data is one
of the biggest untapped opportunities for confectionery manufacturers today – with estimates suggesting that up to 73% of industrial data currently goes unused. Leveraging this data through AI enables a shift from reactive quality control to predictive, self-optimising production which enables more consistent product quality, fewer false rejects, and significant reductions in waste. “This reflects a broader shift away
from chasing scale alone and towards precision manufacturing, where the focus is on producing the right product, at the right time, with minimal resource
use. Industrial AI has an important role to play here, helping optimise yield, reduce energy consumption, and respond more effectively to changing demand patterns,” continued Neil. Ultimately, he argued that balancing speed with delicate handling should no longer be considered as a trade-off. “By combining connected automation, advanced motion control and AI-driven inspection within a unified digital framework, confectionery manufacturers can achieve both,” he said. The result is faster, more agile and more resilient production, delivering higher quality products with less waste and greater efficiency.
of cobots in this context is their ease of use and intuitive software, which enables rapid reprogramming and quick changeovers. This flexibility is essential in confectionery production, where there is often a requirement to switch between product types, formats or packaging styles without compromising line efficiency or handling quality. “Technologies such as integrated vision
systems enable the robot to detect and differentiate between product types or packaging formats. Vision-guided systems allow a single cobot to manage multiple product lines simultaneously – either from separate conveyors or mixed feeds – while maintaining accurate, gentle handling. This supports higher throughput and minimises
JUNE 2026 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • 21
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