Frozen Food Palletizing | An MMCI Robotics Case Study | Robotic Palletizer Systems
4.8 هزار بار بازدید -
6 سال پیش
-
#MMCI
#MMCI #palletizing #automation #roboticpalletizers #roboticpalletizersystems
As a long-time supplier of automation systems to the largest dairy processing companies in the world, MMCI was excited to utilize its expertise in the food industry for one of the largest raw food producers in North America.
Like many meat and frozen food processors, our client wanted to eliminate the amount of human exposure to the freezing temperatures of the palletizing area while increasing productivity. And, like many palletizing projects, the solution needed to fit within a very limited space in the facility and be delivered and installed with minimal disruption to the operation.
After carefully inspecting the client’s facility, environment and existing equipment, MMCI’s engineers concluded that a FANUC M-410iB/140H with a ROBOSUITS protective enclosure would be the optimal solution for this application.
This highly flexible robot requires a very small working area and can be outfitted with a protective robot suit enclosure and integrated heating system to keep the robot and its servo axes at an ambient temperature. The heating system supplies warm air into the suit when the temperature inside drops below the robot's minimum operating temperature and eliminates problems associated with frozen and blocked air lines.
To allow the robot to handle a wide variety of case size, style and weights, it was configured with end-of-arm tooling featuring eight pneumatic gripping heads (2 zones) that grip each case from the top and then place it on the pallet according the pre-programmed configurations.
Having determined the best robot and end-of-arm tooling for the job, MMCI then turned to designing a compact cell layout that would fit into the tight area. The solution was to integrate an automated pallet rotating turntable that would allow for the direct palletization of the cases - effectively streamlining and automating what was originally an entirely manual operation.
As an empty pallet enters the cell, fixed positioners align it into position and the turntable rotates 90° counter clockwise. While the pallet is being positioned, the robot has already picked a case and is paused in mid-air above the pallet, waiting for the turntable to complete its’ rotation. After the rotation is complete, the robot proceeds to palletize all remaining cases until the finished pallet is released down the outbound conveyor on its’ way to the stretch wrapper.
To further limit human exposure to the area, MMCI’s engineers integrated a custom-designed MMCI FD-1500 Automated Pallet Dispenser into the robotic cell. With a pallet capacity of 15 pallets, the FD-1500 allows the robot to palletize for extended periods of time with little to no operator oversight.
Magnetically coded Category 4 gate switches monitoring every cell access point respond only to programmed transmitters, and cannot be overridden by simply placing a magnet or latch from another door next to the receiver.
Separate high and low voltage enclosures allow maintenance to be performed on low voltage controls without power shutdown or Arc Flash Protection.
And a dedicated robotic maintenance function moves the robot arm in front of the cell door, to allow for easy access to the end-of-arm tooling when adjustments are needed.
The machine was then fully tested at MMCI’s Robotic and Automation Technology Center in St. Louis, Missouri before being deployed to the facility where MMCI engineers installed the system and trained personnel on its operation and maintenance.
At MMCI, our people are experts in Material Handling Automation and are passionate about solving problems of all shapes and sizes. We use over 35 years of experience in design, engineering, integration, robotics, controls and software to deliver automation solutions that improve performance and increase productivity for manufacturers, e-commerce and distribution companies large and small.
We can help. If we haven't had the opportunity to work together yet, let us provide you with a quality, value-based bid on your next project.
At MMCI, our people are experts in Material Handling Automation and are passionate about solving problems of all shapes and sizes. We use over 35 years of experience in design, engineering, integration, robotics, controls, and software to deliver automation solutions that improve performance and increase productivity for manufacturers, e-commerce, and distribution companies large and small. We offer solutions in areas like:
-Automation
-Order Fulfillment/Distribution
-Robotics
-Integration
-Warehouse Execution Software (WES)
-Warehouse Management Software (WMS)
-Inventory Management
-Order Management
-Order Picking & Packing
-Conveyor Systems
-And more...
Call us ↓
314-438-3300
Visit our website ↓
https://www.mmci-automation.com/
Tour our Technology Center ↓
39 Worthington Access Drive
St. Louis, MO 63043
As a long-time supplier of automation systems to the largest dairy processing companies in the world, MMCI was excited to utilize its expertise in the food industry for one of the largest raw food producers in North America.
Like many meat and frozen food processors, our client wanted to eliminate the amount of human exposure to the freezing temperatures of the palletizing area while increasing productivity. And, like many palletizing projects, the solution needed to fit within a very limited space in the facility and be delivered and installed with minimal disruption to the operation.
After carefully inspecting the client’s facility, environment and existing equipment, MMCI’s engineers concluded that a FANUC M-410iB/140H with a ROBOSUITS protective enclosure would be the optimal solution for this application.
This highly flexible robot requires a very small working area and can be outfitted with a protective robot suit enclosure and integrated heating system to keep the robot and its servo axes at an ambient temperature. The heating system supplies warm air into the suit when the temperature inside drops below the robot's minimum operating temperature and eliminates problems associated with frozen and blocked air lines.
To allow the robot to handle a wide variety of case size, style and weights, it was configured with end-of-arm tooling featuring eight pneumatic gripping heads (2 zones) that grip each case from the top and then place it on the pallet according the pre-programmed configurations.
Having determined the best robot and end-of-arm tooling for the job, MMCI then turned to designing a compact cell layout that would fit into the tight area. The solution was to integrate an automated pallet rotating turntable that would allow for the direct palletization of the cases - effectively streamlining and automating what was originally an entirely manual operation.
As an empty pallet enters the cell, fixed positioners align it into position and the turntable rotates 90° counter clockwise. While the pallet is being positioned, the robot has already picked a case and is paused in mid-air above the pallet, waiting for the turntable to complete its’ rotation. After the rotation is complete, the robot proceeds to palletize all remaining cases until the finished pallet is released down the outbound conveyor on its’ way to the stretch wrapper.
To further limit human exposure to the area, MMCI’s engineers integrated a custom-designed MMCI FD-1500 Automated Pallet Dispenser into the robotic cell. With a pallet capacity of 15 pallets, the FD-1500 allows the robot to palletize for extended periods of time with little to no operator oversight.
Magnetically coded Category 4 gate switches monitoring every cell access point respond only to programmed transmitters, and cannot be overridden by simply placing a magnet or latch from another door next to the receiver.
Separate high and low voltage enclosures allow maintenance to be performed on low voltage controls without power shutdown or Arc Flash Protection.
And a dedicated robotic maintenance function moves the robot arm in front of the cell door, to allow for easy access to the end-of-arm tooling when adjustments are needed.
The machine was then fully tested at MMCI’s Robotic and Automation Technology Center in St. Louis, Missouri before being deployed to the facility where MMCI engineers installed the system and trained personnel on its operation and maintenance.
At MMCI, our people are experts in Material Handling Automation and are passionate about solving problems of all shapes and sizes. We use over 35 years of experience in design, engineering, integration, robotics, controls and software to deliver automation solutions that improve performance and increase productivity for manufacturers, e-commerce and distribution companies large and small.
We can help. If we haven't had the opportunity to work together yet, let us provide you with a quality, value-based bid on your next project.
At MMCI, our people are experts in Material Handling Automation and are passionate about solving problems of all shapes and sizes. We use over 35 years of experience in design, engineering, integration, robotics, controls, and software to deliver automation solutions that improve performance and increase productivity for manufacturers, e-commerce, and distribution companies large and small. We offer solutions in areas like:
-Automation
-Order Fulfillment/Distribution
-Robotics
-Integration
-Warehouse Execution Software (WES)
-Warehouse Management Software (WMS)
-Inventory Management
-Order Management
-Order Picking & Packing
-Conveyor Systems
-And more...
Call us ↓
314-438-3300
Visit our website ↓
https://www.mmci-automation.com/
Tour our Technology Center ↓
39 Worthington Access Drive
St. Louis, MO 63043
6 سال پیش
در تاریخ 1397/09/19 منتشر شده
است.
4,859
بـار بازدید شده