Engineering solutions. The act of packing. Elevated rhythms of 120 packings per minute

The Ishida company, a major global force in the packing market, today presents its modular automatic Flexible Packaging System (FPS) aimed at end of line secondary and intermediate packaging applications. Compared with the majority of Pick & Place robotic arms, the FPS system is more rapid, according to its builder, with maximum rhythms of 120,packages/min, and offers a good price/output ratio. The FPS system has a multidirectional, automated, and programmable Pick & Place arm. The arm that grasps packages is run by an electric jack. The grasper seizes the primary packages that may be rigid or pliable such as sachets, food trays, and cardboard cases, before placing them in secondary packaging such as corrugated cardboard boxes. The grasper arranges the packages in the box by stacking or by superposition of successive rows thus responding to the needs of placement and product presentation. The FPS addresses itself to foodstuff and non-foodstuff industries. The discussion topics are a capacity of 30 operations per minute; a system that is commanded at a distance; and in-line FPS integration. The Pick & Place arm can grasp and set down up to 30 times/min. For high speed uses a second arm can be installed to achieve 50-60 operations/min. The grasper can handle individual packages that weigh up to 3 kg maximum and several packages up to 12 kg. An FPS with one arm can pack up to 120 units/min. The system also has software for the configuration of the machine that integrates 100 preprogrammed functions as standard, a 32 bits processor, and a tactile screen for command at a distance. The compact FPS integrates easily in production lines where space is at a premium. The FPS system includes weight control, a Webcam for control and analysis of the conditioning line, and is made in stainless steel to conform to sanitary standards. The FPS system can be integrated to the Ishida Retail Ready Line (RRL) that facilitates shelving. This solution ensures the correct measuring out, sealing of the food trays, and labeling. Such a line can include upstream of the FPS an air or water tightness tester, a metal detector, a weight grader, a weight/price label or visual inspection device, and downstream, a system of withdrawal of the boxes, a package erector and closer, and a palletizer. Photographs.