Growing up, we all saw the Jetsons on our TV screens and imagined what the future would be like. Surely we will have robots doing everything and anything for us. While we jetted around in our space mobiles.
Well, it's 2022 and while silver space suits aren’t exactly the coolest fashion just yet, we have made progress.
Robotic case packers are not a new concept in factories around the world. They have been around for some time now, making assembly lines more streamlined and efficient. The packers first introduced in factories have been undergoing constant modifications and improvements. Making the latest models faster, more efficient, and more compact.
Artificial intelligence and robotics have entirely revolutionized the way we process, pack and handle edibles. Case packer manufacturers, in particular, have lots to look forward to this year. With many innovations and certain older ones making a come-back. Here are some improvements case packer manufacturers can now boast about
Automated Guided Vehicles or AGVs did offer some freedom of mobility on tracks resembling those used by trains. But that required a whole network of tracks to be laid down around the factory for the machines to be transported easily.
Newer models don’t have this restriction. Once a complete set of factory floor plans is fed into them, they can move around efficiently and even carry light loads. Doubling them as delivery carts around the factory and adding to their practicality.
When robotic case packers were first introduced into factories, they required specially trained personnel to operate them. Making any modifications in their hardware or software was done by engineers as well. Case packer manufacturers have now made a lot of progress in this arena. Newer machines are easier to program and more versatile in their range of usage.
Learning is not limited to humans anymore. Intelligent robots like those from Rethink Robotics can now be taught tasks by manually moving them around and ‘showing’ them how a specific job is done. The process is stored in the bot's memory and can be called upon to repeat the task infinite times.
Artificial intelligence and robots suffer a bad rep in our pop culture. Think Robocop and Transformers. In reality, robotic case packers manufactured these days are designed with human safety and ease in mind. These machines are designed to learn from and work well with their human counterparts.
Case packer manufacturers can now guarantee more safety for factory employees working with the latest automated technology and machinery. The addition of the latest sensor technology, elastic servo motors, and augmented vision means robotic case packers are safer than ever before.
Built-in default settings stop a robot in its track whenever a human approaches or a human hand comes within range. Meaning the horror scenes of robots chopping limbs off are strictly limited to Hollywood.
Robotic case packers used to be extremely high-end pieces of equipment that were more like shiny new toys than great investment opportunities. But now, the normalization of the technology has made it standard practice at almost all factories. More manufacturing has also supplied the market with many options to choose from.
Especially after Covid-19, automation has shown advantages over manual labor. These factors have driven the cost of owning and operating a fleet of smart robotic machines down.
Robotic case packers now come pre-set with thousands of packaging functions and options, making them a better investment than employee training and recruitment.
Robotic case packers are now laced with sensor systems that can flag and separate any damaged stock item. The damage could be in the product itself, improper sealing, or inconsistent weight or density of the product. Taking the damaged item off the assembly line means you save money by
Case packing manufacturers now design all equipment with their ecological impact in mind. Most case packers on the market today can package food items in considerably less single-use plastics. That too faster and with more hygiene, cutting down further on food waste.
Robot equipment also now comes with better gripping technology and faster speeds which means packing delicate edible items with less waste and accidents. That contributes to your bottom line and reduces carbon emissions.
Today, robotic machinery is not made for one job and is redundant once the task is completed. They are much like human assembly-line workers and can be used in multiple ways and places. That makes the robotics of today more eco-friendly than their predecessors.
Robotics come with a substantial learning curve. Replacing an entire assembly line of workers with equipment is no easy undertaking. That’s why it's crucial to choose a case packer manufacturer that can answer all your questions and guide you according to your specific needs.
Training staff to employ the equipment effectively is another critical component of automating your factory. To reap all the benefits robotics have to offer, contact BluePrint Automation today. Our representatives will guide you through the initial adjustment phase.
Onboarding a technical team will help you make the transition smoother and avoid any more downtime than necessary. They will also work with you to troubleshoot any potential issues while you adjust to the new normal. Contact us today and get an in-detail analysis done for your business.
Back to the overview
