Consumers might not judge a product by its cover, but they do like it when it is presented attractively.
The global packaging industry is all set to hit the trillion dollar mark by 2024. It’s due to brands’ need for attractive and efficient ways to present their products. B2C companies consider packaging as an essential means for communicating with their patrons.
Like most industries, the world of packaging also welcomed robots with open arms. And packaging automation became a solution for everything ranging from profitability to sustainability.
But here's the trillion-dollar question - is robotics doing enough to bring a seismic change? We try to answer this by pointing out six problems that packaging automation is solving.
Read on to find out if there’s a solution for your packaging challenges.
The end goal of packaging system manufacturers is to ensure efficiency and simplicity. That is where robotic case packers, cartoners, and similar systems come into the picture.
Here’re some essential packaging-related tasks that robots are doing...
For starters, picking and placing products in an assembly line can be mundane for humans. And there’s the problem of handling delicate items like glass without causing any damage.
Pick and place robots or cobots can handle all kinds of products. And they reduce injuries and cut chances of error.
Beyond picking and placing, robots can sort products based on their weight or size. They can be nearly perfect when coupled with a vision system or artificial intelligence.
While palletizing is not a new concept, robotics is helping us achieve this more smartly. That, in turn, can save space and supply chain costs for a company.
We have barely scratched the surface here. A detailed study of mechanisms like automatic case packing will show how self-sufficient these systems can be. There’s more to these advanced factory setups.
Many business owners refrain from taking the robotics route due to financial concerns. They fail to understand the long-term cost-benefits associated with packaging automation.
Robotics is undoubtedly expensive when compared to traditional factory equipment. But they save time, reduce wastage, and require fewer maintenance efforts.
IoT-enabled remote maintenance allows for better monitoring and process automation. Communication protocols for automation like EtherCAT and CANopen can fit into most systems. It means there won’t be unanticipated shutdowns or breakdowns.
The inclusion of smart sensors also provides relevant data for predictive maintenance. What else can we do with this data?
Since the beginning, data collected from packaging units have been interpreted by humans.
With the foray of AI and machine learning, packaging lines can learn and optimize on their own. It will only get better with time as more data leads to better insights. So, unlike traditional production units, they won’t become obsolete.
Industries need an interface for seamless communication between their machines. How would a traditional assembly line interact with a new-gen software?
That is where PackML makes an entry. Short for Package Machine Language, it’s a communication standard that provides an interface for the production line. It was developed in 2003 but started gaining traction only in recent years. Robot makers have agreed to make it a standard feature in their setups by 2023.
Is that the extent of their smartness?
Individual robots are already adapting to demand and supply requirements. That can help increase profitability without compromising on efficiency.
Imagine a smart factory that houses many robotic applications. Soon, we’ll be seeing them collaborate with other robots and humans in a factory setup. These are called cobots or collaborative robots.
Adopting more recent machine learning frameworks is crucial here. We can tap into its full potential by doing two things - delve into data silos and synthesize the data. After all, no one can deny the effectiveness of performance-based business models.
A decade ago, we thoroughly exploited new inventions before considering their environmental impact. We cannot take the same liberty with the newer technological disruptions. The barometer of sustainability has to validate them.
Early robotics adopters mention that they cause fewer errors, reduce wastage, and are energy efficient—the latest advancements in the field help reduce your carbon footprint significantly.
That is linked to the previous point about adaptability. You can easily modify robotic systems according to changing environmental or health needs. Here’s an instance.
The Centre for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDCP) points at some alarming stats. It states that 70% of foodborne diseases are caused due to contact with infected individuals. With robots reducing contact at every stage, we can rest assured that they make the world safer.
You can achieve all this without compromising on business performance, delivery time, or profit margins.
Products like robotic arms are now available as an off-the-shelf product. That should instill confidence in business owners who are skeptical about packing robots.
Human resources, business operations, marketing - everything changes with the introduction of robots. Tomorrow’s factories are all about customized production based on demands. There’ll be a higher degree of automation with little room for operational issues.
Amidst all this, it’s essential to answer whether robots will take manual jobs away?
The onus of taking employees into confidence lies in the industry. Manual workers need upskilling to be able to deal with cobots. With efforts in the right direction, they can become a vital cog in this environment once again.
Are you ready to hop on the packaging automation bandwagon? Check out our range of robotic case packing machines.
Still, have questions about the products? You can get them answered by dedicated representatives from your country.
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