One of the major keys to a growing business is being able to reliably handle orders. A quickly expanding company can potentially run the risk of compromising the quality of its products through carelessness and/or error.
Consider a procedure requiring repetitive and/or continual motion. Manual completion could be detrimental to both speed and accuracy, while packaging automation may prove time and quality efficient while lowering operating costs.
When it comes to large commercial operations it is essential to handle numerous bulk orders in a single day so as to meet the demands of a growing business ; the call for packaging automation is only strengthened by this demand.
Packaging automation looks to robotics
Improving unloading efficiency though packaging automationFood and Beverage Packaging reported that robotics are playing a larger role in manufacturing as demands to improve efficiency and quality grow louder. According to the Robotic Industries Association (RIA; robotics.org), a total of 10,854 robots were ordered from North American robotics companies in the first six months of 2013, an increase of 1.9% in units over the same period in 2012 and 1.3% above the previous first-half record set in 2005. The RIA notes that activity was especially strong in non-automotive industries including food and consumer goods. Dependent on the industry, the type of robotics can vary from pick and pack to palletizing functionality, with the ultimate goal of handling various packages quickly without compromising quality.
The use of robotics looks promising as a trend growing in commonality in the food and bottling industries over the next few years. Aside from the benefit of continuous movements, robotics offer both ergonomic advantages, precision, speed and functionality .
Packaging automation takes the strain off of bulk packaged products
Manufacturers packaging products such as protein supplements, cake powders and seasonings are constantly looking for ways to improve their packaging processes. One such company, GSC Packaging, one of the largest contract packagers of powdered foods, drink mixes, supplements and diet products in the United States, recently took one of their major processes from manual to automated dispersion. The machinery for the job consisted of a frame loaded via forklift, a stainless steel hopper and a flexible screw conveyor. Employees now, instead of manually dispersing these fine powders, merely load and strap the bag into place, connect the dispenser, and allow the machinery to dispense the product- using PLC control.
Through the use of packaging automation, not only did GSC Packaging eliminate the potential for dust, they also increased sanitation, increased productivity, employee effectiveness, precision and quality.
