Mechelec moves forward
with universal trolley packer
Bedfordshire-based Mechelec
Automation have taken their
revolutionary new bottle collation and
trolley packing system for the dairy
industry to new heights.
The TP1002 Trolley Packer is designed
to provide fully automated, cost effective
trolley loading, and since its release in
May 2017 has been in production in a
dairy in Wales running at speeds of up to
250bpm and packing 4-pint bottles in a
5 x 4 format.
The Mechelec engineering team has a
wealth of experience in the automation
industry, having worked for many years
with robots, servo systems, pneumatics
and PLC control. This experience along
with their open minded approached has
resulted in the TP1002.
This innovative system offers flexible
throughput at faster operating speeds.
The system’s robotic arm and servo
driven collation unit can quickly
and efficiently load two trolleys
simultaneously, offering double
the packing speed of conventional
automated systems with a comparable
footprint. The use of robotics eliminates
the problems relating to variable
height packing, offering free movement
through multiple axes and avoiding
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the compatibility issues arising from
differing designs or damaged trolleys.
The simplicity and open construction
of the robotic system also allows easier
access, helping to minimise downtime
for wash down and routine maintenance.
The system is IP67 rated.
Mechelec engineers have vast experience
in using motion control solutions from
the major OEM’s such as Rockwell and
Siemens. On this occasion they chose to
partner B&R for their motion solution
due to its integrated architecture
bringing PLC, HMI, Motion and Safety
together as a seamless package.
John Salisbury, Director at Mechelec told
us “Now we have a proven track record
with a production machine it is time
to take the TP1002 to its next level, as
it was always our intention to make
the TP1002 more than just a trolley
packer.” He continued “We chose to use
an industrial robot in our initial design
knowing that robots are a tried and
proven solution, what is more with our
engineers having extensive experience
with robot programming this was a
logical step.
An additional benefit of using robot
technology is the flexibility for
expanding the range of the TP1002.
We now have an interest in an add-on
unit which provides functionality for
shrink-wrapped bundles to be loaded to
trolleys.”
John explained “Shrink wrapped product
is collated into the correct format,
loaded to the head of the robot and
then transferred into the trolleys in the
same way collated bottles are loaded.
This feature offers a very cost-effective
solution that is easily added to an
existing TP1002.”
Asked where the TP1002 goes from
here John told me “We have already
been asked if we could palletise the
shrink-wrapped product. This additional
functionality would naturally fulfil our
long-term objective to make the TP1002
a truly universal packer.”
Mechelec Automation designs,
manufactures and maintains fully
integrated mechanical and electrical
automation systems for a diverse range
of sectors.
If you would like any more information
on our TP1002 or any of our other
products, please contact:
[email protected] or
visit: www.mechelecautomation.com