What is the future of packaging automation ?
While we all know that it is what is on the inside that counts , we have to admit that the exterior plays a significant role as well . Packaging is of utmost importance in today ’ s commercial world , leading manufacturers to find the best solutions to respond to customers ’ needs . The latest Industry 4.0 technologies allow producers to move a step further in digitalising their production and making customers feel more connected . Here , Neil Bellinger , head of EMEA at automation parts supplier EU Automation , discusses three main innovations in packaging automation that will help manufacturers stay competitive and optimise their production .
In recent years , Industry 4.0 has developed at a surprising rate and is predicted to reach $ 1 trillion by the early 2030 , according to 4.0 Research . This technological advancement is the perfect opportunity for manufacturers in the packaging industry to speed up their digitalisation strategy and respond to customers ’ requirements in an efficient way .
ROBOT PALLETISING
Palletising , which requires lifting heavy weights repetitively and is exhausting for human workers , can become more efficient using automation technologies . For example , collaborative robot arms can be easily programmed and redeployed depending on their tasks and can optimise the workflow especially during peak seasons . They are also cost-efficient , ensuring a fast ROI and requiring no additional costs for programming and dedicated work cells . This also means that manufacturers can implement multiple cobot arms alongside the palletising process to speed up their production and load multiple products .
Collaborative robot arms can be used for packaging applications in all major industries , from pharmaceutical to electronics or metalworking and they are also suitable for food and beverage . They can also manipulate delicate products — for example , Universal Robots ’ UR10 can palletise small and fragile products such as eggs , though it has a payload of
64 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk up to ten kilograms . The robot ’ s compact design , weighing 28.9 kilograms with a small footprint of 190 millimetres ensures a flexible packaging in industries where reliability and precision are paramount .
SMART PACKAGING
In the 2019 Clean Label report , world ’ s leading nutrition company Kerry Group , found out that customers are increasingly questioning label claims , with 49 per cent of those surveyed believing that there is not enough information on packaging to help them make informed decision about their lifestyle . In a supermarket , few customers would take the time to read labels carefully . Moreover , labels are sometimes teared or erased or simply incomplete . Smart packaging allows shoppers to engage deeper with their products using their own devices . This is where the IoT comes into play .
Smart products are assigned IDs that can help customers in different ways . For example , they can check whether the products have been stored at the right temperature using Near Field Communication ( NFC ) tags equipped with temperature sensors . NFC tags are passive devices which operate without a power supply of their own and depend on an active device to come into range before they are activated . This means the customers can simply tap their NFC enabled phones to the package and gather useful information .
Whiskey company Johnnie Walker is currently using NFC technology that allows customers to check whether the bottles have been tempered with and whether they are sealed properly .
Similarly , customers can get ‘ best before ’ warnings , real time offers , or they can track the journey of their products across the entire supply chain using the data stored digitally .
FLEXIBLE MOTION CONTROL
Packaging does not only have to be interactive , it also has to keep up with customers ’ requirements and tastes . The emphasis is no longer on mass production , but on mass customisation instead . For example , bottled water used to come as a single unit , but it can now be found in packs of six , twelve or even twenty bottles . Manufacturers may produce batches of six packs one day and twelve the other day . This means that packaging equipment needs to be programmed to switch quickly and often .
Motion control systems are designed to handle quick changeovers and add additional functions that provide a more flexible process . One of the strategies to achieve this is flexible programming , which means the ability to use different codes on the same controller . Smart machines can create set points that allow a single machine to run product one at a programmed speed and set features and run product two with different characteristics using distinct tools .
Yaskawa developed the Singular Control architecture that can control a mix of motion equipment , including six axis articulated robots This brings increased flexibility in packaging and reduces programming , which in turn makes switching operations faster . From increasing speed to making customers feel more in control of their choices , automation technology is constantly evolving in line with packaging trends . To make sure they respond to their customers ’ needs , manufacturers need to keep up with innovative technology and digitalisation trends . At EU Automation , we help packaging companies stay competitive and enhance their production by supplying automation parts from all major manufacturers in the shortest time , to ensure they keep downtime to a minimum .
www . euautomation . com .