FDBusiness.com

FANUC, a leading robotics manufacturer, has recently extended Pacepacker’s strategic partnership to include them as a system integrator of pick and place systems for primary and secondary product packaging. This move enhances Pacepacker’s current pick and place equipment offering, which includes a range of DeltaPac™ pick and place machines and mechanical bespoke pick and place systems, as it enables them to provide a complete range of solutions, both mechanical and robotic, pre-owned or new, for numerous applications in a range of sectors including food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and beverages.

FANUC LRMate and M430iA2F food grade robots picking chocolate bars

Pacepacker’s Business Development Manager, Paul Wilkinson, comments: “Operating as FANUC’s strategic partner for pick and place systems, we can select from over 30+ robots to suit all budgets and individual project needs dependent on the speed, payload and reach requirements for both primary and secondary product packing. With our ‘Try Before You Buy’ facility, where customers can run tests of their products to de-risk the procurement and equipment selection process, there’s never been a better time to review the benefits of automation.”

The compact FANUC pick and place systems, which are capable of handling in excess of 180 products per minute, not only increase throughput, but are designed to eliminate waste, reduce overheads and improve quality. “The systems come with a range of options applicable to most industry sectors including wash down and stainless steel versions, vision and sensing technology, and an array of attachments to pick up all manner of products,” comments Paul.

News of the new partnership will be announced at the PPMA Show 2011 where Pacepacker will debut FANUC’s six axis M-3iA Food Robot pick and place system on their stand C70. Set to increase standards in high speed primary and secondary product packing, the 6 axis 6kg parallel link arm robot is ideal for applications requiring more complex positioning and re-orientation during the pick and place cycle. It has the ability to pick up components, position them at an angle and rotate them – effectively replicating a human operator but at far greater speed – with high repeatability over an indefinite sustained period. Pacepacker’s MD Dennis Allison comments: “Due to its smaller work envelope and high dexterity, the M-3iA/6A can automate tasks which previously were too fast and too complex for robots to handle. It can, for example, sweep packaged goods in an arc under the top return of a cardboard box, which isn’t possible for its four axis counterpart.”

This announcement follows a fourteen year relationship between the two companies, which began in 1997, when FANUC first appointed Pacepacker as their strategic partner in the field of robotic palletising. “Winning the Food Processing 2011 Award for Robotics & Automation acknowledged Pacepacker as a successful global automation integrator – this partnership furthers our philosophy to provide customers with uncomplicated competitive solutions,” says Paul.

FANUC looks to achieve growth through partnerships and carefully chooses companies for their expertise and skill in specific markets. Pacepacker’s comprehensive range of equipment and diverse installation base puts them in good stead to provide the best technical and project experience, along with after sales service, parts, product updates and training for the lifetime of the system. Pacepacker’s turnkey offering also includes tray denesters, box and bale arm erectors, check weighing, labelling, closing and palletising systems.