Food

Hats off to the food industry!

FANUC Robots are the ideal accompaniment to the food industry having supplied equipment on a global basis to more than 1,000 companies in the food and beverage industry on their process lines. This outstanding performance is achievable because of the comprehensive range of products for packing, palletising and stretch wrapping applications that is revolutionising the food industry.

First there is the world's fastest packing robot the new M-420iA which is available in two or four-axis configurations which can perform up to 3,000 cycles per hour. It can rotate through 180° and fits easily into any kind of production line. It has a useful 40kg payload that maximises a company's throughput and ultimately profits.

Next there is probably the world's most efficient robot in palletising, the M-410i is capable of easily managing a staggering 400kg maximum payload. It can lift 'complete layers' onto pallets 1300mm2 up to 2,450 mm high or 1600mm2 and 2100mm high. Despite its awesome power it's very flexible and can work through 360°, perform up to 730 cycles per hour and takes up only a minimum of floor space.

Finally to wrap it all up the amazing 'Robotop' system which is a unique solution that can wrap five sides of up to 50 palletised loads an hour in a single operation without the need for additional equipment. It cuts, it thermoseals, it changes film automatically, and in addition uses widths of up to1m, which saves both film and time. Thanks to its revolutionary corner compensation system there's virtually no risk of film tear.

There is of course also a whole range of robots suitable for picking, placing and handling food - but that's another story.

We have the perfect ingredients to be your recipe for success with this full range of intelligent robots that cover every aspect of automation needed for handling products in the food industry. As system partners Micromech Robotics and Fanuc can specify, build and install the right equipment for you that is simple to programme and operate. Perhaps you are not already using a robot, then this may give you food for thought.

Handling frozen food is a chilling prospect.

Working at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees centigrade without shivering is simply inhuman and that's why many frozen food manufacturers have turned to Fanuc robots. Frozen foods are easy to use, which makes them extremely convenient and very popular, unless you have to handle them. If you do there are very definite Health and Safety regulations to contend with and equally important the bodily limits to the amount of time that humans can spend in such an environment. However Fanuc has a solution to warm your heart.

When flexible packing and palletising solutions are required the M-410i robot can operate in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees centigrade yet still handle loads ranging from 100kg to 400kg. Furthermore it can perform 730 standard cycles per hour and its overhung arm means that it always accesses the 'in-feed' or pallets from the upper surface making it the ideal solution for "complete layer" lifting of cases.

Another very useful feature of this robot is it the ability to rotate 360degrees
allowing it to service several in-feed and palletising stations thus achieving considerable production cost savings. The control system is located outside the cold room and a graphical interface permits the operator to review stacking options without the need for programming knowledge. This clearly has two major benefits, the operators avoid potential strain or mishandling injuries of heavy or difficult products and of course they stay in the warm.

As system partners Micromech Robotics and Fanuc can specify, build and install the right equipment for you that is simple to programme and operate. Perhaps you are not already using a robot, then this might be the time to come in from the cold and review your handling methods.