World first packaging technology
In 2013 Applied Robotics developed a custom-built packing machine on a titanic scale for a leading Australian biscuit producer. By using a combination of robotics, machine vision, servo technologies and advanced software, we were able to create an innovative solution.
Automation has been used to pack single variety biscuits for nearly 100 years. But because of complex design challenges, manual labour was needed to pack assorted biscuits worldwide. With this new system Applied Robotics has developed the world’s first automatic solution for the packaging of multi-variety biscuits.
Using more than 50 robots and incorporating 64 vision systems, this fully automated biscuit packing line is a world first. It broke the record for the largest number of robots installed in a single project in the food and beverage sector.
Key Machine Features
Biscuit Handling
Force and position sensitive servo grippers load stacks of biscuits into the machine, accurately and delicately.
Vision System
Used 64 Omron cameras for the locating and QC inspection of biscuits.
Custom Biscuit Gripper
Force feedback servo grippers exert a feather touch to replicate the dexterity and fidelity of the human hand.
Carrier Robot Gripper
Designed for handling bulk quantities of biscuits to be fed to the machine.
Biscuit Carrier Handling
An ABB robot was used to destack carrier containers to be fed into the packing cell.
Carrier Stacking
Biscuit carrier containers were also handled in large stacks by another ABB robot with a specialised gripper.