Description
For food manufacturers, end-of-line packaging operations must keep pace with production while maintaining load quality, flexibility and shipping efficiency. To meet these demands, FANUC Authorized System Integrator @kaufmanusa developed a fully integrated robotic palletizing and unitizing system that combines product inspection, layer forming, palletizing, dunnage handling and stretch wrapping into a single automated solution. Using multiple FANUC robots, the system accommodates a variety of case, tray and load configurations while helping manufacturers increase throughput, improve product quality and reduce manual handling.
How the System Works
The system begins with automated product inspection, where nonconforming cases are identified and rejected for correction. A FANUC M-710iC/50H robot then organizes incoming cases or trays into the required layer pattern. Once a layer is complete, a FANUC M-410iC/500 robot equipped with Kaufman's K5 end-of-arm tooling transfers the full layer to build palletized or palletless loads. A FANUC M-410iB/140H robot handles dunnage placement as required, after which completed loads move to stretch wrapping and, when applicable, dual-load stacking for shipment.
System Key Benefits
High-Speed Throughput: Robotic layer forming and full-layer transfer help manufacturers keep pace with high-speed end-of-line operations.
Flexible Load Building: The system accommodates cases, trays, multiple dunnage types, and loads built on either pallets or push-pull sheets.
Integrated Load Preparation: Automated dunnage handling, stretch wrapping and optional double-stacking streamline downstream handling and shipping.
Built-In Quality Control: Automatic inspection and rejection identify nonconforming cases before they continue through the palletizing process.
Flexible Stretch-Wrapping Access: A dedicated entry station allows loads prepared outside the automated palletizing process to enter the stretch wrapper.
About Kaufman Engineered Systems
Kaufman Engineered Systems has designed, manufactured, integrated and supported complete end-of-line automation systems since 1947. As a single-source automation partner and FANUC Authorized System Integrator, Kaufman exclusively uses FANUC robots in its robotic systems, combining industry-leading robotic technology with decades of engineering and application expertise. From robotic palletizing and depalletizing to conveying, stretch wrapping and material handling, each solution is engineered around the customer's products, facility and production goals to increase throughput, improve safety, reduce operating costs and deliver reliable long-term performance.
FANUC M-710iC/50H
This innovative series of lightweight robots features a slim wrist, rigid arm and small footprint. High axis speeds make it extremely fast, while the 5-axis design makes it ideal for robotic packing and robotic palletizing applications.
FANUC M-410iC/500
The M-410iC/500 palletizing robot improves throughput and will lift 500 kg. A heavy-duty, 4-axis industrial robot built specifically for high-speed end-of-line palletizing and material handling.
FANUC M-410iB/140H
The FANUC M-410iB/140H Palletizer Robot is a high-speed, 5-axis articulated industrial robot built specifically for packaging, material handling, and end-of-line palletizing.