Page 51 - Packaging News Magazine May-June 2020

May-June 2020 | www.packagingnews.com.au | SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
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Smart automation is the future
of sustainable manufacturing
Today more than ever, industrial automation plays an important role in keeping manufacturing sustainable in Australia. In order to stay competitive, industries are always looking to improve effectiveness in their operations.
THANKS to innovation, there is a lot of great technology on the market to provide smart and automated solutions to manu- facturers. Steve Alcorn, manag- ing director of FlexCAM, a Melbourne-based conveyor sys- tem supplier said the spotlight
in most cases is on big machinery being the heart of production.
“But, what often gets forgotten is the complex artery of conveyor lines that transport products and packaging in a controlled way from one machine to the next. Without conveyor systems, machines alone are not enough to effi- ciently automate factory floors.”
DESIGNED COMPLEXITY
Conveyor systems are often complex in their design and construction due to the large scales and integration with machinery. When they are designed with production processes, space con- straints, and operational requirements in mind, they play a significant role in industrial automation.
Well thought-out design can elimi- nate product flow issues, which can
impact machine operating effi- ciency, resulting in product loss and downtime.
“The modular aspect of innovative conveyors enables engineers to design and commission systems that meet any budget requirement and the con- ditions of even the most complicated and demanding production environ- ments. Standardised solutions also allow businesses to stage their capital expenditure when upgrading their factory automation,” Alcorn says.
OPTIMISED CAPACITY
Different machines work at different rates. The role of conveyors is to allow machinery to perform at its best by conveying and feeding products or packaging in a controlled manner between machines. By optimising input and output, conveyor systems ensure machines operate at their ideal capacity, thereby maximising capital investment for manufacturers.
Conveyor systems must be able to absorb overfeed from one machinery to the next. Overfeed can take up floor space and create difficult working
BELOW: FlexCam specialises in engineered conveyor systems.
conditions. Cramped factory floors present many problems, such as safety issues, costly product change- overs, and capacity restraints.
Alcorn says by using the height and ceiling space in a factory, floor space can be reclaimed without a costly footprint expansion.
“The installation of overhead con- veyors significantly improves operator safety,” Alcorn says. “One of the main reasons, our clients want to elevate their production is to create clear pas- sage space for forklifts to separate heavy equipment from pedestrians.”
Elevating solutions such as incline conveyors, spiral elevators and wedge conveyors allow manufacturers to lift production off the floor offering extra capacity and improved accessibility for operators.
Standardised interfaces to the upstream and downstream equip- ment make elevating solutions space- efficient and accommodating for a full range of products. Also, smart accumulating solutions can accom- modate significant conveyor length into a small footprint without over- crowding the factory floor.
AUTOMATIC FOR THE FUTURE
Automation can be very costly requir- ing high capital investment. Customised solutions can put auto- mation out of reach for many manu- facturers. However, standardised robotic solutions present a more affordable option to small-to-medium size businesses.
“Automation is not only reserved for big manufacturers. For example, end- of-line robotic palletising is no longer a highly specialised solution. Innovative and compact palletising machines cost half as much as custom- ised solutions making them ideal for smaller operations. They are called col- laborative palletising systems because operators can work alongside the robot on one side of the line without any safety concerns.” Alcorn says. ■