Page 45 - Food&Drink Jan-Feb 2022 magazine

Painless palletising with cobot partners
THE demand to automate palletising tasks has increased exponentially with palletising is one of the most popular tasks undertaken by collaborative robots (cobots) around the world.
Universal Robots APAC regional director James McKew says manual palletising is not only dangerous but costly.
“Collaborative automation is paving the way to a more fulfilled and productive workforce. However, there are still millions of tasks that can be automated, and it’s up to us to change the way in which work is done,” he says.
“It is time for people to work with robots, not like robots.”
McKew said that manual labour focused on dull, dirty, and even dangerous jobs, comes at a price, as “not only is an employee at risk, but it also compromises on the business’ throughput and quality”.
“Traditional palletising methods lack the flexibility required for modern production and stifles the workforce.
“People should be focused on value-added tasks and working with robots.
“The way in which people view jobs has changed and should be focused on creating jobs focused on creativity and problem solving.
“Palletising robot deployments require extensive safety guarding, which adds to cost and footprint.
“Cobots add a high level of flexibility, safety, ease of use, and an attractive total installed cost.”
McKew says key questions to consider when using cobots in collaborative palletising applications are:
• what type of palletising configuration is best suited to different applications?
• should you use a fixed pedestal or vertical 7th axis setup?
• what are the basics of the payload?
• what sort of gripper will you need?
“Collaborative automation is paving the way to a more fulfilled and productive workforce.”
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
A recent study by Universal Robots says collaborative robots can help reduce some of the most common workplace injuries.
• does the cobot provide a complete palletising solution?
• what size should the overall footprint of your palletising cell be?
• what are the safety considerations?
• is an easy-to-use specialist cobot palletising software available?
• is there software you can use to easily define stack patterns? • where can you find real-world
case studies?
As a solution to the high demand for palletising applications and the flexibility required by various customers, Universal Robots has developed its UR10e with a 12.5kg payload.
McKew says the advancements to the UR10 series means customers have enhanced flexibility such as a greater payload, more applications and the handling of heavier items. ✷
Improving warehouse safety
AT Combilift, safety around forklift trucks is its priority every day, and the start of a new year is a great opportunity to focus on how organisations can reduce the risks of accidents when using materials handling equipment.
One of the ways we can do this is by looking at how organisations ensure safer working practices – for operators and non-operators – by utilising pedestrian trucks.
Combilift’s award-winning pedestrian Combi-WR is the first purpose built pedestrian reach stacker with the ability to operate in a VNA aisle of just 2.1 metres and a lift capacity of
2000 kilograms. Features are:
• power steering;
• AC motor technology;
• 1000mm high load back rest; • rear wheel drive;
• 80/80mm side shift; and
• a patented multi-position
tiller arm.
The patented multi-position tiller arm enables push button rotation of the rear wheel parallel to the chassis and back. This allows the operator to remain in the safest position at the side of the unit when placing and picking in narrow aisles.
It also reduces crush risk, and its excellent visibility ensures the safety of those nearby.
Combi-WR’s advantages are not limited to its features. Operating at walking pace is inherently safer than the speeds that can be achieved with ride-on forklifts, and as operators are closer to the loads they are handling, they are more aware of their working environment.
This tends to lead to more careful behaviour, both physically and psychologically, compared to when they are in a cab, higher off the ground and therefore more removed from their immediate surroundings. It also means temptation to “put their foot down” is greatly reduced. ✷
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | January-February 2022 | Food&Drink business | 45