How do you quickly load cases and trays with tough to handle product?

Purpose – To report on the design and development of a robotic product carton packing system that handles both soft plastic pouches or bags and small individual serving boxes and places into shipping cartons. Design/methodology/approach – A food processing equipment OEM teamed with a control and servo drives supplier to create a high speed, flexible packing robot‐based system. Together they selected the drives and controller needed and developed special software for the application. Findings – Even tough to handle packages such as soft plastic bags or pouches, small boxes or even bottles can be efficiently packed into shipping cartons or crates with careful engineering of grippers and robotic handling. Practical implications – Teaming with a full product line automation controls supplier can speed an OEM's development of complex robotic equipment and help insure that the system meets project goals. Originality/value – Knowing what others have accomplished can provide not only a project plan but can also bring fresh ideas to other projects. Helps designers think outside the box for new ideas.