October 2019

51 www.drivesncontrols.com October 2019 FOOD AND BEVERAGE n robots - the robots offer dexterity from a compact footprint. In most fresh-produce applications, a three-arm robot would offer sufficient payload, Jahn suggests. Once filled, the crates are stacked and palletised by an end-of-line robot system. This presentation precision was a key driver behind automating the case-loading operation. Previously, the potato packs had been loaded manually into crates. It was labour-intensive, and resulted in packing bottlenecks and messy tray presentations. One of the workers at the Rushden site has noticed changes since the robotic packing cells were installed. “By removing 90% of the physical labour from the packing production area, health and safety and people’s approach to teamwork has improved,” he reports. “It’s a much calmer environment and so much better for staff welfare. It’s almost hypnotic to watch when the robots are running. He adds that less product rework is now needed as a result of split bags. Describing the robot lines as being easy to operate, he reports the system set-up and HMI is intuitive to use, particularly for product changeovers. “It’s so straightforward to use that I’m never worried about pressing the wrong button and breaking the system!” Following site-wide investments in manufacturing improvements, the Rushden site has seen improvements in OEE (overall equipment effectiveness). In summary, says site manager Day, the new packing technology has increased packing speeds, improved pack presentation, cut waste, almost eliminated bottlenecks, reduced the site’s reliance on agency staff, and enhanced the well-being and satisfaction of the staff. n The potato packs and delivered in single file into the two robotic cells on rumble conveyors, ready to be placed into retail crates A breath of fresh air in power electronics Cost-effective and accurate, miniature isolated current sensor GO speeds your drives applications. A unique sensor with an integrated primary conductor achieves optimum temperature accuracy, measuring from -40 to +125 °C in a surface mounted SO8 or SO16 package. • 10-30 A nominal current • Better than 1.3% accuracy @ +25°C • Differential Hall principle measurement: very robust against external fields • 2 μs response time • Up to 3 kV RMS isolation • Double Over-Current Detection outputs for short circuit and over-load protection (SO16 version) .lem.com GO series SPS/IPC/ Drives Hall 3A.400 Mechatronic glove end-effectors on delta robot arms top-load the packs of potatoes into containers at a different angle to one at which they are picked up