Boxes can be filled and stacked quickly and efficiently thanks to an automated packaging line

This saves time and money and makes the production process more efficient. Provoost Automation specializes in customized and automated solutions. With the combination of the cobots Cofiller and Costacker, the company from Berlaar offers an automated packaging line, which fills boxes or bins, if required, closes and stacks them.

Larger players in the food industry have been using fully automated production lines for some time. SMEs are also opting in abundance for partial or full automation of their production process. In doing so, robots are being used for a wide variety of tasks. "Robots are known for completing repetitive tasks again and again with the same precision. Moreover, at the same time one can engage workers at other places in the production process. In many cases, this ensures better quality and increased efficiency, as well as safer and cheaper production," says Stijn Provoost, business manager at Provoost Automation. "I'm thinking, for example, of filling, closing and stacking boxes or totes. Until recently, these repetitive tasks were almost always performed manually, even if they often had to be done in cold areas. Today, with our cobots, we offer budget-friendly and flexible 'workers' who take over these tasks from humans."

With the Cofiller, the specialist in industrial automation developed a cobot that can fill boxes or bins in a fast and efficient way. This compact solution is customized and equipped with a specific gripper according to the goods to be processed. Unlike industrial robots, this cobot does not have to stand behind a fence. Indeed, as soon as someone bumps into the Cofiller, the whole installation automatically stops. Multiple units can also be mounted side by side in a limited area without any problems. "Every project is unique for us. We first listen to the customer's needs and then design an appropriate solution in consultation. We calculate how many cobots are needed to handle the production numbers. We design the infeed and outfeed conveyors for the line and determine the right gripper," explains the business manager. "If required, we can design and simulate the complete installation in 3D, so that the customer can use VR glasses to see how his system will work, even before it is actually produced and installed. After approval, the automatic line is produced and assembled and, finally, we program the cobot. After commissioning, the customer can start working immediately. Only when there is a product change will he or she possibly have to choose another format."

Since this automation solution is customized to the products, it can incorporate all kinds of different products. For example, in the food industry, bottles, jars, pouches, meat, cookies and even ready-to-eat meals can be efficiently put into boxes. This Cofiller cobot can even close the boxes after filling them. "For those who want to automate their production process even further, Provoost also offers with the Costacker a modular cobot for palletizing packaging up to 1.3 m high, with elevator added even up to 2.2 m. The installation of this cobot takes about one day. After that, the user can set the stacking patterns himself and start immediately. The unit stacks nine boxes weighing up to 20 kg per minute. It also fits perfectly through most doors and can easily be moved from one location in production to another," Provoost explains. "Thanks to safety scanners, this Costacker adapts to its surroundings. When there are no people around, it operates at full speed, but as soon as it senses presence, it slows down. This cobot can be equipped with a camera, allowing it to find and record its boxes by itself. Finally, it automatically informs the user of any defects. In this way, it is possible to intervene quickly and reduce downtime."

With these solutions, any company can easily take the step to automation. Even smaller companies can recoup the investment in a short time, while their employees can be more useful and productive.