ESS Technologies, Inc. new robotic cartoner infeed integrates with automatic cartoning machines, allowing manufactures to easily automate manual carton loading processes or retrofit other bulkier types of product infeed systems.

ESS Technologies, Inc. new robotic cartoner infeed integrates with new or existing automatic cartoning machines, allowing manufactures to easily automate manual carton loading processes or retrofit other bulkier types of product infeed systems (such as hard automation pick & place systems) to reduce the footprint of an existing packaging line. An authorized FANUC system integrator, ESS combines a FANUC LR Mate 200iC robot (or other model, depending on the application) with ESS -designed end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) to create a very compact system for loading cartoner infeed bucket conveyors. The custom EOAT can be designed to handle most any type of product, and the small footprint allows the use of significantly shorter infeed conveyors, saving valuable floor space. The robotic cartoner infeed is ideal for packaging pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and consumer goods.

Initially designed as an infeed option for the ESS SC Series Automatic Horizontal Cartoners, the robotic infeed system is a stand-alone robotic cell that also easily integrates with cartoners in existing packaging lines. Product may be fed to the robotic cell using laning conveyors, should product collation be required, or via bowl feeders, flexible infeed conveyors or product magazines. The LR Mate 200iC robot has a payload capacity of 5kg, and six axes provide greater flexibility and range of motion. The robot can handle infeed speeds up to 400 per minute with multiple products per pick, or up to 80 cycles per minute, allowing the robotic cartoner infeed to reliably maintain production rates for high speed cartoning systems. The EOAT design uses quick release connections to provide a very fast EOAT changeover (less than five minutes for most EOAT).