Cost-effective Robotic Palletizer Reduces Labor and Waste for Loose and Bundled Stacks of Carton Blanks
A packaging manufacturer of paperboard cartons and corrugated containers was continuing their efforts to reduce labor costs with automation. They have purchased robotic palletizers from Flexicell for two lines, one palletizing shrink-wrapped bundles and the other palletizing open-top cases. These systems have proven to be a great success in reducing labor, increasing the consistency of pallet loads, and functioning at a higher operational efficiency. var…
When More Is Better: Flexible Palletizing Solution for Large Food Manufacturer
A large manufacturer of sauces and food toppings needed to automate palletization for 6 production lines in their Canadian facility. A centralized palletizing system seemed like the best solution because they could use one robot on multiple lines; however, the lines were not near enough to each other for this to be practical. To keep the footprint relatively small, Flexicell suggested an alternative method, which…
Reducing Labor Costs and Increasing Palletizing Efficiency for a Petroleum Refinery
A petroleum refinery had numerous troubles with their palletizing operation. Their employees were loading the heavy packages, which could weigh up to 45 pounds, by hand. The weight made the process difficult due to the potential for injury. The company also needed to increase production. Their palletizing system needed to be capable of handling two very different products simultaneously: cases and 20-liter plastic pails. Whereas…
Flexicell Officially Certified by FANUC as an Integrator of Robotic Vision Systems using iRVision
Based on our experience with FANUC’s iRVision® product and the successful deployment of robotic vision, Flexicell has been welcomed into FANUC’s Certified Vision Specialist program. As a company already recognized by FANUC as a Strategic Market Specialist and Level 4 Authorized Integrator, Flexicell is honored to accept another distinction that recognizes our dedication to innovation and flexible solutions. The Certified Vision Specialist program is reserved…
Top 10 Reasons to Automate Your Manufacturing NOW, even with a Recession
In our last blog entry we posted our Top 10 Reasons to Automate with Industrial Robots. Well that got us thinking about why it is important to automate NOW. During this economic recession may be the best time to invest in your company’s future, and here are our Top 10 reasons why… It takes time to install a new robotic system. Do it now while…
Flexicell Appears in CBS’s “Undercover Boss — Hooters”
Flexicell equipment dominates the scenery in the Naturally Fresh plant in Atlanta, GA in the most recent episode of Undercover Boss when Coby Brooks, president and CEO of Hooters goes undercover in his own company. He visits the Naturally Fresh where the company manufacturers its condiments to spend a day on the line. Naturally Fresh was founded by Brook’s father, Robert Brooks. The episode aired…
2010 Growth Opportunities and Trends in Packaging Automation Equipment
Here is part two of Flexicell’s blog report on “The Road to Recovery”in the Packaging Machinery industry… In our previous blog post, we reported growth in automation categories. In this post, we continue that report with a look at which elements of the packaging machinery business are expected to see more emphasis in 2010. These figures are taken from the 2009 annual report by PMMI,…
2010 Packaging Report Shows Companies Cutting Costs by Adding Automation and Technology
Automation packaging trends sprouting from the recession include increased demand for refurbished or upgraded packaging machinery, surges in demand for copacking and contract-packaging operations, and consumers’ new-found affection for private-label products. Just as importantly, says Chuck Yuska, president and CEO of the Packaging Machinery and Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), lean principles are cutting across all levels of companies’ operations. Consumer product goods companies (CPGs) are cutting…