East Wenatchee, Wash.-based Van Doren says it has launched a fully automated tray-packing and case-filling solution compatible with a range of trays and carton types.
This combination of the Aporo Pick & Place Robot and the COR Case Optimization Robot, created by Van Doren and GlobalPac’s R&D teams, automates case-filling systems and is equipped with integrated carton handling, robotic tray packing, tray-alignment features and a flexible end-effector, according to a new release.
Aporo is designed to reduce the labor burden in tray packing for apples and other commodities. Using a touchscreen, the operator chooses how the fruit should present, and the robotic systems will align color and stems for optimal results, the company said. Aporo runs both European and American standard tray sizes and can be adjusted through the GUI to suit daily packing needs.
COR positively manages the lift and gentle placement of trays in bulk cartons for storage and shipping. As trays move into the packing space, they are centered and aligned for consistent delivery into cases located on the lower carton handling system.
COR’s vacuum end-effector uses an array of suction bellows and a simple tray-gripping mechanism to lift packed trays and secure produce during carton delivery. The end-effector can also grip various produce types within the same footprint as a tray, according to the release.
The end-effector and lower carton guide can be changed to accommodate multiple tray and carton sizes, the company said. Through the touchscreen HMI, operators can pause COR during packing and switch devices in less than 60 seconds, increasing flexibility when packing multiple tray sizes. The HMI also allows customization of the number of trays stacked within a carton for better results with various carton sizes.
Van Doren says manual tray-packing outlets have typically required one to three operators to pack trays smoothly at high volume, and the process also has demanded a dedicated operator to ensure smooth transitions between cartons, leading to repetitive movements. The integrated carton-handling system saves additional labor, previously needed to ensure carton availability for the filling outlet, according to the release.
The company said Aporo and COR address the labor burden, enabling a single operator to efficiently monitor multiple filling outlets simultaneously, increasing the efficiency of a tray-packing solution.
