Product/Service

Palletizing in a Freezer Robot

Source: FANUC Robotics North America, Inc.
FANUC Robotics offers a robotic solution for palletizing in sub-zero (down to -20°F) environments.
The hazards and expense of human exposure to freezing temperatures continues to challenge frozen food manufacturers and warehouses to find palletizing alternatives that remove workers from freezers.

FANUC Robotics offers a robotic solution for palletizing in sub-zero (down to -20°F) environments. This solution is designed to help manufacturers reallocate labor to tasks in comfortable environments and at the same time provide the ability to meet production schedules and special palletizing requirements.

FANUC Robotics recently installed a palletizing system in an ice cream manufacturer's storage freezer (-15°F) for a 15 week test. An M-410i robot with a fork style gripper palletized assorted ice cream products and novelty items from an infeed conveyor.

The system proved capable of handling 4800 half gallons (wrap-ped in units of four), or 2400 five quart pails (wrapped in units of two) per hour. A protective suit keeps the robot and its servo axes at an ambient temperature. A heating system supplies warm air into the suit when the temperature inside drops below the robot's minimum operating temperature. The fork gripper uses electric linear actuators that help minimize problems caused by frozen and blocked air lines.

Process Advantages

  • Removes operators from sub-zero temperatures
  • Direct labor savings and improved personnel scheduling and utilization
  • Flexibility to handle multiple products, infeeds and pallet stations with one robot
  • Ability to space cases on pallet for effective freezing
  • Ability to orient cases "labels out" in the unit load
  • Reduced plant floor space requirements

    System Specifications

  • Custom designed tooling to handle multiple cases simultaneously
  • Independent case control with multi-case gripper
  • User friendly PC interface for system setup
  • Durable nylon suit to insulate the robot in sub-zero environment

    FANUC Robotics North America, Inc., 3900 West Hamlin Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48309-3253. Tel: 1-800-47-ROBOT; Fax: 248-276-4133.