Three types of flavoured shrimp are produced in separate 100g plastic containers. As the different containers travel down their respective lines, they are transferred by one of the Shibaura Machine SCARA robots onto a single line.

From this line, the second SCARA picks up the containers and transfers them to a box, which is then wrapped and palletised by a further robot, ready for distribution. The system packs 200 pieces per minute.

“Advancing technology has broken down the size barrier that stood in the way of integrating robots into packaging lines,” said Nigel Smith, MD of TM Robotics. “Robots with the speed required for the food industry can now be supplied with footprints smaller than a piece of A4 paper!”

“However, it is the mental barrier which should be the first to be overcome,” continued Smith. “As a regular visitor to food manufacturing plants I frequently talk to plant managers that are nervous about applying automation. As an industrial community, we have to take the mental step forward and begin to view robots as an essential component in a manufacturing line.”

Discover the full SCARA robot range here.