Bakery Robotics: The Future Is Now
ADVERTORIAL
In today’s high-speed bakery, product and materials are
constantly being moved in and out of production. Pans with product may be
loaded into and unloaded from racks for proofing. Lids and pans must be stacked
and unstacked for storage when not in use. Finished goods may be placed into
baskets or trays and then stacked or loaded into shipping racks. Cased product
is typically palletized. All of these processes are highly repetitive, and
often require handling a heavy payload in an awkward position.
Robots are ideal for such tasks, eliminating inefficient and
tedious labor and expensive custom-built machinery, notes Charles Gales,
manager of automation sales for Weldon Solutions, York, Pa.
“We are an authorized system integrator for FANUC Robotics,
North America’s leading supplier of robots,” Gales says. “When you combine
FANUC’s robotic technology with our industry experience, system engineering and
end-of-arm tooling, bakeries reap the rewards in reduced labor costs, faster
changeover time and increased real-time quality control.”
For instance, custom-designed grippers, machine vision
systems and smooth motion control allow Weldon robotic systems to gently
package product in a highly efficient manner.
In addition, Weldon’s PanTender and LidTender take advantage
of precise, high-speed robotic placement to drastically reduce the number of
jams and harsh treatment of pans and lids normally found with conventional
stacking equipment. Pans also can be turned upside down and stacked in their
most sanitary and stable orientation.
The partnership that Weldon forms with its customers is the
cornerstone of a successful automated manufacturing solution, Gales says.
“We combine your process expertise with our engineering and
integration experience to develop innovative and user-friendly systems that
will help you outperform your competition every time.”
For more information on Weldon Solutions, go to www.weldonsolutions.com
or send an e-mail to info@weldonsolutions.com.
