‘Ergobot’ to Handle Packing Tasks Too Tough for Humans

Motion Controls Robotics has teamed with Combi Packaging Systems to create a new automated case packing product called the Ergobot. The robot is an automated version of Combi’s Ergopack ergonomic hand packing station.

Motion Controls  Robotics applied its expertise in robotic packaging, case packing and palletizing to expand the ability of both companies to fully automate the case packing and packaging tasks, according to a company news release.

The joint venture allows existing Ergopack customers the ability to retrofit existing hand packing machines so that they can be fully automated. New customers will be able to use the Ergobot to incorporate full automation right from the factory. In both instances, the machines can berun in full automatic mode with the robot doing the case packing, and as a traditional hand packing station for short run, special packaging jobs and as a backup to the robotic packaging operation.

Ergobot also offers a number of optional features, including variable pack counts and pack-out patterns that can be changed in just a few minutes; lot tracking/product serialization; and 100% quality inspection with industry leading FANUC iR Vision.

The purpose of the robot is to create solutions for packing jobs that may be too much for humans, according to Scott Lang, Motion Controls Robotics president.

“We can create retail ready packages and perform case packing tasks that are difficult, ergonomically challenging, or unsafe for humans,” Lang told Modern Materials Handling.