ABB launches “fastest-in-class” picking and packing robot for lightweight products

05 Aug 2022 --- ABB Robotics is launching a “fastest-in-class” robot for picking and packing applications up to 1.5 kg. The FlexPicker IRB 365 robot can be used for various applications, from shelf-ready packaging to parcel sorting and bottle handling. Moreover, the commissioning time can be reduced from days to hours with the ABB PickMaster Twin software. 

With five axes and a 1.5 kg payload, the IRB 365 is flexible and “the fastest available solution” for reorientating packaged lightweight products such as cookies, chocolates, peppers, candies, small bottles, and parcels.

“The IRB 365 can pick, reorientate and place 1 kg products at 120 picks per minute,” says Roy Fraser, global product manager at ABB.

Robotics are increasingly prevalent in the packaging industry, but experts say there are still many areas where robots and cobots could be introduced to improve productivity and environmental sustainability.

Automation rollouts are largely being driven by labor shortages and the potential to release human workers from arduous and repetitive low-value tasks.

Meeting e-commerce demand
The IRB 365R comes in response to the rise in e-commerce and the growing demand for shelf-ready packaged goods. It has been developed for applications including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, where production line speed and adaptability are essential.

The FlexPicker IRB 365 robot is suitable for various applications, including shelf-ready packaging, parcel sorting and bottle handling.“Our customers saw that the growth in online shopping was driving the demand for shelf-ready packaged goods, so we developed a new Delta robot that would rise to the challenge. By handling more products per minute, the IRB 365 robot increases productivity while saving time and energy to make production more efficient,” explains Fraser.

From product reorienting, top-loading and secondary packaging to bottle handling, unscrambling, 3D picking, feeding and parcel sorting, the IRB 365 meets various applications. 

Small robot controller
The robot is powered by the OmniCoreTM C30 controller, reportedly the smallest Delta robot controller on the market. The system offers “best-in-class” motion control, built-in digital connectivity, and more than 1000 additional software hardware functions ready to meet future demands and requirements.

Through ABB’s PickMaster Twin software, the IRB 365 can be integrated into packaging lines in hours rather than days, using digital twin technology, which also reduces changeover times from hours to just minutes.

As the latest member of ABB’s portfolio of robots for picking and packing, the IRB 365 can be paired with other robots, including the IRB 390 to pick, handle and pack payloads weighing from a few grams up to 15 kg.

In related news, Schubert has equipped French pastry manufacturer Bijou with a robot-assisted packing line for its madeleines and other sweet baked goods. The TLM line delivers higher flexibility and automation with robot technology, customized 3D-printed tools and clever packaging design.

Edited by Joshua Poole

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