Bosch to develop five axis robots for more shelf ready retail packaging

20-Jul-2015 - Last updated on 21-Jul-2015 at 09:28 GMT

GD Series Delta Robot secondary packaging.

Bosch Packaging Technology has redesigned its Delta robotic (D3) packaging portfolio to give food producers a more simplified platform design, faster changeovers and ease of use.

The robot has an open frame design with fewer parts and better visibility of moving elements where the control cabinets are now on top of the machines, designed for front and rear access and easy maintenance.

Biscuits, confectionery & cereals bars

Marc de Vries, sales director, Bosch Packaging Technology, told FoodProductionDaily, it has already sold the first generation of the redesigned D3 machine to a customer in the Middle East and Europe.

“The D3 platform is available for all dry-food products such as biscuits, confectionery and cereals bars. Historically, we have had a lot of success in this market segment but all our robots can handle different types of products. It’s just that this is a market in which we have established ourselves,” he said.

“We decided to go with an open frame platform because the previous portfolio was not as consistent and the design cabin was at the back not on the top of the machine. Now we have a clear and open design with enhanced visibility to see what’s happening inside the machine,

“Next, we plan to develop the five axis option to serve other applications. A fifth axis opens up new opportunities to load products vertically into a box. We are seeing more and more shelf ready retail packaging nowadays and we are looking to develop our machines more into this market.”

Higher payloads - up to three kilograms

According to de Vries, Bosch’s enhanced D3 robotic platform handles higher payloads up to three kilograms and comes with faster speeds to increase pick rates.

The open frame platform features the latest GD series Delta robot, with modular and standardized robotics and application-specific options.

The Gemini 4.0 Delta robot controller and software product formats can be simulated offline without the need for physical products, reducing set-up and installation times.

D3 robotics can be integrated with both Bosch and third-party primary or secondary packaging machines. The D3 platform has been designed to increase flexibility for small- and medium-sized as well as multinational companies.

“It’s a big advantage for us being part of a large group as we can integrate technology from our other divisions. We don’t look at robots as separate units anymore,” he added.

“Customers are looking operational machines which can work 24 hours a day with quick changeover times operating on a variety of packaging. It’s a big challenge but the efficiency of robots can offer greater opportunities.”