Universal MSK robot solution in glass palletizing
Press Release, 2010-01-25
The new robot-palletizer installed at SGD Kipfenberg GmbH in Germany, the leading specialist for pharmaceutic hollow glass, combines great capacity increase and highest flexibility with a compact design. This new MSK system has been fitted with an efficient “control center” by the manufacturer of packaging machines.
New demands in production
When producing pharmaceutic hollow glass at the plant in Kipfenberg, both clean packs - according to different packaging patterns - and whole layers of bottles are handled and packed onto pallets. There were certain demands which the new palletizing machine had to satisfy: a clear increase in capacity with simultaneous, highly efficient job change. Furthermore, the use up until that point of a different palletizing robot for clean packs and that of a traditional glass palletizer for loose bottles was to be replaced by a more efficient and space saving universal solution for economic reasons.
High flexibility thanks to robot-palletizer
MSK’s robot-palletizing-system is a real all-rounder. It is fitted with three different heads which can be exchanged extremely fast and comfortably with a unique changing device during job change. This way, the robot is able to palletize clean packs according to different packaging patterns, while it can also pick up different bottle types with a suction plate or with tubes which grip the bottles alternatively. In addition, the robot can put up cardbox trays and plastic plates as interlayers. “Thanks to this new solution, the effort during job change has been decreased and double the packaging capacity could be achieved. The reliability is more than 99%, which means it is highly efficient”, says Michael Bouwmann, Key Account Manager for glass at MSK.
A minimum of space
The palletizing robot offers highest flexibility in a minimum of space. “We have even been able to deal with the confined space towards the ceiling at our plant in Kipfenberg due to the robot’s fine programming technology”, Michael Bouwmann explains. Since the robot features integrated supplementary functions such as the application of interlayers, additional modules are not necessary and consequently, machine equipment and its associated space requirement could be reduced for the cold end. “MSK has come up with competent and reliable project engineering”, says Rainer Becker, Technical Director at SGD Kipfenberg GmbH. “The compact design of the machine and the possibility of handling all the customers’ packaging demands with flexibility in the future tipped the scales for the new palletizing system”.
Complete solution
Apart from the new palletizing robot, MSK has also delivered a centering frame with film sheet applicator used to equip pallets with bottom sheets and loose bottles with interlayers. The cardboard trays are prepared by an MSK Traytech and are then applied by the robot. All of these MSK modules are easily controlled via MSK EMSY, the centrally integrated visualization software.Efficient control center
With MSK EMSY as visualization software, the Kipfenberg plant has an integrated HMI at its disposal. Every single operation of the new high performance palletizing system can easily be controlled on the monitor, as well as required parameters can be managed and different packaging programs can be logged or accessed. No special software knowledge is necessary – visualization of the whole packaging process, easy selection of parameters and programs, support in troubleshooting and conducted statistics ensure easy and efficient operation of the machine. Since all of the other MSK machines on-site in Kipfenberg are run via MSK EMSY as well, the standardized visualization is of great advantage for the operating staff.
Cooperation of many years
In June of 2009, MSK’s robot technology was smoothly added to the existing packaging line at the plant in Kipfenberg. A cooperation of many years connects the specialist in pharmaceutic hollow glass production and the manufacturer of packaging systems, MSK. As early as in the 1980s, MSK delivered a first shrink packaging machine to Kipfenberg. This was followed by a swivel arm palletizer MSK Triotech and another shrink packaging machine in 2002. “This cooperation of many years has been constructive and professional, while offering great availability of the existing MSK packaging systems and the associated standardization at the same time. These were crucial reasons for us to decide in favor of MSK”, Rainer Becker points out.
Complete solution for the cold end – all from one single source
MSK is a full-line supplier for the whole cold end of a glass production. More than 30 years of experience in the design of glass palletizers, hood shrink devices for transport security, shuttle cars and conveyor technology, as well as required control software have brought MSK a leading position in the market. Additional modules, such as the MSK Looptech for securing single bottle layers during on-plant transportation, labelling technology, cardboard erectors, information tracking systems and even more accessories make every MSK machine a unique complete system.
