A 3D vision-based robot automation solution for product handling and end-of-line picking and packing is promising breakthrough applications in food processing and packaging.

The new system, developed by systems integrator, RTS Flexible Systems, founded on its modular Pickcell software, will enable automated high-speed pick and place for challenging food manufacturing applications. Examples include gripping complex shapes and profiles, picking variable heights, enhanced inspection and defect rejection, measuring volume and mass, and picking products individually from a random arrangement from a variety of in-feeds.

The 3D vision system can gauge the height, depth and surface contours of a product to be processed and has enabled RTS to demonstrate picking of products with unpredictable or variable heights to high tolerances without damaging them.

For example, a sponge cake with applied icing can be accurately over-written with Happy Birthday in coloured icing over the convex surface. Such an application was not possible while tracking moving objects on a conveyor before.

Contact: RTS Flexible Systems Tel: 0161 777 2000