US-based Adept Technology is to launch the Adept ClamPAC robotic packaging automation cell – the first product to be released by the company’s new packaging solutions group.
Designed to gently pack clamshell food items into cases at high speeds, the ClamPAC is said to reduce the total cost of ownership by delivering a standardised, fully integrated solution that can be dropped into any line.
The new system is to be revealed for the first time at the Chicago Pack Expo show at the end of October.
“ClamPAC reduces the food processor’s integration complexity and deployment time while providing the flexibility, dexterity and speed of a world-class robotic solution,” the company says.
Adept’s new SoftPIC grippers and graspers are said to be key to the ClamPAC design.
Made of soft silicone that conforms to the shape of the clamshell, Adept selects the SoftPIC grippers or graspers best suited to each customer’s range of products.
SoftPIC grippers provide a direct vacuum path to the product, helping the system achieve gentle handling and reliable operation at very high speeds.
For lines that package multiple clamshell sizes and/or designs, the SoftPIC grippers can be changed in less than two minutes.
John Boutsikaris, Adept senior VP sales and marketing, says: “This is an exciting development for food processors. It is the first robotic solution in the world to be pre-engineered and standardised to case pack clamshells.
“We’re getting great feedback from customers who have installed ClamPAC about its ease of deployment and ease of use, as well as its gentle handling and reliability.”
ClamPAC is a standardised modular system that Adept Packaging Solutions adapts to each customer’s production line.
Before delivery, customer-specific modifications are made based on the size and design of the clamshells, the case sizes and the speed of the line – an approach said to make it faster and more cost effective for customers to deploy a robotic solution for case packing clamshells.
Founded in 1983, Adept Technology is the largest US-based manufacturer of industrial robots, providing intelligent vision-guided robotics systems and services. Manufacturing its products in Pleasanton, California, the company markets, distributes, and supports its products worldwide both directly and through channel partners.
