The idea of automation has revolutionized almost every sector of our society. Before automation products, solutions, and technology came into the picture, human labor had a vital role to play in ensuring that everything was functioning optimally and in an efficient manner.
Today, no matter where we are, at home, school, or office, we are surrounded by resources that are a direct product of automated systems and solutions. In this article, we will delve into the fundamentals of automated packaging systems and how they play a major role in different manufacturing industries.
In simple terms, the procedure or process of packaging a product with minimal or no human assistance is carried out via different automated packaging systems. However, it is essential to understand that automated packaging systems can mean different things to different people.
In other words, depending on the market and industry, the operations of packaging systems can vary. For instance, for the food and beverage industry, packaging might refer to sealing food into containers or liquid into bottles.
Whereas for the fabric industry, it means wrapping or binding large sheets of material. Thus, to cope with the manufacturing of a wide variety of manufactured products, automated packaging systems are also developed with great diversity.
Since automation products are usually priced on the expensive side, industrialists or business owners need to ensure that equipment offer top-class serviceability, work safety, [1] maintainability, optimum technical capabilities, productivity, reliability, and more.
Automated packaging systems – Processes
Whether a system deals with partially or completely automated packaging systems, the entire process is divided into three stages. When these processes are accelerated by automation, it enhances the packing speed, efficiency, and quality. Let us delve into these three stages:
• Primary packaging: The primary purpose of this stage is to safeguard the packaged and sealed merchandise. In addition, this stage also provides customers with some basic information about the product like size, expiration date, quantity, ingredients, manufacturing date, and more.
• Secondary packaging: The next stage in the automated packaging system lifts the product and puts it into a secondary container like a cardboard box after wrapping it with plastic or a bubble wrap to prevent any product damage.
• Transit packaging: This is also referred to as tertiary packaging, which deals with packaging products in larger containers to send them off for transportation and distribution to end-users and retailers.
Assembling an automation packaging system involves various machines exclusively structured for multiple purposes that input information to seamlessly regulate outputs by using automated control machines. Here are the functions of some packaging automation instruments:
• Programmable Logic Controllers: PLC [2] is the brain of the automated packaging system. It gathers data collected by sensors to make immediate decisions that lead to packing and delivering orders on time.
• Input devices: Input devices refer to sensing devices and switches that collect data about the operation of the conveying equipment. Next, it sends this information to the PLC.
• Output devices: Electric signals are converted into actionable steps via solenoids and relay motors. This effortlessly moves products through the automated packaging systems to deliver complete and furnished goods.
Benefits of automated packaging systems
1. Better production speed
One of the best features of automated packaging systems is that it improves the production speed by a huge margin. In a manual packaging process, machines do not run at their full capacity since they are not able to match the delivered level of output. On the other hand, in automated packaging systems, the production speed and the overall efficiency are accelerated with better output levels.
2. Elimination of downtime
In manual production processes, the workforce is entitled to take breaks that result in downtime and production loss. Since this often leads to financial setbacks in factories and industries, industry owners prefer investing in automated packaging systems as they run 24/7 with minimum halts and breaks.
3. Improved customer service
In an automated packaging system, the risk of product faults is significantly decreased. In combination with accelerated production capacity, this leads to better customer service that fetches businesses better results and profits.
4. Smaller environmental footprint
Since the world is collectively trying to build a sustainable future, business owners also shoulder the responsibility they have towards the environment. Automated packaging solutions are designed to consume less energy and carry the intelligence to turn off when equipment is not in use.
5. Better savings and low operating costs
On average, robots and automation instruments can perform the work of around 5 people, which lowers operating costs and increases savings. Also, automated packaging systems improve accuracy and streamline processes which reduces the amount of wastage in the overall operations.
Leverage world-class automation solutions with Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric holds a prestigious reputation in the market for delivering high-performance and futuristic electrical, automation, and digital solutions. We attempt to accelerate the digital transformation in a more electric world by helping thousands of customers to do more with fewer resources.
We deliver automation and digital solutions across multiple industries like commercial real estate, food and beverages, facility management, data centers and networks, process automation, electricity companies, and more. Explore our website today to know more about automation products, solutions, and services.