FDBusiness.com

Marel, pioneers of intelligent portion loading, have produced an all new high performance IPL Robot that can be configured to virtually any application in the protein sector.

Single, fresh or frozen portions or sliced groups – like bacon, cooked deli meats, fish and cheese – can be picked from the infeed conveyor and placed straight into trays or a thermoformer.

Easy to understand and operate

The system has straightforward, easy to use controls, thanks to a universal graphical user interface developed

by Marel. This enables operators to switch between products with a minimum of disruption – so essential in today’s ‘fast response to order’ environment.

IPL Robot’s control systems are designed by Marel to provide a high level of versatility and satisfy most customer requirements and applications. Remote access to customer’s installations is possible, enabling fault diagnosis and performance monitoring.

Performance and reach

The new IPL Robot can pick and place at speeds of up to 80 picks per minute per head (depending on product). Its long reach measuring 1250mm enables the machine to load even the widest thermoformer at high payloads.

Payloads of up to 4.2kg can be handled albeit at reduced speeds.

Hygiene

IPL Robot, including the head and control panel, is 100% washdown to IP69, thanks to stainless steel and titanium construction. All product contact parts are manufactured

from stainless steel and other food grade materials and can be quickly and easily removed for cleaning.

The head pairs lightness with strength in a hygienic design for high product safety and no risk of contamination through splintering of composite materials.

Wide range of grippers

Marel has made huge advances in gripper technology, which contributes greatly to accuracy, product presentation and overall efficiency of the IPL Robot.  Virtually any product – however delicate – can be lifted and placed, at speed, into a tray or thermoformer in a wide variety of configurations.

Marel grippers are patented and manufactured to the very highest standards and easy regular servicing delivers a long operating life.

Vision

The size, position and orientation of the incoming products are determined by the robot’s vision system. At the appropriate point, the portion is transferred to the tray or thermoformer to give the required pack style or presentation. Any out of specification portions pass to a makeweight operator or diverted to a dedicated bulk or food service pack.

The IPL Robot vision system can recognise product characteristics such as size or shape and can be programmed to place or divert products according to requirements.

For high volume applications, IPL Robot’s vision control system can operate up to 6 loading heads and, if required, each head can be programmed to produce a different pack format.

Richard Sawford, Robotics Product Manager at Marel Norwich, UK, said: “Our research and, to a great extent, our long experience in high speed slicing, portioning and portion loading machines and systems indicated the  importance of delivering a high performing, competitively priced robot that was simple to operate and maintain.”

About Marel

Marel is the leading global provider of advanced equipment, systems and services to the fish, meat and poultry industries. With offices and subsidiaries in more than 30 countries and a global network of more than 100 agents and distributors, we work side-by-side with our customers to extend the boundaries of food processing performance.

Advance with Marel for all your processing needs.