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AI and robots: streamlining and innovating the packaging industry
Through the FLAP collaboration project, Linköping University, ORKLA Foods Sverige and other heavyweight companies are blazing the trail when it comes to the future of the packaging industry. During Scanpack, you will have the opportunity to meet the experts behind the project and learn more about how innovative AI and robotics solutions are taking efficiency and sustainability to new heights.
Digital innovations and new technology are spreading through all layers of society and businesses. The packaging industry is no exception. Here, we are on the verge of a technological revolution that will impact the entire production and delivery chain through smart solutions that, among other things, will help towards fewer shipments and a better work environment. Through the FLAP collaboration project, Linköping University – along with Orkla Foods Sverige and other leading companies – are leading the way towards the packaging industry of the future.
Flexible solution
Luis Ribeiro of Linköping University is a researcher and project coordinator for FLAP.
‘The companies involved in the project wanted to examine whether we could find a good solution that doesn’t necessarily require a person – or, at least, requires fewer people – while also being flexible. At Linköping University, we developed a robot solution using a platform from the company Opiflex. The solution is based on an AI algorithm that analyses all products and combines them in the best way possible to create stable, efficient pallets,’ says Luis Ribeiro.
Andreas Olsson, Operations Manager at Orkla Foods Sverige, is very happy with the results. He stresses the importance of the industry being actively involved from the outset, which has enabled them to focus on real problems.
Avoiding having to rearrange things in store
‘When we manufacture an individual product on a pallet, we can do it at a very fast pace, but as soon as we need to perform specialised processing on products, they need to be removed from the flow and dealt with manually. This requires a lot of labour. Our customers prefer it if the products are already mixed on the pallet, so they can avoid having to rearrange the products in store,’ Andreas Olsson explains.
‘In other words, the automated process provides greater flexibility and efficiency for customers. As well as that, the staff in the stores avoid repacking and heavy lifting, reducing wear and tear injuries and sick leave,’ says Andreas Olsson.
Cost-effective automation
Despite the major benefits, investments in automation are costly. For this reason, Olsson believes that flexibility and high capacity utilisation are needed to cover the investment, while he also explains that flexible robots that can be adapted as required are the key to financial profit.
The FLAP project has not only provided technical benefits but also broadened the network within the industry. Andreas Olsson and Luis Ribeiro will be sharing their knowledge at the Scanpack packaging exhibition on 24 October 2024.
Andreas Olsson will be taking part in a seminar by SWIRA (the Swedish Industrial Robot Association) entitled ‘Robot automation in the food and packaging industry’, while Luis Ribeiro will present ‘Sustainable and Flexible Automation of Seasonal Production’.
‘We will be discussing the challenges facing the industry and how we can solve these using AI and robot systems,’ says Andreas Olsson.
In the picture: Andreas Olsson (left) and Luis Ribeiro (right)