ESS Technologies, Inc. and Antares Vision have collaborated to develop a compact and cost-effective serialized case packing solution that integrates state-of-the art robotic case packing and serialization system technologies. The CEL5 can be configured as a top load, side-load, or bottom-load case packer, allowing greater flexibility in designing the packaging line that integrates easily with the Antares Vision track-and-trace equipment.
The Model CEL5 top-loading case packer that ESS and Antares Vision will demonstrate at PACK EXPO International uses a FANUC M-20iA robot with custom, ESS-designed end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) to erect and load the RSC case.
An Antares Vision 360-degree camera scans unique product codes on each bottle before they enter the case packer infeed. The product codes are stored in a serialization system PC. At the case packer infeed, the CEL5’s servo collation system creates the desired case pack pattern.The multi-axis robot picks an RSC case from the case magazine, squares the sides, folds the bottom flaps, and places the case on the vacuum loading plate. The same robot then picks the collated pack pattern of scanned bottles, holds the load over a serialization camera to record the case contents, and loads the bottles into the case. The case is then sealed on the top and bottom with standard 2-in. tape.
