Flexicell: Out-of-the-Box Robotic System Integrator

Industrial robots are revolutionizing the manufacturing floor becoming the mainstay to garner greater packaging line speeds, labor cost reduction, and increased accuracy and efficiency, as firms focus on total cost of ownership and yield from production lines. The need for less maintenance and higher MTBF (Mean Time between Failures) and the reduced MTTR(Mean Time to Repair) is further enhancing adoption of robotic systems when compared to ‘Hard Automation’ solutions.“Robots are getting faster, less expensive and can instill more external sensors taking productivity to a higher level,” says Hans de Koning, President of Flexicell. “We were formed in 1992 with the aim to incorporate robotics into packaging systems, offering more flexibility to the end user over the legacy fixed automation.” The company manufactures and installs robotic cells that integrate robotic and linear motion systems for performing a variety of packaging and material handling tasks, offering superior performance due to the use of highly developed controls platform.

According to de Koning, few years ago the biggest challenge in traditional packaging lines was twofold, price point and acceptance of robotics technology. “With features like multiple configurations and cost effectiveness, robots are at the forefront of providing the effective methodology much needed in the competitive economy,” he explains. “Tremendous effort has been made to standardize our designs, mechanically and electrically to maintain a competitive edge. Being vertically integrated helps us in meeting shorter delivery timelines and customization demanded by our customers.”

Flexicell's high-speed robotic pick and place systems provide a cost-effective method for product handling, including product transfer, carton loading, and case packing. “We use delta style robots to pick and place the products from conveyor to conveyor, from conveyor to the infeed of primary packaging machines such as cartoners and load products directly into cartons, tubs and cases,” explains de Koning. “We also offer robotic case packing systems providing an accurate way to gently pack your products for shipping.”