• Magazine pick robots showing part positioning nest. Two ABB IRB6700 robots pick from the magazines placing the side panels into a location nest where they are re-picked by two ABB IRB2600 robots for assembly on the oven.
    Magazine pick robots showing part positioning nest. Two ABB IRB6700 robots pick from the magazines placing the side panels into a location nest where they are re-picked by two ABB IRB2600 robots for assembly on the oven.
  • Magazine pick robots.
    Magazine pick robots.
  • Wooden slat accumulation magazines each with six accumulation zones. Each magazine holds a different size slat.
    Wooden slat accumulation magazines each with six accumulation zones. Each magazine holds a different size slat.
  • EPS Sides pallet stacks on magazine conveyors. Six magazines with multiple accumulation zones allowing for two hours of unattended run time.
    EPS Sides pallet stacks on magazine conveyors. Six magazines with multiple accumulation zones allowing for two hours of unattended run time.
  • Top card placement robot. Robot picks a flat card from one of two magazines. The robot gripper folds two edges of the card to 90 degrees ready for assembly into the EPS side panels.
    Top card placement robot. Robot picks a flat card from one of two magazines. The robot gripper folds two edges of the card to 90 degrees ready for assembly into the EPS side panels.
Close×

Electrical goods manufacturer Electrolux has chosen a new automation cell from local supplier HMPS at its South Australian plant in Dudley Park.

The setup consists of conveyors with six ABB robots for picking and packing ovens to be shipped, and is designed to run at an overall 90 percent OEE based on 1800 assemblies in 476 minutes for 17 hours per day, 230 days per year.

According to Christian Martin, manufacturing engineer for Electrolux Home Products, Electrolux chose HMPS for the project based on its expertise, experience and flexibility.

“The proposed solution and initial consultation gave us a great level of confidence in the HMPS solution. This was proven when the team was able to accommodate special requests and resolve issues during the commissioning,” he said.

“The execution of the project was to a high standard and we believe we have a best in class solution generated for us right here in Adelaide by a local supplier.”

Glen Foreman, sales manager for South Australia at HMPS, said that the project was not as far outside the supplier’s normal picking and packing machinery operations as it seemed.

“In this case, what we needed to pick and pack just happens to weigh quite a lot more, and it happens to be an oven rather than the foodstuff coming out the oven which we normally pack,” he said.

Food & Drink Business

Australian drinks company, Casella Family Brands (CFB), has shifted the focus of its spirits strategy, making moves to bring Morris Whisky distribution in-house, expanding into global travel retail, and partnering with Proof Drinks Australia to handle its on-premise distribution.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has appointed Sarah Proudfoot as its new chief executive officer, after Scott Gregson departed to take up the role of CEO at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

The latest data from IWSR has shown the pace of innovation in the expanding global RTD market is slowing, as brand owners focus their efforts on growth areas including spirit-based products, premium-plus price tiers and higher-ABV variants.