New Lay-flat Packing Technology Allows a Blow Molder of Bottles to Pack 270 Bottles in a Box Instead of 250

Press Release Summary:

• Helps blow molders and brand owners maximize product capacity for a given container
• Makes innovative use of collaborative robot automation systems from universal robots
• Gives blow molders more flexibility and extends the scope of containers that can be packed automatically

Original Press Release:

Proco Machinery Unveils New Lay-flat Tooling Technology Using Collaborative Robot Systems

Mississauga, Ontario, March 26, 2019 - Proco Machinery Inc., a leading manufacturer of automation systems for the blow molding industry, has launched a unique lay-flat packing technology which allows blow molders to pack plastic bottles on their sides, as opposed to placing them with necks up or down. The new tooling technology makes innovative use of collaborative robot automation systems from Universal Robots, based in Boston, Mass.

Proco Machinery is working closely with Universal Robots to offer a complete downstream automation solution for the blow molding industry, according to Siva Krish, vice president of sales for Proco Machinery. “We have a very niche market, and we work with a lot of companies in the packaging industry that have complex manufacturing requirements,” said Krish.

Proco’s new Lay Flat Tooling innovation helps blow molders and brand owners maximize product capacity for a given container. The company has developed two sets of tooling for two different applications - one for straight neck-to-neck packaging in the box and another for offset neck orientation from row to row. This potentially allows a blow molder of bottles to pack 270 bottles in a box instead of 250, resulting in maximized capacity and tremendous savings on freight cost.

For Proco’s unique lay-flat system, the company designed a solution to counter the cobot’s inherent desire to resist force. “You need to have a small bit of clearance between the box and bottle so the tooling arm goes in and comes out,” Krish explained. Ultimately, the design of the bottle determines how Proco customizes the robot’s packing routine. “Every bottle and every pack count and every production line will be completely different,” he said.

The lay-flat technology gives blow molders more flexibility and widens the scope of containers that can be packed automatically. The bottom line is that blow molders and brand owners can benefit from an attractive return on investment (ROI) when incorporating Proco’s innovative lay-flat tooling technology.

Proco Machinery has developed several different options for packing bottles inside a box including a patent pending End-of-Arm Tooling specifically designed for PET bottle applications.

Proco is incorporating collaborative robotic automation systems in a range of products including its collaborative robotic Half-Cube Palletizer system and the Robo Packer case packer. Both new products are attracting broad interest in the packaging market due to the need for greater efficiency and automation. These systems are being designed in such a way that they complement the production line and provide simplified operation, a smaller footprint, reduced bottle handling, and enhanced efficiencies.

Proco Machinery, based in Mississauga, Ontario, has been serving the plastic container industry for over 35 years, providing labor-saving automated machinery and equipment throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company manufactures a complete line of Robopik Take-out systems, Automatic Deflashers, Ultra Test Leak Testers, Flame Treaters, Dome Spin Trimmers, Robotic Packaging systems (case packers), as well as the Multipak Palletizer Packaging System (for palletizing). For more information, call (905) 602-6066 or visit www.procomachinery.com.

About Proco Machinery Inc.

Proco Machinery Inc., based in Mississauga, Ontario, has been serving the plastic container industry for over 35 years, providing labor-saving automated machinery and equipment throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company manufactures a complete line of Robopik Take-out systems, Automatic Deflashers, Ultra Test Leak Testers, Flame Treaters, Dome Spin Trimmers, Robotic Packaging systems (case packers), as well as the Multipak Palletizer Packaging System (for palletizing). For more information, call (905) 602-6066 or visit www.procomachinery.com.

Press Contact:

Joseph Grande

J. Grande communications Inc.

413.684.2463

joe@jgrandecommunications.com