As automation replaces manual packing at the end of line, it also removes final inspection of pack integrity. Most packaging machines may at some time produce an inferior pack due to operator error or machine malfunction. 

If the line also includes automatic palletizer, this may go unnoticed until the pack is delivered to enduser, leading to claims and returns, hence manufacturers are looking for ways to eliminate or minimize this problem. 

The first course of action is to isolate and eliminate the root cause. But sometimes such faults result from cumulative process errors on line, are very infrequent and hard to trace. In such cases the only way to ensure high degree of elimination is by final check at the end of the line. 

Depending on packing process, for example, case packing, one can use a check weigher with rejection station to eliminate short count. In case of Shrink bundle packing, visual inspection may be better and perhaps less expensive option. 

Autopack have recently developed a visual inspection and rejection station using Artificial intelligence (AI) Camera. The device can detect  missing cap, deformed shape or missing bottle from the Shrink wrapped bundle. 

The system has so far proven reliable and Autopack will soon offer it as a standard option for Autopack range of Shrink, Tray, and Case packing machines.

Autopack has extended its fast Staircase collator principle to stacking reams of paper. Generally, reams of paper are packed in a stack of 5 inside carton box or shrink wrapped.

Since paper ream production lines are fairly fast, stacking the reams one by one in a single column would be to slow.
To meet the line speed 100 reams per minute, Autopack has designed a heavy duty collator which in a single cycle converts horizontal layer of 5 reams into a vertical stack of 5. 

The stack is subsequently ejected for shrink wrapping resulting in a tight pack, ready for stacking on pallet.

Every day exploring and implementing more measures to protect Autopack employees and to continue operating. Here are some clever ideas worth sharing for the benefit others facing the Corona challenge. Temperature check on arrival, wearing face mask has been enforced for some weeks now. Training  and signs how to  avoiding touching common surfaces, using back of hand or elbows. Swing doors were easily handled but round door knobs needed small modifications!

In same spirit, the finger scan systems was replaced with face recognition terminals and all wash basins fitted with foot operated water taps.

This week, our engineers built protective face shield using recycle plastic PET bottles and already proposed it to local hospitals. In this fight again virus spread, every initiative will count.