Robotic Case Packers
Pack products accurately and consistently with robotic case packaging solutions from Signode.
Our robotic case packaging systems bring product handling, case packing, inspection, conveying, and end-of-line packaging together in one integrated solution. Each system is designed around your products, packaging formats, production requirements, and facility layout.
Why Choose Robotic Case Packaging Systems, The Benefits of Robotic Case Packing...
- Improve Operational Consistency: Automated product handling and programmed pack patterns support repeatable case packing from one production cycle to the next.
- Increase Packaging Throughput: Robotic case packing helps maintain a consistent product flow and reduce bottlenecks caused by repetitive manual operations.
- Reduce Manual Handling: Automating repetitive picking, placing, lifting, and case loading tasks can help employees focus on operations that require greater judgment and flexibility.
- Support Multiple Products and Formats: Configurable programming, tooling, and changeover options can support different products, case sizes, orientations, and pack patterns.
- Improve Packaging Quality: Integrated vision and inspection technologies can help verify product presence, orientation, labels, barcodes, and other defined packaging requirements.
- Build a Scalable Automation Platform: A robotic case packaging cell can become part of a broader end-of-line solution that includes case forming, sealing, palletizing, strapping, wrapping, material transport, and warehouse automation.
Understanding Your Packaging Operation: We Design Around Your Application
Every packaging operation is unique. That's why our approach starts with understanding your products, production environment, throughput requirements, and business goals. Working with you to evaluate the complete application, including:
- Product dimensions, weight, and surface characteristics
- Product arrival and orientation
- Primary and secondary packaging formats
- Case sizes and styles
- Required case counts and pack patterns
- Production flow and operating requirements
- Changeover expectations
- Inspection and verification needs
- Available floor space
- Upstream and downstream equipment
- Controls and data integration requirements
- Future products and capacity plans
This application-focused process helps define the robotics, tooling, conveying, controls, and packaging equipment required for the complete system.
Multiple Systems for Robotic Case Packaging
Top-Load Case Packing
Top-load systems place products into open cases from above. Products can be delivered in a continuous flow or grouped into a defined pack pattern before being loaded.
Top-load case packing can support applications involving:
- Cartons
- Pouches
- Trays
- Bottles and containers
- Packaged foods
- Personal care products
- Medical products
- Industrial components
The robot, tooling, infeed, and case handling equipment are configured around the product and the required packaging sequence.
Side-Load Case Packing
Side-load systems move grouped or oriented products horizontally into a case. This approach can be used when the product or package must maintain a specific orientation during loading.
Applications may include:
- Cartoned products
- Pouches and flexible packages
- Retail-ready configurations
- Trays and multipacks
- Products requiring controlled orientation
Signode evaluates product characteristics, case dimensions, line speeds, and pack patterns to determine the appropriate case loading approach.
Robotic Pick-and-Place
Robotic pick-and-place systems move products from an infeed conveyor or staging area into shipping cases, trays, or other secondary packaging.
End-of-arm tooling can be designed to handle individual products, groups of products, layers, trays, or packages with varying shapes and surfaces. Tooling selection depends on product characteristics and the way each item must be handled.
Vision-Guided Product Handling
Vision systems can help identify, locate, inspect, and orient products before or during the case packing process.
Depending on the application, vision capabilities may include:
- Product detection
- Position and orientation verification
- Barcode reading
- Label verification
- Product presence inspection
- Package integrity checks
- Reject identification and management
Vision-guided handling can be especially valuable when products arrive in varying positions or when defined quality checks are required.
Collaborative Robotic Packaging
Collaborative robotic systems can provide a flexible automation option for applications with changing production requirements, lower operating speeds, or limited available floor space.
A collaborative robotic case packing cell may be suitable for:
- Multi-SKU environments
- Lower-volume production
- Repetitive manual packing operations
- Incremental automation programs
- Constrained production areas
The appropriate robot and safeguarding approach will depend on the application, operating environment, and required system performance.
Custom End-of-Arm Tooling
Reliable product handling begins with the right tooling. Signode can develop application-specific end-of-arm tools based on product shape, weight, surface, orientation, and pack pattern.
Tooling options may include:
- Vacuum handling
- Mechanical gripping
- Clamp-style handling
- Multi-product picking
- Layer handling
- Product and packaging combination tools
Tooling can also be designed to support product changes or multiple package formats within the same robotic cell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Robotic case packaging uses an industrial or collaborative robot to pick products and place them into cases, trays, or other secondary packaging.
The robotic system can be combined with conveyors, case forming, inspection, sealing, labeling, and palletizing equipment to create an integrated packaging process.
Robotic case packing systems can be developed for cartons, bottles, containers, pouches, trays, packaged foods, dairy products, personal care products, medical devices, and industrial components.
The right solution depends on the product’s dimensions, weight, surface, orientation, packaging format, and handling requirements.
A robotic case packaging system can be configured to support multiple products, case sizes, and pack patterns. The available flexibility depends on tooling, product presentation, case design, controls, and required changeover process.
Yes. A robotic cell can be designed to connect with existing production, conveyor, case handling, sealing, or palletizing equipment.
Signode evaluates the existing process and interface requirements when developing the system configuration.
Vision systems can be integrated to support product detection, orientation, barcode reading, label verification, presence inspection, and reject management.
The required inspection functions are defined according to the application.
Yes. Packed and sealed cases can be conveyed directly to a robotic palletizing system as part of a connected end-of-line solution.
The process begins with an evaluation of your products, package formats, case sizes, pack patterns, production requirements, floor space, and existing equipment.
Signode can use this information to recommend an appropriate system concept and level of integration.
A Complete Integrated End of Line Packaging
Complete your packaging operation with Signode's integrated end-of-line solutions. From robotic case packing and product handling to strapping, wrapping, stretch hooding, cargo protection, and protective packaging, we can bring every stage of the packaging process together into one seamless system. Whether you are looking for a fully integrated packaging line or a standalone piece of equipment to support a specific process, our comprehensive portfolio can be tailored to your operational requirements.
Our packaging and automation specialists work closely with your team to evaluate your application and identify a solution tailored to your production requirements, helping improve efficiency, throughput, load stability, and operational performance across your facility.
Talk to our experts today to discover how Signode can help optimize your end-of-line packaging operation.
Our Experience in Case Packaging Solutions
Providing a wide range of equipment for cartons including case erectors, case sealers, and case openers. We have manufactured equipment designed to improve packaging efficiency since 1975 with Little David® a Signode Brand.
Providing automatic and semi-automatic solutions for both case forming and case sealing. Our equipment offer user-friendly solutions capable of handling different product sizes, shapes, weights, and materials.
