Robot loads PET bottles saving labor and space

Motion Controls Robotics claims its stand up bottle take away (Subta) system enables in-line automated bottle handling for coating, leak checking, case packing and bulk palletizing. PET packaging is increasingly being used by the food and drink industries because of the plastic's recycability and its convenience in relation to glass and metal. Because of the change, firms are modernizing their equipment with the packaging material in mind. Subta systems provide increased throughput due to high reliability and uptime and cycle times faster than most mold machine rates, providing labor saving of up to two workers per shift, claims Motion. Subta systems can handle any mold configuration, in either single or double row, and provides quick changeover using quick change tooling, the manufacturer claims. For larger mold machines, the system uses the Fanuc M-6iB or the M-16iB robot, while systems that work with the smaller mold machines use the Fanuc LR Mate 200iC robot. The rugged welded tubular construction is both reliable and durable, with low-maintenance, claims Motion. The control are intuitive, while an access door allows operators to enter the bottle pick are to make adjustments, the manufacturer claims. Simple tooling means angled and tapered bottles can be used within the system, while an operator pendant is included for recipe adjustments and error reporting, claims the company. Scott Lang, Motion Controls Robotics president, said the system provides quick recovery time if errors are made which saves time. "The success of our system is due in large part to the tooling of our Subta systems being interchangeable. Our customers find this convenience a big selling point for our Robotic Subta system,"​ he said The Robotic Subta system also require less floor space than competing robotic systems and can be maneuvered around a plant when necessary. Systems have a mean time of five years between failures, according to Motion, and come with a three-year warranty as standard. Motion Controls Robotics is a manufacturer of automated solutions to manufacturing industries. The company provides service robotic solutions for manufacturers and packagers of all sizes from industries including food, food containers and plastics companies.