Intelligently packed delicacies

Do you think robots can only handle robust things? Think again. Bosch has the XR31 and XR22 robots in its range for sensitive objects: They are extremely fast and can gently pack over 40,000 chocolates per hour.

To move the fine chocolate from the conveyor belt, a number of things must be taken into account even during high-speed processing: Whether it is a champagne truffle, an almond cluster or a nougat heart, the chocolates arrive on the conveyor belts in varying forms and flavors. The robot must recognize each of them and place them in exactly the right position in the box, accurate to the millimeter. Some must even be wrapped in a sensitive paper wrapping. And no box must have any chocolates missing. How does the robot do all this – gently, without any mistakes and always hygienically?

Equipped with an expert eye
The Delta robot uses a camera to recognize the chocolate before it arrives. The chocolates are regularly scanned and the packing blisters are photographed and compared with the appropriate samples in the image processing system. The position and alignment of the products are calculated so that the Delta robot always knows exactly how he must pick up and put down the chocolates (Pick & Place system). Control software has saved all the combinations of chocolates and blisters. It defines exactly which robots put which chocolate in which position. So that every robot knows where a chocolate is positioned and which blister still needs filling, the robots communicate with each other through a central control unit: They use teamwork.

A gentle touch
Especially gentle vacuum suckers with high holding power are used for the different chocolates. They lift the chocolates very gently and place them in the package. The robot can pick and place up to 110 chocolates a minute. It positions the chocolates in the perfect position, down to the millimeter. It can move whole mountains this way: In only one hour, it can pack 550 kg of chocolates. And because the vacuum sucker is easy to clean and replace, the robots work very hygienically. When there is a new chocolate on the market, no problem. A new "software recipe" can be selected on a touch screen. The vacuum suckers can also be used variably. So if chocolate Easter bunnies are required instead of Santas, the Delta robots can be adjusted quickly and easily. Nor is it a problem if the chocolates are not produced all year round.

For intelligent and variable use
Delta robots perform many different tasks: Equipped with state of the art material and drive technology, they not only handle chocolates, other delicacies and food, but are also very suitable for products in the cosmetics and pharmaceutics industry.

These robot systems were developed by Sigpack Systems, which is now a member of the Bosch Group. The XR31 Delta Robot is the fastest and most reliable "pick & place" robot on the market. And only the best is good enough for fine chocolates and other delicacies.