Assessing the Potential of Packaging Robots in Manufacturing

Packaging robots are intelligent systems with automated arms that facilitate packaging tasks such as picking, moving, and labeling products. Moreover, they have the ability to palletize, seal, code, and transport objects. They are equipped with a robotic arm or conveyer belts that enable the transport of products to packaging stations. Subsequently, their end effectors grab the products from the conveyer belts with the help of mechanical grips or suction cups. The robotic arm further enables the sorting and transport of products for packing into suitable containers or boxes. 

These automated systems exhibit multiple benefits such as they minimize the monotonous and manual tasks, reduce waste generation, decrease packaging costs, and can be operated continuously, thereby improving efficiency of packaging processes and achieving higher accuracy as compared to labor-intensive work.  

Evaluating Various Types of Packaging Robots 

Commonly used robots in the packaging industry include cartesian robots, articulated robots, delta robots, and selective compliance assembly robot arm (SCARA) robots. Cartesian robots function on three different axes, which enable them to move in three diverse directions, including upward, downward, and horizontally. These are large-sized robots, which are specifically designed for lifting and palletizing heavy products. On the other hand, articulated robots are the most commonly used packaging equipment, which consists of a robotic arm with joints, which is identical to a human arm. Various add-ons like a welding gun to assist in welding and grabber for picking can be attached to the arm, thereby enhancing packaging efficiency.  

Contrarily, delta robots are engineered with three sets of robotic arms, which work parallelly to pick and place products. Furthermore, SCARA robots mimic the movements of human arm and are ideal for use where speed and accuracy are a necessity. The arm operates along the Z-axis and is stationary on a perpendicular line or conveyer belt. Thus, all these robots are significantly contributing to minimizing human intervention and complete the packaging tasks more effectively.  

Why are Packaging Robots Gaining High Traction? 

According to Allied Market Research, the packaging robots market is projected to generate a revenue of $14,475.0 million by 2030. The sector garnered $4,352.1 million in 2020 and is estimated to register a CAGR of 12.3% from 2021 to 2030. This rise in revenue is driven by rapid expansion of e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverages industries. Furthermore, labor-intensive and monotonous operations in the packaging sector have necessitated the deployment of packaging robots, as they exhibit high precision, speed, and strength. Studies have revealed that in manufacturing processes, robots can minimize operational costs by up to 30% along with reducing human errors and enhancing the quality of the products. 

The pharmaceuticals industry is increasingly adopting packaging robots, as they enable secure handling of temperature-sensitive drugs, particularly in cold-chain logistics. For instance, Pfizer deployed robotic systems in its COVID-19 vaccine packaging process to address the need of urgent and voluminous distribution. This has significantly highlighted the crucial role of packaging robots to ensure precise labeling, serial tracking, and rapid throughput under stringent regulatory standards. 

Furthermore, in the e-commerce domain, custom-designed robotic arms are used in Amazon for packaging and sorting small parcels, enabling fulfillment centers to scale operations during peak seasons without compromising delivery speeds. It has further heavily invested in novel robotic inventory management systems such as Sequoia, which aids in identifying and storing inventory 75% quicker. These robotic systems have helped Amazon delivery stations to achieve approximately 60,000 packages per day to around 110,000 during the peak holiday seasons, thus making it one of the largest and fastest supply chains across the globe.  

Closing Remarks 

Packaging robots are emerging as a comprehensive solution in the manufacturing industry, as they are able to achieve higher accuracy and efficiency as compared to tasks that are carried out manually. Moreover, their capability to accomplish mundane and repetitive tasks in a short span of time with precision ensures high product quality. Thus, industries such as e-commerce and pharmaceuticals are increasingly deploying robotic systems to meet the increasing consumer demands. 

✍ **𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓: Akshata Tiwarkhede 

Akshata Tiwarkhede is an experienced content editor with nearly 10 years in the field. Recently, she has expanded her expertise into business writing, applying her editorial skills to create clear, precise, and professional content. With a keen eye for detail and commitment to quality, she continues to refine and develop content that aligns with industry standards.