The pairing of two cutting edge robotic technologies which is 'set to slash labor requirements in post-harvest facilities', are to debut in Bolzano, Italy on 17 November. Global Pac Technologies are displaying a working demonstration of the Aporo™ II robotic apple packer and just released Carton Optimization Robot (COR) at Interpoma.
The Aporo™ produce packer, designed and manufactured in New Zealand by Robotics Plus, was launched back in 2018 with the mission of reducing the labor required to place fruit into trays. This then focused the customer's attention on their next challenge – getting the full trays into cartons. US head-quartered Van Doren Sales Inc took up the challenge and after several iterations, the COR was heavily tested in both hemispheres, and is now ready to launch.
The Aporo™ II and COR on display at Interpoma
While Aporo™ and COR are modular pieces of equipment, both have been designed to integrate up and downstream in the packhouse. Integrated together, they remove the need for labor to place fruit in trays and get trays into cartons. “This means that pack house operators can redeploy their labor to value adding activities, rather than the repetitive or mundane ones” says Cameron McInness, Director of Global Pac Technologies who distribute both robots globally. Coupled together, the two technologies can pack a minimum of one carton per minute per belt, or two cartons per double belt, without any manual labor.
“Our business is customer led. We listen to their pain points, and we look for solutions” adds Cameron. “Depending on the nature of the produce and the packhouse configuration, the combination of these two technologies can see a reduction of up to six employees per double belt which is a huge win for the customer.”
The post-harvest industry has been grappling with labor challenges the world over. Whether it be rising costs, access to, or attraction of labor, the net outcome is the same – a risk that a crop cannot be packed and shipped.
For more information:
Jamie Lunam
Global Pac Technology Limited
Tel: +64 22 043 2312
marketing@globalpactech.com