Trio of FANUC Robots Boost Packing Efficiency at Inoverde

Inoverde ensures that fresh fruits, vegetables and potatoes from over 1000 farms reach Swiss households on a daily basis in the desired quantity and quality. Meeting demand day-in, day-out requires the highest levels of process efficiency using state-of-the-art technologies.

Raphael Müller, Member of the Executive Board at Inoverde, says: “Here at our Bätterkinden ‘Fresh & Cool’ site near Bern, we focus on product groups that include potatoes, carrots and onions. As part of a comprehensive plan, we have automated our potato packing lines at several locations over the past few years. We always look to employ the latest robotic systems, an ethos we applied again recently to our carrot packing process.”

Carrots were previously packed manually, placing enormous physical burden on the site’s employees. However, thanks to the recent adoption of FANUC automation solutions, Inoverde is enjoying the advantages of a fully automated process that allows its Bätterkinden facility to fill, pack and palletise carrots without any operator input.

Says Peter Wüthrich, Inoverde’s Head of Technology: “Based on our positive experiences with FANUC in past projects, their excellent customer service and close collaboration with our preferred system integrator, we decided to use FANUC robots again. The process begins by filling up to 12 kg of carrots into bags, which we subsequently weigh with a digital calibrated scale.” 

Then it is the turn of the FANUC robots to take this automated process to its conclusion. The first robot, a FANUC M-20𝑖D/25, picks up a collapsed-flat container and sets it up for use by erecting the four sides in two motions using a custom end effector. Next, a FANUC M-20𝑖D/35, loads the container with a bag of carrots. The third robot, a FANUC M-710𝑖C/50, then palletises the container according to pre-determined patterns.

All of these processes take place at speed, which means safety was of primary importance when designing the automated carrot packing process. It was clear that the mechanical safety fence would not be sufficient to stop the robot at full speed. The decision was thus taken to implement FANUC DCS virtual safety fence technology, which prevents any potential for collisions through targeted shutdown commands.

“Automation using FANUC technology has increased our efficiency, while also reducing physical strain for our employees,” explains Wüthrich. “Further gains include gentler handling of fresh produce, a more repeatable process, and simplified opening of the packaging in stores. In addition, we can now offer carrots to our retail partners in plastic-free packaging.”

With the success of its automated carrot packing process, Inoverde is once again justified in its decision to use FANUC robots, which it says have an excellent market reputation. The company is also very satisfied with FANUC’s customer service and technical support, describing it as “a complication-free experience”.