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NEW ROBOT PALLETISER TO BE UNVEILED AT PPMA SHOW A highly innovative robot palletiser will make it first UK appearance at the PPMA Show, to be held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, from 26-28 September 2006. The i-Pal, for which Herefordshire-based Orion Packaging Systems (UK) Ltd (stand D40) is the sole UK distributor, is uniquely available on a rental basis and offers a high added value solution for companies without the need for significant upfront capital investment. The i-Pal consists of a spherical robot which, together with pallet conveyors and a pickpoint, is mounted on a steel skid. On arrival, the unit can be simply rolled out of its shipping container and positioned at the end of the production line, ready for use. Its universal gripper head allows it to palletise a wide range of products and it is also equipped with an automatic pallet changing system for uninterrupted palletising and a continuous production flow. It can work with cartons, trays, open-top cartons and other packaging, with products of a minimum of 200 x 150 x 80 mm and a maximum of 600 x 400 x 400 mm able to be accommodated. Its capacity is 20 products per minute and it is compatible with Euro, Chep and US pallets. Options include a layer sheet dispenser for load stabilisation and an air compressor. The i-Pal can be easily repositioned and reprogrammed. Also on display will be Orion’s acclaimed ARA400 automatic rotary arm pallet wrapping machine. Capable of wrapping up to 70 pallets per hour, the ARA400 is an excellent choice for heavy duty production applications requiring durability and reliability. The ARA400 will be joined by a selection of Orion’s automatic orbital wrapping machines and semi-automatic pallet wrapping machines. Walter Williams, Managing Director of Orion Packaging Systems (UK) Ltd, commented: “The i-Pal system allows all companies to access fast, automated palletising without significant outlay through a highly flexible operational lease construction with a fixed low monthly cost. “We anticipate significant interest in both the i-Pal and our varied range of stretchwrapping machines which between them can cope with virtually all wrapping requirements.” Established in 1987, Orion is today one of only a handful of UK-owned manufacturers of end of line stretchwrapping equipment for palletised and unpalletised goods. Orion offers a full range of automatic and semi-automatic systems, available either as stand-alone units or fully integrated into the production line. It has also diversified into materials handling, giving customers access to the complete offering for product movement and packaging prior to despatch. |
