#United States #Las Vegas #Automation Solutions #PACK EXPO #FANUC Robotics

FANUC America Showcases Innovative Robotics at PACK EXPO 2025

FANUC America, a leader in industrial automation, is set to display its state-of-the-art food-grade robotic solutions at PACK EXPO Las Vegas. Scheduled from September 29 to October 1, 2025, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, FANUC's booth W-3408 will feature several groundbreaking innovations designed specifically for the food industry.

One of the key highlights at the event will be the DR-3iB/6 Stainless IP69K delta robot and the food-grade SR-12iA/C SCARA robot. These robotic systems are engineered to meet stringent USDA and FDA sanitation standards, featuring vacuum grippers and FANUC’s iRPickTool for precise placement of products even in high-pressure washdown environments.

Commitment to Sanitation and Performance

Each demonstration at PACK EXPO emphasizes FANUC's dedication to maintaining hygiene and safety without sacrificing efficiency. The robots operate using NSF-H1 certified food-grade grease for lubrication of internal components, and they are designed to withstand high-pressure washdown procedures, ensuring easy cleaning and sanitation. The robots also employ advanced vision-guided automation allowing them to detect and adapt to differing positions of products on the line, which is critical in high-speed food handling.

FANUC’s robotic solutions aim to help food manufacturers tackle labor shortages, enhance hygiene practices, and boost overall production rates while ensuring consistent quality. The demonstrations will showcase various applications, from food-grade collaborative robots (cobots) that handle chocolate chip cookies and palletize boxes to systems that slice brownies and package sausages.

Highlighted Innovations

• - CRX Food-Grade Cobots: These hygienic and flexible cobots will be on display, including a CRX-20iA/L that loads cookies onto a conveyor belt and another that tracks these cookies post-baking, streamlining the process in bakery settings.
• - CRX-30iA for Palletizing: The largest cobot from FANUC, designed for food-grade environments, will demonstrate high-speed palletizing capabilities using PalletTool 3, ensuring safe and efficient secondary packaging in food production.
• - LR Mate Robots: A compact and washdown-capable LR Mate/10-11A robot will exhibit its proficiency in handling frozen protein bags, while dual R-50iA robots will execute bin picking and palletizing tasks, showcasing the technological prowess of FANUC's latest controller.

Focus on Primary Packaging

In the realm of primary packaging, the DR-3iB/6 Stainless and SR-12iA/C robots will demonstrate precision placement of sausages into packages, employing their vacuum gripper technology. Additionally, a unique demo featuring an ultrasonic knife will show the SCARA robot cutting brownies with exceptional accuracy, catering to the hygiene requirements needed in ready-to-eat food production.

The M-710/50-26D robot will present its capabilities in palletizing and depalletizing products like tortillas, illustrating a streamlined process made possible through advanced software solutions. Furthermore, the heavy-duty M-410/800F-32C will exhibit its capability to manage high-volume payloads, reinforcing FANUC’s commitment to robust solutions in the logistics of food production.

Transforming the Future of Food Automation

According to Eric Potter, General Manager of Robot Application Engineering at FANUC America, "FANUC continues to lead the industry by developing innovative food-grade cobots and robots that adhere to the highest standards for hygiene, reliability, and performance. Our technologies support food manufacturers in safely and efficiently automating operations, addressing workforce challenges, and enhancing productivity while maintaining consistent quality in demanding environments."

FANUC America's focus this year marks a significant stride towards automating food manufacturing processes effectively and securely at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2025. The event promises to be an eye-opener for businesses looking to incorporate advanced automation systems into their production lines. For more insights into FANUC's innovative robotic solutions, visit their website or follow them on social media.