Raamsdonksveer, September 2002

Press release

CSi develops unique rotary palletising system

Pallets rotating around on a carrousel with a central spherical robot serving six pickpoints and six placepoints. This is the unique distinguishing element in a new palletising system developed by CSi in Raamsdonksveer, the Netherlands.

Significant advantages of this system is that less robots are needed; there is a lower basic installation resulting in reduced maintenance costs and as the system is more compact with less floor space being utilised. In the meantime a fully operational system has been installed at Unilever Bestfoods Robertsons (UBR Foods) in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

"This system is developed in a completely different way from previous systems", says Marco Verhoef, Project Manager with CSi. "In the case of UBR Foods, where the system must be able to handle the supply of 18 production lines, something like five robots would have been required in a conventional layout, each being able to serve a maximum of four “pick- and place” points.  Based on previous experience with other customers, we decided to approach the project from the point of answering the question of how to make use of the spherical robots in the most efficient way. The system at UBR Foods now consists of three robot cells, each serving six pick points which rotate to a central loading and unloading station. This is an excellent example of creative engineering which has led to an absolutely unique system in the market."

UBR Foods Pietermaritzburg is a producer of culinary instant products and offered CSi an ideal opportunity to develop this system in South Africa. "This system is not suitable in all cases, but in situations where large varieties of products are involved with a relatively low production capacity, as in the case of UBR Foods, it offers a perfect solution."
It takes courage to offer such a new system, not just for CSi but also for the customer as well to work together in the development of such a project. "UBR Foods has chosen in a focused way", says Verhoef. "The long term output and with good possibilities for expansion were the deciding factors. They are very satisfied and pleased with the result."

For more information please contact: CSi, Mr Leon Nelen, Marketing Manager, tel.nr. ++31 162 575 224 or visit our website www.csiweb.nl.