SOMIC automates magazine loading for carton packaging machines with SOMIC CoboLoad and Yaskawa

Food, cosmetics, pet food and many other consumer goods to a retail value of millions are well protected by sturdy shipping containers or shelf-ready packaging. With many renowned brand manufacturers, the boxes are filled by the machines of SOMIC Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG.

The company, based in Amerang, Bavaria, has specialised in the field of production automation for over 50 years. As the market leader in secondary and final packaging, SOMIC has been setting standards for many years. Its portfolio includes customized solutions for single- and multi-part cardboard packaging in a wide variety of sizes and formats.

What all systems have in common is the combination of the highest precision and speed. In addition, they are characterized by very high power density in the smallest space, maximum energy and resource efficiency, as well as durability and gentle handling of the prepackaged products.

SOMIC CoboLoad automates loading of the carton magazine

From the very beginning, constant optimization and further development have been a central pillar of SOMIC’s corporate culture. In a recently completed project, the in-house R&D department sought a solution for feeding the cardboard blanks into the machine. Manually executed, this work stage often involves physical stress and interruptions that cost valuable production time. A method of automated loading of the carton magazine was thus required in order to relieve the staff of these monotonous, strenuous activities and at the same time increase process safety and production performance.

Development of the project was started under the direction of Brigitte Stockenreiter. SOMIC was able to present the market-ready result at Interpack 2026. The SOMIC CoboLoad tirelessly ensures the continuous supply of cardboard to the machine across an entire pallet – without the need for human intervention.

This culminates in concrete advantages such as higher line availability, uniform carton feeding, improved ergonomics, lower personnel costs and less need for manual work. The result is an efficient flow of material throughout the packaging line – even during the entire night shift. At the same time, automation allows operating personnel to focus on monitoring and other value-added tasks.

Combination of robotics and intelligent sensor technology

The system combines modern robotics with intelligent sensor technology. More specifically, it combines intelligent image processing and sensor-assisted gripping technology. This means that even differently aligned cardboard stacks can be reliably handled.

The core element of the SOMIC CoboLoad is a cobot, a collaborating robot that can load a carton magazine. The robots are equipped with a special gripper from Somic. This is generally available in two different versions: either the standard inner gripper or an outer gripper for individual carton shapes. Normally, several carton formats run on one machine. A quick-change tool system ensures the necessary high flexibility.

By using 3D vision technology, the robot automatically detects the position of the stacks. Controlled by sensors, it then precisely grips them and deposits them safely and reliably in the magazine. Stack inclinations or offsets are automatically compensated, and intermediate layers are removed as needed using vacuum suction cups. If the orientation of the blanks must be changed before settling in the magazine, this can be done via an optional turning station.

For further information visit: yaskawa.eu.com

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