Description
As a FANUC Authorized System Integrator, Smurfit Westrock designs and integrates automated packaging solutions that help manufacturers improve efficiency, quality and workforce utilization. For a bakery producer struggling with labor shortages and a fully manual packaging operation, Smurfit Westrock developed an automated end-of-line system that uses FANUC robots to case pack and palletize cartons of baked goods. The installation marked the facility's first robotic packaging line and first robot deployment, transforming a labor-intensive process into an automated operation that increased production volume, improved packaging consistency and quality, and helped address a critical workforce challenge.
Cartons of baked goods move through an automated packaging line where FANUC robots perform both case packing and palletizing operations. A FANUC LR-10iA/10 robot automatically loads product into shipping cases, creating a consistent and repeatable packing process, while a FANUC M-710/45M robot palletizes completed cases for shipment. Integrated into the bakery's end-of-line packaging operation, the robotic system creates a continuous product flow from packaging through palletizing.
Key Benefits:
• Solves Labor Challenges: Replaces manual case packing and palletizing operations, helping manufacturers maintain production despite ongoing workforce shortages.
• Increases Throughput: Automates end-of-line packaging tasks to move more product with greater consistency and less reliance on manual labor.
• Delivers Consistent Packaging Quality: Automated case packing and palletizing ensure products are handled the same way every cycle, reducing variation and supporting reliable shipping performance.
• Creates a Foundation for Future Automation: As the facility's first robotic installation, the system establishes a scalable automation platform that can support future growth and operational improvements.
About Smurfit Westrock
Smurfit Westrock is a leading global provider of sustainable paper and packaging solutions, serving customers across a wide range of industries in more than 40 countries. With an extensive portfolio of paper-based packaging products and services, the company helps businesses improve supply chain performance, protect products and advance sustainability goals through innovative, renewable packaging solutions.
FANUC Products Featured
LR-10iA-10
The FANUC LR-10iA/10 is a compact 6-axis robot designed for machine tending and a wide range of picking applications in warehousing and logistics. Capable of handling payloads up to 13 kg, it is an ideal solution for companies with limited floor space, as its slim arm fits easily into machine tools for efficient loading and unloading. Weighing just 46 kg, the LR-10iA/10 can be floor-mounted, ceiling-mounted, or installed at an angle. It can also be easily mounted on an AGV or other mobile platform, making it well suited for repetitive tasks or automating idle machines.
M-170/45M
Combining speed with a wide work envelope, the M-170/45M is ideally suited to high-speed transfer operations when fitted with a drive enhancement unit. With a 45 kg payload and an extended 2.6-meter reach, its compact design and slim wrist make it a great choice for handling operations where space is at a premium.