MUMM" knows best when it comes to robots

Citation

(2000), "MUMM" knows best when it comes to robots", Industrial Robot, Vol. 27 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2000.04927eaf.007

"MUMM" knows best when it comes to robots

"MUMM" knows best when it comes to robots

Keyword ABB

As champagne corks "popped" the world-over in celebration of the Millennium, French champagne producers could rest easy knowing that there was plenty of bubbly to go round – thanks to the industry's forward thinking in installing ABB robots to improve production some years before.

A drive for better productivity has led to a "cultural revolution" in the champagne industry with ABB robots now carrying out a wide range of previously labour-intensive operations (see Plate 6).

Plate 6 "Bubbly" on its way thanks to ABB Robots

As early as 1994, Mumm (The Seagram Group) saw the considerable advantages of a productivity partnership with ABB, by integrating robots into its sediment removal operation, newly housed in a purpose-developed workshop.

Mumm's robots have been such an unqualified success – doubling production, reducing maintenance and improving working conditions for employees – that the company has extended the robot area of operation, integrating them into packing and palletising as well.

The Jacquart co-operative is another producer benefiting from an ABB integrated package, initially installing an IRB 6400 series robot in its packing area.

Gilbert Bridoux, responsible for Jacquert's production and purchasing, said, "Previously, this was a completely manual operation and involved three people plus a truck driver. Today it is only the truck driver who is still involved, and the three other people have been transferred to other jobs in the company."

The ABB robot was chosen because of its capacity to adapt to a stock comprising 50,000 assorted pallets built up over the years. With stock valued at 30 million francs, it was thus necessary to pair it with a flexible and versatile tool.

Arnaud François, in charge of maintenance and servicing at Louis Roederer, is also one of the robot "converted". Exchanging an ageing palletiser for a state-of-the-art IRB 4400 series robot, he has seen massive space savings and significantly reduced "manual" input as the machine handles 500 cases (3,000 bottles) per hour.

Over the last decade, while still preserving a timeless image of Gallic tradition, French champagne producers have driven flexible automation forward – gearing-up and transforming the industry into an efficient, productive, consumer-orientated business. ABB, with its technical and business excellence, has been an instrumental partner in helping the industry achieve its objectives.

For further information contact: Jane Attwood, ABB Flexible Automation Limited, Auriga House, Precedent Drive, Rooksley, Milton Keynes, MK13 8PQ. Tel: +44 (0)1908 350300; Fax: +44 (0)1908 350301; E-mail: jane.attwood@gb.abb.com