Search results
1 – 10 of 341Wei Yao, Jian S. Dai, Tony Medland and Glen Mullineux
This paper aims to investigate reconfigurable technology using robotic technology for folding carton in confectionery industry.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate reconfigurable technology using robotic technology for folding carton in confectionery industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the analysis of common motion and manipulation, modules such as robotic fingers and robotic folders are explored and designed. A robotic system is then constructed by arranging those modules for diverse cartons.
Findings
A prototyped test rig shows the adaptability of the robotic system. The reconfigurability of the robotic system is realized and verified by experiments and an industrial demonstrator.
Practical implications
This research leads to the development of a demonstrator, manufactured and controlled by industries, to further commercial exploitation of this robotic system. It has been applied in a strict industry environment for a chocolate manufacturer.
Originality/value
This robotic system applied successfully the theory of reconfigurability by using modularity in packaging systems into confectionery industry.
Details
Keywords
Mohan Yashvant Khire and S.D. Madnaik
Low cost automation is used to solve a productivity problem in a fruit packing and exporting unit. The case study shows benefits in the form of a productivity rise. A carton…
Abstract
Low cost automation is used to solve a productivity problem in a fruit packing and exporting unit. The case study shows benefits in the form of a productivity rise. A carton‐folding device is developed for packaging export quality grapes using corrugated paper cartons. The use of staple pins was to be avoided for obvious reasons. Multiple stacking of cartons during transport makes it necessary to have strong cartons. Double folding and interlocks are provided, which are also taken care of in the design of the folding device. The experience achieved in this project can be used to fully automate this device using robots and conveying devices.
Details
Keywords
Venketesh N. Dubey and Jian S. Dai
To demonstrate the feasibility of designing a versatile packaging machine for folding cartons of complex geometry and shapes.
Abstract
Purpose
To demonstrate the feasibility of designing a versatile packaging machine for folding cartons of complex geometry and shapes.
Design/methodology/approach
The research conducts study of cartons of different geometry and shapes classifying them in suitable types and operations that a machine can understand, conceptualizing a machine that can handle such cartons, modeling and simulation of the machine, and finally design and development of the packaging machine.
Findings
It has been shown that such a versatile machine is a possibility; it just needs miniaturization and investment on its development when such machines could be a reality.
Research limitations/implications
This research was aimed at proving the principle, but for practical implementation considerations need to be given for a compact, portable system incorporating sensors.
Originality/value
The design is unique in existence and has been shown to fold cartons of different complexity.
Details
Keywords
During a short two‐decade period (1879‐1903) processes for making food packages – paperboard cartons, tinplate cans and glass bottles – were mechanized by American…
Abstract
Purpose
During a short two‐decade period (1879‐1903) processes for making food packages – paperboard cartons, tinplate cans and glass bottles – were mechanized by American inventor/entrepreneurs Robert Gair, Edwin Norton and Michael Owens, respectively. This paper aims to describe the context for packaged, processed food at the time, and to explore the men, their inventions, and the modern packaging industry that they collectively developed.
Design/methodology/approach
Biographies and patents were reviewed as well as contemporaneous and retrospective trade publications, newspapers, censuses and commentary.
Findings
Packaging's industrial revolution played a key role in the development of modern marketing. Mass‐produced cartons, cans and bottles collectively became building blocks for mass markets. By the time of the first supermarket in 1920, annual sales of packaged breakfast cereal, crackers, biscuits, canned fruits and vegetables, preserves, soft drinks and other prepared foods had increased by 60‐fold over 1880 levels, 80 percent of which occurred after 1910. The packaging companies of Gair, Norton and Owens capitalized on new methods of production and business integration (and collusion) to profit from the trend, and enabled emerging national brands like Nabisco, Campbell's Soup and Coca‐Cola to successfully lead a revolution in mass marketing.
Originality/value
This paper shows why and how the practically simultaneous invention of machines to make cartons, cans and bottles was able to accelerate the development of national brands and supermarkets. Inasmuch as the histories of the three packaging forms are not considered to be in the same “industry,” this research represents a fresh interpretation of secondary sources.
Details
Keywords
Honghai Liu, Jian S. Dai and Lakmal D. Seneviratne
This paper aims to report a novel practical algorithm for manipulation planning of multiple articulated robots.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report a novel practical algorithm for manipulation planning of multiple articulated robots.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a model‐based approach to distributing trajectory segments to individual robots in a multirobot system, given a task in terms of trajectories. This approach consists of three modules: task trajectory generation, cooperative robots selection, and joint trajectory generation.
Findings
The proposed algorithm has been implemented into a simulation system with four‐planar robots and a multirobot‐packing system, which has shown the effectiveness of the presented method. It improves the flexibility of robot cooperation and handles dynamically cooperative trajectories by using a modularized mapping from Cartesian space to joint space of robots.
Research limitations/implications
The reported research has been developed for task‐oriented applications with prior knowledge. Future work will focus on acquiring prior knowledge using vision systems.
Practical implications
The key contribution of this paper is that it offers a practical real‐time solution to task‐oriented applications. For instance, the proposed method could close the gaps and significantly improve work efficiency in carton packing involved in industrial chains.
Originality/value
The reported work allows a multirobot system realtime, dynamically distributing trajectory segments to individual robots for task‐oriented applications. Industrial practitioners would benefit from employing it in their existing systems, e.g. the car assembly industry.
Details
Keywords
Since 1970 there has been a distinct drop in the tonnage used for paper wrappings and this is attributed to competition from foils, laminates and plastics materials, particularly…
Abstract
Since 1970 there has been a distinct drop in the tonnage used for paper wrappings and this is attributed to competition from foils, laminates and plastics materials, particularly for fats and snack foods. The major competitors are, of course, high density polythene and low density polythene, both of which provide the right sort of properties for wrapping fats and fatty foods to such an extent that they have made big inroads on the paper wrapper market.
Folding cartons are used in myriad consumer products. For some products, such as hair dye kits, a very high-resolution printing is required. This is typically done using a…
Abstract
Folding cartons are used in myriad consumer products. For some products, such as hair dye kits, a very high-resolution printing is required. This is typically done using a technology known as Gravure printing. Gravure printing utilizes engraved cylinders which are very expensive. As a result, the printer often combines multiple products on one set of cylinders to minimize the total number of cylinders used. Since the demand between products varies, this can result in overproduction of the low demand products. This chapter presents an integer programming formulation that assigns products across multiple sets of cylinders in order to minimize this overproduction. Sample problems, their solutions and solution times are presented.
Details
Keywords
Marc L. Lipson and Irene Mastelli
A growing folding carton company is contemplating the replacement of an old machine with a new one. The case challenge is to develop a cash flow forecast and determine the proper…
Abstract
A growing folding carton company is contemplating the replacement of an old machine with a new one. The case challenge is to develop a cash flow forecast and determine the proper discount rate for the machine replacement. In addition to increased capacity and reduced waste, the new machine offers strategic advantages to the firm in its chosen market niche. Issues related to operations are central to appreciating the importance and implications of this capital investment: Operating excellence is a key competitive advantage for this firm. A teaching note and student and instructor Excel spreadsheets are available to accompany the case for instructors.
Details
Keywords
J.S. Dai, P.M. Taylor, H. Liu and H. Lin
Automating domestic ironing is a challenge to the robotic community, particularly in terms of modelling and advanced mechanism design. This paper investigates the ironing process…
Abstract
Automating domestic ironing is a challenge to the robotic community, particularly in terms of modelling and advanced mechanism design. This paper investigates the ironing process, its relevant folding algorithms and analysis techniques, presents the advanced mechanism synthesis and introduces cross‐disciplinary research. It summarises the second part of the results of a technology study carried out under an EPSRC grant “A Feasibility Study into Robotic Ironing”, and proposes new techniques in developing a folding and unfolding algorithm and in developing a task‐oriented mechanism synthesis for robotic ironing.
Đorđe Vujčić, Nemanja Kašiković, Mladen Stančić, Igor Majnarić and Dragoljub Novaković
This paper aims to highlight the importance of braille for visually impaired people and the possibility of printing it by using the ultra-violet (UV) inkjet printing technique.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to highlight the importance of braille for visually impaired people and the possibility of printing it by using the ultra-violet (UV) inkjet printing technique.
Design/methodology/approach
The vision impairment, definitions and statistics, as well as braille letter and standards, are first reviewed. Then, the methods of printing braille have been discussed, with a focus on UV ink-jet printing. Finally, this study indicates a significant role of UV ink-jet printed Braille, its possibilities and its advantages.
Findings
Research studies in the field of UV ink-jet printed braille are showing that it is possible to print good legible braille of the adequate height of dots. This paper highlights some advantages of printing braille with UV ink-jet, like the possibility of achieving greater dot height than embossing and no need for printing form. Printing of additional elements on top of braille dot has also been tested, and possible use for differentiation of the written notation is shown. This paper also indicates the importance of technological and operating conditions in UV inkjet braille printing. It predicts a significant role of UV inkjet in braille printing.
Originality/value
This paper provides a detailed review of UV ink-jet printed braille: possibilities, advantages and application.
Details