Mark Majerus, maintenance supervisor at Great Lakes' Plymouth, Wis., plant, was part of the retinue of plant managers accompanying the firm's owner to the 1999 PMMI-sponsored show. After making the rounds of fabricators of robotic case packers, the group placed an order for six L-500 top-load packers from Fallas Automation Inc., Waco, Texas. Increased efficiency and productivity and enhanced quality control have been achieved with the L-500, says Majerus.
The servo-driven, PLC-controlled L-500 is married to an O/K International case erector at the plant. Its robotic arm picks up shredded cheese in 8-oz., 12-oz. and 2-lb.zip-lock bags and places it in three pack patterns. A touch-screen control minimizes manual adjustments for changeovers, which take about 15 minutes, Majerus estimates.
Pack Expo Las Vegas runs Sept. 10-12. To register, call PMMI at 703-243-8555 or log on to www.packexpo.com.
