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Tekpak Automation delivers faster, flexible and future-proof solution for customers with Schneider Electric’s PacDrive 3 range
05 May 2022
Tekpak Automation is a packaging machine manufacturer who has designed and manufactured customised packaging lines for the world’s largest pharmaceutical, life sciences and multinational food groups, for more than 20 years. Tekpak has expertise in applications which require multiple formats or high speeds, and specialises in robotic pick and place for complex packaging lines.
As an Ireland-based company, Tekpak is uniquely positioned to serve the UK and European markets making it one of the top global choices. Ireland has proven to have a strong track record in technological advancements in the manufacturing industry with many global companies in the life sciences, engineering and data centre having capitalised on Ireland’s experience and expanded their manufacturing operations.
Through strategic partnerships with companies like Schneider Electric, Tekpak has been able to expand its offering while keeping up with the latest industry trends to meet the needs of its growing customer base. As a trusted partner of over 10 years, Schneider has supported the on-product selection and specification process of Tekpak’s industrial robots. Schneider’s global presence has proved to be of significant value as Tekpak export 50 percent of its production to locations across USA, Europe and the Middle East and having a well-known partner in each country reassures customers – which is crucial, now more than ever.
The challenge
The manufacturing and life sciences industry is fast-paced and if businesses fail to keep up with the latest innovations, they can risk losing customers and impact their bottom line. This is why Tekpak Automation was keen to get ahead of the curve and chose to work with Schneider Electric.
Tekpak has developed a range of customisable robotic pick and place modules which can be easily applied to a wide range of pick and place applications, from simple, point to point (single axis) to complex, high speed motion control using Delta Robots (three and four axis). Its long-standing partnership with Schneider enabled it to have a power save mode on all machines. For these robots, it utilised Schneider’s PacDrive P2 and P4 delta robots which can monitor the product entering different parts of the machine and if there are no products entering, they are able to close off specific areas of the machine. These delta robots were able to reduce power consumption by 60-70 percent, but Tekpak wanted to go further than this and evolve its solutions with Schneider.
A key challenge that Tekpak wanted to address was around futureproofing, particularly as the journey to Industry 4.0 is a key enquiry of customers. It’s no surprise that everyone wants equipment that lasts longer than 3 to 4 years which can constantly be upgraded and integrated. However, a key hurdle is identifying real applications that can benefit projects. Similarly, customers want faster, versatile and flexible solutions, and this means that they want programme templates that are easy to work with, cheaper materials and a decreasing carbon footprint. Thirdly, with energy consumption on everyone’s minds, Tekpak is keen to ensure it is capturing all the relevant information in its facilities and for customers.
The solution
Tekpak worked with Schneider Electric to evolve its robotic packaging line and address the key issues it was facing in the industry, by implementing the PacDrive 3 solution.
Schneider Electric’s PacDrive 3 is based upon proven logic motion technology, which unifies PLC, motion, and robotics control functionality on a single hardware platform. With its centralised system architecture, PacDrive 3 is the ideal solution for controlling a broad range of servo-driven production and packaging machines, as well as material handling equipment and robotics, using fully integrated, IEC 61131-3-compliant program structures.
This smart automation solution helps to achieve higher speeds for pick and place applications and the control technology means up to three robot arms can be used at a time which reduces the bill of materials and machine footprint.
Further to this, the PacDrive 3 increases efficiency as it minimises programming efforts and increases the software quality, which in turn makes it a more sustainable solution. This is reinforced through the Power Save Mode Monitor function as these delta robots consume less power and only use the required moving parts, for example there is a 60 percent reduction when utilising the gripper in this range.
The result
Tekpak Automation has integrated Schneider Electric’s solutions and expertise to enhance its offerings, and customers are continuously impressed by the reliability, availability, and precision of the products. By working with Schneider, a single source supplier, it is able to guarantee optimal quality and ensure system compatibility as there is no changeover of parts.
As long-standing partners of the leader in energy management, Tekpak will be looking towards making an active effort to reducing its carbon footprint, looking for alternative solutions in terms of renewable energy, to reduce pneumatic devices, making things lighter more energy-efficient in the next 3 to 5 years.
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EcoStruxure is Schneider Electric’s open, interoperable, IoT-enabled system architecture and platform. EcoStruxure delivers enhanced value around safety, reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity for our customers.
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