2006-07-26 Packaging firm to supply robot palletisers

Orion Packaging Systems (UK) has signed a deal with Dutch palletising equipment specialist Ivanhoe, which will see Orion become the sole UK distributor for a robot palletiser system.
Note: Readers of the Editor’s free email newsletter will have read this news when it was announced. Send us a blank email now to join the circulation. It’s free!

Herefordshire-based Orion Packaging Systems (UK) has signed a deal with Dutch-owned palletising equipment specialist Ivanhoe, a division of CSi, which will see Orion become the sole UK distributor for a highly innovative robot palletiser named 'i-Pal'. Uniquely available
on a rental basis, the i-Pal offers a high added value solution for companies without the need for significant upfront capital investment. The i-Pal consists of a spherical robot which, together with pallet conveyors and a pickpoint, is mounted on a steel skid.

On arrival, the unit can be simply rolled out of its shipping container and positioned at the end of the production line, ready for use.

Its universal gripper head allows it to palletise a wide range of products and it is also equipped with an automatic pallet changing system for uninterrupted palletising and a continuous production flow.

It can work with cartons, trays, open-top cartons and other packaging, with products of a minimum of 200 x 150 x 80mm and a maximum of 600 x 400 x 400mm able to be accommodated.

Its capacity is 20 products/min and it is compatible with Euro, Chep and US pallets.

Options include a layer sheet dispenser for load stabilisation and an air compressor.

The i-Pal can be easily repositioned and reprogrammed.

Walter Williams, managing director of Orion Packaging Systems (UK), commented: 'This partnership with Ivanhoe is an ideal one for us given our recent expansion into materials handling and our commitment to delivering solutions which are both state of the art and cost-
effective.' He said: 'The i-Pal system allows all companies to access fast, automated palletising without significant outlay through a highly flexible operational lease construction with a fixed low monthly cost.' Jaap van Wijk, area sales manager at Ivanhoe, added:
'We are delighted to appoint Orion as our agent for the i-Pal product in the UK.

Orion will also represent Ivanhoe for new palletiser and depalletiser projects.

The company has an impressive client list and an excellent pedigree of delivering high-quality stretchwrapping systems, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with them.' Established in 1987, Orion is today one of only a handful of UK-owned manufacturers of end of line stretchwrapping equipment for palletised and unpalletised goods.

Orion offers a full range of automatic and semi-automatic systems, available either as stand-alone units or fully integrated into the production line.

It has also diversified into materials handling, giving customers access to the complete offering for product movement and packaging prior to despatch.