Autonomous, precise and safe: the SOMIC CoboLoad handles the automatic loading of your carton magazine
Manually loading the carton magazine of a cartoning machine is often associated with physical strain, interruptions and process variations. Downtime for replenishing carton blanks costs valuable production time — and ties up personnel with monotonous, ergonomically stressful tasks.
The SOMIC CoboLoad automates exactly this task. It ensures continuous supply of the machine across an entire pallet — without human intervention. The system combines modern cobot robotics with intelligent sensors, creating a reliable, ergonomic and efficient material flow in your packaging line.
Benefits of the SOMIC CoboLoad
- Higher line availability – Reliable continuous operation without interruptions for manual refilling. The production line operates with maximum stability and continuity.
- Consistent material feed – Precise placement of the cardboard blanks ensures a constant, uniform material flow without process fluctuations.
- Improved ergonomics – Reduces physical strain on operators from manual lifting and repetitive movements. Minimizes work-related injury risks.
- Reduced staffing requirements – Operators can focus on monitoring and other value-adding tasks – particularly advantageous during night shifts.
- Reduced manual interventions – Autonomous stack detection and pickup. Continuous processing of stacks across the entire pallet without human intervention.
3D vision technology: intelligent and precise
The heart of the SOMIC CoboLoad is the 3D vision technology. High-resolution camera systems capture stack position and alignment in real time and control the gripping operation using sensors.
Functionality of the 3D vision technology:
- Automatic detection of stack position and alignment by camera systems
- Compensation for stack tilt or offset
- Sensor-based grip control for precise and secure placement into the magazine
- Identification of stack ends and controlled transfer into the magazine
- Optional detection of carton printing for quality assurance
The combination of intelligent image processing and sensor-supported gripping technology enables safe handling even with variably oriented stacks — and provides the basis for stable, efficient and future-proof packaging lines.
How the SOMIC CoboLoad works
Step 1: Detection
The 3D vision camera system captures the position, orientation and tilt of the stacks of carton blanks on the pallet – fully automatic and in real time.
Step 2: Gripping
The cobot picks the stack with sensor-based grip control precisely and safely. Stack tilts or offsets are automatically compensated.
Step 3: Positioning
The carton blanks are positioned precisely in the magazine. The system also detects printed surfaces and can, if required, change their orientation. Optionally, the system automatically removes interleaves and employs a turning unit if an orientation change of the carton blanks from pallet to magazine is necessary.
Carton packaging machines from the specialist
SOMIC consolidates over 50 years of competence and expertise in cardboard packaging. From development and the in-house manufacture of the highest-quality precision parts to comprehensive testing of the completed machine with your original products: SOMIC offers maximum reliability at every project stage.
With a certified safety controller (FSU), PL-d certification and fully internal cable routing, the system provides the highest level of safety for operators and the immediate environment.
- Certified safety controller (FSU) in accordance with current standards
- PL-d certification for the highest level of functional safety
- Fully internal cable routing – no tripping or entrapment risk
- Personnel safety through collaboration mode
- Optional stop and re-enabling sensors for additional protection
The SOMIC CoboLoad can be flexibly integrated into different production layouts. The robot can process any type of carton blanks – its intelligent control enables rapid adjustment to varying line speeds and production requirements.
- Processing of all common carton blank types: Wraparound, Tray, Cover
- Rapid adjustment to varying line speeds
- Flexible integration into different production layouts
- Compatible with all SOMIC packaging machines and lines from other manufacturers
The CoboLoad relieves your personnel of physically demanding, repetitive tasks and supports a safe, ergonomic working environment.
- Reduces physical strain from manual lifting and repetitive motions
- Minimizes work-related injury risks
- Supports a safe and ergonomic working environment
- Operating personnel can focus on supervisory and value-adding tasks
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the SOMIC CoboLoad
The SOMIC top loader is an intelligent robotics solution for the automatic loading of carton magazines in packaging lines. It combines cobot technology with 3D vision sensors to autonomously transport blanks from the pallet to the magazine – without manual intervention.
The CoboLoad processes all common carton blank types: wraparound, tray and cover. The maximum carton size is 900 × 800 mm with a maximum stack weight of 15 kg per loading operation.
Camera systems automatically detect the stacking position and orientation of the cardboard blanks on the pallet. The system compensates for stack tilts or offsets and controls the pick operation via sensors to ensure precise and secure placement into the magazine.
Yes. The CoboLoad is equipped with a certified safety controller (FSU) with PL-d certification and fully internal cable routing. An optional stop and restart release sensor for personnel safety is available.
Yes. The SOMIC CoboLoad is designed for flexible integration into different plant layouts. The intelligent control automatically adapts to varying line speeds and production requirements.
The cycle time for a complete loading operation is approximately 2 minutes. The CoboLoad operates continuously and autonomously across an entire pallet without requiring manual intervention.
Contact us to discuss the SOMIC CoboLoad.
We are pleased to advise you on the potential applications of the SOMIC CoboLoad for an optimal packaging process precisely tailored to your specific requirements. Whether a greenfield project or integration into an existing line – together we will find the appropriate solution.
Tel: +49 8075 916-0
E-mail: info(at)somic(dot)de