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Revolutionizing Dairy Processing: How Palletizing Cobots Reduce Manual Strain at Ornua’s State-of-the-Art Facility

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Nicolas Lauzier
by Nicolas Lauzier.

Last updated on Aug 07, 2024 8:53 AM

Posted on Aug 07, 2024 8:36 AM. 3 min read time

Introduction

In the world of dairy operations, efficiency and employee well-being are crucial. Ornua, a leading Irish dairy cooperative, faced a challenge that affected both. Their manual palletizing process was a recipe for employee strain and reduced productivity. This article explores how Ornua revolutionized their dairy operations with a collaborative palletizing solution.

The Headache of Manual Palletizing

Manual palletizing of dairy products, from 6kg blocks of cheese to 12kg packs, took its toll on Ornua’s employees. Constant bending, stretching, and lifting meant a high risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and fatigue. This was not only impacting on employee well-being but also hampering overall production. It was vital to find a solution that would meet these physical demands while retaining flexibility for a variety of products.

Smoother Operation: The Robotiq Solution

Ornua found the answer in Robotiq’s Palletizing Solution with the UR20 cobot. This collaborative robot integrated seamlessly into their existing operations, eliminating the need for isolated, cumbersome automation systems. The user-friendly interface made it easy for employees to collaborate with the cobot, maintaining the human element that was crucial to their production environment.

Transforming the Bottom Line

Implementing an automated palletizing solution at Ornua brought these results:

  • Reduced RSI: Physically demanding tasks were taken over by the cobot, significantly reducing the risk of injury.
  • Increased productivity: A 30% boost in palletizing efficiency resulted in a smoother, faster production flow.
  • Happier Employees: Freed from the physical strain, employees reported increased satisfaction and morale.

“We looked at palletizing as the first area to explore automation due to the number of human resources needed. If we can automate that task, then those resources can be used elsewhere.”
Jack Cotton, Ornua’s Continuous Improvement Lead

The Takeaway: A Win-Win for Efficiency and Employee Well-being

Ornua’s success story demonstrates the power of collaborative automation. By adopting Robotiq’s Palletizing Solution, the company has not only improved efficiency but also created a safer and more pleasant working environment for its employees. It’s a win-win situation for productivity and employee satisfaction, proving that sometimes the best way to succeed is to let robots do the heavy lifting.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced and competitive dairy industry, efficiency and employee well-being are essential. Ornua’s decision to implement a collaborative palletizing solution has not only improved their bottom line but also created a safer and more pleasant working environment for their employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What was the main challenge Ornua faced in their manual palletizing process?

A1: The main challenge Ornua faced was the physical strain and fatigue caused by manual palletizing, which led to a high risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and reduced productivity.

Q2: How did Robotiq’s Palletizing Solution address Ornua’s challenges?

A2: Robotiq’s Palletizing Solution with the UR20 cobot integrated seamlessly into Ornua’s existing operations, eliminating the need for isolated, cumbersome automation systems and allowing employees to collaborate with the cobot.

Q3: What were the results of implementing an automated palletizing solution at Ornua?

A3: The results included a 30% boost in palletizing efficiency, reduced RSI, and increased employee satisfaction and morale.

Q4: How did Ornua’s employees benefit from the implementation of the collaborative palletizing solution?

A4: Ornua’s employees benefited from reduced physical strain and fatigue, which led to increased satisfaction and morale.

Q5: What does Ornua’s success story demonstrate about the power of collaborative automation?

A5: Ornua’s success story demonstrates the power of collaborative automation in improving efficiency, reducing physical strain, and creating a safer and more pleasant working environment for employees.

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