Rotzinger Group, a leading provider of automation solutions, is set to showcase its advanced Hygienic Conveyor for dry cleaning and the Robot with an Integrated Buffer at two upcoming events. One of the first customer projects utilizing the groundbreaking Hygienic Conveyor technology will be presented at an in-house show by Transver, located at Zürcherstrasse 42, 8852 Altendorf, Switzerland, on 17-18 August.

In addition, the innovations will be highlighted from 22 to 26 October at iba Munich, booth B-470. Designed for confectionery and bakery products, the hygienic conveyor is optimized for dry cleaning, ensuring compliance with stringent food safety regulations in European food manufacturing. Leveraging decades of expertise in pick and place delta robots, buffering and conveying, the new integrated solution from Rotzinger combines flexibility, compactness, and ease of operation to boost uptime and reduce the total cost of ownership.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with our European customers and prospects in the food sector at the in-house show and iba Munich," says Christian Vouillamoz, product manager, Rotzinger Group. "Our Hygienic Conveyor for dry cleaning and Robot with an Integrated Buffer have been specifically designed to tackle the escalating concerns regarding efficiencies and heightened sanitary requirements in food production. With their intuitive controls and streamlined design, these solutions aim to enhance productivity and optimize operations."

Foodborne illnesses affect a significant number of individuals in Europe each year, highlighting the importance of preventing contamination and bacterial buildup in food production facilities. Rotzinger has developed a Hygienic Conveyor for dry cleaning, specifically designed to address food safety concerns and adhere to the highest hygienic standards. This innovative conveyor incorporates an intelligent cleaning design, featuring a foldable belt and beveled or rounded horizontal surfaces that prevent the accumulation of dirt particles and crumbs, thereby reducing the risk of mold infestation. The side panels no longer run horizontally parallel to the belt, but are inclined at 45 degrees to allow easier shedding of product residue. A hinged belt support enables easy access for efficient cleaning and maintenance. The conveyor's stainless-steel construction ensures durability and long-lasting performance.

Furthermore, the Hygienic Conveyor provides flexibility in size range, accommodating a wide range of requirements. It offers width options ranging from 150 to 1800 mm; and length options from 400 to 35,000 mm, allowing it to meet the most challenging layout requirements with ease.

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Europe's economy and labor market, causing a precipitous decline, as highlighted in the EURES Report on labor shortages and surpluses 2022. This downturn has been further emphasized by projections from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), which predicts a potential workforce reduction of seven million in Germany by 2035. In response to these challenges, Rotzinger Group has developed the Robot with an Integrated Buffer. This advanced machine is capable of efficiently picking and placing both unpacked and packed products into various packaging formats, including cartons, cases, thermoforms, flow-wrappers, and cartoning machines. In doing so, it offers a viable solution to address labor shortages, while also optimizing production processes in the face of adversity.

With its modular design and flexibility, this integrated solution combines delta robots, buffers and conveyors in one cell with a reduced footprint, enabling greater efficiency, productivity and cost-effectiveness. The use of a single controller and a unified setup philosophy enables hassle-free maintenance and straightforward operation, eliminating the need for complex programming or extensive training. The Robot with an Integrated Buffer can be operated by a sole operator, offering simple changeovers facilitated by recipe selection, which automatically adjusts the necessary parameters with just a few clicks.

In response to the growing demand for improved efficiencies to counteract rising energy and raw material costs, European food manufacturers are turning to automation for their packaging processes. The Robot with an Integrated Buffer increases line efficiency and eliminates the need for additional linking conveyors and frames, resulting in cost savings and improved layout.

Equipped with vision-guided high-speed robots, this innovative machine accurately identifies incoming products on the conveyor belt and precisely places them in the feeding process. It utilizes optimal counterflow or co-flow techniques, providing versatile solutions to meet diverse production requirements. By consolidating these capabilities within a single solution, manufacturers can optimize their production lines and achieve early production start-up.

Rotzinger combines profound knowledge and experience in robotics, buffering, and conveying from Demaurex, Rotzinger, and Transver, resulting in efficient systems or even new integrated products based on proven solutions. European food manufacturers can benefit from the intuitive Gemini control software platform and local service support, enhancing their operations and maximizing efficiency.