SoltarFixarFechar
sparck-beckhoff-stage-lowres © donebydeon.com
© donebydeon.com

Mar 17, 2023

Sparck’s right-size packaging boosts sustainability in intralogistics

PC-based control and EtherCAT enable flexible and sustainable packaging machines for e-commerce

E-commerce has recently experienced an enormous rise in acceptance and success. At the same time, consumers increasingly value sustainability and avoiding the use of unnecessary packaging material. To address these trends, Sparck Technologies in Drachten, The Netherlands, developed a new packaging machine for the flexible, sustainable and cost-effective production of customized corrugated packaging. This system utilizes PC-based control, EtherCAT communication and drive technology from Beckhoff.

Development of the CVP Impack machine concept commenced in 2012/2013, explains Cornelis Kooistra, Project Manager at Sparck: “The idea for this new machine arose when one of our managers became dissatisfied after realizing that products were almost always packed in corrugated cartons that were too large. In particular, the packaging sent out by web shops contains more than 50% cushioning on average.”

Control cabinet with AX8000 multi-axis servo drive system (right), EtherCAT and TwinSAFE Terminals (bottom left) and the EPP1322-001 EtherCAT P junction with IP67 protection (bottom center).
Control cabinet with AX8000 multi-axis servo drive system (right), EtherCAT and TwinSAFE Terminals (bottom left) and the EPP1322-001 EtherCAT P junction with IP67 protection (bottom center).

This occurs because of the extremely tight schedules when shipping goods, alongside the lack of suitable and sufficiently flexible packaging solutions. In turn, this not only wastes large amounts cardboard material but also creates unnecessary transport volume – resulting in all the associated consequences such as increased energy consumption and CO2 emissions together with higher work overhead and additional costs. “We developed the CVP Impack to eliminate all these disadvantages. This is the first packaging machine capable of producing cardboard boxes optimized in all three dimensions. Today, the CVP Automated Packaging systems are used by numerous e-commerce companies in Europe and North America allowing them to efficiently auto-box in smart, fit-to-size parcels,” Kooistra summarizes.

Sustainability and cost reductions for e-comm

Using 3D scanning technology, Sparck’s automated packaging systems size, construct, weigh and label each individual order – regardless of whether it is made up of individual or multiple items in just a matter of seconds. In addition, the cartons are always designed to perfectly match the respective product, lowering the shipping volume by up to 50%. Kooistra also explains that this system uses as much as 30% less cardboard material for the same products. Furthermore, this approach also eliminates empty space in the packaging and, therefore, the need for void filling material. Waste products are also eliminated because the packaging process only leaves behind cardboard cuttings, which are then recycled and processed to make new cardboard.

“The mechatronic components are an essential part of the manufacturing process and ensure the corrugated carton roll is precisely unwound, positioned and cut. This process involves approximately 150 I/Os for the connected sensors, guard doors, lighting and valves, for example. In addition, there are 16 DC motors, 23 synchronous AC motors, six drum motors and three conveyor belts,” Kooistra explains. “The HMI module for plant operation and maintenance is another essential component. Furthermore, the machine is also equipped with an Industrial PC for data communication with the customer’s warehouse management and ERP systems.”

The CVP Impack system enables production of customized right-size corrugated packaging, saving material costs and increasing sustainability in e-commerce.
The CVP Impack system enables production of customized right-size corrugated packaging, saving material costs and increasing sustainability in e-commerce.

First, a single- or multi-item order is placed on the induct station. The operator pushes the button and the order is advanced to a 3D scanner that measures the products to be packaged and generates an image of the entire product surface. The box is created around the order, then sealed, weighed and labeled. Optionally, a robot module can be utilized to place an invoice inside the packaging. The process is monitored by a total of eight cameras.

Modernization with PC-based control and EtherCAT

Kooistra explains the current control and drive technology: “At the end of 2019, Beckhoff technology was used in the CVP Impack for the first time. The AX8000 multi-axis servo system is an especially important product for us in this regard, as it supports the efficient One Cable Technology (OCT) employed by the AM8000 servomotors. We use a CX2020 Embedded PC with the familiar TwinCAT 3 automation software to control the machine. In addition, TwinSAFE I/Os ensure machine safety.”

According to Kooistra, the communication system forms the foundation for the machine’s performance. “EtherCAT plays a crucial role in achieving the high accuracy and predictability of the packaging process. All actions and steps can be recorded precisely, and our machines actually generate ‘big data’ that can then be saved and processed on a server via the Internet. Both we and our customers access this data in order to use it for predictive maintenance, incident analysis or machine optimization, for example. EtherCAT enables us to control the system in real time while also tracking machine data quickly and seamlessly, which we provide to internal and, in particular, external analysts.”

The fact that EtherCAT has become an established global communication standard with a correspondingly broad range of EtherCAT devices from diverse manufacturers is yet another advantage. “This is highly beneficial for OEMs,” Kooistra says. “Together with the open system design typical for PC-based control, it enables us to expand our own software modules with new and even external modules and to easily reuse existing modules.”

The next generation of automated packaging

In early 2020, Sparck introduced its next-generation auto-boxer: The CVP Everest does everything that the CVP Impack does, but it boasts higher throughput capabilities that address the needs of the modern e-commerce fulfilment center. With a maximum speed of up to 1,100 boxes per hour, the CVP Everest is the fastest automated packaging solution on the market for fit-to-size boxes. Like the CVP Impack, the machine auto-boxes single- and multi-item orders without the need for additional equipment or operators, thus saving companies valuable time and money.