SCAN revolutionise sausage packaging with robotic automation

SCAN, one of Sweden’s most iconic meat and sausage producers, operates in a market where tradition meets high-volume industrial demand. To maintain its leadership, the company sought to modernise its packaging lines, moving away from manual processes towards a fully automated solution. Partnering with Case Link, an agile system integrator from Southern Sweden, and Mitsubishi Electric, they developed a cutting-edge packaging line that sets a new industry benchmark for speed, flexibility, and rapid deployment.

Sausage packaging is a high-variability process. At SCAN’s facilities, products come in numerous sizes, weights, and configurations, requiring a system that can adapt instantly. Previously, the process relied on manual packing, which limited throughput and consistency. When considering automation, traditional Gantry (XYZ) systems were initially explored but ultimately rejected. These legacy systems lacked the necessary dynamics and the ability to pick products "on the fly" without stopping the conveyor, which would have compromised the required production rhythm.

To address these requirements, Case Link implemented a "Full Line Solution" powered by Mitsubishi Electric’s latest automation technology. The heart of the system features two MELFA RH-6FRH SCARA robots, specifically chosen for their high-speed precision. These robots are capable of tracking the conveyor movement and picking products in motion, eliminating the need for costly and inefficient "stop-and-go" cycles.

The control architecture represents a significant departure from traditional designs. Instead of a single, large control cabinet with complex, long-distance cabling, Case Link adopted a modular approach. The line is divided into three distinct sections:

1. Preparation: Handling and positioning containers.
   
2. Packing: The core robotic section where the SCARA units execute rapid pick-and-place operations.
   
3. Palletising: Final arrangement on EURO pallets.

This project demonstrates the power of a "solution-first" partnership. Case Link chose Mitsubishi Electric not only for the high-performance hardware but for the intensive application support provided. By involving Mitsubishi Electric’s engineers for two days of on-site assistance, Case Link was able to deliver a world-class solution with zero delays.