Objective:
To help Orma Srl, a Sicilian confectionery company, to more efficiently manage the process of pulling the cannoli from the baking cylinders and boxing them, while preserving the integrity of the delicate product.
Solution:
System integrator Demur has developed an intelligent automated solution using two FANUC LR Mate robots equipped with vision system, one dedicated to stripping and the other to packaging.
Result:
The introduction of the two FANUC robots has enabled Orma to handle up to 7,000 cannoli per hour, increasing production efficiency and supporting the company's growth ambitions.
Izdelki FANUC, uporabljeni pri tej aplikaciji Bruderer
The Italian food industry is the second largest in Italy and the second largest in Europe after France. What makes it stand out on a national and international level is the very high quality of its offer, the result of a skilful mix between the craftsmanship of excellent raw materials and recipes that have been handed down over time and the technological innovation of supply chains and processes. The Italian confectionery tradition is undoubtedly one of the feathers in the cap of the Italian food sector. Thanks to the introduction of innovative automation solutions in laboratories and industries the already renowned Italian confectionery and bakery art is becoming more competitive.
This is also the case in Sicily, more precisely in Modica (RG), where Orma Srl is based in the Serrauccelli district. The company specialises in the production of semi-finished products and typical Sicilian sweets for the hotel industry and large-scale retail trade. Taste, flavour and authenticity of tradition are the cornerstones of Orma, which since 2008 has been working with the aim of ensuring a reliable and quality service to its customers, showing particular attention to requests for customisation of products.
The project, launched three years ago, was carried out by Demur, a system integrator specialising in the construction of automated robotic systems based in Savoca in the province of Messina.
"Orma contacted us to tell us about a problem in the production chain of the puff pastry cannoli," explains Carlo Depu, Demur's managing director, "It is a very difficult product to handle because of its fragility. In addition, the company wanted to better organise some important production processes right up to packaging. In order to adapt the current production to the needs of the market, the most suitable solution was to introduce automation into the production processes, transforming a manual activity such as the parading of the cannoli and their subsequent packaging into a fully automated process managed by two intelligent robots.
Thanks to the introduction of the robots, up to 7,000 cannoli per hour can be pulled and boxed without damaging the product, increasing the company's throughput. Orma has been able to reduce costs and get the job done in a more efficient and organised way, with efficient and versatile production results.
What made the difference was the readiness of FANUC robots to work in food environments and the ease of integration of the vision system.
"We chose FANUC robots, but above all we chose the FANUC team, because it is made up of competent people with whom we can deal with the development of high-level technological solutions that require complex and articulated solutions," notes Depu.
The objectives that Orma set itself at the beginning of the project have been achieved, but the Sicilian company does not intend to rest on its laurels. In the light of the results achieved in this three-year period, Orma is thinking of equipping itself with further robotics systems in order to conquer the North American market as well.
