Why automate depalletising and bag opening in the food industry?

Eliminate strenuous, dangerous, and repetitive tasks

Manual handling of bags in the production area is time-consuming, exhausting, and a major cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Operators lift 25 kg bags which, by the end of the day or week, amount to several hundred tons! Robotic solutions also eliminate repetitive motions and the handling of sharp tools. In a 3-shift operation, fatigue builds up, accident risks increase, and the quality of movements deteriorates.

“Automating this phase completely removes these strenuous tasks.”

What the robot does with integrated vision:

• Identifies the position of the bags on the pallet,
• Grips each bag with a suitable gripper,
• Transfers it to an automatic opening station,
• Improves consistency, hygiene, and traceability.

Manual bag opening involves many sources of variability:

• Irregular cuts,
• Product leakage,
• Leaving product in the bottom of the bag,
• Mixed or unsorted packaging.

With a robot and an automatic cutting station, the opening process is precise, clean, and consistent, regardless of the production rate.

• The process becomes:
• Traceable (number of bags, batches),
• Reliable (no omissions or duplicates),
• Hygienic (no human contact with the product).

Intelligent detection of bags, even when misaligned:

• Manual depalletizing.
• Gripping adapted to food-grade bag formats.

Once located, the bag is gripped by a specific end-effector — articulated claws for porous bags or vacuum suction cups.
These tools ensure a secure hold without generating dust. Handling is smooth, stable, and compatible with rates of up to 10 bags per minute.

Automation guarantees maximum hygiene and frees operators for higher value-added tasks (quality control, line supervision, maintenance).

What are the main benefits for the operator?

Automation eliminates strenuous handling, repetitive motions, heavy lifting, and the use of cutting tools. Operators gain in safety and comfort, and can focus on supervision or quality control tasks.

Is robotization cost-effective for medium-scale production?

Yes. Thanks to their modularity, robotic cells are suitable for both high-throughput lines and intermediate production volumes. Time savings, error reduction, and the elimination of strenuous tasks ensure a fast return on investment.

Can all types of bags be opened automatically?

Palamatic systems are designed for a wide range of bags (kraft paper, PE, multi-layer, thick bags, small formats, etc.). Grippers and cutting stations can be configured according to the type of packaging used.

What types of products can be handled with these systems?

All dry products packed in bags: sugar, flour, starch, cocoa powder, plant proteins, additives, technical ingredients, etc. The equipment is designed to meet the strictest food hygiene standards.

Are the cells ATEX-compliant?

Yes, the design meets ATEX Zone 22 requirements. Components in contact with the products (bag dump station, hopper) are made of brushed or polished stainless steel, with antistatic systems and suitable filtration. Robots can be fitted with protective covers to ensure arm containment.