According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the food and beverage processing industry is the country’s largest manufacturing driver, generating sales of $156.5 billion in 2022. This sector also stands as the top employer within manufacturing, providing jobs for approximately 300,000 people. However, with growing demand and a significant wave of retirements, it's estimated that 142,000 new positions will need to be filled by 2030.
This shortage of skilled labour presents a major challenge for companies already struggling with recruitment. In response, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) have become essential solutions for maintaining the competitiveness and efficiency of production lines, particularly through the integration of sorting robots.
Product sorting is a critical step to ensure food quality and safety. Traditionally, this task has been performed manually, often leading to inconsistencies in precision and efficiency. The integration of sorting robots equipped with vision systems and AI offers an innovative solution to these challenges. This approach reduces dependency on seasonal labour, improves sorting accuracy, and boosts productivity. Additionally, robots can operate continuously, maximizing operational output.
In the manufacturing sector, sorting robots are used for the inspection and classification of parts. Parallel robots, known for their exceptional speed and large, clear working area underneath their structure, are primarily employed for fast pick-and-place tasks on moving conveyors. They are particularly suitable for operations where speed is prioritized over extreme precision.
AI-powered vision systems are transforming processes such as classification, defect detection, and product inspection. With advanced pattern recognition and self-learning capabilities, these systems are becoming increasingly effective at handling product variations on production lines. A study by BDC found that 39% of the most productive companies invest in automation, compared to just 18% of other businesses.
The integration of vision systems and AI into sorting robots offers several key benefits:
While the integration of sorting robots equipped with vision and AI offers numerous advantages, it also presents certain challenges. On one hand, integrating these solutions into existing processes can be complex and requires specialized expertise. On the other hand, the acquisition and installation costs often represent a significant initial investment, although productivity gains in the medium term generally make it worthwhile.
At Revtech Systems, we understand these challenges and provide comprehensive support for successful integration. Aware of the complexities involved in implementing robotic cells, we place customer support at the heart of our approach. Our teams ensure that your equipment operates at its full potential. We support you every step of the way: from analyzing your needs to training your teams, as well as programming and maintenance.