Automated container loading system for meat export cartons
Container loading of export cartons remains a labour-intensive process within meat processing facilities and involves repetitive lifting of heavy cartons in confined spaces. This project investigated the feasibility of developing an automated container loading system capable of replacing manual loading operations.
An initial proof-of-concept prototype developed at John Dee was further engineered by Fibre King into a Beta prototype capable of automated container loading. The system receives cartons from a conveyor, aligns and collates cartons into rows, and automatically places them into export containers.
Operational trials demonstrated that automated container loading is achievable, with the prototype capable of sustained loading rates of approximately seven cartons per minute and runtime of up to three hours without manual intervention. While the system currently operates slightly slower than manual loading by two workers, it significantly reduces manual handling risks and offers the potential for continuous automated operation.
Industry demonstration of the system confirmed strong interest in further development. The project has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of automated container loading within meat processing facilities and provides a foundation for development of a commercially viable system.
