The agricultural cooperative Grupo S.C.A has invested in technological innovation with the implementation of a new handling and packaging system for Dutch cucumbers.
The company, part of Unica Group, has managed to develop an improved packaging system for Dutch cucumbers, reducing costs and increasing productivity, as a result of a research and development project carried out by Grupo S.C.A. and SERFRUIT S.A. (a robotics and production management company), and the initial expectations for the project have been exceeded.
The goal of the project was to create a multi-purpose and multifunctional system that is be cost efficient, would increase productivity and would introduce improvements in product sorting, adding some competitive advantages in terms of labelling and grading to the packaging lines.
The system is intended to have full control on calibre sorting and packaging for Dutch cucumbers, storing the excess and filling the shortages, which results in very efficient and productive packaging lines. The operational needs are supplied in situ, while the excess goes to a pre-sorting area where it can be used as soon as it is needed. All of this is controlled by a unique management program which controls aspects such as pallets, calibres and dates.
The technologies applied are based on automatisms in the depalletising, calibration and robotisation processes in product delivery and packaging, all combined with a computer management system that controls production.
Grupo S.C.A. has also managed to become a pioneer in calibre packaging through robotics. It is currently working on other aspects, such as the packaging of unusual assortments for greater flexibility in the packaging process. Problems regarding the labelling and plastic wrapping by calibres have also been solved.
A management program coordinates and controls all elements of the production line and its functionalities to match individual customer needs and ensuring the traceability of the products used.
