Photo courtesy of Terex Corp.
Several months after an initial trial, United Kingdom-based Grundon Waste Management Ltd. continues to use a ZenRobotics Fast Picker robotic arm at a material recovery facility (MRF). The robot is helping the firm select No. 1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and No. 2 high-density polyethylene (HDPE) beverage containers for recycling.
According to a news release from ZenRobotics, which is now part of U.S.-based Terex Corp., Grundon was seeking to use the Fast Picker to optimize its sorting process to pick higher-value products and increase efficiency.
Grundon researched options to enhance its sorting process, particularly to harvest food-grade plastics such as HDPE and PET.
ZenRobotics says it collaborated closely with the waste and recycling firm throughout the implementation process and that it provided realistic expectations regarding the machine's capabilities, what it could pick, the cleanliness of the picking process and its overall efficiency.
By integrating the Fast Picker into its operations, Grundon now can sort milk bottles and soft drink bottles and achieve a higher market value for the material, according to the equipment firm.
“The Fast Picker arrived on schedule, meticulously packaged, and the installation was completed smoothly over a long weekend,” Ed Fagan, head of projects engineering and design at Grundon says of the installation and commissioning phases.
“The commissioning process, which included a comprehensive three-week training session, ensured a seamless transition. Since its installation, the Fast Picker has been running for over a year without major breakdowns, reflecting its reliability and efficiency.”
In terms of automation, ZenRobotics says the Fast Picker’s presence on the sorting line has reduced the need for human intervention, enhancing safety for human pickers. With the Fast Picker handling certain products, human pickers can focus on remaining tasks, ZenRobotics says.
“The demands of our customers are constantly evolving, and meeting their needs with a sustainable approach that supports them in extracting as much value from waste while increasing efficiency and safety of their operations is what we at ZenRobotics are all about," ZenRobotics Regional Sales Manager Michael McMenamin says.
“Having the Fast Picker installed at Grundon, who are pioneers in waste management, is a huge testament to the ability of our equipment to support the circular economy and improve operational efficiency.”
Grundon, which was founded in 1929, is involved in the collection, treatment, recovery, recycling and disposal of nonhazardous and hazardous waste streams, including waste electrical and electronic equipment and medical waste.