Robobox takes machine assembly to the next level at Krones Hungary
The completion of the three-year project was not only a successful technology transfer for the liquid food machinery manufacturer but also a strategic step that opened up new horizons for Krones Hungary. The ceremonial closing of the project was held on November 10 at the site of the subsidiary, which has been successfully operating for 6 years in the Southern Economic Zone.
What is Robobox?
Robobox is an automated machine unit that groups packaged products and prepares them for palletizing, aiming to ensure the most efficient use of space in the production process.
Strategic progress and job creation
The relocation of Robobox is a milestone in the life of Krones Hungary. Thanks to the project, the Debrecen production unit is now not only based on previously familiar technologies but is also able to assemble increasingly complex machine units. This development strengthens the role of Krones Hungary within the group and contributes to the Hungarian site becoming increasingly important from a strategic perspective.
As a direct result of the project, several new jobs were created in Debrecen. It is of utmost importance for Krones Hungary that existing employees also have the opportunity to develop professionally, which is why they were supported with internal training and apprenticeships in Germany during their transfer to the Robobox area. This way, the colleagues can continue their work in a more complex area requiring a higher level of professional knowledge, and their replacement was solved partly by recruiting from external sources and partly by young talents graduating from the Krones training workshop.
Sustainability and efficiency thanks to digitalized solutions
The Robobox project focused on promoting sustainable operations through innovation. Krones first implemented the newly developed virtual 3D assembly instructions during the Robobox conversion, which greatly supported the acquisition of the knowledge required for the production of the products. The Hungarian colleagues contributed to the development of the 3D assembly instructions by participating in the testing, thus facilitating their use in subsequent conversion projects.
In addition, the MTC (Module to Customer) testing process, which will also be introduced in Debrecen in the future, will enable Robobox machines to be delivered directly from the Hungarian site to end users. The system creates a simulation environment for the machines that allows their controllers to operate as if they were in a complete production line environment, connected to other machine units, thus facilitating their functional testing during operation. Thanks to this process, testing at the parent company will be avoided, which will not only result in greater cost efficiency but will also reduce the environmental impact of transportation processes and the amount of packaging waste generated at the group level.
Source:dehir.hu | Photo credit:Facebook Papp László

