Chef Robotics and Packline Solutions Group, a premier supplier of packaging machinery and materials, are joining forces to offer food manufacturers an end-to-end automation solution that bridges flexible meal assembly and final packaging.
Manufacturers often tell us, “We know we’ll have to automate these tasks eventually, so why not start now?” And they’re right.
The challenge
High-mix food manufacturers run dozens of SKUs daily, each with different ingredients, portion sizes, trays, and placement requirements. Traditional depositors and dispensers cannot handle this variety, and even if they can, the changeover times are too long, making them untenable for high-mix production. Additionally, manual assembly in cold rooms is physically demanding, making it increasingly difficult to hire and retain workers. These conditions force food manufacturers to run under capacity due to labor shortages or work substantial overtime.
Once meals are assembled, manufacturers still need the right sealing equipment, and not all suppliers have a good understanding of both machinery and materials for food applications.
The solution
The Chef-Packline collaboration tackles these challenges. Using AI and computer vision, our robots handle ingredients for hundreds of SKUs with one-minute changeovers. Unlike manual assembly and traditional equipment, which cause spillage, Chef’s AI-enabled robots track and adjust to tray positions and conveyor speed in real time.
Together with Packline, we have created a wireless integration that allows our equipment to communicate with theirs, creating seamless end-to-end operation for food manufacturers.
Real results
Companies like Cafe Spice are already using both Chef’s meal assembly robots and Packline’s systems, resulting in an almost fully automated line. Packline automatically de-nests, conveys, and seals trays; Chef robots deposit ingredients into compartments. Our robots work across two Packline lines and have increased labor productivity by 60%, allowing Cafe Spice to reallocate 5-6 workers per line to other parts of the plant while increasing output by 2-3x.
“Food manufacturers need to reduce costs and increase output while staying flexible,” said Rajat Bhageria, Founder and CEO of Chef Robotics. “This partnership delivers exactly that. Together, only one QA person and a line manager are needed to keep the line running, freeing assembly workers to perform high-value tasks across the plant.”
“Chef brings a next-generation approach to food automation with their AI and vision-based robots,” said Amir Tamshe, Founder of Packline Solutions Group. “Combined with our expertise in food packaging, we knew there was tremendous potential for a joint solution focusing on both speed and flexibility. This partnership made sense right away.”
The joint solution is available to food manufacturers looking to reduce operational costs and increase throughput. Contact Chef or Packline to learn more.
About Chef Robotics
Chef is the first company to have commercialized a scalable AI-driven food robotics solution. With over 83 million servings made in production, Chef leverages ChefOS, an AI platform for food manipulation, to offer a Robotics-as-a-Service solution that helps industry-leading food companies increase production volume and meet demand. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Chef aims to empower humans to do what humans do best by accelerating the advent of intelligent machines. Visit https://chefrobotics.ai to learn more.
About Packline Solutions Group
Packline Solutions Group designs and delivers high-performance packaging equipment and materials for North America’s leading food producers. With expertise in modular automation, precision filling, and advanced rigid and flexible packaging materials, the company helps manufacturers accelerate speed to market, reduce waste, and maintain product integrity from fill to shelf. With full-line integration solutions and deep industry insight, Packline Solutions Group is where machine meets material and where food manufacturers package smarter.
FAQs
What are the benefits of integrating meal assembly robots with tray sealing equipment?
Chef’s meal assembly robots, combined with tray sealing systems, create an end-to-end automated production line that reduces labor costs, increases output, and improves food safety. The Indian food manufacturer Cafe Spice has achieved a 60% increase in labor productivity, 2-3x higher output, and a 67% reduction in food giveaway by running both systems together. The wireless integration between equipment enables seamless operation from de-nesting through conveyance, assembly, and final sealing. This requires only one QA person and a line manager, freeing up assembly workers for other plant operations.
How does robotic meal assembly automation work for high-mix food manufacturing?
Chef’s robots use AI and computer vision to handle hundreds of SKUs with varying ingredients, portion sizes, tray layouts, and placement requirements. Unlike traditional depositors that require hours of changeover time, Chef’s AI-enabled robots can switch between ingredients in under a minute. The robots track and automatically adjust to tray positions in real time, eliminating spillage while maintaining consistency across high-volume production.
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