Clinton Township, Michigan — KUKA Robotics Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, today announced it will demonstrate its new order picking by layer concept on its booth (#S-830) at PackExpo 2006 October 29- November 2nd in Chicago, Illinois. The company will be demonstrating the mixed layer concept by using a KUKA KR 500 robot fitted with a specialized end of arm order-picking/depalletizing head and mixed pallet building software. The robot used is the world’s strongest industrial robot capable of handling up to a 570 kg payload which is needed to handle the increased weights presented by layers of products.  

 "Order picking by layer is vital to manufacturers who need to tailor orders on the  pallet level to more efficiently and quickly fulfill mixed product orders," said Kevin Kozuszek, director of marketing for KUKA Robotics Corporation. "Mixed load pallets will streamline distribution efforts and reduce the cost to ship product to both retail outlets and end-users."

 The company will be demonstrating the order picking by layer concept at PackExpo by using a KUKA KR 500 robot and KUKA order building software. The 6 axis robot is capable of handling a payload up to 570 kg, has a reach of up to 3326 mm and will be fitted with a specialized head. The mixed layer pallet concept will be ideally suited for manufacturers receiving pallet orders containing mixed products such as manufacturers of food and beverage products.  

 KUKA Robotics Corporation, with its parent company KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, Germany, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial robots, with an annual production volume approaching 7,500 units, and an installed base of over 75,000 units.  Core competencies are the development, production and sale of industrial robots, controllers, software and linear units  The company’s 5 and 6 axis robots range from 3kg to 570kg payloads, and 635mm to 3700mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries and in multiple applications including material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing. For more information contact KUKA Robotics at 866-873-5852 or visit their website at www.kukarobotics.com.