Development of an Automated Wooden Handle Packaging System with Integrated Counting Technology

Manual counting and packaging processes often involve repetitive, error-prone tasks. Specifically, packaging wooden handles, utilized in gardening tools and cutlery, typically relies on labor-intensive methods with dimensions varying in diameter, length and mass. These variations complicate packaging, requiring precise counting and diverse handling solutions. This article introduces an automated counting structure tailored for a wide array of wooden handles manufactured by a company in northern Portugal. Employing standardized mechanical design methodologies, we delineate crucial stages encompassing the design, development, implementation and testing of this specialized counting equipment. The machine has been partially integrated into the management system of the company, taking into account future global integration according to the Industry 4.0 concept.