Adept Technology, Inc. (adept.com), a leading provider of intelligent robots, autonomous mobile solutions and services, announces a partnership agreement with Harpak-ULMA Packaging, LLC (harpak-ulma.com), an innovative packaging equipment and systems integrator, naming Harpak-ULMA a primary and secondary food packaging partner.

Selected for their advanced technical capabilities and knowledge base, Adept's preferred food packaging partners define, configure, and deliver fully integrated solutions using Adept robots, software, and grippers to increase speed and efficiency on food processing lines.

"Automated primary food packaging necessitates use of equipment that meets stringent requirements in every aspect, from gentle material handling at high speeds to compliance with strict sanitation requirements," says Charles Harlfinger, Harpak-ULMA CEO. "We recognize Adept's strength in providing inventive, dependable automation products that meet these demands. We believe Adept's capabilities fit well with our goal of delivering to our customers the most effective, fully integrated food packaging solutions available."

"Adept welcomes Harpak-ULMA as a new primary and secondary food packaging partner," says Merrill Apter, Adept vice president of North America sales. "From our 'SoftPIC' silicone food grippers to our USDA-accepted parallel robot system, Adept provides a set of food-focused tools that are ideal for challenging, high-throughput applications and adaptable to flexible production requirements. We thank Harpak-ULMA for their support in the USDA qualification of the 'Quattro' robot. We look forward to working with them now as a preferred partner to enable state-of-the-art automated packaging systems that enhance food processors' efficiency and yields."

Adept has developed a host of hardware and software products for use in a food packaging environment. The company's "Quattro s650HS" is the only high-speed parallel robot to receive USDA acceptance for meat and poultry processing. This Quattro robot is IP qualified (IP-66 protection for the robot, IP-67 protection for the platform).

Additionally, Adept's "SoftPIC" grippers and graspers enable fast, gentle handling of non-rigid, wet, and irregularly shaped food products--tasks that were previously possible only with manual handling.