OPUS Automation, Implementing Automation Solutions for Canada and Beyond

November 13, 2017

OPUS Automation was founded in 1998 in Ancaster, On and provides robotic and automation solutions throughout Canada and the US. The company was founded by Peter Young, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University where he continued to work as a research engineer and was responsible for the implementation of Canada’s first university-based robotics research facility.

With his skill and understanding of the rising tide of factory automation solutions Peter founded OPUS Automation, which has grown to service various industry sectors and continues to push the boundaries of robotics and automation in factories across North America. OPUS offers a variety of solutions for palletizing, robotic case packing, machine tending and pick and place systems that deliver increased efficiency and profitability, reduced labour costs, improved safety conditions, full system integration, long-term automation partnership, leading technology in controls and software and reliable mechanical designs.

To meet these solutions and ensure they provide the best option and service to clients they maintain a team that is fully certified and has broad knowledge of robotic automation, Mechanical design software (SolidWorks, Inventor, Catia, Fides), Knowledge of CAD and Simulate software and of course a university/college degree and/or diploma in a major engineering field (Mechanical design or Automation).

With automation on the rise in Canada the systems provided by OPUS are in high demand, particularly as they are providing solutions that will continue to advance the various capabilities in plant automation. Although they have the capability and do work in a variety of industries, OPUS notes that they have recently focused their energy where they feel they can provide services that offer the absolute state of the automation art. These industries include Automotive, Plastics & Glass, Food & Beverage, Cosmetics & Personal Care and General Industrial applications.

We identified the broad solutions being offered by OPUS but they stress just how advantageous each of these can be for the identified industries.

We don’t necessarily think about the time and effort that is taken to palletize and depalletize product within the factory, but OPUS sure has and is advancing this technology as an important facet of plant automation. Opus has the flexibility and skill to design robotics and control systems to palletize and depalletize cases of just about any size or shape. Their systems are easy to operate, require minimal maintenance and utilize precision case handling to reduce product damage. Further they reduce heavy lifting that can result in work-place injuries, are easily integrated with upstream/downstream equipment and can be utilized for multiple case orientations.

OPUS also has the ability to ensure your cases are properly packed before they are palletized for mobility. OPUS’ case packing abilities are focused on flexibility of operation and provide a user-friendly interface which can be designed and built for implementation in large facilities or where space is limited. They have the agility to facilitate multiple products and packaging styles at a rapid pace and are designed to integrate with existing packing systems that can reduce labour costs and increase productivity.

Machine tending has also recently received additional focus by OPUS’ team. Machine tending is typically a very labour intensive and repetitive position that is ideally suited for automation where consistency and efficiency are essential. OPUS has met this need with the development of their end of arm tool design and system that can handle parts in a wide range of positions and orientations while maintaining absolute precision. The system increases speed, improves quality of production, minimizes errors, has improved ergonomics, lowers the overhead cost of traditional machine tending and has 24/7 machine tending capabilities.

The final primary focus of OPUS is not surprising but has been the focus of plant automation since the rise of advanced robotics and system integration. OPUS has a substantial focus on the automated applications of pick and place machinery across multiple industries. In particular they have a specialized ‘OPUS Automation pick and place industrial robot system’ that provides faster processing, consistency and accuracy, increased production rates, increased output and of course higher savings overall. The ability to move objects of various sizes and weights on a factory line is becoming increasingly desirous in Canada and OPUS is focused on serving this industry.

OPUS is certainly a key provider of plant automation in Canada, and with its philosophy of providing customers with effective, customized, superior-quality automation solutions and after support they will continue to drive to drive automation solutions throughout Canada and the US.