Sandvik Launches an Innovative Smart Packaging Solution

Part of Sandvik Group’s machining solutions division, Sandvik Coromant, is launching an optimized packaging solution to level up its operational sustainability. Developed by R&D engineer and system developer Maria Rajabzadeh Namaghi as part of Sandvik Coromant’s Automation Platform team, the solution uses artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the smallest possible packaging required to contain a product, reducing costs and CO2 emissions in the process.

Packaging is a necessary evil for manufacturers. It raises many environmental concerns due to its demand for resources, requiring energy, water, chemicals, and materials. Packaging is also a huge source of waste.

Recognising this problem, Rajabzadeh Namaghi was set the task of selecting packages for Sandvik Coromant’s products that were as small and lean as possible, with the aim of cutting costs and reducing Sandvik Group’s overall carbon footprint.

To solve this, Rajabzadeh Namaghi considered the possibility of applying a genetic algorithm (GA) using AI. GAs are used to solve optimisation problems and they work by imitating natural selection. By repeatedly modifying a selection of possible solutions, the GA allows the solution to ‘evolve’ until the ideal result is found, in line with Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Rajabzadeh Namaghi’s innovative idea has been realised in collaboration with Samir Balic, product manager packaging and labelling at Sandvik Coromant, as a Package Selector Application (PSA). The PSA analyses a 3D CAD model of the product and by identifying the product’s critical points, in combination with the company rules for package selection, the AI algorithm calculates its rotation and recommends the smallest packaging possible. Using PSA also enables centralised and unified package selection across Sandvik Coromant.

Sandvik Coromant will be launching the PSA in the second half of 2021.

For more information, visit https://www.sandvik.coromant.com.