Cannabis Robots: Meet The Company Boosting Efficiency And Margins Through Packaging Automation

Automation challenges have risen for the cannabis industry, compelling operators to seek innovative solutions for improved efficiency and revenue.

In an exclusive interview with Benzinga, Green Vault Systems' (GVS) VP and co-founder   Arnar Olgeirsson and Lise Bernard, director of sales discuss how their company has revolutionized the cannabis industry with cutting-edge machines designed to handle and weigh cannabis flowers, meeting precision, and efficiency demands in this rapidly growing market.

Increased Efficiency

Bernard emphasized the equipment's capability to enable cannabis processors to maintain precise control over packaging consistency, ensuring accurate numbers and sizes of cannabis flowers in each package.

“This level of control enables cannabis processors to meet consumer expectations consistently. While automation streamlines the process, it doesn't compromise the precision and customization needed in the cannabis industry,” Bernard said.

The ‘Precision Batcher’

GVS offers two main products for the cannabis industry, including the "Precision Batcher" for automated weighing and packaging of cannabis flowers.

This machine weighs individual buds to a desired batch weight, such as the common 3.5-gram package. It uses eight scales, each with two holding cells to find the right combination of buds that meet weight requirements.

Customers can also specify a bud count for each package. The system double-checks the finished weight before releasing the product into the packaging. 

As the industry evolves, GVS has developed additional automation equipment that can integrate with the Precision Batcher.

Modular Design

The company designs these systems to be modular, allowing customers to add features based on their specific needs and timelines. For example, customers can incorporate automatic jar filling, bag filling, capping for jars, labeling systems and even induction sealing for moisture control packets.

This flexibility enables businesses to gradually expand and enhance production capabilities, aligning with their growth and budgeting plans. It provides both flexibility and cost-effectiveness, enabling businesses to tailor their automation solutions.

ROI

The precision batcher addresses operational challenges for cannabis producers, offering a transformative solution for manual weighing inefficiencies.

In terms of returns on investment, Arnard said GVS has demonstrated significant benefits for its customers. Cannabis processor packaging over 30 pounds per week can achieve a return on investment in less than six months.

“This ROI is not solely due to labor savings but also stems from the system's consistency in weighing, leading to reduced overpack and waste,” added Bernard.

Robotic Precision: How Does It Work?

While the average weight of an eighth of an ounce is around 3.6 to 3.63 grams, using GVS results in an average weight of 3.55 grams. Precise and consistent weighing contributes significantly to the rapid return on investment for their customers.

“By minimizing overpacking and achieving accurate weights, cannabis processors can maximize the number of packages they produce from each pound of cannabis, increasing their overall profitability,” Bernard said.

Olgeirsson explained that their system utilizes eight scales, each capable of weighing 2/100 of a gram, each scale with two pockets, resulting in 16 individual weights.

The software is designed to make split-second decisions based on these precise measurements, leading to over 65,000 possible combinations that the computer can work with at any given time.

Air Cushion Technology

Unlike methods that use vibration to move products, GVS's system utilizes gentle passive air and gravity to transport cannabis flowers throughout the process, preserving nearly 100% of the trichomes and potency.

Its air cushion technology ensures gentle handling of the cannabis flowers, resulting in less breakage and higher yield in the packaged product.

“Cannabis flowers are delicate, requiring much higher weighing accuracy and extremely gentle handling,” Olgeirsson explained. “GVS's machines can weigh up to 100th of a gram, ensuring precision and consistency for consumers. The system also allows for quick changeover between different strains and easy cleaning to maintain product purity and quality.”

“With no grinding or vibrating involved, the equipment enables optimal trichome retention, which is essential for maintaining the product's potency,” he said.

Bernard added that "GVS’s' air quality system adds another layer of value.” 

The system's ability to preserve trichomes and potency while maintaining consistency in product weights elevates its significance for cannabis producers, contributing to higher-quality products and ultimately more revenue per pound of cannabis grown.

A Solution For Cannabis Co-Packers And Craft Growers

Their equipment is adaptable and suitable for a wide range of cannabis operations, catering to both small-scale craft growers and larger facilities.

Olgeirsson said that for facilities producing between 30 and 50 pounds per week, they can expect to see a return on investment in less than six months. However, even smaller growers, producing around 25 to 30 pounds per week, have found the equipment to be cost-effective.

For some growers that might produce 25 to 30 pounds per week, the equipment's efficiency enables them to package their entire production in just one day. This leaves the rest of the week for other essential tasks like harvest or trimming.

“Smaller growers still experience significant payback on their investments,” Olgeirsson told Benzinga.

Additionally, GVS also serves co-packers who might not grow cannabis themselves but focus on packaging and distributing cannabis products, as the market trend moves towards assembling orders instantly and catering to multiple brands.

The ability to switch between various packaging types, such as jars, bags, pouches, cans, and bottles, enables co-packers to serve different brands efficiently.

Cannabis robots can hold preprogram recipes for each brand, and a seamless changeover between them, reducing the processing time to just ten minutes.

“This can result in an 80% reduction in costs, allowing them to operate more efficiently and offer their clients something unique and consistent,” Olgeirsson said.

Made In The U.S.

GVS prioritizes locally sourced parts, designing their machines with high reliability and durability through a minimal number of moving parts to reduce breakage. They offer training, along with spare parts and instant lifelong remote support. The company meets EU GMP standards and is actively exploring markets in Europe, Australia, and South America.

Find more solutions and strategic partnerships for your cannabis operation at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the place where deals get done, which is returning to Chicago this Sept 27-28 for its 17th edition. Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis investment and branding.

Photos: Courtesy of GVS.