Robotic Palletizing Systems and Solutions

Automating Palletizing

Automating palletizing can make your operations safer and more profitable.

Whether you’re stacking a full layer or individual boxes, bags, pails or any product. Palletizing cobots and robots offer a fast, steady, and reliable automated solution.

Our extensive offerings provide many options in terms of size, payload, speeds for cycle time and precision and most importantly, care in handling your products.

Some Samples of Palletizing Solutions

Benefits of Palletizers

Palletizers offer several benefits to manufacturing and distribution operations, making them an essential component of modern supply chains.

➤ Key benefits of Palletizers:

Increased Efficiency

Palletizers automate the process of loading and unloading products onto pallets, reducing the need for manual labor and increasing overall efficiency managing up to 20 cycles per minute for common palletizing and up to 30 per minute for bags

Higher Productivity

Robotic palletizers can process large volumes at speeds far exceeding manual capabilities. For instance, certain models have the capacity to handle more than 300 pounds per pick and manage finished loads of over 4,000 pounds, which reduces the time required for manual handling and increases overall productivity

Reduced Labor Costs

The automation provided by robotic palletizers can significantly reduce labor costs by minimizing the need for manual labor. In some cases, the cost savings from reduced labor and associated expenses like health care, training, and turnover can result in the system paying for itself within one to two years

Improved Safety

By automating the handling of heavy loads, palletizers reduce the risk of injury to workers associated with manual lifting and stacking

Space Optimization

Robotic palletizers are designed with a smaller footprint compared to traditional systems, allowing for better utilization of warehouse space. This compact design is crucial for optimizing space in facilities

Scalability

Palletizing systems can be scaled up or down to accommodate changes in production volume, making them suitable for both small-scale and large-scale operations

Primary Components of an Automated Palletizing System

An Automated Palletizing Cell typically consists of several components that work together to handle, stack, and palletize products efficiently.

➤ Primary components:

Conveyor System

Conveyors are used to transport products from the production line to the palletizing area. They ensure a continuous flow of items for palletizing.

Robotic Arm or Palletizing Robot

This is the core component responsible for picking up products from the conveyor and placing them onto the pallet in the desired configuration.

End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT)

EOAT is the attachment or tooling at the end of the robotic arm that interacts with the products. It can be customized based on the type, size, and shape of the products being palletized. The EOAT can be suction or mechanical tools.

Safety Fencing and Sensors

To ensure the safety of workers and equipment, automated palletizing cells are typically enclosed with safety fencing. Sensors and safety systems are installed to detect the presence of personnel and prevent accidents.

Pallet Station

Once a pallet is fully loaded, it is transferred out of the palletizing area.

Control System

The control system serves as the brain of the automated palletizing cell, coordinating the movements of the robotic arm, conveyors, and other components.

Vision System (optional)

This allows the robot to accurately locate and pick up products regardless of their position or orientation on the conveyor.

Collaborative Robot

A collaborative robot, often referred to as a cobot, is a type of robot specifically designed to work alongside humans in a shared workspace. Unlike traditional industrial robots that operate behind safety barriers, cobots are equipped with advanced safety features that allow them to interact safely with human workers without the need for physical guarding.

Industrial Robot

An industrial robot is a versatile programmable machine designed to perform tasks with precision, speed, and reliability in manufacturing and industrial settings. These robots are used across various industries for tasks such as welding, assembly, painting, material handling, and packaging. Industrial robots are typically characterized by their robust construction, high payload capacity, and ability to operate in controlled environments.

How to decide which is the best palletizing system for my needs?

Choosing the right palletizer for your operation involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your specific requirements and offers the best overall solution. Here's a guide to help you decide which palletizer to use:

• Evaluate your needs:

Assess your production volume, product types, sizes, and packaging configurations.

Determine your palletizing speed requirements and desired throughput.

• Consider Product Handling Requirements:

Evaluate the fragility, weight (Robot payload and grippers), shape, and stability of your products.

Determine if your products require special handling, such as gentle stacking or layer forming.

• Assess Space Constraints:

Evaluate the available floor space in your facility and consider the footprint of different palletizing systems.

• Factor in Flexibility:

Consider the ability of the palletizer to handle different product sizes, configurations, and pallet types.

• Evaluate Integration Requirements:

Determine if the palletizer needs to integrate with other equipment or systems, such as conveyors, stretch wrappers, or warehouse management systems.

• Calculate Estimated ROI:

Evaluate the expected return on investment (ROI) based on labor savings, increased throughput, and reduced product damage.

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