Summary:
Robotics Plletizing play an important role in port loading and unloading. You can learn about the relevant classification and application of robotics palletizing.
Robotic Palletizing in the Manufacturing Industry
Types of Robotic Palletizing Solutions
Application Scope of Robotic Palletizing
What advantages does robot palletizing bring to the industry?
Combination of Robot Palletizing and Conveyor
Robotic palletizing is an operation you may not have heard of, but it is becoming standard in many industries. The term ‘palletizing’ refers to the process of stacking objects onto a pallet. Similarly, ‘depalletizing’ is the operation of removing or offloading such items.
These repetitive processes require few skills, making them suitable for automation. Therefore, utilizing robotic technology for palletizing and depalletizing operations can improve your productivity, leading to increased profitability.
This article aims to introduce you to the types of palletizing robotic systems, their applications, and the advantages of implementing such procedures.
Types of Robotic Palletizing Solutions
You can adapt palletizing machine solutions to various situations. You should understand the different types of robots available so you can choose the best solution for your palletizing needs.
Pedestal Type
Pedestal palletizing robotic solutions are relatively straightforward. The system situates pallets in a specific spot. Operators program the palletizing robot to stack items in any configuration. Once programmed, the robot lifts the items in batches according to the pallet capacity. The robot raises the items using a gripping or vacuum action.
Gantry Type
Gantry palletizing robots are generally used to stack heavy items. However, the weights involved mean they operate at slow speeds. Pallets are loaded within an enclosed structure beneath an overhead span that supports the robot. Gantry robotic palletizing solutions are ideal for loading single items or unit loads.
Mixed Case Configurations
Often, there may be a requirement to palletize items of various shapes and sizes. In this situation, the palletizing machine has to make stable layers from these different items. A mixed case palletizing robot can achieve this by picking suitable boxes or cases and stacking them accordingly.
Layer Forming Palletizing Robots
These palletizing robots are often limited to a specific task. For instance, forming a simple layer. Once you have created a layer, a handling robot removes the layered sheet onto the pallet.
Application Scope of Robotic Palletizing
Robotic palletizing system has various applications within manufacturing and other industries.
Bag Palletizing
Robots can palletize almost any type of bagged product. These products are often awkward to handle and stack for humans, so robots simplify the process.
Pail & Drum Palletizing
By utilizing vacuum or mechanical end effectors, robotic palletizers can handle drums and pails of all shapes and sizes.
Case Palletizing Systems
For palletizing cases, robots can deal with items of all sizes. Humans will often stall or slow down when deciding how to stack different shaped boxes.
Multi-Line Palletizing Systems
You can use robots for palletizing items of different shapes and sizes across multiple production lines.
Depalletizing Systems
Depalletizing is as labor-intensive as loading a pallet. Robots can take on this task, freeing human resources for more productive tasks.
What advantages does robot palletizing bring to the industry?
Until relatively recently, companies have palletized loads manually rather than with automated palletizing machines. As production line techniques and technology have improved, the palletizing process has become more automated.
The obvious benefit of having robots complete these repetitive tasks is that you can redirect workers towards more meaningful and productive jobs. However, there are plenty of other advantages associated with robotic palletizing systems.
Improved Safety
Injuries sustained from overstretching, inappropriate bending or repetitive motions can prove costly. Manually stacking pallets has a high element of risk of such injuries.
Utilizing a robotic palletizing system protects workers from the risk of injury through lifting, falling loads, and repetitive strains. Of course, robots are machines, and there need to be safeguards to protect workers in their proximity. That’s why robotic palletizing systems utilize protective guards, cages, and gates to mitigate such risk.
Error Removal
As good as a worker might be at loading pallets or completing other repetitive tasks, human error will inevitably occur. Robots are not affected by distractions or lapses in concentration that lead to mistakes.
An automated palletizing system robot will not confuse SKUs, so they will only load the correct items onto the pallet. Also, a robot will maintain a constant speed, unlike a human who may speed up to the point of making errors.
Plannable Production
Robots can maintain a constant speed, generally faster than humans, making planning production easier. Such planning is crucial for industries where just-in-time production and predictability are requirements. For instance, you can program the robot to run for specific times, speeds, and cycle rates. They also do not require breaks, holidays, or training.
Human Factors
We’ve already alluded to the obvious human factors of adopting an automated palletizing system, such as freeing workers for other tasks. However, there are more profound human benefits industry associates with robotic palletizing. For instance, workers will feel more valued when redirected to less repetitive tasks. The entire production facility can experience a positive impact from this.
Combination of Robot Palletizing and Conveyor
Robotic palletizing machine can require items to be in a specific location, in a particular position, at an exact time. To achieve these often requires an efficient conveyor system. Combining a conveyor with a robotic palletizing system enables precise positioning and movements.
You can achieve this accuracy by programming the conveyor to start and stop at specific intervals. You can also get them to rotate items, and other operations that synchronize with the robot’s movements. Utilizing conveyors combined with robots can bring greater automation to production processes.
Conclusion
Implementing one of the several robotic palletizing systems available can reap benefits across various production applications. The benefits of such systems are tangible and range from worker safety and satisfaction to production speed and error removal. Hopefully, this article has informed you how a palletizing robot system can integrate into your production process.
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