Applications

Conventional palletizers have the ability to operate at speeds faster than robotic palletizing systems. Robotic palletizing systems excel in flexible and precise movements, where conventional palletizers excel in repeatedly executing palletizing with rapid efficiency. This is why conventional palletizing solutions are used heavily by large scale operations or applications like trays of cans that require extremely fast palletizing to keep up with upstream operations.

In manufacturing industries, robotics are generally used for the fabrication, finishing, transfer, and assembly of parts like in car manufacturing. In material handling industries, where finished products are prepared for distribution, robotics are used for picking, sorting, packaging, and palletizing products. Robotic palletizers are suited to handle virtually any kind of product from bags to boxes, or trays of eggs to larger raw building components.

Palletizing systems allow full pallets to be built and moved faster when compared to manual handling. Benefits of robotic palletizing systems include reduction in labor requirements, faster turnaround times, increased output, and an opportunity for optimum temperatures for perishable products. For robotic palletizing solutions specifically additional benefits include, conserving floor space, flexible programming for product handling, and the ease of integrating into existing production lines.

Among the many factors to consider are production rate, product quality, product type, pallet quality, and choosing the right robotic integrator. Other key factors include plant safety, floor space, ROI, and importantly, after-sales support. Choosing the right robot for your production facility requires close collaboration with the robot integrator to fully evaluate the challenges of your specific job. 

For most companies increasing speed is the ultimate goal, however, with recent labor shortages, businesses are looking for reliable solutions to assist in increasing productivity. Robotic palletizers can run all day with reliable load quality, allowing not only for the increased throughput, but also in the standardizing and quality control of the produced load. Robotic palletizers integrate into existing production lines much easier than larger conventional options.

Keeping the system in good condition by providing regular maintenance, cleaning, service, and repairs is important for ensuring a robotic palletizer have a long life. It is also important to ensure proper training for everyone who is operating the system. Poor installation or initial set up can also have adverse effects. By maintaining a regular preventive maintenance schedule, you are extending the life of your robot.

It is recommended to schedule your robot for preventive maintenance every 12 months, or after the robot reaches 10,000 hours. Smaller daily inspections and cleaning will also help the equipment clean and running as intended.

The ANSI states requirements for the manufacture, remanufacture, installation, and safe guarding methods to protect those associated with the operation of industrial robots. These guidelines are also associated with the Robotic Industries Association (RIA). The ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999 is the most extensive ANSI standard, but the most recent version is the ANSI/RIA R15.06-2012. This latest ANSI standard is an adoption of the ISO safety regulations in order to achieve global compliance with international guidelines for easier use and sale of industrial robots.

Before reaching out to a system integrator to get a price quote, there are five steps to follow to make sure you are making the best choices when starting to automate. Skipping these steps could result in projects that are cut short, drag on too long, or never get off the ground:

Step 1: Get company-wide support

Step 2: Get a consensus on the scope of the project

Step 3: Get consensus on the tolerance of failure

Step 4: Prepare the budget

Step 5: Gather information

Industrial robots typically require a large upfront investment, so it’s important to consider all the costs of industrial robots, including installation and configuration. You should also evaluate goals in future operations so that the robotic system is well designed for expansion within your production facility. While industrial robots will reduce manufacturing labor costs, it is important to budget for ongoing expenses to maintain the equipment to minimize downtime.