by Robotiq Group.
Final up to date on Oct 17, 2024 4:03 PM
Posted on Oct 17, 2024 4:03 PM. 5 min learn time
Palletizing is the method of stacking merchandise onto pallets for storage or transportation. It may be executed manually, the place employees pile merchandise by hand. Whereas this methodology provides flexibility, it’s labor-intensive, doesn’t optimize throughput and improve workforce accidents. Alternatively, the palletizing course of will be totally automated through the use of robots. Robotic palletizers can take totally different codecs, the place on one aspect we discover huge inline palletizers, which deal with high-speed throughput, high-volume and on the opposite spectrum, cobot arms that present adaptability to deal with totally different packaging sizes and volumes.
Steps concerned in palletizing
A number of steps are concerned in palletizing, with variables and non-compulsory steps relying on the precise necessities. Listed here are the important thing steps:
1. Step One: Product Preparation
Guarantee merchandise are correctly packaged and labeled. This step might embody high quality checks and sorting gadgets.
2. Step Two: Pallet Choice
Selecting the best pallet is essential for the soundness, security, and effectivity of the palletizing, transit and materials dealing with course of. Pallets are available in wooden, plastic, and steel, every with its personal particular advantages: wooden for energy and affordability, plastic for sturdiness and moisture resistance, and steel for heavy or high-temperature hundreds. The selection relies on load kind, weight and dealing with wants.
3. Step Three: Association Planning
Environment friendly pallet structure includes cautious planning to optimize house utilization and stability. Cartons are positioned with weight distribution and ease of entry in thoughts. Form, dimension and packaging are taken into consideration to find out the most effective sample, whereas facilitating loading and unloading for higher operational effectivity. This step will be carried out with the assistance of software program.
4. Step 4: Stacking and Securing the Load
Perform the association plan – stack the merchandise on the pallet as deliberate. Use stretch movie to cut back the chance of harm and make sure the security of handlers throughout loading and unloading.
5. Step 5: Labeling and Documentation (Optionally available)
Product labeling and offering documentation is the final palletizing step to boost transport effectivity, present regulatory compliance, and product traceability. Pallets are labeled with info like contents, weight, and dealing with directions. Further info will be offered to point origin and batch numbers. Marking packaging and supplying product documentation streamline logistics and customs clearance.
6. Step Six: High quality Inspection (Optionally available)
Conduct a remaining inspection to make sure the palletized load meets all security and high quality requirements.
Recommendation for Figuring out Obligatory Steps to Palletizing
Take into account elements reminiscent of product kind, transportation methodology, and materials dealing with necessities to find out which steps are important to your palletizing course of. Consulting an knowledgeable may help you tailor the method to your particular wants.
Varieties of Automated Palletizers
Automated palletizers are more and more most popular to handbook palletizing due to their many benefits. These methods considerably improve productiveness by stacking merchandise quicker and extra effectively than human employees. Along with lowering labor prices, they assist decrease office accidents brought on by repetitive actions and lifting. Automated palletizers assure higher precision and uniformity in stacking patterns, bettering pallet stability and house effectivity. They will function constantly, serving to to extend manufacturing output. With technological advances, these methods have turn into extra adaptable, able to dealing with a variety of product sorts and sizes. For industries going through labor shortages or growing manufacturing calls for, automated palletizers provide a dependable, cost-effective resolution that improves each operational effectivity and product high quality.
There are two important sorts of automated palletizers:
Inline PalletizersInline palletizers use mounted equipment and conveyor methods to rearrange merchandise onto pallets. Merchandise transfer alongside conveyors and are directed into layers, that are then stacked onto pallets. Ideally suited for high-speed, high-volume operations. Sometimes totally automated, although some fashions will be semi-automated.
Robotic Arm PalletizersRobotic arm palletizers use an automatic arm to choose and place merchandise onto pallets. They provide excessive flexibility and may deal with all kinds of product styles and sizes. Appropriate for industries with numerous product traces or these requiring frequent changeovers. Will be totally automated or semi-automated, relying on the setup and necessities.
Pallets configurations
Pallet configuration refers back to the method gadgets are organized on pallets. It contains knowledge on pallet sorts and sizes, stacking patterns, layer heights, and the variety of instances per pallet and row. The principle configuration patterns are as follows:
Column StackingItems are stacked immediately on prime of one another, sustaining the identical footprint up the pallet. This methodology maximizes stack energy and stability. It really works greatest for lighter or fragile gadgets and could also be vulnerable to toppling if stacked too excessive.
Brick StackingAlternates merchandise orientation in every layer, making a brick-like construction. This method gives sturdy, shift-resistant stacks. It permits mixing of field sizes however might scale back the overall variety of packing containers per pallet.
Interlocking PatternsUses a rotating footprint the place gadgets are supported by a number of packing containers under. This methodology provides superior stability for high-density hundreds. It gives higher bridging energy. Will be extra complicated to assemble. It could create uneven stress on particular person packing containers.
Every sample has its benefits and is chosen based mostly on the precise wants of the fabric dealing with, the palletizing course of and the logistics necessities. Need assistance to decide on your pallet sample? Play with the Robotiq configurator device.
Conclusion
Streamline your palletizing operations with knowledgeable recommendation. Whether or not you are new to robotic palletizing or seeking to optimize, our consultants can assess your wants and suggest options. From tools choice to integration, we’ll provide help to enhance effectivity and scale back prices. Unlock the complete potential of your logistics with automated palletizing – contact us at this time.