How to Choose the Right Robot Palletizing System

Today’s manufacturers have started looking for automation opportunities. And when they do, many are choosing robotic systems. But robotic palletizing systems are complicated.  Robots are used in warehouses and manufacturing plants across the globe to repeat the same function over and over again, which seems simple enough. However, there are a number of factors to consider before, during and after implementation. 

To find out what to look for in a robotic palletizing system, and what the top factors to consider when investing in one, read below:

Here are Yaskawa’s top tips for choosing the right palletizing system.

1. Understand your palletizing needs

To begin, it’s important to consider what your expectations are. What is it that you want your robots to do for you? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• What is your product type?
• How many product types do you have?
• What are your product’s dimensions and weights?
• What are the product rates?
• What is the pallet pattern?

2. Variety of pack sizes

With such high expectations on productivity rates, one production line that operates for a variety of product and pack sizes is optimal. With the explosion in SKUs there has been a rise in popularity of frequent production-line changeovers. For example, a company may need to pallet large packages one day and then smaller, lighter packs the next. Palletizing robots are now designed to fulfil this requirement.

3. Weigh up cost of ownership and future needs

Speed is excessively important to manufacturers and distributors. Factories need to work faster to meet demands and output. Every item of machinery, including palletizing equipment, needs to work at optimal speed. But beyond speed, you also need to consider how you’ll be using the palletizer. Depending on your industry and product type, a standard “run of the mill” robot may not be appropriate. Should your product require precision measuring or gentle handling (for, let’s say, glass products), it’s important to know exactly what you would need to produce products of the highest quality.

4. System flexibility

To optimise the production line, companies are choosing to implement automated solutions that can adapt to changing packaging requirements and delicately handle products of varying sizes. Robotic palletizers that are hybrid in their nature get the dual benefits of equipment that can both arrange cases and secure to a pallet. While it provides maximum flexibility, there’s no compromise on control.

5. High capacity, high yield

The constant push to do more with less means robots are required to have a long reach without losing capacity. Companies want palletizing robots that are able to handle the high demand for output, as well as the actual yield.

7. Space

It may seem obvious, but the footprint of a robot needs to be carefully considered. How much space can you allow for the incorporation of such a system? Perhaps the need for a new system is due to the need for more space on your production floor. Whatever the reason, you can be assured that modern manufacturing robots - like those created by Yaskawa – are developed to minimise their footprint, giving you more space for other elements of your production line.

8. Use and accessibility

Another major consideration is ease of use. Should an occasion arise in which the system is interrupted for some reason, plants won’t have to waste valuable time reprogramming the robot. You want to be on the lookout for a system that is not only simple to use from the offset but also simple to reprogramme or reset if need be.

9. Maintenance

All companies want ease of maintenance. As with all automated machinery, regular maintenance is critical to keep it functioning at optimal performance. So the palletizer needs to be easy to access for regular maintenance and servicing.

To learn more about incorporating robotic palletizers into your systems or simply more information on palletizing solutions, contact us or browse our website.