Types of Automatic Palletizers: Robots, Cobots, and Conventional

In today's competitive co-packing and manufacturing landscape, palletizing automation plays a vital role in streamlining processes and boosting efficiency. This in-depth guide delves into various types of automatic palletizers, highlights factors for consideration when choosing the optimal solution for your facility, and presents facts, figures, and references to demonstrate the effectiveness of robotic palletizers in increasing throughput without additional personnel.

• Types of Palletizers
  • Conventional Palletizers
  • Cobot Palletizers
  • Robot Palletizers
• Factors to Consider When Choosing a Palletizing Solution
  • Total Cost of Ownership
  • Load Capacity and Weight
  • Speed and Efficiency
  • Flexibility and Adaptability
• Why Formic Solves for All of These, for No Up-front Cost
• Conclusion
• References

Types of Palletizers

Conventional Palletizers

For decades, Conventional palletizers such as mechanical and layer palletizers have been the industry standard. They employ conveyor belts, mechanical arms, and other mechanisms to stack products onto pallets. Although reliable and cost-effective, they lack the flexibility and adaptability offered by modern solutions.

Cobot Palletizers

Cobot palletizers, or collaborative robots, are designed to work in conjunction with humans in a shared workspace. These robots feature advanced safety measures and can be effortlessly integrated into existing production lines. Cobots provide a user-friendly, flexible, and adaptable solution for palletizing tasks but may have limitations in terms of speed and payload capacity compared to other robotic solutions.

Robot Palletizers

Robotic palletizers, such as articulated arm, delta, and SCARA robots, deliver increased speed, precision, and flexibility in handling a variety of product sizes and shapes. A report by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, states that robotic palletizers can handle up to 1,500 units (not master containers) per hour, making them a popular choice for modern production lines [1]. These advanced robots can optimize palletizing processes and enhance overall efficiency.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Palletizing Solution

Total Cost of Ownership

The total cost of ownership (TCO) of a palletizing solution can be significant, and it's important to carefully consider all the costs involved in owning and operating one. The initial purchase cost of a palletizing solution is just the beginning, and other costs to consider include paying for an integrator, installation, maintenance, programming, and training. Maintenance costs can vary depending on the type of palletizing solution and the manufacturer's recommendations for servicing. Additionally, training personnel to operate and maintain the palletizing solution can also be a significant cost. When comparing the TCO of owning a palletizing solution to using a Robots As A Service (RaaS) model, it's important to consider the benefits of the latter. Working with the RaaS experts at Formic, companies can get access to the latest palletizing technology without the need for a large upfront investment. Instead, they pay a predictable monthly fee for the use of the palletizing solution. This means that companies can better manage their cash flow and avoid large capital expenditures.

Load Capacity and Weight

The load capacity and weight of products being handled are critical factors when selecting a palletizing solution. Different types of palletizers offer varying load capacities, necessitating a choice that aligns with your specific product requirements.

Speed and Efficiency

Palletizing speed and overall efficiency are essential for meeting production demands and ensuring timely product delivery. A study by the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) found that robotic palletizers can reduce palletizing cycle times by up to 40% compared to manual processes [2]. When assessing palletizing solutions, consider the speed at which tasks are completed and the potential impact on your production timelines.

Flexibility and Adaptability

A flexible and adaptable palletizing solution can accommodate changes in product lines and production requirements. Seek systems that can handle various product sizes, shapes, and packaging configurations, as well as those that can be easily integrated into existing production lines.

Why Formic Solves for All of These, for No Up-front Cost

Formic offers innovative palletizing solutions that address all the factors mentioned above without requiring an up-front investment. By providing advanced robotic and cobot solutions, Formic ensures speed, efficiency, flexibility, and safety while reducing the total cost of ownership. This makes it the ideal choice for businesses looking to optimize their palletizing processes. Formic's expertise and state-of-the-art technology make it the go-to provider for a wide range of industries seeking to improve their palletizing operations.

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of automated palletizing systems and the factors to consider when choosing the best option for your facility is crucial as the demand for efficient palletizing solutions grows. Evaluating Conventional, cobot, and robot palletizers based on load capacity, speed, flexibility, cost, and safety can help you make an informed decision that positively impacts your overall productivity. Robotic palletizers, in particular, have been proven to significantly increase throughput without the need for additional personnel [1, 2]. Formic's innovative solutions cater to all these essential factors, providing a seamless and cost-effective approach to optimizing your palletizing processes.

References

[1] PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. (2019). Palletizing: Robots in the end of line. Retrieved from https://www.pmmi.org/report/palletizing-robots-end-line

[2] Robotic Industries Association (RIA). (n.d.). Robotic Palletizing Solutions: Benefits and ROI. Retrieved from https://www.robotics.org