PROCESS AUTOMATION
Automate palletising and depalletising.
We automate palletising and depalletising of cartons, packs and workpiece carriers. Robots, grippers and conveyors are selected to suit product weight, stacking patterns and line throughput.
TYPICAL CHALLENGES
Packaging, stacking patterns and pallet handling.
Packaging strength, centre of gravity and stacking pattern determine how products can be gripped and placed. We also assess empty pallets, layer sheets and removal of full pallets. This includes the complete handover to your logistics.
01
PALLET PATTERN
Formats, weights and pallet patterns
Carton size, weight, orientation and stack pattern must be managed as recipes. Mixed pallets also require continuous validation of incoming products.
02
GRIPPING
Gripping technology for different packaging types
Porous cartons, film packs, open trays and bags require suitable vacuum circuits, clamping technology and reliable grip monitoring.
03
PERIPHERALS
Pallet handling and interlayers
Pallet dispensers, centring, conveyors, interlayers, full-pallet removal and height monitoring determine system autonomy.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION CONCEPT
Palletising within the material flow.
We engineer the robot, gripper, conveyor and pallet handling together. Recipe-based control is sufficient for defined pallet patterns; 2D or 3D vision is added for unknown or mixed pallets.
01
Simulate pallet pattern, centre of gravity, payload and maximum stack height
02
Size multi-pick gripping and motion sequence for line throughput
03
Feed empty pallets, interlayers and full pallets safely
04
Integrate product, pallet and grip monitoring into the process
ENGINEERING CRITERIA
Line throughput, product mix and pallet changes.
Automatic palletising requires products that can be gripped and stacked stably. Product and gripper weight, reach and peak throughput constrain the choice. Conveyors, pallet changes and layer sheets determine cost alongside the robot.
01
THROUGHPUT
Cartons per minute and peak load
Short-term peaks, conveyor speed and available buffers determine the required cell throughput.
02
PRODUCT MIX
Single product or mixed pallets
Single-SKU, rainbow and mixed pallets require different recipe, vision and order logic.
03
GRIPPER
Single, row or layer handling
Multi-pick tools increase throughput but also increase tool weight, space requirements and demands on packaging stability.
04
LOGISTICS
Pallet supply to the cell
Manual transfer, conveyors or AGV/AMR systems are considered together with transfer points and safety zones.
HOW WE WORK
Validate gripping and stacking for your products.
For Christ Packing Systems GmbH & Co. KG, we designed a handling and gripping system and a robot cell for depalletising and repalletising.
01
Record products and pallet patterns
We record all formats, weights, pallet types, layer patterns, interlayers and required line throughput.
02
Simulate reach, gripper and material flow
Reachability, collision envelopes, cycle time, stack stability and peripherals are verified before engineering.
03
Commission recipes and test transfers
During production ramp-up, we validate product and pallet changes, restart and the handling of missing or defective packs.
Planning your application
Questions about palletising and depalletising.
A palletising solution needs to handle products, stacking patterns and incoming and outgoing material. These questions help design the robot and supporting equipment around the actual material flow.
- Cartons, packs, workpiece carriers and small load carriers are candidates where they can be gripped securely and stacked stably.
- Weight, dimensions, centre of gravity and packaging strength determine the gripper and stacking pattern. Porous, open or deformable packaging needs adapted gripping technology.
- For depalletising, we also assess varying positions, layer sheets and possible transport damage.
- We assess conveyor height, product spacing, buffers and signals from the existing controller.
- Empty-pallet supply, layer sheets and full-pallet removal are integrated into the sequence. Operator and transport routes must remain accessible.
- Product and gripper weight, reach and peak throughput determine the robot. Protective measures are designed for the complete cell.
- Grip monitoring and pallet-position checks help control picking and placement.
- Stacking pattern, centre of gravity and maximum stack height are assessed during design. Unknown or mixed pallets may require 2D or 3D vision.
- We test missing or damaged packs and interruptions during production ramp-up. An appropriate response is defined for each fault scenario.
- Product formats and stacking patterns are managed in recipes, including orientation, pallet height and layer sheets.
- We check whether one gripper can handle several formats and which adjustments are needed.
- Mixed pallets need additional product identification and order logic. Product and pallet changes are tested with actual packs.
- Pallet changes, layer-sheet supply and removal of full pallets affect available line throughput.
- Buffers and motion sequences are matched to actual throughput peaks. Packaging faults and missing packs need defined responses.
- Grippers, vacuum equipment and conveyors require maintenance. We agree format management and operator interventions with your team.
- Product dimensions and weights, packaging samples, pallet types and existing stacking patterns are useful.
- Line throughput, maximum stack height and photos or a layout show requirements and available space. For depalletising, images of representative incoming pallets are particularly helpful.
- Send the details already available. We discuss open questions about layer sheets, interfaces and pallet routes together.
SERVICE & SUPPORT
Service for palletising systems.
The scope of service is aligned with the installed technology, shift pattern and your maintenance organisation.
01
Grippers and conveyors
Inspect grippers, vacuum technology, conveyors and pallet supply.
02
Formats and pallet patterns
Program and optimise format changes, pallet patterns and motion sequences.
03
Safety and backups
Maintain safety components, wear parts and current program versions.
DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH US
Assess palletising and depalletising for your production.
Send product dimensions and weights, packaging samples, stacking patterns, line throughput, pallet height and space details. We assess gripping, reach and material flow through to pallet removal.