Tek Material Handling, Inc

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27-Sep-2010 *****This article discusses the diverse reqirements of palletizing. It may help you decide whether to chose a robot or a conventional palletizer****** Technical advances increase palletizing possibilities: you can get flexibility and speed from the same system, but that may or may not be a robot. (Packaging Technology). By Barry, Christopher Publication: Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Date: Tuesday, April 1 2003 In the packaging industry, technology is not an end in itself, but a means to drive business forward. Obviously, moving toward higher tech palletizing solutions shouldn't be based on the latest fad. But, believe it or not, decisions based on what's "cool" have occurred in many plants that have erroneously adopted high-tech robots for their palletizing operations only to realize they didn't quite know what to do with them. Today, the line is blurring between the flexibility you get with robots and the high speeds of traditional palletizers. Robots are more user friendly and continue to get faster, while traditional palletizers accommodate changes better than before. The challenge is deciding whether you want to upgrade to a new standard palletizing machine or if your operations--your line and personnel--would benefit more from using a robot. No matter what products you package--foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, medical items or health and beauty aids (HBA)--the requirements for efficient palletizing are similar everywhere: to build accurate loads, to stack damage-free product and to provide high process reliability and safe operation. Take a look at what's been happening lately. The old guard Palletizing machines have seen two major operational developments over the years: 1. In the 1950s, palletizing was based on row forming, where you build a row of cases and push that row forward and then you build another row until you have a complete layer. Row-forming machines are still the most popular in the market but in the 1970s in-line palletizing was invented. 2. In-line, continuous-motion machines began to take up a larger segment of the palletizing business because they are capable of much higher speeds--some newer units can palletize up to 200 cases per minute. Currently in-line palletizers make up about 40% of the palletizing business. Although these are two milestones in palletizing (sic), it's common for technological advances to occur with traditional palletizing machines every couple of years. Recent developments are focused on increased speeds and the ability to handle smaller case sizes, which follows changing retail trends that emphasize palletizing the same package the consumer takes home instead of stacking and shipping secondary packages, which need to be unpacked at the store. Club stores such as Sam's Club and Costco require pallet loads that are display ready for the retail floor. Costco require pallet loads that are display ready for the retail floor. With that in mind, orienting smaller cases is a challenge. Retailers may want a specific side of the package displayed on all four sides of the pallet load.

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