Robotic Palletizing 101: Key Benefits

This is the second article in the Carter Blog’s Robotic Palletizing 101 series, written and published as a direct answer to the rising tide of new companies considering robotic palletizing solutions in their warehouses, distribution centers, or manufacturing operations. In the first article, we covered what robotic palletizing is and why it’s important. This article will cover the three primary benefits of robotic palletizing solutions and the impact they can have on a company’s bottom line.  

 Increased Throughput 

The first key benefit of robotic palletizing is that overall throughput of product being processed will increase. The rate at which this throughput is increased can depend on the complexity of the palletizing operation, but end-users of robotic palletizing solutions can expect a throughput increase in their palletizing operations when implementing the solution. This increased throughput is felt throughout the operation, allowing pallets and inventory to get out the door faster.  

The throughput increase depends primarily on better uptime and system reliability. Robotic solutions work at a consistent speed as long as they are required, as opposed to manual labor which requires downtown to ensure worker safety. This uptime allows operations to be significantly less reliant on the labor market, which is volatile by nature and subject to sharp changes that can lead to shortages, increased wage costs, and ultimately decreased throughput. 

Improved Accuracy 

The second key benefit of robotic palletizing is that robots don’t make errors, they simply execute the code provided to them. Returning to the complex pallet example from the first article, a manual laborer may accidentally crush a box of chips with a box of soda cans, whereas a robot wouldn’t make that error. This improved accuracy contributes to the overall cost-effectiveness of switching to a robotic palletizing solution.  

Reduced Operating Costs 

The final key benefit of robotic palletizing solutions is the overall reduced operating costs that are the direct effect of switching to an automated palletizing solution. This effect is two-fold. First, as mentioned above, improved accuracy saves costs in the long run by ensuring pallets are built properly, every time. Every time a product is damaged, pallets are built with poor stability, or the wrong item goes on the wrong pallet, the bottom line takes a hit. Ensuring that pallet stacking is done in an accurate and efficient fashion 100% of the time reduces the overall cost of an operation. Secondly, labor costs are reduced when switching to a robotic palletizing solution. Palletizing and depalletizing are two of the most tedious and injury-prone jobs in a warehouse. They rely on labor to lift heavy objects repeatedly and frequently are the cause of injuries that also hurt the bottom line. Moving these menial tasks away from manual labor will decrease operational costs.   

Questions?  

Carter Intralogistics has a history of helping companies take their first steps into robotic palletizing and we are happy to answer questions or concerns you may have about incorporating robotic palletizing into your operation. If you’re interested in our mixed-case palletizing solutions and software, read the data sheet. If you have a project in mind, contact sales@carterintralogistics.com, and someone from our team will get in touch with you.