Robotic Palletizing 101: Planning for a Robotic Palletizing Solution

This is the sixth and final article in the 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. So far we’ve covered what robotic palletizing is and why it’s important,  provided and overview of the key benefits of robotic palletizing solutions, discussed how to determine when automation is right for you, identified the differences between the different types of robotic palletizers., and how to select the right EOAT. This article will discuss things to keep in mind when planning to integrate a robotic palletizing solution into an existing operation or build a new operation around a robotic palletizer. 

Plan with the future in mind.

The most important thing to keep in mind when making the switch from manual to robotic palletizing is that this solution needs to be versatile and scalable for the future. Making sure a systems provider incorporates this versatility is key for getting the best return on investment and maximizing long-term viability. When planning for the future, be sure to consider things like consumer demand changes, differences in packaging or shipping requirements, variations in product size, and production rate changes.

Think in terms of SKUs, not cases.

The best palletizing systems don’t only look at how many cases a system will run, instead, it looks at each SKU individually. It will need to consider the total number of SKUs, how many of those will need to run immediately, and most importantly at what rate and in which patterns those SKUs will move through the system. This will help make decisions on what type of robotic palletizer is right for the operation and how exactly it will perform the specific tasks needed. 

Pick the right palletizer.

Automated palletizing systems come in all types of sizes and are capable of many different applications. Most systems check the boxes of dynamic and are able to handle many SKUs, which is a key part of an efficient, long-term solution. The other big component is that the system is user-friendly and simple to operate. The point of robotic palletizing is to automate the process. For some operations, the palletizer and its related SKUs will be changed on a daily basis. For others, it could be weekly or even monthly. For operations with a large product variety, consider utilizing a system with the capability of detecting different kinds of products upstream and changing its palletizing parameters on the fly to adjust as it moves downstream. This can be a huge timesaver for operations with a large product mix.

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 Our team will get in touch with you.