Manual palletizing is labor-intensive, repetitive, and ergonomic, leading to a demand for automation. As palletizing automation increases productivity and throughput and enables a shift toward higher quality and more ergonomic operations, the adoption of solutions for this is becoming increasingly common.

OnRobot, a developer of hardware and software for collaborative applications, announced on the 7th that it has launched the 'OnRobot Palletizer,' a collaborative palletizing solution designed to minimize the physical inconvenience of the existing palletizing process.

OnRobot palletizers feature a space-saving footprint and the ability to handle various types of boxes, packages, pallets, and stacking heights, allowing users to select a palletizing system tailored to their specific application requirements. Additionally, they are compatible with various collaborative robots and lightweight industrial robots, enabling them to be used as a complete system ready for immediate use or as a mix-and-match solution by combining individual components.

Intuitive palletizing software guides the user through the entire installation process via a single intelligent interface for all parts. This is also time-saving software designed to reduce overall project costs. Even inexperienced users can install the system in about the same amount of time it takes to install a traditional programming interface.

OnRobot features a lineup of the 2FGP20, Lift 100, and Pallet Station. The 2FGP20 is equipped with a custom arm with a 20kg payload and is a versatile electric palletizing gripper capable of handling standard cardboard boxes, as well as opened boxes and products ready for shelf placement, without the need for external air supply. The Lift 100 is a robust elevator with a total payload of 100kg, providing a seventh axis for collaborative robots and light industrial robots. The Pallet Station is a durable floor-mounted pallet fixing device designed to enable consistent positioning. In addition, it comes equipped with a sensor capable of detecting the location of the pallet.

"Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have long felt the need for cost-effective palletizing automation that is easy to use and can be installed quickly, even as applications change," explained Enrico Krogh Iversen, CEO of OnRobot. "The OnRobot Palletizer was born from OnRobot's application-centric approach to providing customers with more flexible solutions than before."

He added, “This product can be installed immediately with minimal changes to existing factory and warehouse layouts. By providing economical collaborative automation to all companies regardless of their size or level of technological capability, we have broken down global barriers to adopting automation solutions and realized a ‘One Stop Shop’ that meets all automation and business requirements of manufacturing and warehouse companies.”

Adrian Pérez Martinez, CTO of Neobotik, a Spanish automation integrator who conducted tests prior to the launch of the OnRobot Palletizer, emphasized, “With its quick installation, easy-to-use programming interface, and optimal gripper weight, the OnRobot Palletizer is suitable for various collaborative palletizing applications in multiple industries, including the food and beverage industry.”

He also stated, “In the food and beverage industry, boxes for palletizing constantly come in, and it is impossible to handle such boxes with traditional vacuum grippers,” emphasizing that a shift toward ergonomic operations is possible compared to existing palletizing automation.