Robotic palletizing has been a game changer in packaging lines and
warehouses for decades, but some considered automation not an option over
concerns like space limitations and lack of robotic programming expertise.
Collaborative robots have been opening up new automation avenues in many
applications, but it wasn’t until higher-payload and longer-reach cobots,
like FANUC’s CRX-25iA and CR-35iB, that are now
causing many to reconsider
automating palletizing to boost efficiency and productivity.
Read on to see how FANUC cobots with their new capabilities can help more
businesses achieve their productivity goals.
Cobot Palletizing for a Smaller Footprint
According to a 2022 report from PMMI – The Association for Packaging and
Processing Technologies, entitled “Robots
and Cobots An Automated
Future,”
the percentage of cobots used in packaging automation is expected to grow
from 27 percent to 57 percent by 2027.
One of the main reasons for this growth is the flexibility and adaptability
of cobots. Years ago, automating palletizing required a big footprint and a
fixed application. Cobots have changed those restrictions, making automated
palletizing a viable option for much smaller spaces as well as operations
that might need to change their palletizing area.
FANUC’s CRX-25iA cobot has an enhanced 30kg
payload capacity and long 1,889
mm reach, making it perfect for palletizing applications. If a higher
payload capacity is needed, FANUC’s CR-35iB
is the industry’s strongest
collaborative robot featuring a 50kg payload capacity, a large work envelope
and a small installation footprint, which works well in tight spaces.
Cobot Palletizing for Boosting Productivity and Worker Safety
With the labor shortage, companies from all industries across the U.S. are
struggling with finding workers. This can lead to shutdown lines and
unfulfilled manufacturing orders. Even if operations are staffed, having
people repeatedly lift heavy boxes or other products all day can put them at
risk for workplace injuries. Cobots are excellent alternatives for these
palletizing applications. FANUC’s CRX product line excels with flexibility
due to the 120 V power requirements and lightweight, which allows the cobots
to be mounted to a portable platform. This enables manufacturers to move the
automation between lines as needed.
With advances in FANUC’s sensor technology, the CRX-25iA and CR-35iB can be
equipped with 3DV iRVision. This enables the
cobots to locate and pick
products on a pallet and place them onto another pallet or a platform part
of an Automated Storage & Retrieval System (ASRS). Using information from
the sensors, cobots can adjust their positions on the fly when the pallet
location shifts. This feature gives the cobots tremendous flexibility with
the ability to handle one or more units at a time according to the pallet
configuration. Additionally, cobots can form multiple layers on a pallet
after picking the products. Cobot palletizing solutions can easily
accommodate these different pallet patterns and handle multiple infeeds of
different SKUs on the same line.
Finally, cobot palletizers are safe to work alongside people. With the
proper safety assessment, cobots don’t require industrial fencing around
their workspace. Cobots’ sensors can detect a person in their line of
operation and stop their movement; this ability enables them to be placed in
proximity to people.
Simplifying Cobot Programming
In the past, robotic programming was potentially a big hurdle to adopting
automation for those that had no expertise or personnel to handle the task.
However, FANUC cobots’ intuitive hand guidance and easy-to-use Tablet TP
programming make it a snap for even those with no prior robot experience.
The cobots do not require special programming or complex languages.
Operators simply program through the hand guidance option by leading the
cobot through paths to teach a new task. They can also use the FANUC Tablet
TP with drag-and-drop user interface to easily program the cobot as well.
Easy Pallet Building with Cobots
Building custom pallets has never been easier with FANUC’s PalletTool®
software. Once product dimensions are entered, PalletTool provides a list of
possible pallet patterns as well as the space efficiency for each pattern.
When the pallet pattern is selected, all information about the pattern,
including the product weight, total number of layers, pallet/infeed retreat,
approach distances, and gripper information, are saved within the unit load
created. This enables the operator to easily switch between products either
at startup or while the system is already running just by changing the
current unit load.
Operators can also create and modify unit loads directly from the Tablet TP
with FANUC’s PalletTool 3 software using the newly updated user
interface. This unlocks the ability to quickly modify systems on the floor
without needing a computer.
Additionally, FANUC’s PalletPRO simulation software can be used to
completely build and prove out a palletizing application on a PC. PalletPRO
can create a complete work cell layout, including infeed and pallet
stations, slip sheet and pallet dispensers. Hundreds of unit load pallet
configurations can be created and visualized in 3D using PalletPRO’s
built-in library of industry standard patterns. The data created in
PalletPRO can be downloaded to a FANUC controller containing PalletTool
software.
Cobots the New Palletizing Game Changer
Cobots, which were once thought for only low-payload applications such as
pick-and-place and material handling, are now a viable tool in the packaging
and production line. Even for operations that are working in tight spaces or
limited resources, the ability of cobots to be deployed in a variety of
environments is bringing all the benefits of automation to businesses that
never thought it was possible.
If you want to stay competitive in today’s ever-changing global market,
FANUC is the provider to talk to. Whether you are looking for new automation
solutions or improving existing equipment, FANUC can help you achieve your
goals while improving overall efficiency and profitability.
With over 40 million automation products installed worldwide and decades of
automation experience, more companies trust FANUC for their automation
needs. We have the largest network of Authorized System Integrators and line
builders, and can quickly evaluate opportunities for faster, more efficient
production.
Contact us to discuss your needs and let us help you start reaping the
benefits of automation!