Centralized Automation of Multiple Production Line Palletizing
Randomly Received Product Palletizing for Production Operations
AIDCO International has developed a end-of-production line centralized palletizing system to provide customers with a flexible automation solution for improved order-based operational efficiency and productivity. This centralized palletizing concept can result in a reduction in manual palletizing labor, improved data management and product validation (quantity) during palletization; in addition, it provides improved product quality and a reduction in waste by removing the palletization process from on-line workers. Also, automation in the palletizing area of any operation can reduce overall floor space vs. the use of multiple conventional palletizers, provide quick and easy changeovers from product to product via input at operator interface only – no need to change EOAT – and minimize the costs of expanding to new and different product SKU in the future.
Features of AIDCO’s system for centralized production or warehouse palletization of multiple SKU’s (up to 30) fed via case conveyor to one location and sorted via label bar code scan in order to divert cases to a specific location include:
Robotic pick and placement of cases on a homogeneous pallet by SKU.
Robotic positioning via servo driven linear slide.
Bar Code Reader will scan for proper forming location and accumulate data by time and SKU # in central processor for transfer to customer main computer system for production logistics information management.
Vision for product location and recognition of cases on infeed partial pallet for robotic case by case depalletization; and, for placement of cases on conveyor for re-palletization at next same SKU production run.
Expandable work cell with simple provisions to allow for additional pallet positions and linear slide length, including addition of 2nd robot.
Accommodation for production surges through case conveyor return loop which allows for case re-entry into palletizing process.
Case conveyor sortation loop for discharge spur of cases not read by scanner or rejected by robot. Can be used for backup manual palletization.
Inspection/check devices can be integrated within case sortation loop to confirm +/- target case weight, upper and/or lower flap detection, and vision inspection to determine accurate case sizes.
