This section of the website covers machines called palletizers that build stacked loads of packaged products, usually on a pallet, for storage and transport through the supply chain. Correspondingly, depalletizers are machines that remove products stacked on a pallet, typically empty containers at the infeed of a packaging line.
The following distinctive types of palletizer are commonly used in a wide range of industries.
Low level layer palletizers build a pallet load by horizontal transfer of pre-formed layers of product in sequence on to a stationary pallet, normally located at ground level.
High level layer palletizers build a pallet load by horizontal transfer of pre-formed layers of product in sequence on to a raised pallet which is lowered as the build progresses.
Articulated robot palletizers use an industrial articulated robot with a customised gripping head to lift and place one or several items in sequence directly on to one or more stationary pallets.
Gantry robot palletizers typically use a Cartesian (three axis) robot mounted on an overhead gantry to lift and place one or several items in sequence directly on to one or more stationary pallets.
The following distinctive types of depalletizer are commonly used
Sweep depalletizers remove complete layers from a stationary pallet load by sweeping each layer in sequence on to a discharge conveyor using an intermediate transfer plate (low level version). The transfer plate can be eliminated if the pallet load is raised progressively (high level version).
Lift-off depalletizers lift and place complete or part layers from a pallet in sequence on to a discharge conveyor, typically using a Cartesian (three axis) or industrial articulated robot with a customised gripping head.