Leave palletizing to palletizing robots + types of palletizing robots

It’s time to delegate repetitive and potentially harmful tasks to robots. Placing pallets on each other, especially when heavy or high, can be dangerous for human workers. On the other hand, robots are specifically designed for such repetitive tasks. With new advances in robotic technologies and the expansion of using robots in different production lines and distribution centers, robots have become more cost-effective. Furthermore, a robot’s 24-hour, non-stop operation can increase process productivity several times over. However, there are some points to consider before deciding to use a palletizing robot. We need to know what features a palletizing robot should have. In this post, we want to answer your questions about palletizing robots and finally compare some models of palletizing robots. So stay with us until the end of this post.

What is palletizing? Why should we entrust this task to robots?

Palletizing and depalletizing refer to the process of stacking and moving product cartons or boxes onto pallets at the end of a production and packaging line or unloading pallets at distribution centers.

In the past, this task was performed by human labor. Automating the palletizing process through robots will be an intelligent investment due to the high advantages of using robots. The robot works 24 hours a day and does not need to rest. Robots do not hesitate in their movements and have no interruptions. The use of robots prevents harm to human labor. Lifting pallets, especially placing them at high elevations, can cause serious damage to the spinal column of human labor. In addition, robots perform tasks faster.

TS Group provides various models of Yaskawa palletizing robots in Iran. We also offer other services such as installation, programming, and after-sales services.

What kind of robot is suitable for use in the palletizing application?

Industrial robot manufacturers produce various types of robots specifically for palletizing. Palletizing robots are usually 4-axis robots, with a high range of reach and a wide range of payload. However, packaging robots and 6-axis robots can also be used for palletizing. The advantage of using 6-axis robots is that they can be used in other applications in the future. Packaging and pick-and-place robots usually have a lower payload compared to palletizing robots. Therefore, before anything else, you need to choose the application you need from your robot.

At the end of this article, we will get to different models of palletizing robots.

For choosing your robot you can be in touch with our experts in T.S.Group

+98 25 36 148

Some features to consider when buying a palletizing robot are:

1. reach

It is important to choose a robot with mechanical arms that have sufficient accessibility based on the installation location and intended use.

2. Payload capacity

Different robot models have varying payload capacities, typically ranging from 2 kg to 800 kg. The price and intended use of these robots can also vary based on this factor. Therefore, it is essential to estimate the weight that the robot needs to handle for palletizing tasks.

3. Collaborative robots

Collaborative robots, such as the Yaskawa HC10, can work alongside humans without the need for fences and perform palletizing tasks.

4. Capability of reprogramming

If your goal is only palletizing and emptying pallets, it is better and more cost-effective to purchase a specialized palletizing robot. However, if you plan to use robots for other tasks in the future, such as welding, packaging, and other tasks, six-axis robots may also be a suitable option.

5. Cycle time

One of the objectives of replacing human labor with robots is to increase the speed of packaging and palletizing. Therefore, when purchasing a robot, it is essential to check its cycle speed per hour.

Yaskawa robot

6. Gripper and End-effector in Palletizing Robot

A gripper or end-effector in a robot is the part that the robot uses to grip and release objects. This part can be compared to the palm and fingers in humans. Depending on the type of product the robot is supposed to handle, the appropriate gripper should be selected. The gripper can enable the robot to hold one or several pieces. The proper selection of the gripper for the robot will be influential in the final arrangement of the pallets.

Yaskawa robot

7. Programming a Palletizing Robot

One of the important factors for a good performance of a palletizing robot is good programming. The robot must be programmed to perform a palletizing cycle from various points.

The robot’s movements should be optimized so that unnecessary movements are removed. This ultimately ends up increasing the robot’s speed and performance.

Programming a robot may seem complicated. You can easily entrust this task to the experienced specialists at T.S.Group.

Types of Yaskawa Palletizing Robots

Yaskawa Palletizing Robots Series PL

The newly launched MOTOMAN PL series of robots includes a selection of powerful palletizing robots capable of handling payloads ranging from 80 to 800 kg. These robots are designed to provide efficient performance for palletizing boxes, cases, and bags in end-of-line packaging and distribution center automation. They offer impressive combinations of speed and payload, as well as high stacking heights and easy installation.

1. PL80 model

The MOTOMAN PL80 robot can handle up to 80 kg loads and has fast axis speeds to ensure efficient palletizing cycles. Its kinematics make it an ideal choice for palletizing boxes, cartons, and packs, especially in the rapidly expanding logistics and e-commerce industry, where high palletizing cycles are essential. With over 800 cycles per hour, the MOTOMAN PL80 can easily meet this requirement.

In addition to its impressive palletizing capabilities, the MOTOMAN PL80 has a low overall height, a slim design, and a small footprint, making it an excellent option for space-constrained environments. Despite its compact size, the robot has sufficient horizontal and vertical reach for versatile applications, including end-of-line palletizing.

Model	PL80
NUMBER OF AXES	5
PAYLOAD	80 kg
MAX. WORKING RANGE	2,061 mm
REPEATABILITY	0.03 mm
WEIGHT	565 kg
POWER SUPPLY	4.5 kVA
MOUNTING OPTIONS	Floor

2. PL190-100

The MOTOMAN PL190-100 robot is a highly efficient 4-axis palletizing robot designed for box, carton, and bag palletizing tasks in end-of-line packaging and logistics applications. This robot is capable of achieving over 2000 palletizing cycles per hour due to its impressive speed and power.

The kinematic structure of the MOTOMAN PL190-100 robot has been optimized to provide better stability and a maximum payload capacity of 100 kg. Additionally, this robot has a superior working range, with a maximum reach of 3,159 mm and a stacking height of over 2,600 mm, making it perfect for various palletizing tasks.

Model	PL190-100
NUMBER OF AXES	4
PAYLOAD	100 kg
MAX. WORKING RANGE	3,159 mm
REPEATABILITY	0.05 mm
WEIGHT	1,680 kg
POWER SUPPLY	9.5 kVA
MOUNTING OPTIONS	Floor

3. PL190

The MOTOMAN PL190 robot is a fast and powerful 4-axis machine that can handle over 1700 cycles per hour, making it perfect for palletizing boxes, cartons, and bags in end-of-line packaging and logistics applications. This robot’s optimized kinematic structure offers improved stability and a higher maximum payload capacity of 190 kg compared to its predecessor.

With a maximum reach of 3,159 mm and the ability to stack up to 2,600 mm high, this robot is well-suited for a variety of palletizing tasks.

Model	PL190
NUMBER OF AXES	4
PAYLOAD	190 kg
MAX. WORKING RANGE	3,159 mm
REPEATABILITY	0.05 mm
WEIGHT	1,680 kg
POWER SUPPLY	9.5 kVA
MOUNTING OPTIONS	Floor

4. PL320

The MOTOMAN PL320 robot is a high-speed and powerful 4-axis robot that can palletize boxes, cartons, and bags quickly and efficiently, with over 1400 cycles per hour. Its kinematic structure has been optimized to enhance stability, and it can handle up to 320 kg of payload, which is an improvement over the previous model. This robot’s superior working range, with a maximum reach of 3,159 mm and a stacking height of over 2,600 mm, makes it ideal for various palletizing tasks.

Model	PL320
NUMBER OF AXES	4
PAYLOAD	320 kg
MAX. WORKING RANGE	3,159 mm
REPEATABILITY	0.05 mm
WEIGHT	1,680 kg
POWER SUPPLY	9.5 kVA
MOUNTING OPTIONS	Floor

5. PL500

The MOTOMAN PL500 is a versatile and powerful 4-axis robot that excels in palletizing and depalletizing applications, as well as other logistical tasks in end-of-line packaging and distribution center automation.

It boasts an impressive payload capacity of 500kg, enabling it to handle large objects such as stones, machine parts, complete layers of products, and even fully loaded pallets.

Model	PL500
NUMBER OF AXES	4
PAYLOAD	500 kg
MAX. WORKING RANGE	3,159 mm
REPEATABILITY	0.05 mm
WEIGHT	2,390 kg
POWER SUPPLY	8 kVA
MOUNTING OPTIONS	Floor

6. PL800

The MOTOMAN PL800, being the most powerful robot of the PL-series with a payload capacity of 800 kg, delivers remarkable performance in various end-of-line packaging and logistics applications for box, carton, and pack palletizing.

Thanks to its wide working range, which includes a maximum reach of 3159 mm and an attainable stacking height of over 2624 mm, the robot can be used for a wide range of palletizing tasks.

Model	PL800
NUMBER OF AXES	4
PAYLOAD	800 kg
MAX. WORKING RANGE	3,159 mm
REPEATABILITY	0.05 mm
WEIGHT	2,560 kg
POWER SUPPLY	8 kVA
MOUNTING OPTIONS	Floor

In this post, we reviewed the palletizing robot and discussed why we should entrust palletizing work to robots. We reviewed the features that should be considered for choosing a palletizing robot, and in the end, we examined the new models of Yaskawa’s specialized palletizing robots.

With intelligent investment, you can automate the palletizing section at the end of the production line or in the goods distribution section using robots. If you are looking for such an investment, the TS Group team is available to consult, provide robots, and install and support them. For an initial consultation, simply contact the number below.

+98 25 36 148

Is T.S.Group Yaskawa’s representative?

In fact, no company currently represents Yaskawa in Iran. Some companies misuse this title and introduce themselves as Yaskawa’s representative in Iran to attract customers’ attention. For more information, please read the article “Yaskawa’s representative in Iran”.

TS Group does not introduce itself as Yaskawa’s representative in Iran, but our relationship with Yaskawa is direct and we receive technical support directly from Yaskawa.