There are many factors to consider when choosing the right palletizing equipment for your business. Do you want a conventional palletizer, or an automated palletizing cell? What are the benefits of automation? In this article, we will compare and contrast conventional and automated palletizing methods, and help you decide which is right for your business.
Conventional Palletizing Equipment:
Are your team members running around pallets with rolls of shrink wrap? Are they case-by-case erecting pallets on the floor? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then it might be time to consider an upgrade to a conventional palletizer. Conventional palletizers can automate both of these tasks, and many others besides.
A conventional palletizer is a machine that is used to build pallets automatically. They are usually composed of three main components: an infeed conveyor, a palletizing head, and an outfeed conveyor. The infeed conveyor brings product to the palletizing head, which then stacks the product onto a pallet. The outfeed conveyor then takes the completed pallet away.
There are many benefits to using a conventional palletizer. One benefit is increased safety for your team members. If your team members are manually stacking pallets, they are at risk of injury from lifting heavy objects or being hit by falling boxes or product. With a conventional palletizer, these risks are eliminated because the machine does all of the work.
Palletizing Cells:
A palletizing cell differs from a conventional palletizer in that it is a complete, self-contained system. A palletizing cell includes everything you need to palletize your product, from the infeed conveyor to the outfeed conveyor. Palletizing cells are also typically much smaller than conventional palletizers, which makes them ideal for businesses with limited space. The average palletizing cell takes up about 30 square feet of floor space.
Another benefit of palletizing cells is that they are much faster than conventional palletizers. Palletizing cells can typically palletize product at a rate of up to 25 cases per minute. This is a significant increase over the average rate of a conventional palletizer, which is about eight cases per minute.
Another benefit of using a palletizing cell is increased flexibility. Because palletizing cells are self-contained, they can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changes in your product mix. This means that you can change the types of products you are palletizing without having to purchase new equipment.
Choosing the Right Palletizing Equipment for your Business
So, which type of palletizing equipment is right for your business? The answer depends on a number of factors, including the size of your business, the types of products you need to palletize, and your budget. If you have limited space and need to palletize a wide variety of products quickly and efficiently, then a palletizing cell might be the right choice for you. If you have more space and want a machine that can grow with your business, then a conventional palletizer might be a better option.
If you are still not sure which type of palletizing equipment is right for your business, contact us today. Our team of experts can help you find the perfect solution for your needs.