Comparing articulated robots and gantry Robots
Palletizing plastic rolls onto pallets is often not ergonomically feasible due to the considerable weight of the rolls. This process can be automated using different types of robots.
This case study focuses on the challenges and solutions involved in palletizing plastic rolls from three production lines, using both traditional articulated robots and gantry robots.
Background on palletizing plastic rolls
When the supply speed of production lines is low, a single robot can often palletize products from multiple lines simultaneously onto individual pallets.
However, using traditional articulated robots presents certain limitations, particularly in terms of reach. Articulated robots have a circular working range and must be floor-mounted, which restricts their reach and occupies valuable factory floor space. Unless mounted on a rail system, their reach remains limited, making them less suitable for palletizing products from multiple lines.
Plastic roll palletising: articulated arm robots versus gantry robots
A gantry robot palletiser does not have these disadvantages. Indeed, by making the portal frame longer, the working range of a gantry robot can be increased. Moreover, all moving parts are located above the robot’s working range, allowing compact solutions that take up little factory space.Plastic roll palletising: articulated arm robots versus gantry robots
Implementation of the portal robot
A manufacturer of plastic rolls made from recycled material was aware of the benefits of gantry robots and so deployed a Spider gantry robot to automate the palletising process of its three production lines. Coils are fed horizontally on three individual supply lines. The robot picks up the spools in the core. However, before the coils were picked up, they were rotated by the robot gripper until they were in the right direction to be stacked.Implementation of the gantry robot
Challenges in palletising plastic rolls for traditional robots
A solution with traditional articulated arm robots was not possible due to the robot’s limited reach. This required the use of two robots, making the investment unviable. The gantry robot offered a cost-effective and efficient solution to this challenge.Challenges in palletising plastic rolls for traditional robots
Conclusion
This case study illustrates the benefits of deploying gantry robots when palletising multiple production lines on individual pallets. Due to the increased working range and compactness of the setup, gantry robots offer a more effective and space-saving solution compared to traditional articulated arm robots. By deploying a Spider gantry robot, the plastic roll manufacturer was not only able to automate the palletising process, but also save costs and increase the efficiency of its production lines.