Ease-of-Use, Programming are Table Stakes for Palletizing Robots

Says PMMI, “Advances in vision and machine learning have made robots even more valuable at the end of the line, enabling more efficient pallet stacking that does not require extensive reprogramming to change product type or configuration.”

One example of this ease of use is a new robotic palletizing cell from Iris Factory Automation that is said to meet the need for user-friendly robotic cells that don’t require dedicated engineers to operate. The RPZ-MAX, equipped with Kawasaki Robotics’ R series general-purpose robots, is a small-footprint, point-of-use palletizer with one or two pallet stations. Built to handle heavier payloads of 30 to 80 kg and rates to 12 cycles/min (RPZ-50) while still maintaining a simple-to-use interface, RPZ-MAX cells are said to provide high output with the flexibility required for high-mix, low-volume production.

The RPZ-MAX, equipped with Kawasaki Robotics R series general-purpose robots, is a small-footprint, point-of-use palletizer with one or two pallet stations.Says the company, the system’s easy-to-operate software makes it possible for practically anyone to operate RPZ-MAX cells. The intuitive kiosk replicates the look and feel of a modern smartphone or tablet and eliminates the need for complex programming by the user. An integrated palletizing wizard allows operators to build custom pallet patterns in a drag-and-drop format, which Iris says increases productivity and decreases reliance on external programming assistance.

“As clients move away from manual labor to something that’s more automated in terms of palletizing, we want to break down the barrier between the fear factor of putting robots on the factory floor,” says Rob Fell, Iris Factory Automation President. “We want them to take ownership of the equipment because once that happens, they’re going to fully embrace it and feel comfortable using it.” 

Read Part I of Packaging World’s 2022 Robot Report.