By
Sara Pearson Specter
March 17, 2014
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Utilizing flexible gripper fork technology to manipulate four to six mixed cases simultaneously, and accurately stack them on a pallet, is the Mixed Case Row Palletizing (MXRP) robot-based palletizer from Grenzebach (Booth 7913).
The gripper works with a load station that groups the cases in the proper sequence. It then elevates the products, allowing the forks to gently lift the packages from the bottom, explained Brian Keiger, general industry sales manager.
“The forks can be adjusted both horizontally and vertically, letting the device handle various package types, including open top cases,” he said.
The gripper works with software that builds the pallet load ahead of time. The software knows what SKUs are required, in what order they will be palletized, and their individual weight, height and stacking rules.
Because the forks move independently, the system can build uneven layer profiles. Since it moves entire rows at a time, instead of single cases, the palletizing cell can handle up to 1,400 cases per hour, depending on the order lines and products, Keiger continued.
“This throughput is achieved with only one robot, instead of two robots required by conventional palletizing cells to achieve 1,000 cases per hour rates,” he said.
Modex 2014 is scheduled to be held March 17-20, 2014 in Atlanta’s Georgia World Conference Center. The tradeshow will showcase the latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the material handling and logistics industry. Modern’s complete Modex coverage.
Sara Pearson Specter has written articles and supplements for Modern Materials Handling and Material Handling Product News as an Editor at Large since 2001. Specter has worked in the fields of graphic design, advertising, marketing, and public relations for nearly 20 years, with a special emphasis on helping business-to-business industrial and manufacturing companies. She owns her own marketing communications firm, Sara Specter, Marketing Mercenary LLC. Clients include companies in a diverse range of fields, including materials handing equipment, systems and packaging, professional and financial services, regional economic development and higher education. Specter graduated from Centre College in Danville, Ky. with a bachelor’s degree in French and history. She lives in Oregon’s Willamette Valley where she and her husband are in the process of establishing a vineyard and winery.
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