What are the Pros and Cons of Modular, Compact and Cobot Palletisers?

Understanding the differences between modular, compact, and cobot palletisers is essential to enable you to select the right system for your specific needs. Here’s a brief summary of each type of palletiser system and their pros and cons:

Modular Palletisers

https://www.granta-automation.co.uk/types-of-automation/robotic-palletising

Key Features:

• Structure: Composed of multiple interchangeable modules, which can be configured and reconfigured to suit different layouts and applications.
• Flexibility: Highly adaptable to changing production needs or product types.
• Scalability: Can be easily expanded or modified to accommodate increased production capacity or new product lines. Allowing you to future proof your investment.
• Ease of Use: Available with easy programming software that is designed for easy programming and operation by operators without extensive technical expertise.

Best For:

• Operations that require high flexibility and scalability.
• Industries with frequent changes in product types or packaging configurations.
• Businesses planning for future growth and needing the ability to upgrade their palletising system.
• High speed and/or heavy product requirements.

Pros:

• Customisable to specific needs.
• Scalable and upgradable.
• Can handle a wide variety of products.
• Quick to install and reconfigure due to the modularity of the system.

Cons:

• Sometimes requires more floor space.
• You can’t easily get pallet truck take off combined with automatic pallet feed.

Compact Palletisers

https://www.granta-automation.co.uk/types-of-automation/compact-palletiser

Key Features:

• Structure: Designed to occupy minimal floor space whilst utilising an industrial robot. All necessary components integrated within the small footprint. This system also has automatic pallet feed through it, with low level pallet truck take off.
• Application: Typically used in space-constrained environments. Or where pallet truck take of is required.
• Integration: Incorporates all functions, such as infeed conveyors and pallet handling, into a single compact unit.
• Ease of Use: Available with easy programming software that is designed for easy programming and operation by operators without extensive technical expertise.

Best For:

• Facilities with limited floor space.
• Industries with frequent changes in product types or packaging configurations.
• Applications where pallet truck take off is required in combination with high production speeds.
• High speed and/or heavy product requirements.

Pros:

• Space-saving design.
• Typically lower cost than larger, more complex systems.
• Quick to install.

Cons:

• Less flexible and scalable in the future compared to modular systems.

Cobot Palletisers

https://www.granta-automation.co.uk/types-of-automation/cobot-palletiser

Key features:

• Structure: Utilises collaborative robots (cobots) designed to work alongside human operators without the need for extensive safety guarding.
• Flexibility: Highly adaptable and programmable for different palletising tasks.
• Ease of Use: Designed for easy programming and operation, even by operators without extensive technical expertise.

Best For:

• Operations where human-robot collaboration can enhance productivity.
• Applications requiring frequent changeovers and varied product types.
• Application where space is limited.

Pros:

• Safe to operate alongside humans.
• Flexible and easily reprogrammable.
• Lower upfront cost compared to larger automated systems.

Cons:

• Some systems can be slower than the larger palletising systems.
• Limited payload capacity compared to traditional industrial robots.

The choice between modular, compact, and cobot palletisers depends on your specific operational needs:

• Modular Palletisers: Choose for high-speed production, and future flexibility and scalability.
• Compact Palletisers: Choose for high-speed production, space efficiency and pallet truck take off.
• Cobot Palletisers: Choose for collaborative work environments, low cost and space efficiency.

The best type of palletising system for your application will depend on your production volume, space availability, and the need for flexibility.  If you are unsure which type of system would be best suited to your application, we would be more than happy to advise.  Simply contact us on 01223 499488 or contact us at helpline@granta-automation.co.uk.  We will be very happy to help.