Palletising & De-Palletising

Palletizing Machines

Packaging machines that form pallet loads or loading units e.g. dollies of groups of packages or rigid containers.

Low Level Palletizing Machine

Palletiser which forms a layer of packages at one level, usually at low level, which is then transferred by clamping and then pushing the layer onto a stripper plate. Once loaded the stripper plate is raised or lowered to the appropriate level before the stripper plate is moved over the pallet. The layer is than transferred onto the pallet by holding the layer clamps in position while the stripper plate is withdrawn. The pallet remains at the same level while the load is being formed. Low level palletisers are suitable for palletizing all types of group packages and some individual packs to form retail-ready packs and have the advantage that most mechanisms are accessible from floor level. However these palletisers take up more floor area than other designs of palletiser.

Low Level Lift-Off Palletiser

Low level palletiser which transfers the layer of products from the forming position to the pallet by gripping them lifting them and then lowering them onto the pallet.

This type of palletiser is used for forming pallets of empty bottles where bottles are typically gripped using pneumatic devices; for palletizing empty steel cans where a magnetic head is used to lift the cans and for palletizing crates and kegs which are lifted using an arrangement of retractable hooks.

High Level Palletising Machine

Palletiser that forms layers of packages at one level, usually high level and transfers them onto a pallet which is raised or lowered as the load is formed.

High level palletisers are suitable for palletizing all types of group packages at medium and high speeds and have the advantage that because the layers are formed above the pallet conveyors that they take up less floor area than other palletisers with a similar output.

High Level Lift Off Palletiser

High level palletiser that transfers the load by gripping and lifting the layer.

This type of palletiser is used for forming pallets of empty bottles where bottles are typically gripped using pneumatic devices and for palletizing empty steel cans where a magnetic head is used to lift the cans. The same basic technique is also used for palletizing crates and kegs which are lifted using an arrangement of hooks.

Multi-Position Palletiser

Palletiser in which several pallets of different products are formed at the same time. In some designs layers of packages are formed in one position and then transferred to the appropriate pallet stack, while in others layers of products are formed in several positions. In some designs the pallets remain in one position while they are being formed while in others the pallets are moved to and then away from the layer loading position.

Multi-position palletisers are suitable for palletizing all types of group packages and are used to palletise products from several relatively slow production lines.

Robot Palletiser

Palletiser, frequently based on a multi-axis industrial robot, which can be programmed in a number of ways to form a pallet load. The packages may be moved individually, in rows or complete layers while the pallet remains in one position. Robot palletisers will typically be similar in layout to a low-level palletiser but can also be in the form of a multi-position palletiser. Robot palletisers are suitable for low and medium speed applications.

Column Palletiser

Palletiser that creates stacks of packages which are then transferred to pallets as a group. These machines are typically only used for handling crates.

Gantry palletiser

Palletiser that comprises a gantry supporting a pick and place device which can be programmed in a number of ways to form a pallet load. The group packages may be moved individually, in rows or complete layers while the pallet remains in one position. Gantry palletisers will typically be similar in layout to a low-level palletiser but can also be in the form of a multi-position palletiser. Gantry palletisers are suitable for low and medium speed applications.

Sack palletiser

Palletiser specifically adapted to palletise sacks, which may work using the low-level, high-level, low-level lift-off, robot or gantry principles.

Low Level Depalletising Machine

Packaging machine in which a layer of packages is gripped and swept from the pallet onto a stripper plate. Once loaded with a layer the stripper plate moves to the level of a receiving table where the layer is deposited. The pallet remains in one position while the load is dismantled.

This type of depalletiser is used for dismantling pallets of empty bottles or cans.

Low Level Lift Off Depalletiser

Low level palletiser that removes layers of packages by gripping and lifting them off the pallet.

This type of depalletiser is used for dismantling pallets of empty bottles where bottles are typically gripped using pneumatic devices; for depalletizing empty steel cans where a magnetic head is used to lift the cans and for depalletizing crates and kegs which are lifted using an arrangement of retractable hooks.

High Level Depalletising Machine

Packaging machine in which a layer of packages is gripped and moved from the pallet onto a receiving table, usually positioned at a high level. The height of the pallet is raised as the load is dismantled.

High Level Lift Off Palletiser

High level palletiser that removes layers of packages by gripping and lifting them off the pallet.

This type of depalletiser is used for dismantling pallets of empty bottles where bottles are typically gripped using pneumatic devices; for depalletizing empty steel cans where a magnetic head is used to lift the cans and for depalletizing crates and kegs which are lifted using an arrangement of retractable hooks.

Robot Depalletiser

Depalletiser, frequently based on a multi-axis industrial robot, that may be programmed in a number of ways to dismantle a pallet load. The group packages may be moved individually, in rows or complete layers while the pallet remains in one position. Robot depalletisers are suitable for low and medium speed applications.

Column Depalletiser

Depalletiser that removes stacks or groups of stacks from a pallet and then dismantles the stacks. These machines are typically only used for handling crates.

Vertical Pallet Strapping Machine

Packaging machine which applies a strap, usually made from plastic or metal, vertically around the pallet load and secures it by passing the strap under or through the pallet. Machines will typically convey the pallet load through the machine using a pallet conveyor which can stop the load to allow straps in two or more positions. On some machines the pallet load is turned through 90° to allow straps to be applied in two directions.

Horizontal Pallet Strapping Machine

Packaging machine that applies a strap, usually made from plastic or metal, horizontally around a pallet load. The strapping head can move vertically around the pallet load to allow straps to be applied at different levels around the load.

Pallet Compression Strapping Machine

Packaging machine that compresses a palletised load before applying a series of straps to secure it. These machines are used to secure pallets of flat corrugated board cases.

Rotating Pallet Stretch Wrapper

Packaging machine that wraps a load in thermoplastic film or a net, stretched in a spiral pattern around the load from a reel, while the pallet and load are rotated on a turntable. This method of stretch-wrapping is suitable for low and medium speed applications.

Robot Pallet Stretch Wrapper

A self-propelled packaging machine that can be programmed to apply stretch film to a pallet load by travelling around the pallet. The robot usually resembles a small wheeled vehicle and uses sensors to guide it around the pallet. This method of stretch-wrapping is suitable for low speed applications.

Fixed Pallet Stretch Wrapper

Packaging machine that wraps a pallet load in thermoplastic film or a net, applied in a spiral pattern from a reel which is mounted on a column which is rotated around the stationary pallet. This method of stretch-wrapping is suitable for fragile pallet loads and for medium and high speed applications.

Two Reel Pallet Stretch Wrapper

Packaging machine that wraps a pallet load in thermoplastic film or a net, applied in a spiral pattern from two reels which are mounted on columns which rotate around a stationary pallet. This method of stretch-wrapping is suitable for high speed applications.

Stretch Hood Applicator

Packaging machine that wraps a pallet load in thermoplastic film which is supplied as a reel of lay flat tubing. A length of film is sealed at one end and then opened, stretched and placed over the load. This method of stretch-wrapping is suitable for fragile products.

Shrink Hood Applicator

Packaging machine that wraps a pallet load in thermoplastic film, which is supplied as a reel of lay flat tubular film. A length of film is sealed at one end and then opened and placed loosely over the pallet load. The pallet is then passed through a shrink tunnel or oven which applies heat to the hood which shrinks onto the pallet and load. This method of pallet wrapping is used for products like bricks which need to be wrapped in printed film.

Pallet Shrink Oven

Equipment resembling a box that shrinks thermoplastic film around a pallet in a batch process. Suitable for low speed applications.

Pallet Shrink Tunnel

Machine comprising a conveyor and a tunnel that shrinks thermoplastic film around a pallet as it passes through the heated tunnel. Suitable for medium and high speed applications.

Pallet Shrink Frame

Packaging machine which shrinks thermoplastic film around a pallet load by moving a heated frame over the surface of the film. This is a lower cost alternative to a shrink oven or shrink tunnel.

Empty Pallet Magazine

Machine that dispenses empty pallets from a stack or accepts single empty pallets to place on a stack.

Pallet Stacker/Unstacker

Machine which stacks or unstacks loaded pallets.

Pallet Changer

Sometimes called a pallet inverter this machine removes a pallet load from one pallet so that it can be placed on another usually by rotating the pallet load through 180°. These machines are used to transfer packages on or off plastic or metal pallets or from one type of wooden pallet e.g. CHEP onto another type of wooden pallet e.g. disposable.

Layer Pad Inserter/Remover

Attachment typically integrated with a palletiser to place pads between layers of products as the load is formed to provide protection to the layer above or below. The same machine can be integrated with a depalletiser to remove layer pads and restack them as the load is dismantled.

Top Sheet Dispenser

Attachment integrated with a pallet stretch-wrapper which places a sheet of thermoplastic film on top of a pallet load before stretch wrapping commences so that the load is completely covered with plastic film.