Innovative Options in End of Arm Tooling for Robotic Palletizing

Depending on the task or desired output, there are many innovative options in End of Arm Tooling for robotic palletizing. From adjustable gripper sizes or various sized grippers, to specialized End of Arm Tools (EOATs) that perform additional duties within the palletizing system, our team is providing cutting-edge technology and a wide array of bag palletizing solutions.

In recent months, nVenia’s HAMER Brand developed a robotic palletizing system for a dairy company that produces a bagged dry milk product.

This system utilizes a very unique EOAT that is equipped to handle three separate functions within the palletizing process.

Initially, special arms expand out to pick up a pallet from the staging area and carry it to the palletizing cell. Next, the EOAT activates 4 vacuum cups that pick up one slip sheet and position it on top of the pallet. Lastly, the tool gripper begins to pick up bags from the conveyor system and build the pallet configuration. This multi-function tool is not only cost saving - as it eliminates the need to purchase a separate pallet or slip sheet dispenser - but it also is a solution for customers with limited space capacity in their plant.

In order to meet the customers’ bag per minute customer goals, our engineers also specify the use of smaller EOATs that still meet bag weight requirements. This lighter gripper option allows the robot arm to pick, transfer and place the bag at a faster rate. Depending on the bag size and weight, this may be an option to maximize bag per minute rates.

Another area of innovation is in vacuum technology. EOATs that utilize vacuum placement can palletize single containers or even complete pallet layers. In efficient bag palletizing operations, conveyors can guide and position several bags together which then are picked up together by the vacuum plate EOAT and delivered to the pallet in one unit, thus greatly increasing the system throughput.