Palletizing robots, as indispensable automated equipment in modern industrial production, require careful selection. This article will delve into the key considerations and practical tips for selecting palletizing robots, providing comprehensive guidance for companies when making such decisions.
I. Working Environment and Load Requirements
1. Considerations of the Working Environment
- Factors such as the size and layout of the workshop, as well as environmental temperature and humidity, all affect the selection of palletizing robots. For example, in workshops with limited space, it is necessary to choose compact and flexible robots ； In environments with high temperatures and high humidity, robots with excellent protective capabilities should be selected. - The flatness of the ground and its load-bearing capacity cannot be overlooked either. Uneven surfaces can affect the stability of robots, while surfaces with low load-bearing capacity require the use of lighter robots. 2. Determination of load requirements - Different production tasks have varying requirements for the load capacity of palletizing robots. Companies should determine the load capacity of robots based on the actual weight of the items being stacked. Generally speaking, the more substantial the load-carrying capacity of a robot, the higher its price. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a robot with a moderate load-carrying capacity whenever possible, in order to reduce costs while still meeting the required needs. – We also need to consider the position of the center of gravity of the load. If the center of gravity of the stacked items is unstable, it may cause the robot to tilt or become unsteady during operation. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a robot with good center of gravity adjustment capabilities. II. Motion Performance and Precision 1. Motion Speed and Acceleration - The motion speed and acceleration of stacker robots directly affect production efficiency. Under the premise of meeting the production rhythm, it is advisable to choose robots with higher movement speeds and greater accelerations in order to improve production efficiency. - Excessively high movement speeds can also lead to a decrease in the motion accuracy of the robot; therefore, a balance between movement speed and accuracy is necessary. In general, for high-speed palletizing tasks, robots with high-speed motion capabilities can be selected ； For high-precision palletizing tasks, it is necessary to select robots that possess high-precision motion control capabilities. 2. Motion Trajectory and Precision Control - The motion trajectory of the palletizing robot must be capable of meeting the requirements for arranging the palletized items. During the selection process, it is necessary to choose a robot with the corresponding motion trajectory planning function based on the actual palletizing process requirements. - Precision control is one of the important criteria when selecting a palletizing robot. The higher the repeat positioning accuracy of the robot, the greater the stacking accuracy will be. Enterprises should select robots with corresponding precision control capabilities based on the actual requirements for stacking accuracy. In general, for high-precision palletizing tasks, it is necessary to select robots with a repeat positioning accuracy of less than 0.1mm. III. Control System and Programming Methods 1. Selection of Control System - The control system of a palletizing robot is its core component, directly affecting the robot’s operational stability and control precision. Currently, the common control systems for palletizing robots on the market include PLC control systems and industrial computer control systems. - PLC control systems offer advantages such as high reliability and simple programming, making them suitable for simple palletizing tasks ； Industrial computer control systems offer advantages such as fast processing speeds and powerful functionality, making them suitable for complex palletizing tasks. Enterprises should select an appropriate control system based on their actual production needs and the characteristics of that control system. 2. Considerations regarding programming methods - The programming method for stacker robots directly affects programming efficiency and the flexibility of the robots. Currently, the common methods for programming palletizing robots include teach programming and offline programming. - Teaching programming involves manually operating the robot to record the stacking actions, and then having the robot repeat these recorded actions for stacking. Teach-pacing programming is simple and intuitive, but it is less efficient for programming purposes. It is suitable for simple palletizing tasks. - Offline programming involves using computer software to simulate the robot’s motion trajectories and actions, and then downloading the programmed results to the robot controller. Offline programming offers high efficiency and precision, making it suitable for complex palletizing tasks. Enterprises should choose the appropriate programming method based on the actual programming requirements and the technical skills of the programmers. IV. Brand and After-sales Service 1. Brand Selection - Choosing a well-known brand for palletizing robots ensures the quality of the product as well as excellent after-sales service. Robots from well-known brands generally possess higher reliability and stability, enabling them to meet the long-term production needs of enterprises. – Robots from well-known brands also offer more comprehensive after-sales support, enabling timely technical assistance and maintenance services to businesses, thereby reducing their operating costs. 2. The Importance of After-sales Service - Stacking robots are bound to experience malfunctions during operation, hence the quality of after-sales service directly affects a company’s production efficiency. When selecting palletizing robots, companies should choose brands and suppliers that have a comprehensive after-sales service system. - The after-sales service system should include pre-sales consultation, in-sales service, and after-sales service among other aspects. Pre-sales consultation should be able to provide companies with detailed product information and selection recommendations ； During the sales process, after-sales services should be able to provide companies with timely assistance in equipment installation, commissioning, and training ； After-sales service should be able to provide companies with timely services such as equipment repair, maintenance, and upgrades. In summary, the selection of a palletizing robot requires a comprehensive consideration of factors such as the working environment and load requirements, motion performance and precision, control system and programming methods, as well as brand and after-sales service. When selecting palletizing robots, companies should choose the appropriate model and brand based on their actual production needs and budget in order to improve production efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. Companies should also pay attention to after-sales service for robots, selecting suppliers with comprehensive after-sales support systems to ensure the proper operation of the robots and the long-term development of the business.