Our Palletizing Partnership
We partner with APT Manufacturing Solutions to deliver modular, pre-engineered robotic palletizing systems that are built for flexibility, throughput, and future adaptability.
APT’s cells are designed for quick deployment. In their standard configuration, they include a robotic arm and product-specific EOAT, allowing the cell to function out of the box for many common applications. For more complex needs, their solutions can also be bundled with safety rails, sensors, and infeed/outfeed conveyors.
Through APT’s palletizing configurator, we can rapidly draft the optimal cell layout tailored to your SKUs and line constraints. Because APT keeps a robust inventory of key components (robots, grippers, modular parts), lead times are often shorter than custom builds.
Our collaboration combines APT’s modular hardware with our integration and automation expertise—resulting in turnkey cells that deliver performance and can evolve with your manufacturing process.
What kind of packages can be palletized with a robot?
Robotic palletizers can handle a wide range of package types, making them suitable for nearly any industry that relies on secondary packaging or bulk handling. Common items include corrugated boxes, bags, pails, trays, and shrink-wrapped bundles.
Boxes and cases are the most straightforward, while bags, sacks, or irregular packages can be securely handled with specialized end-of-arm tooling.
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Even delicate or unevenly shaped items can be managed with the right gripper and vision setup. In short, if a product can be consistently picked and placed, it can likely be palletized by a robot, improving throughput, safety, and consistency across packaging lines.
What are the Benefits of Automated Palletizing?
Optimized Throughput
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Robots can run continuously without breaks, reducing downtime and keeping production flowing.
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Consistent cycle times support high-volume operations with fewer bottlenecks.
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Reduces rework caused by uneven stacks or human error.
Rapid Adaptability
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Software tools allow quick adjustment between SKUs without manual re-programming.
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EOAT designs can be swapped or adapted for different product sizes and shapes.
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Vision systems enable on-the-fly adjustments for mixed or variable pallets.
Free A Worker for Higher Value Work
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Reduces reliance on labor for repetitive, heavy lifting tasks.
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Allows workers to shift focus toward quality, maintenance, or line optimization.
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Lowers turnover risk by eliminating one of the least desirable warehouse/manufacturing jobs.
Safety and Ergonomics
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Eliminates repetitive lifting, bending, and twisting motions that cause strain injuries
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Reduces risk of accidents associated with stacking heavy or awkward loads.
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Supports compliance with workplace safety regulations and improves operator well-being.
Robotic Machine Tending Workflow and Integration
Automated Palletizing workflow:
Product infeed → Robot picks item → Place on pallet in programmed pattern → Pallet completed → Pallet discharged or wrapped → New pallet staged
Integration Notes:
For a robotic palletizing cell to operate smoothly, the robot must coordinate with upstream and downstream equipment to ensure continuous product flow and proper pallet handling. Depending on your application, the robot can communicate with:
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Infeed and outfeed conveyors
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Safety scanners and guarding
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Pallet dispensers and shuttle systems
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Wrapping or strapping equipment
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PLCs or plant control systems
The end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) is a critical factor. Vacuum, finger, or hybrid grippers must be chosen to reliably handle products of different sizes, shapes, and weights without causing damage.
Part Handling and Infeed/ Outfeed:
Just as important as picking products is managing pallets themselves. Solutions range from simple manual pallet loading and removal to fully automated pallet dispensers and transfer conveyors. For higher-volume operations, we can integrate pallet handling equipment to stage empty pallets, discharge full ones, and feed them into wrapping systems, keeping the line running with minimal operator intervention.
What are the Main Components of a Robotic Machine Tending Cell?
The main components of a screwdriving cell are the robot, the end of arm tooling, vision, and part feeders.
Types of Robots
Cobots for Automated Palletizing
Strengths: Easy to program, safe to deploy alongside operators, flexible for mixed-SKU palletizing, can operate in smaller footprints and tight spaces
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Tradeoffs: Lower payload capacity and slower cycle times compared to larger industrial palletizing robots; may require multiple cobots for high-volume lines
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Best suited for: Low-to-medium volume palletizing, mixed-product or changing SKUs, and applications where operators need to work near the robot or floor space is limited​​
Cobots - able to work along humans and good for low-to-medium palletizing with a small footprint.
Industrial Robots for Automated Palletizing
Strengths: High speed, high payload capacity, and durability for 24/7 operation. Can serve multiple machines or handle heavy/awkward parts efficiently.
Tradeoffs: Require more space and safety infrastructure (guarding, fencing, scanners). Less flexible for quick changeovers compared to cobots.
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Best suited for: High-volume, heavy-duty machine tending where speed, throughput, and consistency are critical, such as automotive, aerospace, and large metalworking operations.​​
Industrial robots - ideal for high-volume and heavy duty palletizing.
End of Arm Tooling
End-of-arm tooling (EOAT) is selected based on the type, size, and surface of the product being palletized. The most common options are vacuum grippers and clamping grippers.
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Vacuum grippers are widely used because they can handle a broad range of products—from boxes and cartons to bags—with simple, reliable operation. Clamping grippers, on the other hand, are ideal for products with uneven or porous surfaces where suction may not provide a secure hold.
Vision
While not required for every palletizing application, vision can greatly improve flexibility and accuracy—especially when handling varied products or packaging.
Common uses include:
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Product detection & orientation: Vision systems help identify the position and alignment of boxes or bags on the infeed conveyor, ensuring accurate picking even when products are misaligned or irregularly spaced.
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Mixed-SKU palletizing: When different product types share the same pallet, vision allows the robot to distinguish between SKUs and adjust stacking patterns accordingly.
Integration note: Vision systems communicate directly with the robot controller, allowing real-time correction of pick locations, pattern adjustments, and error detection for smoother, more reliable palletizing.
Vision is not required for all robotic palletizing, but when integrated it allows for palletizing of products with mixed SKUs or varying orientations.
Conveyors
Conveyors are an essential component of a robotic palletizing cell, providing a steady flow of products to the robot and transporting completed pallets away from the cell. They can be customized to feed single SKUs, multiple product types, or even irregularly spaced items, ensuring the robot can pick efficiently. Properly integrated conveyors help maintain smooth operation, reduce bottlenecks, and enable higher throughput, while also supporting optional features like pallet staging or in-line inspection.
