F
M
AUTOMATED PALLETISING FOR THE MILLING INDUSTRY by Granta Automation, UK
any people underestimate the benefits of automated palletising. This article gives you some information on the hidden benefits of this process and what to consider when buying an automated palletising system. Traditionally, palletising of bags and sacks was done by hand. However, this has many drawbacks including production downtime due to staff breaks, and the high risk of repetitive strain injuries occurring. The subsequent implications of staff having to be off work for long periods of time due to repetitive strain injuries and the cost of any resulting claims can quickly add up. Palletising by hand can also limit throughput capacity and become a bottleneck in your production process.
The hidden winner
Most companies can justify automated palletising on labour savings alone, but they are usually surprised by the hidden winner that brings significantly more benefit. The hidden winner is this: simply installing a palletiser typically increases production throughput of the whole production line by a minimum of 140 percent! You may have dedicated workers that are stacking pallets at a good speed, but however dedicated they are there is nearly always production time lost on the following: • Moving pallets out to the storage area • Wrapping pallets • Completing paperwork • Taking breaks • Stopping to communicate • Operators palletising slower than the production line can actually run 82 | October 2020 - Milling and Grain
This may not sound like much time, but when you add it up it is a lot more than most may realise.
Where do I start?
There are many different automated palletising systems available on the market, so we have put together a few key points that you should consider before investing. This will ensure that, when you do make your investment, the solution will be able to meet your current needs as well as being flexible enough to cope with any future changes in your requirements.
Futureproof throughput capacity
What throughput do you need to achieve currently? What throughput are you looking to achieve in the future? Not only do you need to be sure that the system can meet your current throughput requirements, but it is also important to ensure that it has the necessary capacity to enable you to expand your sales and increase your throughput in the future. The last thing you want is to increase your sales only to find your palletiser has become a bottleneck in your production process! Spend time to think about where your business is heading in the future and ensure you invest in a system that will meet your future demands or is easily scalable to meet them.
Stack neatness
Neatly stacked pallets are key to your product reaching its final destination in the best condition. They also make for safer storage, and easier container and lorry loading. With several different methods of automated pallet stacking available, it is important that you choose a method that creates the best stack for your product. There are many factors that affect how your bags will stack best such as how full the bag is, what type of product is in the bag, and how free flowing the material is within the bag. Several systems are available for shaping and flattening bags to ensure that they stack in the neatest possible way. Running a trial