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ABB’s first of its kind Robotic Depalletizer to solve unstructured scenarios in logistics applications.
FREMONT, CA: ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation recently launched its ABB Robotic Depalletizer system with ABB proprietary machine vision and software to enable the handling of complex depalletizing tasks in logistics, e-commerce, retail, consumer packaged goods and healthcare applications. Using pre-integrated software and vision technology, the depalletizing robot can assess a wide variety of pallets, boxes or pattern types and determine how to pick them up fast and accurately.
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What is a Robotic Depalletizing System?
The process of unloading pallets for incoming materials also called depalletizing, is a great domain process which can be effortlessly automated with robots. Robotic depalletizing systems can be designed to handle virtually any pallet configuration, product mix, or packaging type – eliminating the ergonomic, safety, and labour availability issues that come with manual unloading processes.
Depending on the size, weight, throughput, and physical characteristics of the product being handled, the optimal depalletizing solution for your operations will be recommended, giving you a fast and effective robotic system that provides impressive reliability with minimal maintenance.
How Does Depalletizing Work?
In a fully automated depalletizing setup, pallets are delivered to the robotic depalletizer, either by human operators or a pallet conveyor. The pallet is scanned and the product information is sent to the warehouse software system to keep track of inventory down to the individual item. The robot unloads the pallets either by full layers of cases, rows of cases, or case by case, depending on the system design and the EoAT (end of arm tool). Items are then placed on an outfeed conveyor, sorter, or speciality equipment like a descrambler that singulars and orientates the items for downstream processes like storage, further processing, or outbound order fulfilment.
Mixed Product Handling
Mixed product handling is a method of depalletizing that automates the unloading of assorted products from a single pallet. Mixed pallets maximise pallet density, allowing for diverse, demand-driven pallets ideal for e-commerce, food and beverage, and distribution operations. These loads sometimes referred to as a “rainbow pallet,” can be composed of homogeneous layers of any single product or mixed products within a layer.
Use Cases
PickOne is the fastest 3D and AI-powered vision software in the market, developed alongside robot industry leaders. Depalletizing mixed pallets can be challenging but using Plus One Robotics PickOne Software solutions offer the best and fastest robotic mixed pallet depalletizing option available. Vision analyses the mixed pallet and starts locating and picking cases, bags, or trays and places them on an outgoing conveyor (or another location). This process of analysing the pallet with vision and picking continues until the pallet is empty.
Oftentimes the product edges are harder to find. This issue is instantly sent via a call to an on or off-site operator that can outline and direct the robot without moving from their computer screen. Motion Controls Robotics can help businesses get this type of system set up for incoming pallets at any warehouse.
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