Glossary · Packaging and intralogistics
Palletizer
Also known as: Palletizing machine, Robotic palletizer
German: Palettierer
In packaging and intralogistics, a palletizer is a machine that stacks cases, bags or other packages onto a pallet in a defined layer pattern to form a stable unit load.
- Intralogistics
In one sentence
A palletizer stacks cases, bags or other packages onto pallets in defined layer patterns to form stable unit loads.
Example
A robotic palletizer builds two pallets in parallel from cases arriving on one line, following the customer's layer pattern.
How it applies
- Engineering: Conventional (layer) palletizers form layers on a table and lower them onto the pallet; robotic palletizers place each case with a gripper. Pallet patterns are stored as recipes.
- Safety: Pallet exchange is a frequent task that brings people close to the machine. Light curtains with muting or other presence-sensing devices often separate the pallet exit from the operator area, and EN 415-4 covers palletizers and depalletizers.
- Operation: Load stability depends on pattern, case quality and stretch wrapping afterward. Pattern changes should be tested before production.
- Documentation: Document patterns with figures and IDs matching the recipe names on the HMI, the pallet and slip-sheet specifications and the procedure for entering the cell safely.
Palletizer vs. depalletizer
A palletizer builds unit loads at the end of a line; a Depalletizer breaks them down at the start of a line.