Project Objectives / Requirements:

Setting The Scene

Our Nottinghamshire based customer is a leading global provider of supply chain solutions, including a large range of pallets and storage equipment. Managing the supply and return of huge quantities of pallets each year, they were looking for an automated pallet processing line to apply self-adhesive serialisation tags to all four corners of each pallet for identification and traceability. The pallets were stored in stacks of 20 pallets per stack, and these needed to be handled carefully throughout the process to avoid any damage.

” L-A-C Delivers Bespoke Automated Solution for Global Supply Chain Leader in Nottinghamshire.”

20 Pallets Per Stack

6 SECOND CYCLE TIME

400 PALLETS PER HOUR

350 DAYS PER YEAR

Meeting the High Throughput Requirement

The Challenge

This type of automation solution was not a standard installation and would require an entirely bespoke design. L-A-C had previously worked on single stacks of pallets however the customer needed the solution to handle two or three stacks of pallets at one time to ensure efficiency levels were maintained.

The solution also needed to be extremely robust as their throughput requirement was for an estimated 400 pallets an hour, which would run for 350 days per year across 3 shifts per day, 5 days a week.

Additionally the planned site for the automated solution was to be located within a temporary building, the floor of which would need levelling to ensure the machinery would be able to operate seamlessly.

Streamlining the Pallet Serialisation Process

The Solution

The L-A-C team of experts devised a fully automated solution that combined an in-feed de-stacker, a pallet conveyor, QR code labelling machines, and a second stacker unit to re-stack the pallets in their original format.

The de-stacker unit is capable of managing two or three stacks of pallets at one time and uses a bespoke mechanism to remove each individual pallet from the full stack, which then travels along the automated pallet conveyor line to four labelling machines which apply a self-adhesive QR code in each corner. The pallet then continues along the conveyor to the second unit to be re-stacked with the remaining pallets returning to full height stacks with 20 pallets in each stack. Once the stacks are complete, they are ready to be moved via forklift trucks out to the storage area.

The L-A-C solution was fully integrated by the team, through design, manufacture, testing and installation on site. The bespoke design uses a heavy duty chain transfer within the stackers and is the heaviest design to date. The units at each end of the automated solution are extremely robust with four solid steelwork walls, and weigh over 2000kg each.

Breaking Boundaries: L-A-C Creates Robust Pallet Processing Line Handling Three Stacks Simultaneously

Bespoke Pallet Automation Solution Boosts Efficiency

The Benefits

The L-A-C design has provided our customer with a fully automated, robust solution that will help them to maintain high levels of throughput for accurate label application, vital for both operational efficiency and customer service.

20 Pallets Per Stack

6 SECOND CYCLE TIME

400 PALLETS PER HOUR

350 DAYS PER YEAR

Ask About Our Pallet Handling Solutions

Dedicated Customer Teams & Specialist Services

Our extensive design office has generations of knowledge in providing innovative material handling systems. From our sales engineers, to our fabricators and installation crews, we have a team who cares about your projects as much as you do!

Please contact us to see how we can help increase your productivity.

Project Objectives / Requirements:

Meeting the High Throughput Requirement

Streamlining the Pallet Serialisation Process

Bespoke Pallet Automation Solution Boosts Efficiency

Dedicated Customer Teams & Specialist Services

FULLY AUTOMATED

Download the Pallet Handling Case Study