ALCA Technologies: Standardizing Cobot Palletizing in Weeks

There is no doubt that palletizing is one of the most obvious applications for cobots. It’s heavy. It’s dull. It’s repetitive and usually a job that is very hard to recruit for. In other words – cobot palletizing represents a great opportunity for system integrators and automation companies.

In this case story, we would like to share the story of how ALCA Technologies S.r.l developed a standardized cobot palletizing solution in just a few weeks. They achieved this by choosing Pally as their software and creating a solution from off-the-shelf hardware that works seamlessly together because of Pally.

In 2022, ALCA Technologies S.r.l successfully installed 4 cobot palletizers. However, they encountered several challenges that they wanted to overcome for a standardized solution. This included:

• The time-consuming task of programming all of the patterns requested by customers.
• The difficulty for customers to gain full control of the robot, even after days of training.
• The significant amount of time spent reaching the required CPM.

So, let’s look at how they started a collaboration with Rocketfarm at the beginning of May and rapidly presented a fully functional Universal Robots Palletizing Solution at the SpS Trade Show by the end of the same month.

Showcasing in weeks with the help of Pally

Alca Technologies had a challenging task before them as they had to showcase their palletizing solution at the upcoming SpS trade show within a few weeks. Using Pally as their software made the calibration process easy and allowed for compatibility with various hardware brands.

With the help of Pally, Alca Technologies was able to successfully showcase their ALCA Palletizer – a standard palletizing solution – at the Linak booth during the trade show.

Learn more about the Alca Palletizer here

Hardware choices

To simplify and ensure the best possible solution for their customers, ALCA Technologies opted for mostly off-the-shelf components to simplify the process.

Frame: ALCA’s own frame has been developed specifically for palletization but can also serve other purposes. It is compatible with UR’s standard protocol box and an electrical box if needed.

Optional options for the frame are AMR (MiR) loading bays, the interlayer magazine, 2 meters of conveyor belt or rollers with the possibility to get the size and weight of the boxes, barcode/data matrix reader, etc.

End of arm tool (EOAT): Schmalz Gripper is the standard choice. If it fails to meet customers’ requirements, ALCA Technologies will develop its own End of arm tool. These tools are typically made of carbon fiber to increase the payload capacity.

Lifting column: Linak ELEVATE, the new lifting column from a well-known actuator producer. It has a very long, strong stroke and fast speed. It is essential that it works seamlessly with the software (which it does due to having its own URCap and being natively integrated in Pally) because this is what customers expect.

The tool boasts a lengthy and powerful stroke combined with impressive speed. Its effective integration with the software, thanks to its own URCap and native integration in Pally, meets customers’ expectations.

Putting together a palletizing solution

Venturing into the cobot palletizing market (or any other cobot application market), the importance of standardizing your solution cannot be underestimated. As the cobot continues to advance, the focus will be on complete solutions, leaving little room for customized projects.

In the future, automation will be sold as products (solutions) and not projects.

Egil Mundal, CEO, Rocketfarm

By having a standardized solution, you can also benefit from state-of-the-art digital twin technology to verify, engineer, and support your projects without the need for physical component assembly.

Learn how you can benefit from digital twin technology in cobot palletizing

Benefits with off-the-shelf components

When choosing components for your standardized solution, the same applies.

For some customers, it might be necessary with a custom end-of-arm tool (EOAT). For the majority, their requirements will be met by already existing EOATs available in the market as off-the-shelf components. This is particularly true when combined with smart software that can effectively use the full potential of the EOATs.

Opting for pre-existing hardware and software has numerous benefits.

You gain access to products from top players in their respective fields, that have undergone extensive market testing and that are supported by reliable suppliers who deliver quickly. Overall, this enables you to launch your product faster, with the benefits of a custom solution while maintaining the pace of a turnkey solution.

By using the Pally software we could choose the best palletizing components on the market and trust that it’s all perfectly linked together. As we want to scale sales, the speed of commisioning with Pally and MyRobot.cloud is a huge benefit for our sales team. They can focus on the customer, knowing that the software will handle the palletizing.

Alessio Carignola, Owner, ALCA Technologies S.r.l.

Go-to-market faster (and better)

If you wish to enter the cobot palletizing market quickly and with a competitive solution, the future will be off-the-shelf components and standardized solutions.

Take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of other companies to expedite your entry into the cobot palletizing market while saving on RnD. By doing so, you can benefit from their experience and make swift progress.

At Rocketfarm, we have hundreds of palletizing solutions palletizing every day. We take great pride in our customer retention rate, as we have never lost a single one. On the contrary, we experience the joy of customers who have switched to Pally.