End-of-line palletising is one of the most physically demanding and repetitive tasks in any manufacturing facility. Operators can lift hundreds of boxes, trays or bundles every day, increasing the risk of fatigue, injury and production bottlenecks.
For many years, automating palletising meant investing in a large industrial robot—fast and powerful, but expensive, space-hungry and surrounded by safety fencing.
Today, collaborative robots are changing that.
A cobot palletiser offers manufacturers a safer, more flexible and cost-effective way to automate end-of-line palletising without the complexity of traditional robotic systems.
What Is a Cobot Palletiser?
A cobot palletiser is a collaborative robot designed to work safely alongside people.
Unlike traditional industrial robots that operate inside fully enclosed safety cells, cobots use advanced safety features such as:
- Force sensing
- Speed control
- Safety scanners
These technologies detect when a person enters the working area and automatically adjust the robot’s speed or stop movement when required.
LVP Automation’s CPF-10 Series uses the FANUC CRX10iA/L collaborative robot, allowing operators to safely access the palletising area to swap pallets or make adjustments without stopping the entire production line.
How Does a Cobot Palletiser Work?
A cobot palletiser automatically collects products from the end of your production line and places them onto a pallet using a programmed stacking pattern.
The CPF-10 Series includes a range of features that improve productivity and flexibility.
Multi-Pick Grippers
Increase throughput by picking multiple products during each cycle.
Flexible Gripper Options
Choose from:
- Vacuum grippers
- Mechanical grippers
- Hybrid grippers
depending on your product type.
Easy Programming
Operators can create new pallet patterns using an intuitive teach pendant—no specialist programming knowledge is required.
Single or Twin Station Configurations
Continuous production is maintained while operators safely replace completed pallets.
Intelligent Safety Monitoring
Safety scanners monitor the work area, allowing the robot to operate at collaborative speeds when personnel are nearby and automatically increase to industrial speeds when the area is clear.
CPF-10 Performance
Compatible with EURO and UK/CHEP pallets
Up to 10kg payload per cycle
Up to 5 cycles per minute in collaborative mode
Up to 10 cycles per minute in industrial mode
Maximum pallet height of 1,500mm
Cobot Palletiser vs Industrial Robot
| Feature | Cobot Palletiser | Industrial Robot |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | Compact and fits existing production lines | Requires significant floor space |
| Safety Fencing | Not required as standard | Full safety fencing required |
| Operating Speed | Up to 10 cycles per minute | Higher speeds possible |
| Maximum Payload | 10kg (CPF-10 Series) | Up to 300kg+ |
| Programming | Simple teach pendant with no coding | Often requires specialist programming |
| Flexibility | Quickly reprogrammed for new products | Longer changeover times |
| Investment | Lower upfront cost | Higher capital investment |
| Best Suited For | SMEs, mixed products and limited floor space | High-volume, single-product production lines |
Who Is a Cobot Palletiser Best Suited For?
Collaborative palletisers are ideal for businesses looking to automate without the cost or complexity of traditional robotics.
They’re particularly well suited to:
- Companies looking to reduce manual handling and improve workplace safety
- Small and medium-sized manufacturers
- Businesses with limited floor space
- Production lines with frequent product changeovers
- Food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers
- FMCG operations
- Manufacturers operating multiple shifts
Why Choose a Cobot Palletiser?
Investing in a collaborative palletiser offers several advantages over manual palletising and traditional robotic systems.
Improve Workplace Safety
Reduce repetitive lifting and minimise manual handling injuries.
Increase Production Efficiency
Maintain consistent palletising speeds throughout every shift.
Maximise Factory Space
Compact designs fit easily into existing production lines.
Simplify Changeovers
Create new pallet patterns in minutes using an intuitive operator interface.
Lower Capital Investment
Achieve robotic automation without the cost of a full industrial robot cell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need safety fencing with a cobot palletiser?
Not necessarily.
The CPF-10 can safely operate using advanced safety scanners alone. Safety fencing is available and recommended for higher-speed industrial operation, allowing the robot to automatically switch into full-speed mode when the area is clear.
How long does it take to install a cobot palletiser?
LVP Automation designs systems specifically for straightforward integration into existing production lines.
Every project includes:
- Operator handover
- System design
- Manufacturing
- Installation
- Commissioning
Can I reprogram the cobot for different products?
Yes.
The FANUC CRX teach pendant allows operators to create and modify pallet patterns without specialist programming knowledge, making it ideal for businesses with frequent product changeovers.
What maintenance does a cobot palletiser require?
The CPF-10 Series has been designed for simple maintenance and cleaning.
The FANUC CRX robot is supplied with an IP54 rating as standard, with an IP67 option available for washdown environments commonly found in food and beverage manufacturing.
Ready to Automate Your End-of-Line Palletising?
If you’re looking to improve productivity, reduce manual handling and future-proof your production line, a cobot palletiser could be the ideal solution.
LVP Automation designs, builds and supports collaborative palletiser systems throughout Ireland and the UK, helping manufacturers increase efficiency while making better use of factory space.
