ABB has launched the PalletPack 460, a pre-engineered package of proven robotic palletizing components featuring the new IRB 460 robot designed specifically for high speed end of processing line palletizing.

As the world’s fastest robot palletizer known on the market, the IRB 460 is at the heart of the ABB’s PalletPack 460 function package. The 4-axis IRB 460 features a 110kg capacity plus a reach of 2.4m. Its compact footprint makes it ideal for integration into existing packing lines, convenient for high-speed bag or compact end of processing line case palletizing.

ABB’s PalletPack consists of an IRB 460 robot; a Flex-Gripper (either the claw or one-zone clamp gripper); an ABB control PLC; an ABB safety PLC; PalletWare support software; user documentation; and the ABB FlexPendant featuring an easy-to-use graphical human machine interface.

Speaking about the new PalletPack 460 ABB Australia consumer industry manager for robotics Peter Bradbury explains, “The PalletPack is so easy to work with. There’s no need for any specialised robot programming know-how. Robot, grippers, safety and cell control PLCs, graphical human machine interface and software come in the PalletPack all ready to plug-in and perform.”

A key feature of the PalletPack is the wizard enabled set up and programming, which makes programming very similar to that used for a traditional PLC. This enables PLC programmers – without specific robotic experience – to program the system, eliminating the complications that can arise when a specific programming skill set is required. The programming and operation are carried out via the user friendly FlexPendant, the standard ABB Robotics human machine interface. This features a graphical interface with four user friendly screens; pallet and pick set up, pallet pattern set up, path profile and movement edition.

In summarising the benefits of this programming method, Bradbury states, “Programming time for the PalletPack 460 can be reduced by as much as 65% compared to traditional methods, shortening the return on investment and making robotic palletizing highly attractive to a wide range of end users.”