Palletising and Depalletising Machines for the Canning Industry: Solutions and Automation

In the canning industry, the palletising process is crucial for organizing, storing, and transporting products efficiently. Some of the primary palletising needs in a canning plant are strongly linked to automating specific procedures to streamline time frames and increase overall production efficiency.

In this article, we will present the main palletising and depalletising machines offered by Gaictech and their advantages and benefits for the canning industry. Furthermore, we will explain the automation possibilities that Gaictech’s palletising machinery offers and its efficiency.

The Palletising and Depalletising Processes in the Canning Industry

In the canning industry, palletising plays a crucial role in the logistics and distribution of products. This process involves organising the containers of preserved goods (cans, jars, bags, among others) onto pallets in an orderly and secure manner to facilitate storage and transportation.

Palletising machines can be configured to accommodate different types of containers and stacking patterns, ensuring that products are correctly placed and preventing damage during transport. This process may also include wrapping with plastic film to protect the products from moisture and other external factors.

Conversely, depalletising is the reverse process, where preserved products are unloaded from pallets to be prepared for distribution or to move onto subsequent stages of quality control or repackaging. Like palletising, this process can be manual or automated, depending on the factory’s requirements.

In high-production industries, automatic depalletisers are essential for handling large quantities of products quickly and efficiently without interruptions. This system is also crucial when products need to be reorganised for classification or distribution to different destinations.

Loading and Unloading of Autoclaves

One of the fundamental processes in the canning industry is the sterilisation of products. When this sterilisation is carried out in autoclaves, the containers need to be efficiently and safely loaded into these devices, palletised in baskets (a process we refer to as ‘basket loading’).

Autoclave baskets are structures or platforms, with or without wheels, designed to transport and organise containers such as cans, glass jars, or generally any container suitable for palletisation within an autoclave. The autoclave uses high temperatures and pressure to eliminate microorganisms, ensuring product safety and durability without the need for artificial preservatives.

The baskets play a crucial role in this process, as they allow for a uniform distribution of the containers within the autoclave, ensuring optimal heat and temperature distribution for all products during the sterilisation cycle.

These baskets are made of stainless steel, which makes them resistant to high temperatures and corrosion, as well as easy to clean and maintain.

What we commonly refer to as ‘baskets’ are intended for the palletization of rigid containers, allowing them to be stacked on top of one another in successive layers, separated only by a plastic divider.

For flexible packaging such as pouches or various plastic containers, the solution involves arranging them in stackable stainless steel racks, which create a final structure similar to a basket and can be handled in a similar manner. This way, the containers in successive layers do not touch each other, ensuring their physical integrity.

How are the containers loaded into the baskets? In this process, known as basket loading, various degrees of automation can be applied to facilitate the process, ensuring efficient sterilization and optimal use of the autoclave.

In the case of Gaictech, their autoclave basket loading and unloading machines are designed to optimize the filling process of the baskets with product-filled cans. This optimizes the autoclave load and ensures the careful handling of containers throughout the process.

Manufactured from AISI 304 stainless steel, these machines are designed to handle any type of container, whether round, rectangular, oval, or glass, and can adapt to any production level. Gaictech offers various automation options, from semi-automatic to fully automatic versions.

Furthermore, these machines can be easily integrated into automatic autoclave loading and unloading lines and feature Ethernet connectivity for remote troubleshooting, providing a versatile and efficient solution for the canning industry.

Palletisation and Robots: Automatic Basket Loading Circuit

Automating the process of loading containers into autoclave baskets provides greater efficiency, accuracy, and safety. In this field, robotic automation is particularly useful in factories with high production volumes, where handling large quantities of containers can be repetitive and prone to human error.

Robots can perform tasks such as placing containers into baskets and positioning the plastic divider, achieving extremely smooth and precise handling, particularly when working with fragile products such as glass jars.

Furthermore, robots can be integrated into automatic production lines, ranging from basket loading to autoclave loading and unloading, streamlining the process and improving operation times while eliminating the need for handling personnel. Programmed to handle different types of containers and configurations, these robots can adapt to various production needs.

For instance, Gaictech’s automatic autoclave cart circuit consists of an integrated system that fully manages, through specialized software, the processes of basket loading, loading, unloading, and unbasketing of containers in autoclaves.

This system includes automatic conveyors for loading and unloading autoclave carts, as well as accumulation conveyors for empty or full carts, allowing for a continuous and efficient flow. Additionally, it offers complete and centralized automation of all the involved equipment, ensuring coordinated and optimized operations.

It is compatible with different cart sizes and autoclave diameters and can adapt to both single-door and double-door autoclaves, providing flexibility and versatility in production management. It also integrates a cart management software to track the location of each cart, the contents, whether the product is sterilized, and more.

Palletising and Depalletising of Cans and Containers

The palletising of containers, such as cans, is a crucial stage in the production and distribution chain of the food industry. It ensures that cans are arranged efficiently and safely for storage and transport. By standardising the arrangement of the cans, load stability is improved, and logistics are optimised, allowing for quicker and safer handling both within the factory and during distribution phases.

Depalletising is equally important in the supply chain, as it involves the efficient and safe unloading of cans or products for further processing, inspection, or distribution. This process is key to ensuring that products reach the subsequent stages of the production chain in optimal condition, avoiding damage during handling.

To ensure proper palletising, machinery must be highly precise without sacrificing speed. In this field, Gaictech’s can palletisers are designed to offer a flexible and efficient solution for transporting both full and empty containers on pallets, adapting to the specific needs of each customer.

These machines are compatible with any type of container, whether round, rectangular, oval, or glass, and are adjustable to any level of production. They offer various degrees of automation, covering everything from the entry and exit of full or empty pallets to the formation and evacuation of layers, placement of separators, and the lifting and lowering of pallets.

Additionally, it is capable of feeding several production lines with a single depalletiser, thus optimising processes and reducing costs. Its Ethernet connection allows for remote troubleshooting, ensuring more efficient maintenance and a rapid response to any issues.

Conclusion

Having the right and automated palletising machinery is essential for improving efficiency, productivity, and safety in any industry that handles large volumes of products. An automated system not only streamlines the process of organising products on pallets, reducing time and human effort, but also ensures precise and uniform handling, minimising the risk of product damage.

Additionally, automation provides greater flexibility to accommodate different types of packaging and production levels. The integration of advanced technologies, such as remote connectivity, ensures constant monitoring and rapid troubleshooting.

In summary, investing in automated palletising machinery is key to optimizing workflow, reducing costs, and increasing market competitiveness.