Skimping on pallet handling is false economy.
/Pallet handling is often given little thought during the specification and procurement of a project.
However, it becomes a real focus when a line stops with a breakdown, or operators are put at risk dealing with jammed pallets.
Trends impacting pallet handling:
Smaller case / pack counts – a smaller footprint means less stability which requires smoother pallet handling.
Light weighting of primary / secondary packaging – with less strength in the packaging gentler handling of pallets is required to ensure they make it to the customer in the best condition.
Variable pallet quality – the drive to the lowest possible cost means pallet quality has become more variable. Arguments about pallet quality do nothing to help when a line is down with a jammed pallet.
Higher guarding standards have seen pallet conveyors become more enclosed in perimeter fencing and complicated safety systems. This in turn makes accessing and resolving problems with pallets more difficult and time-consuming. In some cases, it is impossible to fix a pallet jam without risking breaking site safety procedures.
Systems suppliers often see pallet handling as an area where savings can be made to keep a project to the customer’s budget. However, shortcuts in design or build quality create ongoing issues in production that are difficult or even impossible to fix in the long term. Cutting corners on robustness, transfer design, or even simple pallet guiding turns a straightforward system into an ongoing source of frustration, lost production and risk.
ED&M | Engineering Design & Manufacturing, with low overheads and a low-cost manufacturing base, allows you to reach your target price without compromising the design and quality of the pallet handling system or the long-term safety and profitability of your business.