Longmen type pipe automatic palletizing machine: a powerful assistant for intelligent warehousing

Longmen type pipe automatic palletizing machine: a powerful assistant for intelligent warehousing
1、 Equipment Overview
The automatic pipe palletizer is the core equipment for the end packaging process of modern pipe processing production lines (such as steel pipes, plastic pipes, PVC pipes, composite pipes, etc.). It plays a dual role as a "porter" and a "organizer", specializing in solving the automation connection problem between the production line and the storage of pipes.

Among them, the gantry type pipe palletizer has become the preferred solution for heavy and large-sized pipe palletizing due to its stable structure, strong load capacity, and large working range. This device uses highly integrated mechatronics technology, utilizing robotic arms, lifting devices, conveyor rollers, and intelligent control systems to automatically grab and organize scattered transported pipes, and strictly stack them neatly on pallets according to preset stacking modes (such as hexagonal, square, cross shaped, etc.), achieving unmanned conversion from "loose materials" to "standard stacks".

2、 Core workflow
Automatic conveying and positioning: The pipes taken offline from the production line enter the palletizing area through a roller conveyor. After the photoelectric sensor detects that the materials are in place, the system automatically stops conveying and waits for grabbing.
Intelligent recognition and grasping: Visual systems or laser rangefinders quickly scan the outer diameter, length, and positional deviation of pipes. The gantry moves in the X, Y, and Z directions, and the mechanical gripper (such as electric permanent magnet suction cup, V-shaped mechanical gripper, or enveloping fixture) descends precisely. The most suitable gripping force is selected according to the material of the pipe to avoid flattening or scratching the surface of the pipe.
Multi layer palletizing algorithm: The control system is equipped with multiple palletizing logics (such as staggered palletizing and rotating palletizing). The robotic arm lifts the pipes to a specified height and performs slight horizontal movements to ensure that each layer of pipes is tightly fitted and the center of gravity is stable.
Tray management and output: During the palletizing process, empty trays are automatically supplied to the palletizing position; After the full stack is completed, the conveyor belt automatically removes the entire stack of pipes and transports them away by forklift or AGV trolley to enter the next cycle.
3、 In depth analysis of core features and advantages
1. High palletizing accuracy: stable as a rock, neat and uniform
Micron level control: Using high-precision servo motor drive and PLC closed-loop control system, the repeated positioning accuracy can reach within ± 1mm.
Loss prevention and collapse prevention: Unlike the "one head high and one head low" and "pipe rolling collapse" that are prone to occur in manual palletizing, mechanical palletizing can ensure that each pipe is evenly stressed and tightly interlocked between layers. Especially for heavy-duty steel pipes, high-precision alignment can effectively prevent safety accidents caused by stack tilting.
Customized stacking type: Perfect stacking types can be set according to storage requirements (such as standard square bags, tight hexagonal bags), maximizing the use of pallet area and improving storage space utilization.
2. Strong adaptability: One machine with multiple functions and quick production changes
Parameterized adjustment: For pipes of different specifications (diameter Φ 20mm - Φ 200mm, length 6m-12m) and materials (steel, plastic, PVC, copper), operators only need to input parameters (such as pipe length, pipe diameter, stacking layers) on the HMI touch screen, and the equipment can automatically adjust the mechanical arm stroke and gripping width without changing hardware molds.
Mixed palletizing: The advanced system supports mixed palletizing of multiple specifications of pipes (such as large and small head matching) to meet special order requirements.
Non standard customization: For special curved or ultra long pipes, an extended robotic arm or special fixture can be customized to ensure perfect matching between equipment and production processes.
3. Good security: multiple protections, human-machine collaboration
Physical isolation and sensing: There is a safety fence around the equipment and an infrared light curtain sensor is equipped. Once personnel or foreign objects enter the danger zone and the light curtain is obstructed, the equipment immediately triggers an "emergency stop" and the robotic arm stops moving to prevent crushing injuries.
Electrical safety: equipped with standard emergency stop buttons, limit switches, overload protection, and leakage protection devices. The control system has a fault self diagnosis function. Once an abnormality is detected (such as insufficient air pressure or motor overheating), the screen will pop up an alarm prompt and stop running.
Sound and light warning: When the equipment is started, running, and reversing, the warning light and buzzer will emit sound and light signals to remind surrounding personnel to pay attention to safety.
4、 Derivative value and economic benefits
In addition to the three core advantages mentioned above, this device also brings significant hidden value to enterprises:

Cost reduction and efficiency improvement: The efficiency of one palletizing machine is equivalent to that of 4-6 skilled workers, which can achieve 24-hour continuous operation, significantly reducing labor and management costs.
Quality improvement: Eliminating quality defects such as scratches and bumps on the surface of pipes caused by manual stacking, improving the product's factory qualification rate and customer satisfaction.
Data management: The equipment can be equipped with barcode scanners and weighing modules to record the quantity, weight, and production shift of each stack in real time, and upload them to the factory MES system to achieve traceability of production data.
V. Summary
The gantry style pipe automatic palletizing machine is not only a simple handling tool, but also a key link for enterprises to achieve intelligent manufacturing and unmanned factories. It ensures quality with high precision, responds to multi variety production with strong adaptability, and escorts personnel and equipment with high safety, making it an inevitable choice for pipe processing enterprises to enhance their core competitiveness.