The large-area layer gripper systems from Schmalz are suitable for palletizing and depalletizing of complete layers of various types of goods. In addition to the Schmalz Palletizer SPZ and the SPZ-M (with auxiliary mechanical gripper), there is now a further special model of layer gripper available.

The Palletizer SPZ-M-C was developed for handling deep-frozen goods and therefore has various properties selected specially for use under the related ambient conditions.

- Suction surface composed of individual natural-rubber cells ("vacuum carpet") instead of a suction mat!

Suction mats made of special foam become stiff at the temperatures which exist in stockrooms for deep-frozen products. This means that they do not adapt themselves to the surface and structure of the objects to be handled. At very low temperatures, the foam returns to its original height only very slowly after the object has been released, and this results in less handling safety, longer cycle times and lower productivity.

For this reason, the SPZ-M-C is equipped with suction pads made of natural rubber which remain flexible even at these low temperatures and thus adapt themselves well to the objects to be gripper.

- Auxiliary mechanical gripper

Deep-frozen products are often lacked in non-rigid boxes and vary greatly in their shapes and sizes. This makes them more difficult to grip with vacuum and reduces the maximum lateral forces the suction pads can handle. This, in turn, restricts the speed of the complete handling system. To solve this problem, we have equipped the new palletizer with an auxiliary mechanical grippers to stabilise the layers and to permit higher acceleration values during handling.

This special combination of vacuum and mechanical gripping makes it possible to handle products whose properties previously made them unsuitable for such handling.

The vacuum gripper module is mounted on a continuously adjustable Z-axis to permit rapid adaptation to workpieces of varying heights in order to position the auxiliary mechanical gripper optimally.

- Spindle and chain drives

In general, pneumatic cylinders cannot be used at temperatures below -20°C, since reliable operation cannot be guaranteed at lower temperatures. Furthermore, the use of compressed air in deepfreeze stockrooms causes further problems (such as the introduction of heat to the stockroom).

For this reason, the auxiliary mechanical gripper is not - as on the standard units - actuated by a cylinder, but by spindle and chain drives. The materials were selected and the gripper was designed to comply with the requirements for use in deep-freeze stockrooms.

- Heated switching elements

At best, all switching elements, cables and even soldered joints can withstand these low temperatures only for short periods. For this reason, all electrical components and connections are enclosed within a heated terminal box in order to ensure reliable long-term operation.

For the automated palletizing, depalettizing, commissioning and sorting of all types of goods, or for the handling of objects made of many different materials, the large-area grippers from Schmalz offer possibilities you have never dreamt of.

Do you have a similar handling task?
If so, contact us now!