Mesh Automation

PalletXBuilder

Empower Your Palletizing Operations with Unmatched Customization

Palletizing Cobots Mixed SKU Palletizing Robotic Depalletizing PalletXBuilder Software
Mesh Automation > Robotic Palletizing Systems > PalletXBuilder Automated Palletizing Software

MESH Automation's PalletXBuilder for Unparalleled Flexibility

Fully integrated with MESH’s Robotic Systems (Fanuc, Yaskawa, and ABB), PalletX eliminates the need for end-user programming, providing a streamlined solution that prioritizes adaptability, accuracy, and operational efficiency. With an intuitive interface, advanced safeguards, and effortless integration with leading robotic platforms, PalletXBuilder efficiently streamlines palletizing operations. Whether handling multi-lane coordination, optimizing layer stability, or automating approach paths and pattern adjustments, it provides a scalable solution built for both current and future operational demands.

When you employ the PalletXBuilder system by MESH Automation, you choose a streamlined solution that prioritizes adaptability, accuracy, and efficiency.

Benefits, Features, and Capabilities of PalletXBuilder

Benefits of PalletXBuilder

  • Unmatched Customization: Refine every detail of your palletizing patterns, from precise box dimensions to EOAT configurations and approach trajectories, ensuring optimal performance.
  • Optimized Efficiency: Streamline operations by automating complex tasks such as pattern mirroring, interlocking layer generation and determining smart approach paths, significantly reducing setup time and manual effort.
  • Enhanced Safety: Leverage visualization tools and built-in collision detection to prevent user-errors and safeguard equipment integrity.
  • Operational Versatility: Support for multiple lanes and pallet stations enables adaptation to diverse production requirements and layouts.
  • Pattern Management: Create, organize, and maintain a comprehensive library of reusable patterns, ensuring quick access and scalability for future projects.
  • Visual Clarity: The intuitive interface offers color-coded boxes and detailed label representations for clear insights into pattern designs. Users can preview EOAT interactions with boxes at both pick and place locations, visualize approach positions to confirm safe and efficient operations, and inspect EOAT vacuum zones on boxes for precise alignment and secure handling, foreseeing potential issues.

Who Can Benefit?

  • Manufacturers and Distributors: Optimize warehouse and production operations.
  • System Integrators: Deliver tailored palletizing solutions to clients.
  • Operations Managers: Boost efficiency, reduce downtime, and maintain consistent palletizing quality.

Custom Parameters

  • Pallet Dimensions: Define pallet size by specifying length and width to create a virtual pallet matching your physical setup.
  • System Coordinate Origin Selection: Choose any of the four pallet corners as the system coordinate origin (S1-S4) to align with the actual pallet anchor point in your facility.
  • Support for Multiple Lanes and Pallets: Configure up to 4 lanes (conveyors) and 4 pallet locations to suit diverse project requirements and robotic cell layouts.
  • Box Orientation per Lane: Set the box travel orientation (“S” for Short-Edge-Leading or “L” for Long-Edge-Leading) for each lane to match your conveyor layout.
  • Box Color Customization: Select from 7 colors (brown, blue, green, orange, gray, light purple, red) to visually distinguish between box types within patterns.
  • Label Placement Visualization: Define label locations (on one of four box sides) for accurate graphical representation and precise alignment during pattern creation.
  • EOAT Selection: Choose from a list of standard End-of-Arm Tools (EOATs) tailored to your project – The software contains application-specific EOATs to guarantee compatibility.

Comprehensive Pattern Design & Build Options

  • Individual Box Definition per Index: Enter box dimensions (Length, Width, Height), Quantity to pick, and Lane Number to pick from, for each PnP operation (Index).
  • Single Pick, Single Place (SPSP – default): The robot picks the defined quantity for each index and completes the pick-and-place in one operation.
  • Single Pick, Dual Place (SPDP – Coming Soon!): Optionally link two sequential indexes to optimize efficiency. In SPDP mode, the robot picks the total quantity for both indexes in one operation, places the boxes for the first index, then repositions to place the boxes for the linked index.
  • EOAT Rotation at Pick: Define precise EOAT rotation angles to achieve optimal alignment during pick operations, enabling adaptability to varied box orientations and dimensions.
  • Vacuum Zone Specification (Vac-ID): Option to assign specific vacuum zones for each Index to ensure secure and efficient box handling.
  • Tool Center Point (TCP) Origin Adjustment: Adjust EOAT pick-position (centered or biased to box sides/corners) as needed to maintain box stability per Index.
  • Interactive Placement and Adjustment:
    • Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easily position boxes by dragging them onto the virtual pallet, one box at a time.
    • Precision Controls: Achieve ultimate precision by adjusting box positions through two versatile methods: Use the directional arrows within the interface for incremental adjustments (~3mm per click for X & Y coordinates and 90° per click for rotation), or manually input exact X, Y, and R coordinates relative to the Active System Coordinate Origin. Both options ensure exact alignment to meet your pattern design requirements.
  • Set Approach Positions (Manual): Each box has a shadow box representing the approach position, allowing users to easily define custom or pre-set approach paths for each Index.
  • Set Smart Approach (Auto): Use this feature to let PalletX determine the ideal approach paths for each of the indexes in your custom pattern, eliminating the odds of potential crashes.

Layer and Pattern Configuration

  • Base Layer Creation: Create only the first layer (base-layer) of your pattern and set the desired number of total layers for the robot to palletize.
  • Interlocking Layer Generation: Automatically create an interlocking layer from your base pattern to enhance stability. Options include matching or reversing the base-layer box order, choosing between a 180° or 90° interlock, and optionally disregarding label orientation to reduce EOAT rotation during the palletizing of the interlocked layer.
  • Mirror Patterns: Transform your existing patterns by mirroring them to align precisely with alternate cell layouts. Choose to mirror along the X-axis, Y-axis, or both, and optionally disregard label orientation to minimize EOAT rotation during palletizing.
  • Rotate Pallet/Pattern: Quickly rotate the virtual pallet by 90° with each execution, adapting to changes in pallet registration (short-edge vs. long-edge leading) for operational alignment.
  • Slip-Sheet Integration: Optionally insert slip-sheets between layers by enabling and specifying slip-sheet dimensions and slip-sheet place orientation on the pallet (SS Place-R).
  • Pallet and Pattern Assignment: Assign each pattern configuration to specific Pallet Stations (1-4) and define unique Pattern-IDs for efficient identification and retrieval.

Visualization and Safety Features

  • Preview Pick & Place: Simulate EOAT and vacuum zone interactions with boxes at pick and place locations to verify proper alignment.
  • Preview Approach Positions: Visualize shadow boxes to inspect approach paths and foresee potential collisions.
  • Standard Safeguards: PalletX’s advanced safety features detect invalid box placements outside the palletizing area, identify unsafe approach paths that could lead to collisions, and confirm that all PnP operations are within the dimensional capacity of the selected EOAT. Patterns cannot be exported until all potential risks are resolved, ensuring every configuration is precise, safe, and fully production-ready.

Pattern Management and Exporting

  • Pattern Library: Save, name, and manage custom patterns for future use, modification, or duplication, building a comprehensive repository over time.
  • Load and Modify Patterns: Retrieve saved patterns quickly for editing and/or re-exporting, reducing setup time.
  • Load Pattern w/ New Dimensions: Load a previously saved pattern but with new box dimensions for quick and easy creation of an existing pattern using a new size box. Eliminating the need to manually create boxes.
  • Export/Download Options: Effortlessly translate virtual patterns into real-world operations with two convenient options:
    • Export: Save the pattern configuration file onto an external device, such as a flash drive, for manual transfer to the robot controller.
    • Download: Send the file straight to the robot controller via an Ethernet connection, either directly or through MESH’s control panel network connection hub.
  • Pattern Library Backup and Record-Keeping
    • PalletXLibrary File (.PXL): Each time the user saves changes before exiting the application, the latest Pattern Library is saved in a .PXL file. This file can be copied and transferred onto an external storage device to serve as a backup.
    • PDF Export: Generate a comprehensive PDF report containing box details, pattern parameters, and graphical representations of the configuration for documentation or sharing.

Effortless Integration with MESH Robotic Systems – Fanuc, Yaskawa, and ABB Robots

  • Zero Programming Needed: PalletX integrates seamlessly with MESH’s standard palletizing robot programs across the three major robot brands, eliminating the need for end-user programming or point touch-ups. Simply adjust UserFrames or WorkObjects if the cell layout (lane or pallet location) changes post-commissioning.
  • Pattern Selection via HMI: Select the desired palletizing pattern configuration by choosing the appropriate Pattern-ID directly from the Pattern Selection Screen on the HMI.
  • Recipe-Based Payload Configuration (Coming Soon!): Quickly access the pattern-specific recipe on the HMI and change the associated box weight on the fly.
  • Multi-Pallet/Lane Coordination: Manage up to four pallet stations and four lanes. PalletX, in conjunction with MESH’s Robotic Systems, allows end-users to enable or disable individual pallet stations or lanes directly through the HMI, eliminating the need for program modifications.

Contact MESH Automation Today to Learn More

PalletXBuilder delivers a refined solution for modern palletizing challenges, combining precision, flexibility, and reliability. The “X” signifies the convergence of innovation and practicality — bringing together unmatched customization and adaptability to meet diverse operational needs.

Fully integrated with MESH’s Robotic Systems, it empowers users to tackle even the most complex pattern configurations with confidence and efficiency. Contact us today to learn more.