Page 46 - FoodFocusThailand No.244 August 2026

STORAGE, HANDLING & LOGISTICS

Next-Generation Software: Real-world factory adoption is continuing to expand. Tyson
The Intelligent Brain Behind Palletizing Systems Foods opened a 300-million-dollar cooked food facility in Danville,
The most significant evolution over the past decade has Virginia, in late 2023, integrating robotic case packing and
not been the robotic arm hardware itself, but rather the palletizing systems from the beginning of operations. Another
intelligence behind the system. Modern palletizing software example involves a beverage production line using three robots to
allows users to input package dimensions, product weight, palletize up to 100 cases of canned products per minute. Similarly,
and pallet specifications to automatically generate optimized Tasteful Selections, a potato product brand, implemented robotic
stacking patterns and simulate operations on-screen before palletizing systems to overcome end-of-line bottlenecks while
actual deployment. Major robot manufacturers provide reducing workplace injuries.
dedicated software platforms for this purpose, such as In Thailand, these technologies are no longer distant concepts.
FANUC’s PalletTool and Yaskawa’s programming suites, Multiple distributors and system integrators now provide solutions
enabling operators to customize tasks more easily without ranging from turnkey collaborative robot kits for medium-sized
extensive programming expertise. factories to large industrial robotic systems for export-oriented
The next stage of development involves integrating 3D facilities. This development aligns well with Thailand’s position as
vision systems and artificial intelligence into mixed-product a major global food exporter facing increasing labor constraints.
palletizing operations. Systems such as Ambi Robotics’
AmbiStack use AI algorithms to analyze unsorted incoming Market Trends and Investment Considerations
packages and determine, within fractions of a second, The global palletizing robot market is projected to expand from
where each item should be placed to achieve optimal pallet 3.37 billion USD in 2025 to 3.80 billion USD in 2026, eventually
stability. Tasks that were once considered among the final reaching 6.56 billion USD by 2030, representing a compound
challenges for automation are now becoming commercially annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7%. This growth is driven by
feasible, with systems capable of handling several hundred expanding food and beverage automation, labor shortages, and
boxes per hour. increasing adoption of collaborative robots.
Although a complete palletizing system typically costs between
Challenges of Deploying End-of-Line 175,000 and 500,000 USD, the robotic arm itself accounts for
Automated Robots only 30–45% of the total investment. The remaining costs are
For food factories, challenges extend beyond speed to strict associated with end-of-arm tooling, conveyors, safety systems,
hygiene standards. Manufacturers have developed food- integration, and software. Typical payback periods range from 12
grade robots utilizing NSF H1 food-contact lubricants and to 30 months, depending on labor costs, production volume, and
structures built for high-pressure washdowns and chemical operational requirements.
sanitation. Specialized cold-storage models, like the KUKA With rising production automation, workers will shift from
KR QUANTEC PA Arctic, operate continuously in -30°C physically demanding box-lifting tasks toward machine operation,
freezers where humans can only work for limited periods. quality inspection, and system maintenance—roles that provide
Additionally, FANUC’s CRX-30iA food-grade cobot supports greater workplace safety and create higher value. For the Thai
a 30 kg payload, uses NSF H1 grease, and provides IP67 food industry, palletizing robots are no longer a question of if, but
protection for secondary packaging—working with PalletTool rather a strategic decision of which production lines should be
to switch between two pallets without stopping the line. For automated first.
tighter spaces, Omron offers the TM20, while Universal
Robots’ UR20 is frequently paired with Robotiq’s turnkey
palletizing kit (integrating a lift column, base, and software)
for installation within days. More Information Service Info C007

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