Procona palletizer.

While Procona flower buckets are designed for the efficient packaging and distribution of cut flowers, automated palletizing remained a challenge. We developed a reliable robotic solution that not only palletizes Proconas, but also handles flower boxes, pallets and interlayer sheets.

Procona is an efficient and widely used system for packaging and transporting cut flowers. However, due to the shape of the flower buckets, which feature different collars and a lid with a stacking rim, palletizing them is a challenging task. Until now, no one had succeeded in reliably automating this task, and so this important part of the packaging process remained dependent on heavy manual labor.

It is precisely these kinds of challenges that excite us at DERO GROEP. Based on a specific customer request, we therefore developed a completely new concept. With this solution, we have succeeded in picking up Proconas in a controlled manner and stacking them precisely on a pallet.

This robotic solution can palletize both Procona and flower boxes.

One gripper, many functions

What makes this solution unique is that the robot performs multiple operations using a single multifunctional gripper. In addition to Procona flower buckets, the same robot can also palletize flower boxes, handle empty pallets and insert interlayer sheets. Because the robot performs all these operations with the same gripper, no time is lost changing grippers, and the system remains straightforward and compact.

The robotic solution not only offers high flexibility but also contributes to more efficient workforce deployment and better working conditions. Manually palletizing filled flower boxes and Proconas is heavy and monotonous work that often takes place in refrigerated areas. As a result, it is becoming increasingly challenging to find enough staff who are both able and willing to perform this work.

Automating the palletizing process eliminates this physically demanding work and allows employees to be assigned to other tasks where their knowledge and skills add more value. At the same time, the robot ensures consistent and reliable processing.

Using the same gripper, the robot can also place pallets and interleaving sheets.

Expanding our portfolio

With the Procona palletizer, we are further expanding our portfolio of automation solutions for the flower industry. And as with all our solutions, we continue to explore opportunities to further improve the technology and performance of this innovation in the future.

Would you like to automate the palletizing of Procona flower buckets, flower boxes, or a combination of both? Contact us to discuss the possibilities for your processing or packaging process.

// M. Visser - Visser Kaashandel //