At the end of almost every production line, someone stacks boxes or bags onto pallets, hour after hour. It is heavy, repetitive work and one of the first jobs European manufacturers automate. Palletizing robots stack products in a programmed pattern, wrap-ready and consistent, and keep going through night shifts.
This guide compares the three main ways to automate palletizing, from cobots to heavy industrial arms and complete Senad systems, and explains what to plan before you buy. It is part of our industrial and field robots guide.
Contents
What does a palletizing robot do?
A palletizing robot picks cartons, bags, crates or bundles from a conveyor and places them on a pallet in a defined stacking pattern. Depalletizing is the reverse. A complete cell includes the robot, a gripper (vacuum, clamp, fork or bag gripper), infeed conveyors, pallet handling and safety guarding or scanners. Pattern software lets operators switch products without reprogramming.
Industrial robot, cobot or complete system?
1Cobot palletizers
For lines up to moderate speeds with cartons of up to around 20 kg, a long-reach cobot such as Fairino FR20 (20 kg, 1,854 mm reach) or SIASUN GCR20-1400 can palletize with a smaller footprint and often lighter guarding. See our cobot guide.
2Industrial palletizing robots
For heavy bags, high throughput or tall stacks, fenced industrial arms with high payloads and long reach are the standard choice.
3Complete palletizing systems
Turnkey cells that include conveyors, grippers, pallet dispensing and controls, delivered as a project.
Palletizing robots compared
| Model | Type | Payload | Reach | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairino FR20 | Cobot | 20 kg (max 25) | 1,854 mm | Cartons on slower lines |
| SIASUN SR25A-35/1.80 | Industrial arm | 35 kg | 1,803 mm | Cartons, handling; IP65 wrist |
| SIASUN SR50A-50/2.15 | Industrial arm | 50 kg | About 2,158 mm | Heavier cartons, mid-size stacks |
| SIASUN SR210A-210/3.05-DW | Heavy industrial arm | 210 kg | About 3,050 mm | Multi-carton picks, heavy layers |
| SIASUN SR500A-360/2.83 | Heavy-load arm | 360 kg | 2,833 mm | Layer palletizing, very heavy loads |
| Senad bag palletizing robot | Complete system | 2 to 100 kg per pick | Package up to 500 x 960 x 1000 mm | Bags of feed, cement, chemicals |
Values are manufacturer figures listed on Robots Europa. Actual throughput depends on gripper, pattern, pallet changes and safety configuration.
The models in detail
SIASUN industrial arms
SIASUN is one of China’s largest robot makers. SR25A-35/1.80 carries 35 kg over 1,803 mm with ±0.05 mm repeatability and an IP65 wrist, suiting carton palletizing and handling. SR50A-50/2.15 steps up to 50 kg and about 2.15 m reach.
For heavy multi-carton or layer picks, SR210A-210/3.05-DW handles 210 kg with roughly 3.05 m reach and is listed with IP67 protection, while SR500A-360/2.83 carries up to 360 kg across a 2,833 mm envelope.
Senad palletizing systems
Senad supplies complete systems. Its bag palletizing robot machine handles picks from 2 to 100 kg and packages from 200 x 200 x 200 mm up to 500 x 960 x 1,000 mm, suited to sacks of feed, cement, fertiliser or chemicals. The robotic palletizer system stacks cartons in multiple layers and outputs finished pallets, and a combined depalletizing and palletizing system handles both directions.
Planning a palletizing cell
1Product data
List every SKU: dimensions, weight, packaging type and how often products change. Bags behave very differently from cartons.
2Throughput
Define cases or bags per minute at peak, not average, plus pallet change time.
3Pallet and pattern
Pallet type, stack height, interlocking patterns and slip sheets all affect reach and gripper design.
4Floor space and flow
Infeed conveyors, pallet in and out, and forklift or AMR access. Autonomous forklifts can collect finished pallets; see our autonomous forklift guide.
Safety and CE in Europe
Industrial palletizing robots normally work behind fences or light curtains, following ISO 10218 for industrial robots. Whoever assembles the complete cell, often an integrator, is responsible for the CE marking and declaration of conformity of the whole installation under the machinery rules. The EU Machinery Regulation applies from 20 January 2027. Ask your supplier who takes on that role.
Delivery, VAT and CE basics are covered in our guide to buying a robot in Europe.
Referral note: When you request a quote from Robots Europa, mentioning Dijipedya and referral code 08AF5658 helps your enquiry be tracked correctly.
Frequently asked questions
Cobot or industrial robot for palletizing?
Cobots suit lighter cartons and moderate speeds with a small footprint. Heavy bags, high throughput and tall stacks need industrial palletizing robots.
Can a palletizing robot handle bags?
Yes, with a bag gripper. Senad’s bag palletizing system handles picks from 2 to 100 kg.
Who is responsible for CE marking of a palletizing cell?
The party that assembles the complete cell, often the integrator, issues the declaration of conformity for the whole installation.
Can one robot palletize several lines?
Yes, if the lines are close and throughput allows. Pattern software and multiple pallet stations make this possible.
Compare industrial and palletizing robots and request a project quote for your line.
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