Cherry’s Creates Innovative Custom Pallet Straightener Solution to Accommodate Robotic Automatic Guided Vehicles
The customer, an international pulp and paper company, utilizes specialized material handling equipment in producing consumer products. The company was looking for a solution for straightening stacks of oversized wood pallets so they can be picked up by robotic automatic guided vehicles (AGV). The customer had attempted to do this in the past using a forklift and a device built in-house but was unsuccessful in getting the stacks straight enough for the AGV to pick them up.
The custom pallet straightener would need to have the power to safely and securely handle heavy loads with a design that allows for working in very tight tolerances. The solution would also have to account for the fact that the company uses pallets of two different sizes. The customer had also experienced difficulties in the process as a result of working in cold winter temperatures, so the equipment would have to be able to operate consistently and reliably in all weather conditions.
Building a Custom Dual-Load Pallet Straightener
After being contacted by the customer about its material handling challenges, Cherry’s Industrial Equipment performed a thorough intake process in which they listened to the customer’s needs and began to conceptualize an efficient solution. The team developed a custom dual-load pallet straightener with a tight enough tolerance for the project requirements and a three-sided perimeter guarding for safer and more precise straightening of the oversized wood pallet stacks.
Two different straighteners were provided to accommodate both the wide white wood pallets and the 40×48 CHEP pallets used at the facility. Special features were added to provide additional pallet straightener benefits. Included was 1) a cold temperature package which ensured the machine was ready for all-weather use and 2) a safety light curtain package which improved visibility and helped reduce workplace accidents. The pallet straighteners for the customer were designed to be entirely automatic for faster cycle times and increased productivity.
Pallet Straightener Project Overview
The custom dual-load pallet straighteners were delivered and successfully implemented at the factory in Oregon. Cherry’s competitive pricing, comprehensive engineering capacities and fast turnaround times were distinct points of value for the customer.
The ability to provide a solution that completely solved the problem the first time saved the customer time and money, while the unique design is something we can potentially offer other customers in the future, either customized to their specifications or as a standard machine in the Cherry’s Industrial product line.
Closing Remarks
Cherry’s Industrial has provided countless customers with warehouse and production-related equipment that reduces extensive manual labor, provides a safer and cleaner job site and improves the rate of productivity. They listened to the customer’s unique needs and developed a solution that answered all of them efficiently.
If you’re interested in learning more about this case study or the benefits of Cherry’s custom pallet straightener, feel free to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable material handling specialist today. Contact Cherry’s online or call 800-350-0011.