An Algorithm to Determine Placement Sequence in Robotic Pallet Pattern Formation

Abstract

In automated manufacturing palletising operations, the Pallet Loading Problem (PLP) usually deals with generating optimal pallet patterns of placing boxes on a rectangular pallet. For a given pattern, the boxes can be placed in different set of sequences each affecting efficiency and productivity of robotic palletisation. Therefore, merely getting an optimal pallet pattern does not guarantee an optimal pattern placement strategy. Very few published literature is available to address this problem, and so there is a need to develop a methodology that considers the palletisers physical characteristics and limitations in robotic palletising systems. This paper presents development of an algorithm to determine the placement sequence in robotic pallet pattern formation with the aim of improving the operational efficiency in robotic palletisation.