Pallet exchange
Move a load from one pallet type to another, for example before hygienic or export areas.
Pallet handling
Pallet Inverters
Pallet inverters that clamp a full load and turn it over to exchange pallets or recover goods without restacking by hand.
Overview
What this system does
A pallet inverter grips a complete pallet load between two clamping platens and rotates it, typically through 180 degrees. The pallet can then be removed and replaced, for example to change from a wooden to a plastic or hygienic pallet, to recover goods from a damaged pallet, or to turn a load over for a process step. Clamping force, rotation and controls are selected for the load so it stays stable throughout the cycle.
Main applications
Damaged pallet recovery
Transfer goods from a broken pallet onto a new one without unloading by hand.
Load inverting
Turn a complete load over when a process or storage step requires it.
Operating principle
How it works
Pallet Inverter
A pallet inverter grips a complete pallet load between two clamping platens and rotates it, typically through 180 degrees. The pallet can then be removed and replaced, for example to change from a wooden to a plastic or hygienic pallet, to recover goods from a damaged pallet, or to turn a load over for a process step. Clamping force, rotation and controls are selected for the load so it stays stable throughout the cycle.
A 3D visualisation of the equipment — turn it and inspect its components in the gallery.
Available configurations
Possible arrangements
Clamp and invert
Load is clamped between platens and rotated to exchange the pallet.
Conveyor-fed inverter
Loads arrive and leave on conveyors for automatic operation.
Forklift-loaded inverter
Loads are placed and removed by forklift or pallet truck.
Technical design basis
Technical characteristics
These items identify the information used to engineer this equipment. Numerical limits appear only where the referenced catalogue supports them; other values are confirmed for each project.
The photo shows an ENTRA pallet inverter from the ENTRA company profile. Capacities and cycle times are defined per project and are not implied here.
| Load envelope | Defined from the largest and smallest pallet loads to be handled. |
|---|---|
| Clamping | Selected so the load is held without damaging the packaging. |
| Rotation | Angle and speed defined for load stability. |
| Safety | Guarding, interlocks and operator controls defined for the site. |
Engineering considerations
What ENTRA needs to engineer the right solution
A useful proposal starts with operating conditions and interfaces. Final sizing is confirmed by engineering review.
Load
Load mass, height, footprint, stability, packaging and the pressure it can accept.
Pallet types
Incoming and outgoing pallet types and sizes.
Integration
Forklift or conveyor loading, cycle time, guarding and control interfaces.
Photographs
From ENTRA's project gallery
Captions identify the equipment shown; a photo is not a claim that every image is a completed installation of the exact configuration described.
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