Columbia/Okura, a North American integrator, upgraded its miniPAL collaborative palletizing system. The new miniPAL 2.0 features a 25% increased payload, a narrower frame and cover, and area safety scanners that replace pressure sensitive safety mats.

miniPAL 2.0 features the enhanced UR10e cobot arm from Universal Robots, which increases the system’s payload to 27.55 lbs (12.5 kg). The payload capacity on the original miniPAL system was 22 lb (10 kg). miniPAL is a certified UR+ application kit.

Columbia said miniPAL 2.0 creates new possibilities with heavier payloads. Its design also includes an automated lifting column for tall loads, dual stacking locations for continuous load building, built-in fork pockets for mobility, and pattern building software for ease of use. Columbia debuted miniPAL 2.0 at Pack Expo Las Vegas.

miniPAL 2.0 has a total workspace footprint of 11 feet by 13 feet and can palletize at two pallet locations for optimized productivity. The latest design includes three area safety scanners that detect human presence in the palletizing work envelope. This ensures safe operation in the presence of workers, while allowing miniPAL 2.0 to operate at maximum rates while individuals are not within the palletizing work zone.

The system plugs into 110V AC wall power and can be set up in hours, Columbia said. A typical installation delivers an average payback in 8-10 months, depending on application and industry.

“The latest upgrades to miniPAL make an excellent mobile, collaborative palletizer even better,” said Brian Hutton, president of Columbia/Okura LLC. “In this environment of critical labor shortages in every industry, miniPAL® allows clients to quickly and cost effectively automate routine palletizing operations, and to redeploy existing resources to higher value activities.”