Pick & Place Grippers in Case Packers: Structure, Types, and Functional Advantages

2025-07-24

In automated case packing systems, the pick & place head—also referred to as the gripper—is a key component responsible for transferring products from the infeed conveyor into cartons. Typically mounted on the top-loading section of the machine, it performs vertical and horizontal movements to accurately pick up and place products according to predefined coordinates. The gripper is controlled by a PLC-based system that executes complex motion paths based on sensor feedback and position settings.

Depending on the shape and material of the product, grippers can be categorized into vacuum suction cups, mechanical claws, and soft grippers. Vacuum suction systems are suitable for lightweight, flat-surfaced packages such as pouch bags or carton boxes. Mechanical grippers are commonly used for rigid containers like bottles or cans, ensuring stable handling without product shifting. Soft grippers are ideal for irregular or fragile items, offering gentle handling. Most machines are designed to allow quick switching between gripper types, enhancing adaptability to product changeovers.

One of the main advantages of the pick & place system is its flexibility and positioning accuracy. Driven by servo motors and multi-axis control, the gripper can achieve millimeter-level precision, ensuring consistent and aligned placement of products inside cartons. In group-packing operations, the system can pick multiple items at once and place them into cartons in a single cycle, significantly improving line efficiency.

Structurally, the pick & place unit is often modular, simplifying maintenance and part replacement. On high-speed lines, multiple gripper heads may be configured to perform simultaneous multi-point pick-and-place actions. Some systems also integrate pressure regulation and feedback monitoring to ensure product integrity during handling, particularly important for deformable or fragile items.

In real-world applications, the gripper mechanism is widely used in top-load case packers and robotic case packing machines, serving industries such as beverages, food, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. Due to its configurability and precise motion control, the pick & place head remains a critical component for achieving stable, automated product loading in modern packaging systems.