Choosing a palletizing supplier for 1,000–2,000 cases per hour requires more than comparing catalog prices. I inspect actual case samples, conveyor layouts, and pallet patterns before discussing equipment. A reliable supplier should calculate cycle time from case dimensions, weight, pallet size, and stacking height. A machine rated at 2,000 cases may reach that speed only under ideal conditions.
Ask for a live factory test using your products. Watch how the gripper handles slippery cartons, uneven boxes, and damaged corners. Confirm the robot’s reach, payload, safety fencing, and changeover time.
Control cabinets should include clear wiring labels and accessible components. Software should allow operators to adjust layer patterns without calling an engineer. Small details matter.
I also request references from installations with similar output. Speak with maintenance staff, not only sales representatives. Their comments often reveal noise, spare-part delays, and cleaning difficulties. Service response should be written into the contract, including remote support and technician availability.
Be careful with impressive videos. They may hide manual feeding or slower real production. I once trusted a promised throughput without checking carton variation; the final line needed extra accumulation space. That mistake was avoidable.
A careful supplier will share test data, utility requirements, acceptance criteria, and realistic limits before payment.