Introduction to pallet upenders.

2025-09-03 11:58:48

Tray flipping machine: full analysis of principle, classification, core advantages, and application scenarios

Tray flipping machine is an automated equipment designed specifically for materials with trays. It drives the tray and the loaded materials to flip synchronously through mechanical structure and power system, achieving functions such as "material posture switching", "dumping and unloading", "tray recycling and reuse", etc. It is widely used in logistics and warehousing, food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical and other industries. Its core value lies in replacing manual labor to complete high labor intensity and high-risk pallet material flipping operations, while improving efficiency and operational safety.

The core working principle of tray flipping machine

The working logic of the tray flipping machine revolves around four major steps: material fixation, power drive, precise flipping, and safe reset. The core is to drive the flipping mechanism through the power system to achieve stable posture conversion between the tray and the material. The specific process is as follows:

Material positioning and fixation: The loaded tray is transported to the "clamping platform" of the flipping machine through a conveyor line or forklift. The equipment fixes the position of the tray through "side push blocking plate", "bottom positioning block" or "hydraulic gripper" to prevent tray displacement during flipping;

Power driven flipping: The motor drives the flipping frame to rotate at a preset angle through transmission components such as reducers, chains/gears, etc; Some high-precision models control the flipping speed and angle through servo motors and encoders to ensure smooth and impact free movement;

Task objective achievement: Complete corresponding tasks according to requirements - for example, "180 ° flip" can achieve "material pouring" or "tray and material separation"; The "90 ° flip" can achieve "vertical tray to horizontal";

Reset and next cycle: After completing the task, the flipping mechanism rotates in reverse to reset to the initial position, releases the tray fixing device, and an empty tray or a new loaded tray enters to start the next cycle; Some fully automatic models can be linked with the production line PLC to achieve unmanned continuous operation.

The main classification of tray flipping machines

According to the homework scenario, tray type, and automation level, tray flipping machines can be divided into the following common types, and the selection needs to match specific requirements:

1. Classify by flipping structure

(1) Frame style tray flipping machine

Structural features: Composed of a "fixed frame+rotatable flipping frame", the flipping frame is connected to the fixed frame on both sides through a main shaft. After the tray enters the flipping frame from the side or top, it is fixed by clamps or baffles;

Core advantages: Stable structure, strong load-bearing capacity, adaptable to various types of pallets;

Applicable scenarios: "pallet material dumping", "pallet recycling" in logistics warehousing, and "material posture switching" on production lines.

(2) Clamp type tray flipping machine

Structural features: No fixed frame, clamped on both sides of the tray by "left and right clamping arms", the clamping arms drive the tray to flip as a whole; Some models come with a lifting function that allows for adjustable flipping height;

Core advantages: small footprint, high flexibility, and adaptability to trays of different sizes;

Applicable scenarios: narrow spaces in workshops, mixed operations of multi specification pallets, and flipping of small and medium-sized materials.

(3) Chain conveyor tray flipping machine

Structural features: Integrated "conveyor chain" and "flipping mechanism", the pallet is automatically transported to the flipping station through the chain, and after flipping is completed, it is transported to the next link by the chain without manual handling;

Core advantages: High degree of automation, seamless integration with production lines, suitable for large-scale continuous operations;

Applicable scenarios: food and beverage production lines, pharmaceutical industry, e-commerce logistics sorting centers.

2. Classify by driving method

(1) Electric tray flipping machine

Power core: powered by an electric motor, driven by a reducer and gear transmission to flip;

Core advantages: low energy consumption, low noise, adjustable flipping speed, and low maintenance costs;

Applicable scenarios: high noise and environmental requirements, high-precision flipping requirements.

(2) Hydraulic tray flipping machine

Power core: Powered by hydraulic motors/cylinders, the flipping mechanism is driven by hydraulic oil;

Core advantages: high output torque, strong load-bearing capacity, and smooth flipping process;

Applicable scenarios: Heavy material flipping, high load intermittent operations.

3. Classified by degree of automation

(1) Manual/semi-automatic tray flipping machine

Features: Manual assistance is required to locate the tray, activate the flip button, and manually remove the material or tray after flipping is completed; Simple structure and low cost;

Applicable scenarios: small batch, low-frequency operations, and temporary operations without fixed production lines.

(2) Fully automatic tray flipping machine

Features: Integrated functions of "automatic conveying", "automatic positioning", "automatic flipping", and "automatic docking", which can be linked with production line PLC and MES systems without manual intervention; Equipped with sensors to achieve fault self diagnosis;

Applicable scenarios: Large scale continuous production, unmanned workshops.

Core advantages of tray flipping machine

Compared to manual flipping or traditional simple equipment, the advantages of tray flipping machines are concentrated in three aspects: efficiency, safety, and adaptability

Significantly improve work efficiency: manually flipping one 2-ton pallet requires 3-5 people to cooperate, taking 10-15 minutes; The tray flipping machine only takes 1-3 minutes for a single flip and can operate continuously. It can process hundreds of trays in a single day, increasing efficiency by 5-10 times;

Ensure personnel and material safety: avoid risks such as "material dumping and injury" and "personnel waist sprain" during manual flipping; The equipment is equipped with overload protection, emergency stop button, and protective light curtain, which comply with safety standards such as GB/T 15706 and EN 292;

Adapt to multiple scenarios and material types: compatible with trays of different materials, sizes, and shapes of materials; Some models support "customized modification";

Reduce material loss and pallet costs: smooth flipping to avoid material collision and damage; Simultaneously achieve the recycling and reuse of empty pallets.

Typical application scenarios of tray flipping machine

The tray flipping machine has strong adaptability and covers core processes in multiple industries

Logistics and warehousing industry:

Empty pallet recycling: Sort and stack the scattered empty pallets after use by flipping them 180 degrees to save storage space;

Material inversion: Pour bagged grain and feed from the tray into the material bin, or pour bottled lubricating oil into the storage tank, instead of manual dumping.

Food and beverage industry:

Label inspection: Flip the bottled beverage tray 180 ° and check if the production date label on the bottom of the bottle is complete;

Material thawing: After flipping the frozen food tray 90 degrees, it enters the thawing pool to accelerate thawing efficiency.

Chemical and pharmaceutical industries:

Explosion proof dumping: The explosion-proof tray flipping machine is used for 180 ° dumping of chemical solvents and pharmaceutical raw materials in barrels to avoid safety risks caused by solvent leakage;

Clean operation: The stainless steel tray flipping machine is used for flipping medicine boxes to prevent material rusting and contamination of drugs.

Mechanical manufacturing industry:

Parts cleaning: The steel tray containing mechanical parts is flipped 90 degrees and enters the cleaning tank to ensure that the parts come into full contact with the cleaning agent;

Assembly assistance: The heavy-duty parts tray can be flipped 180 °, making it convenient for workers to assemble bolts from the bottom and reducing the intensity of bending operations.

Key considerations for choosing a tray flipping machine

Tray and material parameters:

Tray size: Confirm the "tray adaptation range" of the equipment to avoid the tray being too large to be fixed;

Total load (tray+material): Select a model with a rated load ≥ 1.2 times the total load;

Material characteristics: For easily damaged materials, choose the "low-speed flipping+buffering device" model, and for viscous materials, choose the "vibration function" model to assist in material pouring.

Workshop space and layout:

Floor area: For narrow spaces, choose the "clamp type" or "vertical flip type" model, and for spacious spaces, choose the "frame type+conveyor line" model;

Installation method: Choose "ground fixed" for fixed workstations, and "track mobile" for multi workstation operations.

Automation and security requirements:

Automation level: Select the "fully automatic+PLC interface" model for production line linkage, and select the "semi-automatic" model for temporary operations;

Safety protection: For densely populated areas, choose the "with protective light curtain+sound and light alarm" model, and for explosion-proof scenarios, choose the "explosion-proof certification" model.

In summary, the tray flipping machine is a key equipment in modern industry that reduces costs, improves efficiency, and ensures safety. When selecting, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate the "material characteristics, operation goals, and scene limitations" to ensure that the equipment is deeply adapted to the production process and maximizes its value.