System and method of manufacturing wood pallets

Abstract

The pallet superstructure (1) is formed by four boards (2) connected by corner fittings (3). The system comprises an assembly station (6) for connecting adjacent boards (2) into pairs of boards (2), a completion station (7) for connecting two pairs of boards (2) into a complete pallet superstructure (1) and a loading station (8) for storing the finished pallet superstructures (1). In each cell of the assembly station (6) there are preferably two trays (9) of boards, the lower level of which is at the level of the table of the assembly station (6). The assembly station (6) or the completion station (7) may comprise guide grooves with inclined guide surfaces for mechanically positioning the sleeves of the corner fitting (3) in the axis of the device (12) for inserting the connecting pins (4). The working length of the table or work fixture of the connection station (5), assembly station (6) or completion station (7) is preferably adjustable. In a preferred embodiment, three robots (10) are used, which ensure continuous cyclic loading of pairs of boards (2) into the assembly station (7) and removal of the finished pallet superstructure (1) into the loading station (8).