{"id":16187,"date":"2026-08-07T09:55:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T07:55:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autforce.com\/?post_type=referenz&p=16187"},"modified":"2026-08-07T09:55:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T07:55:55","slug":"pallet-sorting-machine-for-the-food-retail-sector","status":"publish","type":"referenz","link":"https:\/\/autforce.com\/en\/referenz\/pallet-sorting-machine-for-the-food-retail-sector\/","title":{"rendered":"Pallet sorting machine for the food retail sector"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For EDEKA, Germany\u2019s leading food retailer, AUTFORCE developed a fully automated pallet sorting machine<\/strong> for the efficient sorting of empty pallets as part of the pooling return process<\/strong>. The goal was to reliably identify mixed pallet streams, classify them by type and quality, and automatically sort them onto the respective output lanes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

In addition to type recognition, signs of wear, soiling, damage, and geometric deviations<\/strong> should be automatically evaluated in accordance with the EPAL quality classification. The quality criteria and threshold values for the individual pallet classes were defined in collaboration with the customer. The system developed combines automated sorting<\/strong> with integrated quality inspection<\/strong> and achieves a throughput of up to 200 pallets per hour<\/strong>. Sorting is performed automatically across seven output lanes, with pallets separated by type and quality class.Translated with DeepL.com (free version) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical Challenge: Color- and Type-Based Classification<\/strong>A key challenge of the project was reliably distinguishing between IPP pallets (burgundy) and EPAL-2B pallets (dark brown). This task had already been analyzed in advance as part of a feasibility study. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Keyfacts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n