Fully Automated Loading Robots: Industrial Salt Industry Applications in Jiangsu

At a large industrial salt production base in Jiangsu, inside a modern storage warehouse, several fully automated loading robots are completing the task of stacking salt bags with astonishing efficiency. These robotic arms flexibly grab, rotate, and stack, moving with seamless fluidity, processing over 800 bags of 50kg industrial salt per hour—equivalent to more than five times the efficiency of traditional manual stacking.

As a fundamental raw material in the chemical industry, the storage and logistics of industrial salt have distinct industry characteristics. First, the daily throughput is massive, with coastal production bases needing to handle an average of over 3,000 tons of product per day. Second, the working environment is harsh, with highly corrosive salt dust that can easily cause respiratory illnesses in workers over long periods. Furthermore, the packaging specifications are uniform, mostly 50kg PP woven bags, providing an ideal application scenario for automated equipment. The third-generation loading robot system introduced by this Jiangsu-based enterprise is precisely tailored to address these pain points. The robots can accurately grab salt bags of different stack types. Using 3D visual positioning, the system identifies bagged salt on the conveyor belt, calculates the grabbing path via algorithms, and completes the stacking with robotic arms, after which forklifts transport the stacks to trucks. The entire process is fully unmanned, with only one monitoring personnel in the control room.

Economic analysis shows that the payback period for this project is surprisingly short. The total investment for a single automated loading line is approximately 2.8 million yuan, replacing what was originally a team of 12 workers. With an average annual cost per worker of 80,000 yuan, labor expenses alone can be reduced by 960,000 yuan per year. Combined with savings on hidden costs such as reduced compensation for workplace injuries and protective equipment, the investment can be recouped in just 2.5 years. In terms of energy consumption, the robot system uses only 60% of the electricity consumed by traditional hydraulic stackers, saving up to 150,000 kWh annually. More importantly, automated operations have increased loading efficiency by 30%, improved vehicle turnover rates, and reduced annual logistics late fees by approximately 500,000 yuan.

This case deeply illustrates the path selection for the intelligent transformation of traditional industries. Not all segments are suitable for "machines replacing humans"; instead, priority should be given to key positions with high labor intensity, poor working environments, and repetitive tasks. The practice of automation in industrial salt stacking in Jiangsu demonstrates that when technology addresses industry pain points, it not only enhances efficiency but also restructures operational models and even fosters new service formats. With the deepening promotion of the "14th Five-Year Plan" for smart manufacturing, it is expected that by 2026, industrial logistics automation in China will increase from the current 21% to 35%, and specialized automated equipment like loading robots will become a significant driving force in this transformation.

At the Jiangsu salt industry base, those operating these loading robots are no longer sweat-drenched laborers but skilled personnel with electromechanical knowledge. This transformation not only enhances the industry's added value but also creates more employment opportunities, providing a vivid footnote for the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries.

Shandong Xinjie Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. specializes in the research, development, and production of loading robots, palletizing robots, column stackers, and high-level stackers, while also offering一站式 services for entire packaging and palletizing lines for various materials. The company focuses on the R&D and production of palletizing and packaging equipment, with products applied in industries such as feed, fertilizer, building materials, grain, food, beverages, and automated logistics. From product design to output, Shandong Xinjie Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. provides comprehensive technical solutions and equipment manufacturing. Additionally, we have a完善的 after-sales service system, offering users high-quality products and satisfactory after-sales service, ensuring customers can purchase with confidence and use with ease!