Kompakter Roboterarm beim automatisierten Pick-and-Place und Sortieren kleiner Bauteile in blaue Behälter einer industriellen Fertigungsanlage
Kompakter Roboterarm beim automatisierten Pick-and-Place und Sortieren von Bauteilen in einer industriellen Fertigungsanlage

Robots for pick & place and sorting

  • Precise
  • Quickly
  • Flexible
  • Scalable

Robots and cobots automate repetitive pick-and-place and sorting tasks in production, packaging, and logistics. Components, products, and workpieces are picked up, positioned, classified, and reliably transferred to defined storage locations, trays, containers, or downstream processes. With suitable grippers, conveyor technology, and vision systems, even changing products and varying positions can be detected and processed. This results in fast, reproducible material flows with high precision and fewer manual handling steps.

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Pick-and-place robots for production & sorting

Dobot M1 Pro - Terra-Robotics To the product!
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DOBOT M1 Pro

Fast 4-axis SCARA for pick & place, sorting, and automated material handling at high repetition rates.

  • Grünes Icon zeigt stilisierte Kombination aus Besen und Eimer als Symbol für Reinigungssysteme 1.5 kg load capacity
  • Grünes Icon einer Batterie mit Blitzsymbol steht für Energieeffizienz und schnelles Aufladen 400 mm working radius
  • Grünes Icon mit Person und Pfeilen zu Auswahlfeldern symbolisiert Entscheidungsprozesse visuell ±0.02 mm precision
  • Grünes Icon mit drei übereinander gestapelten Behältern symbolisiert praktisches Lagern und Sortieren Dynamic tracking
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To the product!
DOBOT MG400 kompakter Desktop-Industrieroboter für präzise Automatisierungs-, Montage- und Handlingaufgaben To the product!
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DOBOT MG400

Ultra-compact desktop robot for precise pick & place, small parts handling, and sorting in confined spaces.

  • Grünes Handschlag Icon als Symbol für freundliche Begrüßung durch Empfangsroboter 500 g load capacity
  • Grünes Mikrofon Icon als Symbol für Spracherkennung und Sprachsteuerung moderner Serviceroboter 440 mm working radius
  • Grünes Icon mit Verkehrshütchen und Pfeil als Symbol für intelligente Hindernisvermeidung smarter Roboter ±0.05 mm precision
  • Grüne Farbrolle mit tropfender Farbe als Symbol für kreatives Design smarter Robotik 190 × 190 mm footprint
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To the product!
Dobot CR3A Roboterarm - Terra-Robotics To the product!
Free initial consultation

DOBOT CR3A

Compact 6-axis cobot for flexible pick-and-place, sorting, and assembly tasks with more complex motion sequences.

  • Grünes Icon eines Gehirns als Symbol für KI und menschliche Gestik bei Servicerobotern 3 kg load capacity
  • Grünes KI Icon im Quadrat als Symbol für künstliche Intelligenz smarter Roboter 620 mm operating radius
  • Grünes Icon mit Verkehrshütchen und Pfeil als Symbol für intelligente Hindernisvermeidung smarter Roboter ±0.02 mm precision
  • Grüne Farbrolle mit tropfender Farbe als Symbol für kreatives Design smarter Robotik 6 axes
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To the product!
Dobot CR5A Roboterarm - Terra-Robotics To the product!
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DOBOT CR5A

High-performance 6-axis cobot for larger workpieces, flexible sorting, packaging, and automated material handling.

  • Grünes Icon zeigt stilisierte Kombination aus Besen und Eimer als Symbol für Reinigungssysteme 5 kg load capacity
  • Lautsprecher Icon mit durchgestrichenem Sound als Symbol für leise, geräuscharme smarte Roboter 900 mm working radius
  • Grünes KI Icon im Quadrat als Symbol für künstliche Intelligenz smarter Roboter ±0.02 mm precision
  • Grünes Icon mit Schild, Haken und Zahnrädern als Symbol für wartungsarme, zuverlässige smarte Roboter Up to 2 m/s TCP
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To the product!
DOBOT Roboterarm beim automatisierten Pick-and-Place und Sortieren von Bauteilen an einer industriellen Produktionslinie

DOBOT M1 Pro during high-speed automated pick and place of components between conveyor belt and workpiece carrier

Fast pick & place for recurring processes

Pick-and-place robots handle the rapid picking, transferring, and positioning of components, products, and packaging. Workpieces can, for example, be picked from a conveyor belt and transferred into trays, boxes, fixtures, or the next production step. Compact SCARA systems like the DOBOT M1 Pro are particularly suitable for short, repetitive movement cycles and support dynamic gripping and tracking. This allows material flows to be automated with high repeatability in a precise and predictable manner.

Kompakter Roboterarm beim automatisierten Pick-and-Place und Sortieren farbiger Bauteile vom Förderband in verschiedene Behälter

DOBOT MG400 with camera system for automated recognition and sorting of various components

Camera-based recognition & sorting

With machine vision, products can not only be moved, but also recognized and classified before they are gripped. Cameras capture, for example, the position, orientation, shape, or defined optical characteristics of a component. The robot then picks up the workpiece and places it at the intended destination depending on the recognized feature. This allows for the automation of sorting tasks based on product variant, position, or quality criteria, and enables the development of flexible pick-and-place processes.

Kompakter Roboterarm beim automatisierten Pick-and-Place und Sortieren farbiger Bauteile vom Förderband in verschiedene Behälter

DOBOT CR3A with flexible gripper handling various components and workpiece geometries

Flexible grippers for various workpieces

The appropriate gripping technique determines which workpieces can be reliably handled automatically. Electric parallel grippers are suitable for precise components, vacuum grippers for smooth and flat products, and flexible soft grippers for delicate or irregular shapes. As a result, the same robotics platform can be used for different items and production variants. During product changeovers, gripper parameters, positions, and the robot program are specifically adapted to the new process.

Benefits of robotics in Pick & Place & Sort

Automated pick-and-place and sorting processes combine speed, precision, and flexible workpiece handling. Robots can be combined with grippers, cameras, conveyor technology, and existing control systems to create scalable automation solutions.

High repeatability

Robots move workpieces reproducibly between defined pick and place positions. This allows components to be reliably positioned in trays, fixtures, containers, or production stations.

Short & predictable cycle times

Recurring motion sequences can be coordinated with the material flow and the desired cycle time. Especially with high production volumes, this results in more uniform and predictable processes.

Intelligent object recognition

Vision systems can detect the position, orientation, and defined features of products. This allows workpieces to be sorted automatically even if they are not always presented in the exact same position.

Flexible workpiece handling

Electric, pneumatic, magnetic, or vacuum-based grippers enable the handling of various components and packaging. Grippers and robot programs can be specifically adapted to changing products.

Integration into production lines

Robots can be connected with conveyor technology, sensor systems, vision systems, and machine controllers. In this way, individual manual handling processes can be specifically integrated into existing production and packaging lines.

Scalable automation

From a compact desktop robot to a networked cobot cell, the solution can grow with production needs. Additional grippers, cameras, conveyor lines, or robots can be added step-by-step.

Automating Pick & Place – fast gripping, positioning & depositing

In automated pick & place, a robot takes over the recurring task of picking up and moving components, products, or packaging. Provision can be made, for example, via conveyor technology, workpiece carriers, trays, or containers. The robot grips the product with a suitable end-effector and then positions it at a defined deposition, assembly, or transfer position. For fast processes with lightweight workpieces, compact systems like the DOBOT M1 Pro are suitable, while the DOBOT MG400 represents an interesting solution, especially for space-critical desktop applications. The M1 Pro offers a 1.5 kg payload with a 400 mm working radius and ±0.02 mm repeatability; the MG400 operates with a 440 mm radius at ±0.05 mm.

Sorting with machine vision & intelligent object recognition

In automated sorting processes, cameras and vision systems can provide additional information about the products being supplied. Position, orientation, shape, or other visually recognizable features are evaluated and then transferred to the robot controller. Based on the programmed process, the robot decides in which container, tray, or station the workpiece is deposited. The DOBOT Vision System supports, among others, the MG400 and M1 Pro and is designed for visual positioning, object recognition, measurement, and inspection.

For more complex movements or heavier components, 6-axis cobots such as the DOBOT CR3A or CR5A can be used. The CR3A combines a 3 kg payload with a 620 mm working radius, while the CR5A offers a 5 kg payload and a 900 mm working radius. This allows not only simple horizontal transfers but also spatially more complex gripping, sorting, and assembly tasks to be implemented.

Your benefits at a look

Precision

Robots position components with repeatable accuracy at defined pick-up and deposit points. This makes pick-and-place solutions particularly suitable for processes where reproducible workpiece positioning is critical.

Speed

Short and repetitive motion sequences can be designed for high unit volumes and defined cycle times. This allows manual bottlenecks in sorting, loading, and material transfer to be reduced.

Vision

Camera systems detect the position, orientation, and defined features of workpieces. This allows robots to precisely pick up products, classify them, and automatically assign them to the correct process or container.

Flexibility

Different workpieces can be handled using suitable grippers, vision parameters, and robot programs. As a result, product changes can often be implemented without requiring a completely new automation system.

Integration

Pick-and-place robots can be integrated with conveyor technology, PLCs, sensors, cameras, and existing machinery. This creates seamless automation from the incoming product to the defined placement position.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pick and place with robots?

In automated pick & place, a robot picks up a component, product, or workpiece from one position and places it back down at a defined target position. Typical destinations include trays, containers, conveyor belts, assembly fixtures, packaging, or downstream production stations.

Which robots are suitable for pick & place and sorting?

For fast and simple pick-and-place tasks, SCARA and desktop robots such as the DOBOT M1 Pro or MG400 are suitable. For more complex spatial movements and larger workpieces, 6-axis cobots such as the DOBOT CR3A or CR5A can be used. The decisive factors are weight, reach, speed, grippers, and the required range of motion.

What is the difference between pick & place and sorting?

Pick & place focuses on the picking up and placing down of a workpiece. Sorting involves an additional decision, for example based on product type, position, shape, or another recognizable feature. The workpiece is then assigned to a suitable container or process.

How does camera-based pick and place work?

A vision system captures the workpiece and determines, for example, its position and orientation. This information is transmitted to the robot controller. The robot adjusts its gripping point, picks up the detected object, and moves it to the programmed target position.

Which products can pick-and-place robots handle?

Depending on the robot model and gripper, items such as electronic components, plastic parts, metal components, packaging, trays, containers, laboratory vessels, and many other suitable products can be handled. The decisive factors are the weight, size, surface, shape, and sensitivity of the workpiece.

Pick & place robot for automated gripping, sorting & positioning

Pick & Place Robots for Automated Gripping, Sorting & Positioning

Pick & Place robots automate repetitive handling tasks in production, packaging, electronics manufacturing, laboratory, and logistics environments. Products or components are picked up, moved, and placed at a defined position. Tasks that often consist of hundreds or thousands of identical movements per shift for employees can be executed reproducibly and in line with defined cycle times using robotics.

Pick & Place ranges from simple transfers between two workpiece carriers to camera-assisted sorting processes involving conveyor technology, varying products, and automatic object recognition. Therefore, it is not just the robot itself that is decisive. The gripper, sensor technology, vision system, feeding mechanism, and machine control together determine how reliably the entire process functions.

Automating Pick & Place – from Workpiece to Target Position

In a classic Pick & Place process, a product is first provided at a defined position. This could be, for example, a conveyor belt, tray, container, or workpiece carrier. The robot moves to the pick position, grips the component, and subsequently transports it to the programmed placement position.

Typical applications include loading trays, transferring between conveyor belts, feeding components to machines, packaging, sorting, or material supply for subsequent assembly processes.

For rapid movements of lightweight workpieces, the DOBOT M1 Pro is suitable, for example. The compact 4-axis SCARA offers a 1.5 kg payload, 400 mm working radius, and ±0.02 mm repeatability. Its encoder interface additionally supports dynamic gripping and tracking, making it attractive for automated conveyor belt processes.

Compact Pick & Place Automation with the DOBOT MG400

When space is limited, a desktop robot can represent a particularly compact alternative. The DOBOT MG400 requires a footprint of only 190 × 190 mm and weighs around 8 kg. With a working radius of 440 mm, it can reach multiple pickup, processing, and placement positions within a compact workspace.

The technical specification lists a 500 g regular payload and up to 750 g maximum load, as well as ±0.05 mm repeatability. This makes the MG400 particularly suitable for lightweight components, small parts handling, assembly, sorting, and automated test benches.

Sorting Robots with Machine Vision

During automatic sorting with robots, the system often first needs to recognize what the product is and where it is located. This is precisely where machine vision complements classical robotics.

An industrial camera captures the workpiece. Image processing can then, for example, determine the position, orientation, or defined visual features. Based on this data, the robot receives the required gripping point and the corresponding target position.

The DOBOT Vision System is compatible with the MG400 and M1 Pro as well as other DOBOT platforms. It combines an industrial camera, lighting, and image processing software, and supports applications such as positioning, object recognition, measurement, and quality inspection.

As a result, Pick & Place and sorting processes can react more flexibly to different workpiece positions than systems where every product must be mechanically aligned with high precision.

Cobot Pick & Place for Complex Movements

Not every application can be solved with a 4-axis SCARA or a desktop robot. If workpieces are picked up from different angles, machines are being loaded, or spatially more complex movements are required, six-axis cobots offer additional freedom of movement.

The DOBOT CR3A combines a 3 kg payload with a 620 mm working radius and ±0.02 mm repeatability. This makes it suitable for compact Pick & Place, sorting, assembly, and inspection tasks.

For larger workpieces and an expanded workspace, the DOBOT CR5A offers a 5 kg payload, 900 mm working radius, and likewise ±0.02 mm repeatability. This allows for the implementation of packaging, machine loading, and material handling processes, among others.

Selecting the Right Gripper for the Workpiece

A Pick & Place robot can only be as reliable as its gripping system. Therefore, the end effector should always be matched to the product and the process.

Electric parallel grippers are suitable, for example, for workpieces with defined gripping surfaces. Vacuum grippers are attractive for flat and airtight products. Soft grippers, on the other hand, can pick up delicate or irregularly shaped workpieces more gently.

Various gripper solutions are available in the DOBOT accessory portfolio. For the MG400, there are, for example, electric, electromagnetic, and flexible soft grippers. The soft gripper is explicitly designed for delicate or irregular products.

Pick & Place Directly from the Conveyor Belt

Automation becomes particularly interesting when robotics is directly connected to the ongoing material flow. Products can enter the workspace via a conveyor belt, be recognized, and subsequently be automatically picked up.

Depending on the robot system, encoders, sensors, and vision components can capture the position of a moving workpiece. The robot synchronizes its movement with the material flow and then transfers the product to the intended process.

Such solutions are suitable for, for example, sorting, packaging, product singulation, and material supply.

Automatically Sorting Different Products

In high-variance production, multiple products often need to be processed via the same line. Instead of setting up a completely separate workstation for each variant, features and target positions can be stored in the software.

If, for example, the vision system recognizes different shapes or positions, the robot controller can feed the workpiece to the respectively intended container or process.

How flexibly the system can work depends on the recognizability of the products, their grippability, and the required cycle time. The greater the differences between workpieces, the more important a clean process analysis and suitable image processing become.

Integrating Pick & Place into Existing Production Lines

Robots do not have to be operated as isolated individual cells. Via suitable interfaces, cobots and desktop robots can be connected with conveyor technology, PLCs, cameras, sensors, machines, and IT systems.

The DOBOT CR series, in particular, supports common industrial communication standards, thereby enabling the integration of grippers, vision systems, and further peripherals. Thus, the CR3A and CR5A can be used both as a compact standalone workstation and as a component of a larger automation cell.

Selecting the Right Pick & Place Robot for the Process

To select a suitable robot, the workpiece weight, required reach, and desired cycle time should be considered together.

A compact MG400 may be sufficient for small and lightweight parts. The M1 Pro is particularly interesting for fast SCARA applications. The CR3A offers additional 6-axis agility with a 3 kg payload, while the CR5A, with 5 kg and a larger working radius, can cover heavier or spatially more demanding tasks.

Additionally, gripper weight, product variants, safety concepts, feeding, and, if applicable, vision systems must be taken into account. Only from these components does a reliable Pick & Place or sorting solution emerge.

Terra Robotics supports companies in the selection and planning of suitable robotics for Pick & Place, sorting, workpiece handling, and machine vision – from compact desktop solutions to integrated cobot cells with conveyor technology and camera-based object recognition.