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Case Study
Why Pay for Pallets? 
Zero Point Delivers for Less
CUSTOMER CHALLENGE
The customer needed an automation-ready system that minimized mass, saved space, and allowed for reliable, repeatable pallet changes, even during lights-out operations.

A manufacturing customer sought to automate their machining process using a pallet pool system on standard machining centers. Their goal was to increase productivity and reduce downtime between part changeovers.

However, traditional machine pallets added significant weight to the pallet pool, over 400 lbs per device, and required frequent manual interventions for release, blow-off, and feedback.

Customer's Original Pallet Solution

Our customer planned to spend $400,000 on 80 pallets.

After reviewing their setup, we demonstrated how our Zero Point solution achieved the same level of productivity and flexibility.

Using the Zero Point System saved them over $300,000.

ROEMHELD SOLUTION
ROEMHELD engineered a Zero Point Clamping System (ZPS) integrated with automatic couplings to interface directly with the pallet pool automation setup.

ROEMHELD engineered a Zero Point Clamping System (ZPS) integrated with automatic couplings to interface directly with the pallet pool automation setup.

Zero Point Clamping System

  • Integrated couplings for air, signal, and hydraulic functions

  • 1 mm coupling travel and positive locking for repeatable positioning

  • External energy supply for release, blow-off, and feedback, reducing moving mass

  • Compact footprint with minimal installation space

By replacing the standard mechanical pallet fixture, the Zero Point system offered a lighter, smarter, and service-friendly alternative that could also be retrofitted to existing machines.

Key Results
Our customer planned to spend $400,000 on 80 pallets. After reviewing their setup, we showed how our Zero Point solution achieved the same productivity and flexibility — saving them over $300,000.
  • Faster Changeovers – Fully automated pallet exchange with precision repeatability
  • Reduced Weight – Negligible added mass, improving spindle dynamics and energy efficiency

  • Smaller Footprint – Lower space requirements compared to conventional pallet systems

  • Lower Maintenance Costs – Simple construction, external energy routing, and reliable couplings

  • Retrofit Ready – Ideal for both new installations and existing machine upgrades