Stack Turner

Customized solutions for turning, repalletizing, and handling stacks and coils

Wherever products are moved in tall, compact stacks or heavy units, proper handling is crucial for product quality, process reliability, and ergonomics. Stacked solar modules, sheet materials, crates, drums, or coils must be safely rotated, turned, or transferred to other pallets—without slipping, damage, or unnecessary physical strain on the operators. At the same time, demands for cycle times, flexibility, and integrated logistics processes are increasing, while purely manual handling quickly reaches its limits.

Ulrich Rotte Anlagenbau & Fördertechnik GmbH develops stack turners and repalletizers for these applications, which make the turning, rotating, and repositioning of stacks and wound goods significantly easier, safer, and more cost-effective. Each system is designed as a custom solution—tailored to product dimensions, stack heights, weights, layout, industrial trucks, and safety requirements. In addition to stack turners for solar modules, our product portfolio also includes coil turners and drum turners, which we design precisely to fit your processes as needed.

From design through engineering, manufacturing, and assembly all the way to commissioning, Rotte supports the entire lifecycle of your rotary systems—and adapts them at any time to accommodate changes in products, load carriers, or logistics concepts.

Talk to us—we’ll help you safely and efficiently turn, reposition, and move stacks, coils, and drums.

Efficient repalletizers for stacked solar modules

A typical application for Rotte stack turners is in repalletizing systems for solar modules, where pre-assembled stacks of modules are transferred from a production or intermediate pallet to a shipping pallet. The stack turner first picks up the empty shipping pallet, which is then rotated 90° with the pallet inserted into it and positioned vertically to receive the module stack. An integrated anti-tilt mechanism securely holds the vertically positioned shipping pallet in place, allowing the stack to be transferred without risk.

In the next step, the entire stack of solar modules is moved into the device by a pallet jack or another material handling vehicle, picked up, and carefully placed onto the shipping pallet. The result: a clean, repeatable repalletizing process with significantly reduced effort—especially compared to manual or improvised solutions.

Typical Applications for Stacking and Turning Systems

Rotte’s stack turners and turning systems are used wherever tall, compact, and delicate units need to be moved, for example:

Solar Module Production (Repalletizer for Stacked Modules on Shipping Pallets)
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Packaging and logistics areas with stacks of pallets or boxes
Rubber and plastics industry, including coils, drums, or rolls
Warehouse and shipping areas where the orientation of load carriers must be adjusted

In addition to traditional stack turners, our product portfolio also includes coil turners and drum turners, which we customize as needed to accommodate specific coil dimensions, core mounts, weights, and safety requirements—including feeding, securing, and transfer to downstream processes.

Your application, our solution—we'll make it happen

The pallet turners from Ulrich Rotte Anlagenbau & Fördertechnik GmbH combine mechanical robustness, well-designed handling, and practical safety concepts to create solutions that are precisely tailored to your day-to-day logistics operations. Customers benefit from custom-designed layouts, clear interfaces with industrial trucks and conveyor systems, and equipment that can scale to meet future requirements—such as new product formats or higher throughput rates.

From ergonomic repalletizing stations for solar modules to fully integrated turning systems for coils and drums, Rotte offers a wide range of solutions that we can customize and expand together with you.

Flexible system architecture for various stacks and load carriers

Rotte’s stack turners can be configured for a wide variety of products and load carriers—from stacks of modules to stacks of panels or crates, and even coils and drums. Depending on the application, stacks can be rotated around the long or short side to meet packaging, labeling, or load-securing requirements.
Key features of the solar module repalletizer include:

Easily transfer an entire stack onto a shipping pallet
Rotate along the long or short side, depending on packaging and logistics requirements
Suitable for all electric pallet trucks—no special vehicle required
Loading from two sides to seamlessly integrate into existing material flows

Thanks to custom-designed holders, stops, and safety devices, the systems can be configured for different pallet types, stacking heights, and product formats. This allows Rotte stack turners to integrate seamlessly into existing solar module production lines or logistics areas.

Rugged mechanics for stacking and coil operation

As a manufacturer of custom machinery, Rotte places great emphasis on robust, durable construction. The frames and swivel units of the stack turners are designed to handle actual loads and safety margins, including dynamic forces during swiveling and positioning. High-quality bearings, drives, and safety components ensure consistently stable operation—even during intensive use in shift operations.

To ensure safe operation, all relevant areas are easily accessible and clearly laid out. Maintenance points, stops, and safety devices are arranged so that service and inspections can be performed quickly. Upon request, surfaces that come into contact with the product can be designed to reliably protect sensitive surfaces—such as those of glass modules—from damage.

Automated Handling—From Turning to Transferring

Depending on the level of automation, Rotte stack turners can be designed as simple “handling aids” for a walkie forklift or as part of an automated conveyor system. Possible applications include, for example:

Manual loading using electric pallet jacks, while still ensuring a guided, safe turning process
Semi-automatic repalletizing with predefined program sequences for swiveling and holding
Integration of conveyors, rotating stations, or buffer stations around the stack turner
Combined solutions in which stacks or coils are picked up by roller conveyors, turned, and then automatically conveyed further

This results in solutions tailored to the specific level of automation in your logistics operations—from ergonomic individual workstations to fully integrated material flow solutions.

Smart Control and Integration into Your Logistics

The stack turners are controlled using robust, intuitive automation technology. Using a control console or touch panel—tailored to your standards—operators can select swivel programs, specify the direction of rotation (long or short side), and control safety and enable logic. Status indicators and diagnostic information facilitate daily operation and error analysis.

Using standardized interfaces, stack turners can be integrated into a higher-level conveyor or warehouse management system as needed. This makes it possible to track which stack was turned or transferred to a shipping pallet, as well as when, where, and how this occurred. When combined with other Rotte solutions—such as repalletizers, conveyor systems, or inspection stations—the stack turner becomes part of a comprehensive intralogistics concept.

Your partner for custom-designed stack turners in production and logistics

Every product and every material flow has its own specific requirements regarding stack orientation, handling frequency, safety, and integration. That is why Ulrich Rotte Anlagenbau & Fördertechnik GmbH does not develop “off-the-shelf” standard turners, but rather solutions tailored to your specific requirements. After a detailed analysis of products, pallet types, industrial trucks, layout, and safety objectives, we work with you to develop a concept that integrates seamlessly—both technically and organizationally—into your manufacturing and logistics processes.

From engineering through design, manufacturing, and assembly all the way to commissioning, our team supports you throughout the entire project. Training for your employees, along with comprehensive service and maintenance, ensure that your turning and repalletizing systems operate reliably and safely over the long term.

Rotte’s stack turners thus lay the foundation for stable material flows, ergonomic workstations, and logistics that keep pace with the demands of modern, industrialized manufacturing.

Contact us—we’d be happy to advise you on stack turners, coil and drum turners, and integrated repalletizing solutions for your production and intralogistics operations.

One Company, Many Advantages

Ulrich Rotte Anlagenbau & Fördertechnik GmbH is your specialist in custom machinery. In addition to our innovative solutions in special-purpose machinery and automation technology, you also benefit from a wide range of customer and after-sales services:

Your Advantages at a Glance:

Decades of experience in special-purpose machinery
Extensive know-how across all areas of automation technology
High expertise in the latest technologies and applications for Industry 4.0
All services from a single source—from development and design to manufacturing, assembly, commissioning, and regular on-site maintenance
Optional training of your machine operators, technicians, and supervisors at your facility
Mechanical engineering made in Germany – we design and manufacture exclusively in Germany
Personalized customer support – you will always have a qualified contact person available