Automated Drawer Assembly

Robotic solutions for drawer assembly in the furniture industry

In furniture manufacturing, precision is key—especially in drawer assembly. As a recurring and often time-intensive step in production, it significantly impacts cycle time, product quality, and ergonomics. With Rotte’s automation solutions for drawer assembly, you can permanently optimize this process: Our systems assemble drawers quickly, with precise positioning and repeatable accuracy—adapted to your specific furniture systems. This not only increases output but also reduces error rates and noticeably eases the workload of your employees.

Ein Produktionsband mit mehreren flachen Holzplatten und Metallbeschlägen unter hellem Licht, im Hintergrund ein gelber Industrieroboterarm und Metallstäbe.

Gelber Industrieroboterarm mit Greifern und Saugnäpfen, der eine weiße Platte in einem orangefarbenen Maschinenrahmen hält, umgeben von Metallstreben und elektrischen Kabeln.

Nahaufnahme eines gelben Industrieroboterarms, der eine flache Platte mit Saugern greift, in einer Werkstatt oder Produktionsumgebung

Gelber Industrieroboterarm vor roter Maschineneinheit in einer Produktionsumgebung mit weißen Arbeitstischen auf beiden Seiten

Person legt Papier mit UV-Marker unter eine blaue UV-Lampe auf einem Arbeitstisch in einer Lagerumgebung mit Kartons.

Modular systems—precisely adapted to your production environment

Our drawer assembly solutions are modular in design and can be easily integrated into existing production lines—whether in semi-automated workshops or fully automated industrial plants. We take all relevant parameters into account: from the type of fittings (e.g., metal sides, wooden sides, tandem or under-mount slides) to the drawer height and even specific design requirements. Thanks to our intelligent control systems, different variants can be assembled on a single line—without mechanical retooling.

Example

Robotic cells	4 robotic cells: 1 cell for bottom panel supply with 28 pallet positions, 1 cell for supplying drawer sides and back panels, 2 cells each with a fully automated press and part recognition for SK/AZ assembly in “batch size 1”
Cell connection	via belt conveyor
Bottoms (width)	300–1,200 mm
Bottoms (depth)	300, 400, 500 mm
Drawer sides (depths)	300, 400, 500 mm, different types
Back panels (widths)	120–1,200 mm, different types
Output	2,131 SK/AZ per shift
Press feeding	fully automatic, infinitely adjustable
Loading and unloading	fully automatic in “batch size 1”

Automation for higher quality in drawer assembly

From aligning the side panels to inserting back panels and bottoms, all the way to fastening the fittings—our automation solutions handle every step of drawer assembly with high repeat accuracy. Intelligent sensor systems automatically detect the shape, position, and orientation of each part and assemble them with precision. This provides numerous benefits:

Consistent assembly quality, independent of operator or shift conditions
High cycle performance through full automation and short changeover times
Error reduction thanks to automatic position and dimension checks
Flexibility for changing drawer systems and furniture designs
On-demand production of drawers and pull-outs delivered just-in-sequence to the cabinet assembly line

Custom gripping and joining technology—for precise assembly

Processing wooden elements, metal sides, or plastic components requires customized gripping and joining technologies. For each project, Rotte develops specific solutions to safely pick up, position, and connect parts without damage. Pneumatic or servo-electric joining units ensure every connection point is perfectly fitted—whether clipped, screwed, or nailed. On request, our systems can also be equipped with automatic adhesive application or screwdriving systems.

Intelligent inspection for maximum process reliability

Our drawer assembly systems are equipped with modern sensor and camera technologies. They not only verify correct positioning of all parts but also detect tolerance deviations, damaged components, or missing pieces. Errors are immediately identified and automatically corrected or rejected—ensuring seamless quality assurance and less scrap.

Material supply can be either manual, assisted by optical guidance such as product-specific projections and pick-to-light, or fully automated. In fully automated supply, the robot retrieves the material directly or is supported by additional robotic cells.

Wide range of applications—from kitchens to bathrooms

Rotte’s automated drawer assembly systems are used across all areas of furniture production: kitchen furniture, bathroom furniture, wall units, office furnishings, or modular storage systems. Wherever drawers need to be assembled in large volumes, our technology ensures efficiency, consistently high quality, and optimized manufacturing depth.

Your project in good hands—with Rotte as your partner

Get expert advice now—automation with added value

Do you want to accelerate, standardize, and elevate your drawer assembly to a new level of quality? Then talk to Rotte’s automation specialists! Together, we will analyze your processes and show you how our drawer assembly solutions can make your production more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective.

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