Abstract: The problem of singulating products that are provided in a pallet layer is solved by breaking up the pallet layer so that each product can be handled separately by a robot tool and outputted in at least one line according to a predetermined orientation. The singulator includes a layer drop zone that receives a pallet layer of products, a break-up system that separates the products by creating gaps therebetween, yielding separated products, a vision system that determines characteristics and position of each separated product; and a robot equipped with a tool that receives information indicative of the characteristics and position of said each separated product to grip and position each separated product onto an output station within at least one line.

Abstract: Embodiments of a product orientor include a turner conveyor that defines conveying plan and direction for a product received thereon and that has an initial orientation relative to the conveying direction. The initial orientation is determined by a vision system that is positioned upstream from the turner conveyor. The turner conveyor is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the conveying plan between a conveying orientation, wherein the product is in the initial orientation, and a rectifying orientation, wherein the product is in a predetermined orientation relative to the conveying orientation. The product orientor further includes pressure plates that are movable between a retracted configuration and a holding configuration wherein the product is maintained in the predetermined orientation while the turner conveyor is moved from the rectifying orientation to the initial conveying orientation.

Abstract: The problem of singulating products that are provided in a pallet layer is solved by breaking up the pallet layer so that each product can be handled separately by a robot tool and outputted in at least one line according to a predetermined orientation. The singulator includes a layer drop zone that receives a pallet layer of products, a break-up system that separates the products by creating gaps therebetween, yielding separated products, a vision system that determines characteristics and position of each separated product; and a robot equipped with a tool that receives information indicative of the characteristics and position of said each separated product to grip and position each separated product onto an output station within at least one line.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding a plastic component to a body's aperture includes a first heating head mounted to a frame element for heating the component, a gripper for gripping the component and for mounting the component to the body's aperture, a heater arm having a second heating head mounted thereto for heating the aperture, and an actuator for mounting both the heater arm and the gripper to the frame element for alternating between a heating position wherein ia) the gripper is generally aligned with the first heating head for abutment therewith, while ib) the second heating head is positioned for heating the aperture, and a work position wherein ii) the gripper is generally aligned with the aperture for mounting the component to the aperture for welding therewith: The gripper is mounted to the actuator via a cylinder arm provided with a collision monitor to detect inadvertent collision.

Abstract: A tool and a method for depalletizing piles of objects separated by sheets are described herein. The tool comprises a plate assembly for insertion between the highest pile from the piles of objects and the next separator sheet. The plate assembly has a fixed portion and a tip provided at a distal end thereof and is movable between a detecting position, wherein an upward displacement of the tip is allowed relative to the fixed portion, and a depalletizing position, wherein the tip is immobilized relative to the fixed portion. The tool further comprises a plate sensor for detecting the displacement of the tip relative to the fixed portion and for generating a first detection signal responsive to said displacement, and a pressure assembly that defines a gripper with the plate assembly for receiving the highest pile of objects and for selectively applying pressure thereon.

Abstract: The separation tool allows separation of a horizontal pile of recipients into sub-piles of recipients, the first or last recipient of each sub-pile have been previously marked with ultra-violet detectable ink. The tool comprises a frame; a sensor mounted to the frame for detecting the last recipient of a current sub-pile or the first recipient of the next sub-pile upstream therefrom, which ever has been previously marked, and a manipulator arm provided with a fixed finger assembly for holding the recipients upstream from the last recipient of the current sub-pile and a separation finger for creating a gap between the held recipients and those from the current sub-pile.

Abstract: A gripping and positioning tool to properly position elements into an open mold of a molding machine is described herein. The tool includes a base that receives the element and that may be moved along three orthogonal axes and tilted in two directions with respect to a fixed plate mounted to an assembly. Furthermore, the tool includes graduated scales to determine the degree of tilting, and fasteners to lock in place the gripping and positioning tool once the proper adjustment for positioning is made.

Abstract: An order picking system includes a robot and pallet support shuttle which i) loads an empty pallet from an empty pallet distribution system, ii) carries the empty pallets adjacent a selected one of a plurality of SKU pallet stations including selected products; iii) charges one or a plurality of the selected products from the selected one of the SKU pallet stations on the one of the empty pallets, iv) repeats steps ii) and iii) until a mixed pallet is completed according to an order; and iv) unloads the mixed pallet onto a mixed pallet receiver to be picked up. The shuttle includes a robot and a pallet-receiving area both moving in unison on a rail. This minimizes robot traveling since the mixed pallet always travels with the robot. The order picking system is enclosed with safety fencing having limited pick and drop areas.

Abstract: A method and system to build mixed pallet layers from full pallet layers comprises a palletizing/de-palletizing system, a feeding system for feeding the full pallet layers to the palletizing/de-palletizing system; and a mixed pallet output system for receiving the mixed pallet layers from the palletizing/de-palletizing system. The palletizing/de-palletizing system includes a ball table to receive and support the full pallet layers of products and to support the mixed pallet layers; a plurality of product accumulating rows located adjacent the ball table for receiving and accumulating identical products from the full pallet layers and a robot, provided with a tool, to pick products from one of the full pallet layers on the table, to store the products in a selected one of the accumulating rows, and to form a mixed pallet layer on the table by picking selected products in the accumulating rows and by positioning the selected products according to a mixed layer pattern.

Abstract: A material handling tool comprising a longitudinal body provided with a proximate end and a distal end is described herein. The handling tool includes a vacuum jaw assembly so mounted to the distal end of the body as to be transversally movable; and a longitudinally movable jaw assembly so mounted to the longitudinal body as to be longitudinally movable between a retracted position where the movable jaw assembly is adjacent to the longitudinal body and an extended position where the movable jaw assembly faces the vacuum jaw assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding a plastic component to a body's aperture comprises a frame element, a first heating head mounted to the frame element for heating the component, a gripper for gripping the component and for mounting the component to the body's aperture, a heater arm having a second heating head mounted thereto for heating the body's aperture, and an actuator for mounting both the heater arm and the gripper to the frame element for alternating between a heating position wherein i) ia) the gripper is generally aligned with the first heating head for abutment therewith following relative movement towards each other, while ib) the second heating head is positioned for heating the body's aperture, and a work position wherein ii) the gripper is generally aligned with the body's aperture for mounting the component to the body's aperture for welding therewith.

Abstract: The separation tool allows separation of a horizontal pile of recipients into sub-piles of recipients, the first or last recipient of each sub-pile have been previously marked with ultra-violet detectable ink. The tool comprises a frame; a sensor mounted to the frame for detecting the last recipient of a current sub-pile or the first recipient of the next sub-pile upstream therefrom, which ever has been previously marked, and a manipulator arm provided with a fixed finger assembly for holding the recipients upstream from the last recipient of the current sub-pile and a separation finger for creating a gap between the held recipients and those from the current sub-pile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripping and transport clamp mounted at an end of a robotic arm. The clamp has a support member mounted at the end of the robotic arm and two lower pressing plates and one upper pressing plate mounted on the support member. A sensor is used to detect a reaction force being exerted on the first pressing plate upon displacement thereof. An actuator inserts the first lower pressing plate under the object to be gripped in response to a detection of the reaction force by the sensor. The second lower pressing plate under the first pressing plate moves between a retracted position and an extended position by means of an actuator mounted between the second lower pressing plate and the support member. It is also inserted under the object to be gripped. An actuator moves the upper pressing plate towards the object for gripping it between the plates. A controller receives detection signals from the sensor and operates the actuators.