Abstract: Automated workpiece transfer systems and methods of implementing thereof are disclosed. The system can include an imaging device operable to capture an initial image of workpieces loaded onto a loading area; an autonomous pick-and-place robot, and a processor in communication with the imaging device and the pick-and-place robot. The autonomous pick-and-place robot can include an end-of-arm-tooling component operable to retrieve pickable workpieces from the loading area and transfer the pickable workpieces to a receiving area according to a set of operating parameters. The processor can be operable to apply a machine-learning model to the initial image to identify pickable workpieces; identify a region of interest within the initial image; and based on the initial image, define the set of operating parameters for operating the end-of-arm-tooling component to retrieve the one or more pickable workpieces.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a location of a moving element on a conveyor system. The system including: magnetic sensors; a magnetic encoder strip that is readable by the magnetic sensors; and a processor for receiving and processing the sensor readings to determine a location of the moving element. The method including: sensing a current location of the moving element, wherein at least one of the magnetic sensors and magnetic encoder are associated with the moving element; and providing a current location to a conveyor system controller. The system may further include: color sensors; and a color gradient encoder strip that is readable by the color sensors, wherein the color gradient encoder strip and color sensors provide moving element location at start up and the magnetic sensors and magnetic encoder strip track moving element location during operation. In this case, the method is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A joint connector for track sections of a conveyor wherein the track sections comprise a feature that requires alignment, the joint connector including: a first segment for attachment to an attachment feature of a first track section of the conveyor; and a second segment for attachment to an attachment feature of a second track section of the conveyor, wherein the second segment is configured to be adaptive to non-alignment of the attachment features of the first and second track sections in order to maintain alignment of the feature after installation of the joint connector.