Robotic package unloader: Honeywell
has introduced an automated robotic solution
for unloading packages from truck trailers and
shipping containers at distribution centers. The
robotic unloader drives into a trailer or container and uses machine vision to identify various
package shapes and sizes as
well as the optimal approach
to unloading. A robotic arm
with a series of small suction
cups conforms to the package shape to gently extract
it from the stack. A conveyor
below the arm can serve as a sweeper for packages to move them out of the trailer.
The robotic unloader uses artificial intelligence to operate fully autonomously inside of
a trailer, which significantly reduces the manual effort required to operate receiving docks
for retail merchandise and parcel distribution
centers, the company says. This smart robotics offering works with existing fleets and is
designed to help customers improve workplace
safety, reduce staffing challenges, and minimize damage to packages. (Honeywell, www.
honeywell.com)
Automatic bagger: Pac Machinery, a
manufacturer of equipment and materials that
are used in the flexible packaging industry,
has unveiled the latest version of its Rollbag
R1275 automatic bagger. Designed to increase
production rates and simplify user interaction,
the Rollbag R1275 features compact, low-pro-file seal-flattening fingers and a new, optional
bag opener that stretches the bag to a specific
opening size and shape to facilitate filling. A
new bag profiler option helps maintain the
bag’s shape by keeping it flatter as the bag fills,
thus preventing bulk materials from distorting
the bag.
The most significant improvement, however,
is the new infeed funnel mounting system. The
funnel mount is designed to accommodate
a wide variety of automatic feeding devices,
making funnel changes easier and faster to
accomplish. For extra versatility, this automatic bagger can be used with scales, counters
(including an advanced vision-counting system
for small products), and other feeding devices.
In addition, the automatic bagger is engineered
to connect with robotic systems.
An optional thermal printer enables the
printing of graphics, bar codes, date codes, and
text. (Pac Machinery, www.pacmachinery.com)
Picking robot: With e-commerce and distribution businesses facing staffing
shortages, Kindred Inc., a manufacturer of piece-picking robots, has unveiled Sort,
a picking robot with human-like grasping capabilities that separates multi-SKU
batches into individual customer orders. According to the company, Sort picking
robots utilize AutoGrasp, a robotics intelligence platform that becomes smarter,
faster, and more accurate over time. This platform combines vision, grasping,
and manipulation algorithms to deliver fast, accurate picking. Sort was designed
to easily integrate with any warehouse management software and can evaluate
items in real time, picking and matching them to individual customer orders.
(Kindred Inc., www.kindred.ai/products)
Drive technology: The eXtended Transport System (XTS) from Beckhoff
Automation is now available in the United States. According to the manufacturer,
the EtherCAT-enabled XTS offers paradigm-shifting capabilities for motion control and mechatronics by combining rotary- and linear-drive principles into a new
modular platform. With its compact and flexible design, the advanced mechatron-ic system can reduce machine footprint by up to 50 percent, the company says.
XTS was engineered to support efficient integration for motion-control applications in many industries. With attached mechanical guide rails, XTS motor
modules feature directly integrated power electronics, EtherCAT communication,
and position measurement. An unlimited number of wireless XTS movers can be
controlled with high dynamics at up to four meters per second on customizable
paths. (Beckhoff Automation, www.beckhoffautomation.com)
