Keywords
Citation
(2001), "Material handling robot", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.04928fad.012
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Material handling robot
Keywords: Materials handling, Robotics, Assembly
Applicant: Fanuc Robotics North America, Inc. (USA)Patent number: US6,059,092Publication date: 9 May 2000Title: Material handling robot and rail assembly
This patent relates to a robotic system for handling a large number of items that are to be arranged in a desired pattern.
A robot is supported on a rail and positioned directly above a conveyor along which the items travel. The conveyor has a central longitudinal axis and moves the items along that axis. The robot can move along the rail, parallel to the conveyor axis without contacting the conveyor The robot comprises of a three-axis arm that is supported for movement relative to the robot base and has equal, symmetric access to either side of the conveyor. This results in significant space savings for most applications. The system allows the robot to handle items in any order to increase efficiency and is therefore not restricted to a first-in, first-out handling mode.