A flexible integrated storage and distribution system for plates

Abstract

This invention relates to a flexible integrated storage and sorting system for sheet metal, comprising at least one set of shelves located in a storage area; a conveyor channel arranged near the shelves for transporting materials from orders; at least one robotic arm operating above the shelf area for grabbing the materials required for the order from the corresponding storage location on the shelf and placing them onto the conveyor channel; a buffer conveyor line connected to the end of the conveyor channel for temporarily buffering materials from the conveyor channel; the buffer conveyor line connected to at least two order matching buffer lines, each receiving materials for one order at a time; and a control system, wherein the robotic arm, conveyor channel, buffer conveyor line, and order matching buffer line are all connected to the control system and receive and execute instructions issued by the control system. This invention significantly reduces handling time and equipment costs, ensures timely sorting, and improves the efficiency of sorting and conveying sheet metal materials.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of plate material storage technology, and more specifically to a flexible integrated storage and distribution system for plates. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology and the progress of the times, people's demands for goods are becoming more diversified and personalized. To meet these diverse and personalized demands, manufacturers are producing an increasingly diverse range of goods and are increasingly leaning towards customized production. This requires manufacturers to produce an ever-growing variety of assembly components, making the storage and sorting of these materials a pressing issue for customized production companies. Currently, customized production companies handle the storage and sorting of different types and specifications of unit materials by separating storage and sorting. A storage area is established specifically for storing materials, and a sorting area is established specifically for sorting operations. Materials required for production are first stored in the storage area. When needed, materials are retrieved from the storage area, transported through a series of steps, and then sorted in the sorting area. Any remaining materials after sorting are then transported back to the storage area, and this process is repeated. Due to the large variety of product components and the long usage time of a single pallet of material, the material needs to flow back and forth between the storage and sorting areas, significantly increasing handling time and equipment costs, and reducing the timeliness of sorting. Therefore, how to provide a new board storage and picking system is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to propose a flexible integrated storage and sorting system for plates to solve the problem of low efficiency in the storage and picking of plate materials.

[0004] This invention provides a flexible integrated storage and distribution system for plates, comprising:

[0005] Shelving, with at least one set of pyramid-shaped shelving located in the storage area;

[0006] A conveyor channel is arranged near the shelf for conveying materials on the order;

[0007] A robotic arm is installed on the upper part of the shelf area to grab the materials required for the order from the corresponding storage location of the shelf and place them on the conveyor channel.

[0008] A buffer conveyor line is connected to the end of the conveying channel to temporarily buffer materials from the conveying channel;

[0009] An order fulfillment buffer line is provided, wherein the buffer conveyor line is connected to at least two order fulfillment buffer lines, and each order fulfillment buffer line receives materials for one order at the same time.

[0010] The robotic arm, the conveying channel, the buffer conveying line, and the order fulfillment buffer line are all connected to the control system and receive and execute instructions issued by the control system.

[0011] Furthermore, an AGV transport channel is arranged near the shelf and offset from the conveying channel. At least one AGV runs on the AGV transport channel to receive materials from upstream and replenish the corresponding storage location of the shelf.

[0012] Furthermore, the AGV adopts a structure in which the gantry can be raised and lowered and the forks can be extended and retracted.

[0013] Furthermore, the robotic arm is a three-coordinate robotic arm.

[0014] Furthermore, the shelf locations are customized according to different types of materials, with each location holding one type of material.

[0015] Furthermore, the shelf shall have at least two layers.

[0016] As can be seen from the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, the present invention discloses a flexible integrated storage and sorting system for sheet metal, which integrates storage, sorting, and conveying. It uses orders as instructions to complete the selection and conveying of materials from corresponding locations on the shelf. By adjusting the number of internal components and mechanisms, it can efficiently and quickly perform automatic sorting of multi-specification unit sheet metal materials, while also possessing a certain storage capacity. This significantly reduces handling time and equipment costs, ensures timely sorting, and improves the efficiency of sheet metal material sorting and conveying. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a flexible integrated storage and distribution system for a plate provided by the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a side view of a flexible integrated storage and distribution system for a plate provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0022] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0023] Existing technologies separate the storage and sorting of sheet materials. Sheet materials required for production are first stored in a storage area, and then retrieved from the storage area and transported to the sorting area for sorting when needed. After sorting, any remaining sheet materials are transported back to the storage area, and this process is repeated. Because sheet materials are diverse and each pallet has a long usage time, the constant back-and-forth movement between the storage and sorting areas significantly increases handling time and equipment costs, and also reduces the timeliness of sorting. Therefore, this invention discloses a flexible integrated storage and sorting system for sheet materials, see attached figure. Figure 1 and 2The system includes: a shelf 1, at least one set of pyramid-shaped shelves 1 located in the storage area; a conveyor channel 2, arranged near the shelf 1 for conveying materials on orders; a robotic arm 3, at least one robotic arm 3 operating on the upper part of the shelf 1 area for grabbing materials required for an order from the corresponding storage location of the shelf 1 and placing them on the conveyor channel 2; a buffer conveyor line 5, connected to the end of the conveyor channel 2 for temporarily buffering materials from the conveyor channel 2; an order fulfillment buffer line 6, connected to at least two order fulfillment buffer lines 6, each of which receives materials for one order at the same time; and a control system, wherein the robotic arm 3, the conveyor channel 2, the buffer conveyor line 5, and the order fulfillment buffer line 6 are all connected to the control system and receive and execute instructions issued by the control system.

[0024] This invention integrates storage, sorting, and conveying, using orders as instructions to select and transport materials from corresponding locations on shelves. By adjusting the number of internal components and mechanisms, it can efficiently and quickly sort multi-specification unit panels, while also possessing a certain storage capacity. This significantly reduces handling time and equipment costs, ensuring timely sorting and improving the efficiency of sorting and conveying panel materials.

[0025] Advantageously, in order to form an overall automated flexible system, AGV transport channels a (first channel a1, second channel a2, third channel a3, and so on) are arranged near the shelf 1 and staggered from the transport channel 2. At least one AGV 4 is running on the AGV transport channel a to receive materials from upstream and replenish the corresponding storage location of the shelf 1.

[0026] The AGV4 described in this embodiment of the invention adopts a structure in which the mast can be raised and lowered and the forks can be extended and retracted.

[0027] The robotic arm 3 described in this embodiment of the invention is a three-coordinate robotic arm.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the shelf 1 has at least two layers (a first shelf 11 and a second shelf 12). The storage locations of the shelf 1 are customized according to different types of materials, with each storage location holding one type of material.

[0029] In this embodiment of the invention, the control system adopts a computer management system, which can store material information in storage locations, send order instructions, and update shelf inventory, etc.

[0030] In this embodiment of the invention, the upper limit of the shelf height and number of layers is determined by the size of the sheet metal goods, the lifting height of the AGV, and the operating range of the robotic arm; for example... Figure 2The pyramid-shaped shelving shown has AGV transport channels (a1, a2) at its bottom, and AGV transport channel a3 is located at the bottom of transport channel 2. The AGVs must be telescopic forklift AGVs with adjustable masts. When replenishment is needed, the AGV adjusts its mast height to operate within the corresponding aisle of the storage location. Figure 2 As shown, on the first shelf 11, the AGV lowers the mast height to operate within the a1 or a3 transport aisle. On the second shelf 12, the AGV operates within the a2 transport aisle, lifting goods and placing them on the shelf after reaching the designated location. The conveyor channel 2 is a main conveyor belt, located in the middle of the shelf, and includes at least one three-coordinate robot. The robot grabs materials from the shelf and places them onto the main conveyor belt according to the sorting task. At least one AGV is required. The AGV shuttles and transports materials within the shelf aisle, using mast lifting to achieve different levels and fork extension to replenish goods on both sides of the shelf. The three-coordinate robot above the shelf grabs the materials to be sorted and places them onto the main conveyor belt, which then transports them to the order fulfillment buffer line via the circular buffer conveyor line. The system is connected to the computer management system for AGVs, main conveyor belts, circular buffer conveyor lines, order fulfillment buffer lines, three-coordinate robots, and location material information.

[0031] After receiving a material receiving task from upstream, the AGV retrieves the goods from the designated platform and delivers them to the designated storage location via the bottom aisle of the rack. Each storage location holds one pallet unit of material. Each storage location on the pyramid-shaped rack is within the grasping range of the three-coordinate robotic arm. When a sorting task begins, the computer system issues sorting instructions based on the order, allowing for the simultaneous sorting of at least two orders. The three-coordinate robotic arm, according to the sorting task instructions, goes to the designated storage location and grasps the specified quantity of materials, placing them onto the main conveyor belt. The main conveyor belt connects to a circular buffer conveyor line, which transports materials from the same order to the same order fulfillment buffer line. When the number of orders exceeds the order fulfillment buffer line, materials are circulated on the circular buffer conveyor line until they are assigned to the order fulfillment buffer line. After the sorting task for one order is completed, the computer system updates the inventory data and automatically issues the sorting instructions for the next order. When the materials at a certain storage location are all sorted, the computer system schedules the AGV to replenish the material of that specification.

[0032] Therefore, the storage, sorting, and matching of board materials can be completed in one area, which improves work efficiency, greatly reduces handling time and equipment costs, and ensures the timeliness of sorting.

[0033] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0034] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible integrated storage and distribution system for plates, characterized in that, include: Shelves (1), at least one set of pyramid-shaped shelves (1) is located in the storage area; the storage locations of the shelves (1) are customized according to different types of materials, and each storage location holds one type of material; A conveying channel (2) is arranged near the shelf (1) for conveying materials on an order; A robotic arm (3) is installed on the upper part of the shelf (1) area to grab the materials required for the order from the corresponding storage location of the shelf (1) and place them on the conveying channel (2); A buffer conveyor line (5) is connected to the end of the conveying channel (2) for temporarily buffering materials from the conveying channel (2); Order fulfillment buffer line (6), the buffer conveyor line (5) is connected to at least two order fulfillment buffer lines (6), and each order fulfillment buffer line (6) receives the materials of one order at the same time. The robotic arm (3), the conveying channel (2), the buffer conveying line (5) and the order matching buffer line (6) are all connected to the control system and receive and execute instructions issued by the control system. An AGV transport channel (a) is arranged near the shelf (1) and offset from the transport channel (2). At least one AGV (4) is running on the AGV transport channel (a) to receive materials from upstream and replenish the corresponding storage location of the shelf (1). The control system adopts a computer management system, which can store the material information of the storage location, send order instructions, and update the shelf inventory. After receiving the upstream material warehousing task, the AGV (4) picks up the goods at the designated station and delivers them to the designated storage location through the bottom channel of the shelf (1). Each storage location holds one pallet unit material. When the sorting task starts, the computer system issues sorting instructions according to the order. At least two orders can be sorted at the same time. The robot (3) goes to the designated storage location according to the sorting task instructions and grabs the designated materials in the specified quantity and puts them on the main conveyor belt. The end of the main conveyor belt is connected to the buffer conveyor line (5). The buffer conveyor line (5) transports the materials of the same order to the same order matching buffer line (6). When the number of orders is greater than the order matching buffer line (6), the materials are transported in a loop on the buffer conveyor line (5) until they are assigned to the order matching buffer line (6).

2. The flexible integrated storage and distribution system for a plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The AGV (4) adopts a structure in which the mast can be raised and lowered and the forks can be extended and retracted.

3. The flexible integrated storage and distribution system for a plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The robotic arm (3) is a three-coordinate robotic arm.

4. The flexible integrated storage and distribution system for a plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shelf (1) shall have at least two layers.

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