Automated Packing with Container Alignment and Precise Object Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated packaging systems face challenges in efficiently packing a wide variety of goods into shipping containers, particularly in compensating for the pose-in-hand of gripped items, errors in placement, and the need to pack items with low pose or placement authority without requiring excessive space or incurring high costs.
Innovation Solution
The automated packing system employs a supply bin receiving conveyor with sensing means to determine the advancement of supply bins, a destination container location assessment system, a detection system to identify objects within supply bins, an object selection system, and a programmable motion device to grasp and place objects into shipping containers with precise orientation and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated packaging systems are used to pack a wide variety of goods, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated packaging system is divided into distinct functional modules: a supply bin receiving conveyor for material input, a detection system for object identification, an object selection system for item selection, a programmable motion device for grasping and placement, and a destination container location assessment system for positioning. Each module performs a specific task, allowing the system to handle diverse goods while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise positioning and orientation of objects is achieved, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a detection system that identifies objects within the supply bin and determines their characteristics. This detection information feeds into the object selection system and programmable motion device, which use the data to calculate precise positioning and orientation requirements. The feedback loop enables accurate placement without requiring overly complex mechanical positioning mechanisms, as the control system adapts based on detected object properties.
3Loss of substance
If multiple objects are packed into a shipping container, then loss of space is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system scans and identifies objects within the supply bin before the packing process begins. The system pre-determines which objects to select and how to orient them for optimal space utilization. By performing detection and planning actions beforehand, the system can efficiently pack multiple objects into the shipping container while minimizing voids, without requiring real-time complex measurements during the actual packing operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated packing system is disclosed for placing a plurality of objects into a shipping container. The system includes a supply bin receiving conveyor for receiving a supply bin at a supply station, a destination container location assessment system for positioning a destination container, a detection system for detecting a plurality of objects within the supply bin responsive to the position of the supply bin on the receiving conveyor as aligned by the alignment system, an object selection system for selecting a selected object from the plurality of objects to be placed into the shipping container, and a programmable motion device for grasping and acquiring the selected object from the plurality of objects at the supply station, and for placing the selected object into the shipping container in a selected orientation.