Item Orientation Correction Assembly for Barcode-Visible Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Facility operations face inefficiencies due to items becoming improperly oriented and misaligned, causing obscured barcodes and positioning issues that hinder downstream processes such as sorting and shipping.
Innovation Solution
An item manipulation system comprising manipulation devices with camera tools and interchangeable head attachments, which detect and correct orientation and positioning issues by flattening, unfolding, or repositioning items to ensure barcode visibility and proper alignment for scanning and sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If items are processed through induction processes and automated singulation, then items are separated and prepared for downstream processes, but items become improperly oriented, misaligned, and barcodes become obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and correction of item orientation and positioning before items enter downstream processes. Camera tools capture images of items on the conveyor, and manipulation devices adjust item positions and orientations in advance, ensuring barcodes are visible and items are properly aligned before sorting or shipping operations begin
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses camera tools to continuously monitor item position and orientation on the conveyor, feeds this visual information back to the control system, which then commands manipulation devices to make real-time adjustments. This closed-loop feedback ensures items maintain proper orientation and positioning throughout the conveyor process
2Ease of operation
If items are moved through the facility for storing and shipping operations, then facility operations are performed, but items become misaligned and positioned away from the center of the conveyor belt
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulation devices automatically detect and correct their own operational issues by using camera tools to monitor item positions and autonomously adjusting conveyor belt positions or item orientations without human intervention, maintaining continuous proper alignment throughout facility operations
Data Source
AI summary
A device for manipulating items for facility operations is described. The device includes a first arm assembly that includes a first arm, a second arm parallel to the first arm, a first shaft disposed between the first arm and the second arm at a first location along the first arm and the second arm, and a first head attachment disposed between the first arm and the second arm at a second location along the first arm and the second arm. The device also includes a first driver coupled to the first shaft and configured to control movement of the first arm assembly about a first axis extending along a length of the first shaft. The device further includes a second driver coupled to first head attachment and configured to control movement of the first head attachment about a second axis extending along a length of the first head attachment.