Robotic Spacer Roping Installation for Adaptable Cast Concrete Palletizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacer roping systems are not adaptable for a variety of products and different palletizing systems, as they are specifically designed for products with predetermined geometries.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a robot arm with a roping tool and a rope distribution system that allows threading ropes through nozzles, moving the tool between positions to grip and release ropes, using a second robot to place products on the palletizing surface with ropes, and cutting the ropes when the stack is formed, enabling adaptable spacer roping for diverse products and systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a predetermined spacer roping system is used for products with specific geometry, then the system provides effective shock and impact protection, but the system cannot be adapted for a variety of products and different palletizing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The robot arm with programmable control enables a single roping system to perform multiple functions by adapting to different products and palletizing configurations through software programming rather than physical reconfiguration, making the system universal across various applications
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically adjustable rope lengths and positioning controlled by the robot arm, allowing the roping configuration to change adaptively based on product geometry and palletizing requirements without requiring physical system modifications
2Reliability
If a fixed geometry-specific roping system is integrated to a palletizing system, then the system provides reliable product protection, but the system requires modifications to accommodate different product geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed mechanical roping systems with a robot-controlled system that uses programmable motion control to achieve the same protective function, eliminating the need for mechanical reconfiguration when product geometries change
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptable spacer roping installation method includes providing a robot for positioning adjacent a palletizing surface, and a rope-positioning bar for positioning adjacent the palletizing surface. The robot is equipped with a tool head that allows receiving and dispensing a plurality of ropes from different dispensing positions along the tool head. The rope-positioning bar includes at least a same number of grippers than the number of dispensing positions along the tool head. The grippers are so positioned along the rope-positioning bar to allow grippers thereon gripping in unison the plurality of ropes dispensed by the tool head. The robot is moved from a first position, wherein the tool head is so positioned relative to the rope-positioning bar that each of the dispensing positions is registered and adjacent one of the grippers, to a second position, wherein the tool head is positioned distanced from the rope-positioning bar, parallel thereto, above the palletizing surface.