A system and method for performing a transportation robot control operation. In various embodiments, the transportation robot control operation includes placing a transportation robot control device in a location of a manufacturing facility, the transportation robot control device comprising a transportation robot summoning portion; actuating the transportation summoning portion; transmitting a summoning command to the transportation robot; and, causing the transportation robot to travel to the location within the manufacturing facility corresponding to the transportation robot control device.

A storage setup and method for robotic delivery and retrieval of crates from shelving blocks are disclosed. At least one shelving block in the setup comprises non-uniformly spaced apart storage surfaces. The storage surfaces are accessible to lift-robots through a network of tracks comprising intersecting vertically and horizontally oriented tracks. A computerized control system is configured to differentiate between storage locations based on which crate sizes from at least two different ranges of crate sizes a storage location can store. The storage may be automatically optimized by routing robots to store crates in storage locations sized in correlation with the size of the crate to be stored.

The invention concerns a method for simulating and optimizing loading of a system for transporting loads in order to determine an optimized loading plan. The method includes: a) inputting the previously defined structural and functional parameters of at least one transport system; b) inputting the number and the dimensional and weight parameters of the loads to be transported; c) inputting the spacing between the loads from previously defined values; d) inputting the route and/or the destination of the load to select the previously defined legal constraints during transport; e) carrying out an optimization calculation in real time, taking into account the parameters and constraints of steps a), b), c) and d) to simulate at least one optimized loading plan consistent with all of the constraints; and f) presenting an optimized loading calculated in e) or approximating an initial loading request.

A shelving block comprises a first and second shelving units facing from opposite sides of an aisle. The first shelving unit defines a first crate storage location and a second crate storage location that different in height. The first crate storage location is accessible to a robot between a pair of neighboring horizontal rails having a first vertical spacing between them defining a height of the first crate storage location. The second crate storage location is accessible to the robot between another pair of neighboring horizontal rails having a second vertical spacing between them defining a height of the second crate storage location. The first vertical spacing is larger than the second vertical spacing. The robot carries crates according to instructions from a computerized control.

A machining system is provided with a machine tool including a securing device for securing a workpiece, a robot for attaching the workpiece to the securing device, a hand attached to a tip end of an arm of the robot, and a control device for controlling the machine tool, the robot, and the hand. The securing device includes holding members for holding a workpiece, and holding member drive motors for moving the holding members.

A storage setup and method for robotic delivery and retrieval of crates from shelving blocks are disclosed. At least one shelving block in the setup comprises non-uniformly spaced apart storage surfaces. The storage surfaces are accessible to lift-robots through a network of tracks comprising intersecting vertically and horizontally oriented tracks. A computerized control system is configured to differentiate between storage locations based on which crate sizes from at least two different ranges of crate sizes a storage location can store. The storage may be automatically optimized by routing robots to store crates in storage locations sized in correlation with the size of the crate to be stored.

A direction switching module for lift robots using a pair of pinions coupled to a rack for propelling vertically and horizontally according to the track's orientation, is disclosed. In a linear motion mode both pinions rotate in the same velocity. In a direction switching mode, when changing from vertical to horizontal motion mode and vise versa, the module is capable of propelling one pinion on a vertical track and its counterpart on a horizontal track, simultaneously, each pinion in a different velocity. A bogie propelled by two pairs of said module is also disclosed, and a controller configured to drive both pinions in same velocity during linear motion and each pinion in a separate appropriate velocity during the direction switching mode. A method for turning a pinion-driven lift-robot in an intersection of rails and a controller for controlling the linear motion modes and the direction switching modes of the lift robot are also disclosed.

A method wherein by reducing the amount of current, and therefore torque, to the linear servo motor (50) and/or rotary servo motor (52) of a loader mechanism (9), the loader mechanism is operable for determining proper workpiece positioning in a machine tool such as a gear manufacturing machine, particularly a machine (4) for manufacturing bevel and hypoid gears

A machining control system includes: a numerical control device which controls a machine tool; a robot control device which communicates with the numerical control device and controls a robot having a plurality of drive axes, in which the numerical control device includes: a coordinate position command generation unit which generates a coordinate position command specifying a target coordinate position at each time of a leading end part of the robot, based on a machining program; and a communication unit which sends the target coordinate position that is current to the robot control device, and in which the robot control device includes: a target drive position calculation unit which calculates a target drive position of each of the plurality of drive axes so as to position the leading end part at the target coordinate position received from the communication unit; and a drive command generation unit which generates a drive command to each of the drive axes so as to position the drive axes at the target drive position calculated by the target drive position calculation unit.

A machine tool includes a lower tool post for holding a cutting tool, a tool main spindle for holding a cutting tool, a storage unit capable of storing the cutting tool, an exchange mechanism for exchanging the cutting tools between the tool main spindle and the storage unit, an inside robot for exchanging the cutting tools between the lower tool post and the tool main spindle, and a controller. The controller performs control such that the cutting tools are exchanged between the lower tool post and the storage unit via the inside robot, the tool main spindle, and the exchange mechanism.