A carrying device includes a swivel that swivels around a central axis line of a revolution orbit that passes through a workpiece transfer area and a workpiece work area for a workpiece to be worked on by a robot, multiple workpiece holders positioned on the swivel such that when a first one of the workpiece holders is positioned in the workpiece transfer area, a second one of the workpiece holders is positioned in the workpiece work area, a revolution driver that causes the swivel to swivel around the central axis line of the revolution orbit, and a tilting driver that tilts each of the workpiece holders with respect to the central axis line of the revolution orbit.

The invention provides automated spacer processing systems and methods. The systems and methods involve at least one robot arm that is configured to process spacers for multiple-pane insulating glazing units. In some embodiments, the systems also include an insulating glazing unit assembly line and a spacer conveyor system. Additionally or alternatively, the systems may include a sealant applicator.

A method for configuration of a controlled drive application of a logistics system. The logistics system includes parallel conveying paths for piece goods. Each conveying path includes sub-conveying paths which are each accelerated or delayed to merge the piece goods on a single output conveying path with defined spacing. A system model of the logistics system is firstly determined by operating data of the logistics system which include sensor values of the logistics system and changes to control variables. A control function is determined, which includes configuration data for the drives, with at least one control action being performed on the precondition of one or more performance features that are to be achieved in the system model, during which control action the operating data is simulated for a plurality of time steps.

A robot system includes a robot that self-travels along a traveling shaft and is provided with a position detection sensor at a distal end, a support member that has a plurality of reference positions juxtaposed and supports a workpiece, a plurality of calibration members that are juxtaposed along the traveling shaft, and a control device, in which the calibration members each have a calibration position, and the control device is configured to cause the robot to move by a predetermined first distance along the traveling shaft, calibrate position coordinates of the robot based on position coordinates of the calibration positions detected by the position detection sensor, and subsequently calibrate position coordinates of the workpiece based on position coordinates of the reference positions detected by the position detection sensor.

A robotic system is provided for assembling parts together. In the assembly process, both parts are moving separately with one part moving on an assembly base and another part moving on a moveable arm of a robot base. Motion data is measured by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor. Movement of the robot base or moveable arm is then compensated based on the measured motion to align the first and second parts with each other and assemble the parts together.

A system for moving items in a facility may be described herein. The system may instruct components of the system to move the items at different speeds or velocities based on an item's fragility rating. A fragility rating may indicate an amount of force that an item withstands prior to damaging the item. A fragility rating for an item may be determined based on known fragility ratings of items with similar item metrics.

A manufacturing system including an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) structure with a three-dimensional array of storage locations distributed throughout a two-dimensional footprint of the ASRS structure at multiple storage levels; workpieces stored within the storage locations of the ASRS structure; robotic storage retrieval vehicles (RSRVs) navigable within the ASRS structure in three dimensions to access the storage locations, and multiple manufacturing cells positioned outside the ASRS structure, is provided. The manufacturing system includes a track structure attached to the ASRS structure and defining one or more travel paths traversable by the RSRVs from the ASRS structure. The same fleet of RSRVs that is navigable within the ASRS structure is operable to deliver the workpieces to the manufacturing cells. One or more of the manufacturing cells are positioned along the track structure, thereby receiving convenient access to the workpieces along with associated tool pieces and workpiece supports for manufacturing goods.

A method for determining a position of an object moving along a conveyor belt. The method includes measuring the position of the conveyor belt while the conveyor belt is moving using a motor encoder and providing a measured position signal of the position of the object based on the measured position of the conveyor belt. The method also includes determining that the conveyor belt has stopped, providing a CAD model of the object and generating a point cloud representation of the object using a 3D vision system. The method then matches the model and the point cloud to determine the position of the object, provides a model position signal of the position of the object based on the matched model and point cloud, and uses the model position signal to correct an error in the measured position signal that occurs as a result of the conveyor belt being stopped.

A robot arm control device according to the present disclosure comprises a workpiece selecting section that selects a target workpiece, which is a workpiece to be picked up and placed, among a plurality of workpieces conveyed by a conveyor system in a predetermined flow direction; and a motion control section that controls a motion of the robot arm to pick up the target workpiece at a predetermined pick up position and place the target workpiece at the target placement position selected among a plurality of predetermined placement positions, wherein the workpiece selecting section selects, among the workpieces that are candidates for selection, the workpiece that has a shortest distance from the distal end position at a task-start timing to the workpiece position at the task-start timing as the target workpiece.

A manufacturing process adopting the reconfigurable robotic manufacturing cells that can work conjointly and yet have the capabilities to be reconfigured to disconnect from other cells and handle multiple tasks. The reconfigurable robotic cell is not dependent on any other robotic cells to complete work in progress.