An order management system and method for automated logistics based on-demand box supplying is disclosed. The system pre-estimates a dimension required by all of the merchandise according to an order data, and selects a sheet material according to the size to form a finished container. The dimension of the unfolded sheet material before folding into the finished container is quite small. In terms of warehouse space utilization, a space required by a single finished and folded box is able to stack dozens of sheet materials, so that the warehousing efficiency is greatly improved. By integrating with a box folding module and a sealing module, fully automated logistics can be achieved with human intervention.

A method for automatically boxing ice cream type products allows, via an apparatus with simple mechanical configuration, a sequence of boxing steps to be performed, keeping constant the number of products boxed from one boxing sequence to another, in consideration of possible variations, from one boxing sequence to another, in the spatial distribution of absences of product on the transport system, operating between the apparatus for production of the products and the boxing unit, with the boxing unit being configured, for each boxing sequence, for picking up the products and transferring them into at least one box. The apparatus is configured to automatically perform the method.

A transfer device having a plurality of pick-up heads loads products into receptacles. The products are provided in a random arrangement in a pick-up area, and the position of each product is detected. To pick up the products, the transfer device is moved over the pick-up area and each pick-up head picks up an individual product at a pick-up time and in a pick-up position. The pick-up position and the pick-up time for the products are determined on the basis of the previously detected positions of the products. The placement of the products in a placement area may also occurs while the transfer device is moving relative to the receptacles.

An automated tracking system for a pharmacy that tracks unique identifiers (“UI”) with a stock supply of an item or items within a supply container and that provides a security system for determining a discrepancy associated with the stock supply. The UI information automatically travels with the stock supply until it is dispensed to a customer or patient, thereby allowing the system to monitor and track supply for replenishment of the supply or improper or potentially fraudulent transactions. If desired, the improved security allows supply containers and individual supplies within those containers to be stored in the same storage area thereby maximizing available storage space while still improving dispensing and filling accuracy and minimizing loss.

An insertion system (e.g., in a warehouse or other item-fulfillment environment) can include a chassis. A bottom conveying surface, a first side conveying surface, and a second side conveying surface may be fastened to the chassis respectively along the chassis's bottom face, first lateral face, and second lateral face. A chamber may be bounded by the conveying surfaces and by a rear wall defined at least in part by the front face of the chassis. A linear actuator coupled with the chassis may move the chassis from a home position and toward an extended position to advance the bottom conveying surface, the first side conveying surface, and the second side conveying surface along with the rear wall of the chamber to decrease a size of the chamber and advance contents of the chamber in a depth direction toward a receiving zone.

A method accurately detects biting of a foreign object in a packaging machine. A control apparatus controls a packaging machine that sequentially seals and/or cuts a packaging material transported in a first direction using a rotor. The rotor is arranged to have a tangent to its outer circumference portion in contact with the packaging material extending in the first direction. The rotor is drivable and rotatable by a driver. The control apparatus includes an information obtaining unit that obtains information indicating a rotational position of the rotor and a status value of the driver in predetermined cycles, and a determination unit that determines a presence of an abnormality in a sealed portion of the packaging material using, from the information obtained by the information obtaining unit, a status value of the driver corresponding to a rotational position of the rotor falling within a predetermined range or being a predetermined position.

A method accurately detects biting of a foreign object in a packaging machine. A control apparatus controls a packaging machine that sequentially seals and/or cuts a packaging material transported in a first direction using a rotor. The rotor is arranged to have a tangent to its outer circumference portion in contact with the packaging material extending in the first direction. The rotor is drivable and rotatable by a driver. The control apparatus includes an information obtaining unit that obtains information indicating a rotational position of the rotor and a status value of the driver in predetermined cycles, and a determination unit that determines a presence of an abnormality in a sealed portion of the packaging material using, from the information obtained by the information obtaining unit, a status value of the driver corresponding to a rotational position of the rotor falling within a predetermined range or being a predetermined position.

Pick and place device for an apparatus for filling and closing articles in particular, containers, comprising a robotic arm, a free end of which carries a gripper formed by two claws arranged opposite each other and movable towards and away from each other so as to open and close the gripper. Each claw defines a first jaw configured to form with the first opposite first jaw a first gripper for gripping a closing element designed to be applied onto an article and a second jaw configured to form, with the opposite second jaw a second gripper for gripping the article.

Pick and place device for an apparatus for filling and closing articles in particular, containers, comprising a robotic arm, a free end of which carries a gripper formed by two claws arranged opposite each other and movable towards and away from each other so as to open and close the gripper. Each claw defines a first jaw configured to form with the first opposite first jaw a first gripper for gripping a closing element designed to be applied onto an article and a second jaw configured to form, with the opposite second jaw a second gripper for gripping the article.

The technology disclosed relates a robotic workstation for packaging wood products. The robotic packaging workstation can achieve can handle efficiently wrapping/packaging product stacked into units. In one configuration, the robotic packaging workstation includes a robot manipulator capable of moving an end effector to points in a three-dimensional work volume under programed control of a programmable robot controller executing stored instructions. A fastener and wrapping tool head is affixed to the end effector adapter plate. The fastener and wrapping tool head further includes a support structure, a fastener applicator, a fastener storage, and a one or more grippers for grasping wrapping material.