Warehouse automation and methods of handling materials can be used to enhance the safety and efficiencies of warehouse operations. For example, automation systems and methods that make depalletization processes safer and more efficient are described. In some examples, the depalletization systems described herein include multiple work cells/stations and a depalletization robot that traverses the work cells/stations on a rail so the robot can autonomously move between the stations.

A method for transporting objects using a pallet pick put system. The method includes placing an Object Carrying Unit (OCU) at a first location by a bot. The bot is designed to move the Object Carrying Unit (OCU) and receives an address of the first location. Further, the Object Carrying Unit (OCU) is clamped by a clamping unit to restrict movement of the Object Carrying Unit (OCU). A pallet and an object placed over the pallet are lifted using a mechanical equipment designed for transporting objects. Further, the pallet and the mechanical equipment are aligned by an alignment unit. Further, the pallet and the object are transferred on the Object Carrying Unit (OCU). Thereafter, the bot is instructed to carry the Object Carrying Unit (OCU) upon loading to a second location after the Object Carrying Unit (OCU) is released by the clamping unit.

A support station includes a frame, at least two support rollers separated transversely by a gap, and a nip angle protector, which includes, for the or each gap, a gap protector placed longitudinally opposite the gap on an upstream side of the gap. The support station can be manufactured by obtaining a profile with a continuous upper edge and a continuous lower part along its entire length, and cutting the space and the slots, by T-punching the profile.

An automated storeroom system includes a plurality of automated storerooms including a rack extending in a first horizontal direction and having a plurality of shelves, and a stacker crane configured to travel on a crane passage along the rack, the automated storerooms disposed adjacent to each other in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction with back parts of the racks being close to each other; a transport vehicle configured to travel along a transport vehicle travelling passage provided in a lower portion of the rack and extending in the first horizontal direction; and a travelling restriction member disposed between the crane passage and a front part of the rack facing the crane passage, the travelling restriction member being movable between a travelling restriction position that restricts travelling of a worker and a travelling non-restriction position adapted to remove the restriction.

An object handling system is described, the system having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a grid above a workspace, the workspace having a plurality of stacked containers. The system includes a series of robotic load handling devices operating on the grid above the workspace, the load handling devices having a body mounted on wheels. The robotic devices can move around the grid under instruction from a computing device, the robotic devices being moved to a point on the grid above a stack of containers and then, using a lifting device, engage and lift a container from the stack. The container is then moved to a point where the objects in the container can be accessed. Modifications to the workspace and grid are described that allow vehicles and roll cages to be used to move stacks from the workspace to a point outside the workspace or from outside the workspace into the workspace.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for active safety systems for item sortation equipment. In one embodiment, an example system for an item sortation machine may include a first camera configured to image a first exterior portion of the item sortation machine, memory configured to store computer-executable instructions, and at least one processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to detect a human present at a first location in the first exterior portion, and determine, using the first location, a first portion of an aisle of the item sortation machine to designate a restricted travel zone. Shuttles of the item sortation machine in the restricted travel zone may be prevented from movement. The system may determine that a first shuttle of the item sortation machine is in the restricted travel zone, and may cause the first shuttle to be paused.

A storage rack assembly includes a base steel structure which is interchangeably connected to the storage rack above. The base steel structure assembly is compromised of structural material with bolted connections which allow for the replacement or changing of damaged material due to accidental forklift contact all while the above storage system stays in place.

The present invention proposes a relief module comprising a tubular body (10) for the passage of bulk material, at least a lateral opening (12) in the tubular body (10), a window (20) to cover the respective lateral opening (12), the window (20) operating in a closed position preventing the bulk material from exiting through the lateral opening (12) or in an open position allowing the material to exit through the lateral opening (12), the window (20) having at least one portion made of filtering material allowing the air to pass through and retain solid particles, when the window (20) is in the closed position. The present invention also proposes a bulk material discharge device which receives the bulk material from a feeding system and discharges the bulk material to a destination, the discharge device comprising a relief module configured according to the invention.

An automatic storage and retrieval system is disclosed including storage positions for storing containers, a portal and mobile robots for transferring the containers between the storage positions and portal. The portal may include a bot-access side where the mobile robots transfer containers to and from the portal, and a user-access side where users remove items from the containers.

An automation unit for handling component carriers has an enclosure for arranging components carriers within a first, a second and a third stacking space. The enclosure has a loading opening for the first stacking space, a transfer device for transferring component carriers between the stacking spaces, and a separating device to selectively separate or release the first stacking space inwardly. A safety system for an intervention area is at the loading opening to interrupt the operation of the automation unit if it detects an intervention. The safety system may switch to partial monitoring mode, to full monitoring mode after completion of an automated loading process or deactivate in a manual loading mode when the separating device separates the first stacking space. The safety system may switch to full monitoring mode before the separating device releases the first stacking space. The automation unit can be loaded both automatically and manually safely.