Apparatus for automatically unstacking a pallet on which at least two stacks of blanks are arranged. The apparatus comprises an unstacking station which is configured for receiving a pallet on which are arranged at least two stacks of blanks in collapsed condition. The unstacking station is further configured for taking off one by one individual blanks from the at least two stacks of blanks which are on a pallet received in the unstacking station. The apparatus further includes a feed track for conveying pallets. The feed track links up by a discharge end with the unstacking station for the purpose of feeding a pallet with stacks of blanks to be unstacked to the unstacking station. Further, the apparatus includes a blank main discharge assembly for discharging individual blanks to a further processing station.

Gripping device adapted for gripping a stack of flat-folded cartons, where the gripping device comprises a first gripping jaw and a second gripping jaw arranged adjacent each other and enclosing a holding space, where the gripping device is provided with a first open state in which the distance between the gripping jaws is greater than the height of a flat-folded carton, and where the gripping device is provided with a second closed state in which the distance between the gripping jaws is less than the height of a flat-folded carton, and that the gripping device is adapted to displace one side of the stack of flat-folded cartons in a longitudinal direction, such that each flat-folded carton of the stack of flat-folded cartons will be held in an angled state by the gripping device. The advantage of the invention is that a stack of flat-folded cartons can be held in a secure way, where the height of the stack is reduced when the stack is held.

A system for robotic manipulation of objects having various shapes and sizes. The system includes a robot having an end effector, and an independent tag. The independent tag may have an object attachment interface to grasp an object, and an end effector attachment interface to mechanically interface with the end effector. Upon actuation of the robot, the end effector may move the object via the independent tag. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.

A method for loading blanks from a stack of blanks to a head press of a stamping press line is provided. The method may include: providing a loading robot; providing one or more separating robots configured to separate one blank at the top of a stack of blanks from the underlying blanks; providing a stack of blanks and applying separating robots to at least one side of the stack; recognizing the position of the stack of blanks using the position of the separating robots; picking up the blank located at the top of the stack of blanks with the loading robot, using the recognized position of the stack; loading the blank to the head press of the stamping press line using the loading robot. Furthermore disclosed is a system for loading blanks to a head press of a stamping press line.

A reel holder includes: a plate-shaped rotating plate; multiple reel support portions evenly arranged in a circumferential direction about the center of the rotating plate, and supporting the tape reels such that each of the tape reels is rotatable about the center thereof; and a rotating plate support portion supporting the rotating plate such that the rotating plate is rotatable about the center of the rotating plate.

A method for loading blanks to a head of the stamping press line includes providing a stack of blanks at a pick-up position; loading blanks from the stack of blanks to the head of the stamping press line; before the stack of blanks is exhausted, creating a buffer by raising a predetermined number of blanks from the top of the stack to a position above the stack; and loading blanks from the buffer to the line while replacing the stack of blanks with a new stack of blanks. A handling system for creating a buffer includes one or more buffer robots with one or more supporting tools on which the blanks can be held, and one or more separating tools to separate one or more blanks at the top of the stack from the underlying blank of the stack.

A system for robotic sorting includes a bin system comprising a plurality of bins for holding items to be sorted, where each bin is configured to hold more than one of the items. The system further includes an item handling system configured to travel to each of the plurality of bins. The item handling system utilizes a vacuum force to remove an item held in one of the plurality of bins. The item handling system further utilizes one or more curvature generation devices to enable card manipulation. Additionally, the system includes a drive system coupled to the item handling system. The drive system is configured to move and position the item handling system over each of the plurality of bins. The system also includes a control system coupled to the drive system and the item handling system. The control system controls movement of the item handling system and the drive system.

The invention relates to an applicator for die-cut parts (2), having a die-cut part strip (1) with a longitudinal direction (L) having a carrier layer (3) and an adhesive layer (4), where an outer contour of the die-cut parts (2) is punched through the carrier layer and adhesive layer (3, 4) down to predetertnined breaking points (18) and a die-cut part complement (19) protrudes beyond the die-cut parts (2) continuously laterally to a longitudinal direction (L), and a punch head (8) over which the die-cut part strip (1) runs, where the die-cut parts (2) running over the punch head (8) face away from the punch head (8) by their adhesive layer (4), and the die-cut parts (2) can be pressed by means of the punch head (8) onto a surface (11).

A cartoning machine including a carton supply station (e.g., a rotary carton supply station, a linear carton supply station, a non-linear carton supply station, or the like) and a handling station operatively coupled to the carton supply station. The carton supply station provides, on a selective basis, cartons, such as carton blanks, pre-formed cartons, or the like. The carton supply station of the cartoning machine provides for movement of magazines with respect to a robot in the handling station that may have a distal end secured in a stationary and fixed location. As such, different magazines with dissimilar cartons may be moved to a picking location adjacent the robot, as dissimilar cartons are required. Further, the cartons within the magazines may be moved to a pre-determined pick-up location such that the robot is repeatably picking a carton from the pre-determine pick-up location.

The present invention relates to a handling installation for handling sheets of cardboard or similar material applicable for implementation thereof in an automated production facility, comprising a first receiving station (1) configured to receive packages formed by cardboard sheets, each of the sheets being defined by four sides, and a second distribution station (2) in which the sheets are delivered face-down coming from the receiving station by means of sheet handling means. The first and second stations comprise modules that are independent from each other, the handling means comprising a robot arm provided with a head with clamping means to hold the package of sheets on any of the four sides, the head having a hinge point that can be coupled to a robot arm, capable of conveniently moving and orienting the clamping means in any of the coordinate axes, the robot arm being mounted on a base that is independent with respect to the first and second stations.