An electromagnetic pallet assembly includes electromagnetic cells coupled to a pallet base, and an electromagnetic pallet frame supported above the pallet base by pillars. A pallet central processing system is configured to control the electromagnetic cells and/or the pallet frame, and can be further configured to control an electromagnetic frame sheet located above the pallet frame. A signal adapter is configured to transmit signal between the central processing system and a remote control device. A method for adjusting pallet position includes selecting electromagnetic pallets, and activating an electromagnetic assembly of a truck bed surface and/or electromagnetic cells of the selected pallets. Polarity and/or strength of the electromagnetic assembly and/or the electromagnetic cells of the selected pallets are adjusted, and the selected pallets are moved.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for magnetically attaching to a load comprising: a direct current power source; an electromagnet comprising a coil connectable to the direct current power source for feeding current to the coil for attaching to a load by a magnetic force; a current measurement device connected to the coil; a user interface for displaying information indicating a load capacity of the apparatus; and a controller operatively connected to the direct current power source, the coil, the current measurement device and the user interface to cause: connecting the direct current power source to the coil; measuring current of the coil; determining a rise time of the current to a nominal value of current of the coil, when the load is attached to the apparatus; determining a load capacity and/or usage level of the load capacity of the apparatus based on the rise time of the current to the nominal value; and displaying the load capacity on the user interface.

A switchable permanent magnetic unit is disclosed. The unit comprises: a housing, first and second permanent magnets, and a conductive coil. The first magnet is mounted within the housing and the second magnet is rotatable between first and second positions and mounted within the housing in a stacked relationship with the first magnet. The unit generates a first level of magnetic flux at a workpiece contact interface when the second magnet is in the first position and a second level of magnetic flux at the interface when the second magnet is in the second position, the second level being greater than the first level. The conductive coil is arranged about the second magnet and generates a magnetic field. A component of the conductive coil's magnetic field is directed from S to N along the second magnet's N-S pole pair when the second magnet is in the first position.

An object is to provide a lifting-magnet attachment magnetic pole unit, a lifting magnet, a steel material conveying method, and a steel plate manufacturing method with which only one or a desired pieces of steel materials can be held. The present invention is a lifting-magnet attachment magnetic pole unit for a lifting magnet used to lift and convey a steel material with magnetic force. The lifting-magnet attachment magnetic pole unit includes a first split magnetic pole that is in contact with an iron core of the lifting magnet and has a branched structure, and a second split magnetic pole that is in contact with a yoke of the lifting magnet and has a branched structure. The first and second split magnetic poles are alternately arranged.

An object is to provide a lifting-magnet attachment magnetic pole unit, a lifting magnet, a steel material conveying method, and a steel plate manufacturing method with which only one or a desired pieces of steel materials can be held. The present invention is a lifting-magnet attachment magnetic pole unit for a lifting magnet used to lift and convey a steel material with magnetic force. The lifting-magnet attachment magnetic pole unit includes a first split magnetic pole that is in contact with an iron core of the lifting magnet and has a branched structure, and a second split magnetic pole that is in contact with a yoke of the lifting magnet and has a branched structure. The first and second split magnetic poles are alternately arranged.

In one embodiment, a mobile robot energizes its state-variable anchor into a released state while contacting a payload, and then de-energizes it to put it into an anchored state, attaching it to the payload. The mobile robot may then move the payload to a mounting location while the state-variable anchor is de-energized and attached to the payload. As such, the mobile robot may then energize a state-variable anchor of the payload to put it into a released state while at and contacting the mounting location, and then de-energizes it to put it into an anchored state to attach the payload to the mounting location. To then detach the state-variable anchor of the mobile robot and the mobile robot from the payload after the payload is attached to the mounting location, the mobile robot may then energize the state-variable anchor of the mobile robot to put it into a released state.

In one embodiment, a mobile robot energizes its state-variable anchor into a released state while contacting a payload, and then de-energizes it to put it into an anchored state, attaching it to the payload. The mobile robot may then move the payload to a mounting location while the state-variable anchor is de-energized and attached to the payload. As such, the mobile robot may then energize a state-variable anchor of the payload to put it into a released state while at and contacting the mounting location, and then de-energizes it to put it into an anchored state to attach the payload to the mounting location. To then detach the state-variable anchor of the mobile robot and the mobile robot from the payload after the payload is attached to the mounting location, the mobile robot may then energize the state-variable anchor of the mobile robot to put it into a released state.

A system for automatically magnetically gripping non-magnetic objects. The system includes a robotic arm, a magnetic actuator, and a free magnetic element. The magnetic actuator may be coupled to an end effector of the robotic arm. A non-magnetic object may be placed between the free magnetic element and the magnetic actuator. The magnetic actuator may magnetically attract the free magnetic element to securely grasp the non-magnetic object therebetween. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.

A system for automatically magnetically gripping non-magnetic objects. The system includes a robotic arm, a magnetic actuator, and a free magnetic element. The magnetic actuator may be coupled to an end effector of the robotic arm. A non-magnetic object may be placed between the free magnetic element and the magnetic actuator. The magnetic actuator may magnetically attract the free magnetic element to securely grasp the non-magnetic object therebetween. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.

A system and method for rigging and lifting a joined, multi-section assembly of corrugated decking sections for attachment to a Cold-Form Steel. The system and method provide for the utilization of an adaptable rig that securely attaches to a multi-section assembly of corrugated decking sections which have be pre-joined by workers in a safe, preferably terrestrial, workspace. The adaptability of the rig enables it to provide attachment points for lifting and supporting the multi-sectioned decking assemblies of disparate sizes and materials. The location and number of these attachment points being a function of the size, gauge, area and aggregate weight of a given pre-joined multi-section assembly. The system and method are can be utilized with pre-joined multi-section assemblies consisting of individual decking sections fabricated from a variety of materials, including ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, as well as composite materials.