In an induction system for use with an object processing system, a distribution system is disclosed for providing dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes a conveyor section that travels over a vacuum roller, and the plurality of receiving units arranged generally below the vacuum roller such that an object with a mass will fall toward one of the plurality of receiving units based on both the object's mass and a vacuum force applied to the object through the conveyor section.

In an induction system for use with an object processing system, a distribution system is disclosed for providing dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes a conveyor section that travels over a vacuum roller, and the plurality of receiving units arranged generally below the vacuum roller such that an object with a mass will fall toward one of the plurality of receiving units based on both the object's mass and a vacuum force applied to the object through the conveyor section.

Providing an article discharge system that can be made compact. The article discharge system pulls out some articles from an article group and discharges them. The article discharge system includes a placement unit in which the article group is placed, plural grippers 30, a movable member 20, a robot 10 that moves the movable member, weight acquisition units 40, and a control unit. The plural grippers grip, with gripping member 32, the articles. The plural grippers are attached to the movable member. The weight acquisition units acquire weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips. The control unit moves the movable member, brings the plural grippers closer to the placement unit, causes the plural grippers to grip some of the articles of the article group placed in the placement unit, and, based on the result of a combination calculation using the weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips and which the weight acquisition units have acquired, causes predetermined grippers among the plural grippers to release the articles and thereby discharge the articles.

Providing an article discharge system that can be made compact. The article discharge system pulls out some articles from an article group and discharges them. The article discharge system includes a placement unit in which the article group is placed, plural grippers 30, a movable member 20, a robot 10 that moves the movable member, weight acquisition units 40, and a control unit. The plural grippers grip, with gripping member 32, the articles. The plural grippers are attached to the movable member. The weight acquisition units acquire weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips. The control unit moves the movable member, brings the plural grippers closer to the placement unit, causes the plural grippers to grip some of the articles of the article group placed in the placement unit, and, based on the result of a combination calculation using the weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips and which the weight acquisition units have acquired, causes predetermined grippers among the plural grippers to release the articles and thereby discharge the articles.

In an induction system for use with an object processing system, a distribution system is disclosed for providing dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes a conveyor section that travels over a vacuum roller, and the plurality of receiving units arranged generally below the vacuum roller such that an object with a mass will fall toward one of the plurality of receiving units based on both the object's mass and a vacuum force applied to the object through the conveyor section.

In an induction system for use with an object processing system, a distribution system is disclosed for providing dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes a conveyor section that travels over a vacuum roller, and the plurality of receiving units arranged generally below the vacuum roller such that an object with a mass will fall toward one of the plurality of receiving units based on both the object's mass and a vacuum force applied to the object through the conveyor section.

Multiple types of leaded components are scattered on component support member, and those multiple types of components are imaged by an imaging device. Identification information for identifying each type of the multiple types of components, and position information representing the position of the components on the component support section, is acquired from image data captured by the imaging device. Then, based on the identification information and the position information, any of the multiple types of components on the component support member are held by a holding tool. By this, it is possible to pick up any of the multiple types of components scattered on the component support section and it is possible to supply many types of components using the component supply device. Also, there is no need for an operator to check components on the component support section, so the operator workload is reduced.

Multiple types of leaded components are scattered on component support member, and those multiple types of components are imaged by an imaging device. Identification information for identifying each type of the multiple types of components, and position information representing the position of the components on the component support section, is acquired from image data captured by the imaging device. Then, based on the identification information and the position information, any of the multiple types of components on the component support member are held by a holding tool. By this, it is possible to pick up any of the multiple types of components scattered on the component support section and it is possible to supply many types of components using the component supply device. Also, there is no need for an operator to check components on the component support section, so the operator workload is reduced.

A space efficient automated processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The processing system includes an input conveyance system for moving objects from an input area in at least an input conveyance vector that includes an input conveyance horizontal direction component and an input conveyance vertical direction component, a perception system for receiving objects from the input conveyance system and for providing perception data regarding an object, a primary transport system for receiving the object from the perception system and for providing transport of the object along at least a primary transport vector including an primary transport horizontal component and a primary transport vertical component that is generally opposite the input conveyance horizontal direction component, and at least two secondary transport systems, each of which receives the object from the primary transport system and moves the object in either of reciprocal directions.

A space efficient automated processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The processing system includes an input conveyance system for moving objects from an input area in at least an input conveyance vector that includes an input conveyance horizontal direction component and an input conveyance vertical direction component, a perception system for receiving objects from the input conveyance system and for providing perception data regarding an object, a primary transport system for receiving the object from the perception system and for providing transport of the object along at least a primary transport vector including an primary transport horizontal component and a primary transport vertical component that is generally opposite the input conveyance horizontal direction component, and at least two secondary transport systems, each of which receives the object from the primary transport system and moves the object in either of reciprocal directions.