A robotically-operated gripping device is provided and includes a frame assembly, a vacuum device, a clamping device, and a robotic arm. The vacuum device is connected to the frame assembly and configured to selectively attach to and position at least a portion of an object. The clamping device is connected to the frame assembly and provided for selectively clamping the object attached to the vacuum device. The robotic arm is connected to the frame assembly and provided for selectively positioning the vacuum device and the gripping device.

There is provided a conveying device that reliably discharges only scrap when simultaneously conveying the scrap and a pressed product without sacrificing cycle time. A conveying device for use in press forming includes: a conveying part that holds a product part and a scrap part of a workpiece after a cutting process, and conveys the product part and the scrap part to a next process; a nozzle part that is provided in the conveying part, and discharges compressed fluid toward the scrap part; and a controller that performs a control to release holding of the scrap part during conveyance of the workpiece and to blow compressed fluid toward the scrap part.

A system for taking out items wrapped in a packaging film and accommodated in a packaging box with an open top. The system includes a first conveyor configured to transfer a packaging box accommodating items therein, a fixing device for fixing, at a withdrawal position where the items are taken out of the packaging box, the packaging box transferred by the first conveyor with its top open, a withdrawal device for moving to a space in which the items are accommodated in the packaging box so as to suck the same using vacuum suction and take out the same, an item transfer device for transferring the items taken out by the withdrawal device with the items placed on the item transfer device, and a box transfer device for transferring an empty packaging box from which the items are taken out.

An object processing system is disclosed for dynamically providing the removal of objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer. The object processing system includes a load assessment system for assessing a load characteristic of a plurality of objects within the trailer and for providing load assessment data representative of the load characteristic, an object assessment system for assessing a relative position and relative environment of an object of the plurality of objects responsive to the load assessment data, and for providing object assessment data for the object, and a dynamic engagement system for dynamically engaging the objects within the trailer with either of at least two cooperatively operable programmable motion devices responsive to the object assessment data.

An object processing system is disclosed for dynamically providing the removal of objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer. The object processing system includes a load assessment system for assessing a load characteristic of a plurality of objects within the trailer and for providing load assessment data representative of the load characteristic, an object assessment system for assessing a relative position and relative environment of an object of the plurality of objects responsive to the load assessment data, and for providing object assessment data for the object, and a dynamic engagement system for dynamically engaging the objects within the trailer with either of at least two different engagement systems responsive to the object assessment data.

According to one embodiment, a cargo handling apparatus includes a hand, a robot arm, a transfer device, a measurement device, and a control device. The hand holds an article. The robot arm moves the hand. The transfer device is arranged with the robot arm, and transfers the article. The measurement device measures a position and a size of the article. The control device performs a first operation of transferring the article to the transfer device by using the hand and the robot arm, and a second operation of transferring the transferred article by using the transfer device. The control device determines whether or not the robot arm will interfere with the transfer device or a second article on the transfer device when performing the first operation for a first article. The control device controls a start timing of the first operation according to a determination result of the interference.

A system for part transfer and transport, the system including: a first conveyor system for transporting a plurality of trays containing a two-dimensional grid of parts; a second conveyor system for transporting the parts to a predetermined destination in a linear arrangement; and a selection apparatus for transferring a linear array of parts selected from the grid of the first conveyor system to the linear arrangement of the second conveyor system, the selection apparatus comprising: a pick and place apparatus which may be cam driven for moving the parts; and a feed screw defining a plurality of singulated part spaces separated by a part pitch along the second conveyor to facilitate insertion of the linear array of parts into the linear arrangement.

A transfer device for removing articles from a removal zone and depositing them in a discharge zone is described. The transfer device includes a gripping head with retention elements, each configured to retain a respective article. The transfer device further includes a movement mechanism to move at least one retention element on the gripping head between a first configuration, where the retention elements are spaced apart from one another, and a second configuration, different from the first configuration, where the retention elements are brought close to one another. The movement mechanism is configured to move at least one of the retention elements between the first and the second configuration by rotation about a respective rotation axis.

Heterogenous material sorting is disclosed, including: identifying a first target object associated with a first object type on a surface based at least in part on a first sensed signal; providing a first control signal to a first sorting device to cause the first sorting device to remove the first target object from the surface, wherein the first sorting device is configured to manipulate objects associated with the first object type; identifying a second target object associated with a second object type on the surface based at least in part on a second sensed signal; and providing a second control signal to a second sorting device to cause the second sorting device to remove the second target object from the surface, wherein the second sorting device is configured to manipulate objects associated with the second object type.

A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes at least one bracket and at least one vibrator. The at least one bracket is configured to be mounted to a pallet adjacent to a stack of panels disposed on the pallet. The at least one vibrator is attached to the at least one bracket and configured to induce vibration on the stack of panels to disrupt an adhesive bond between adjacent panels in the stack of panels.