Systems and methods for loading and delivering stalk subassemblies and yarn packages are disclosed herein. Such systems and methods can have at least one processor, at least one automated guided vehicle, at least one creel assembly, and an automated creel loading assembly. The at least one automated guided vehicle can be communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor can be configured to selectively direct an automated guided vehicle to engage a respective stalk subassembly. Upon engagement between the automated guided vehicle and the stalk subassembly, the processor can be configured to selectively direct the automated guided vehicle to move about and between the selected operative position within the creel assembly and a loading position proximate the automated creel loading assembly.

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for a lip assembly for a vacuum gripper or suction device that is designed to work well with both soft flexible packages and articles with rigid surfaces. The lip assembly can have a compliant or flexible inner lip that soft packages can blossom over when suction is applied, while the outer lip of the lip assembly is also suited to working with hard, rigid packages. The vacuum gripper can be mounted on an end of arm tool of a robotic arm and can therefore be configured to work with a wide variety of packages and package types. The small footprint achieved by having a single vacuum gripper that is able to work with both types of packages enables a better opportunity to pick individual packages at one time and maintain a grasp on the package during medium to high-speed transport.

An end-of-arm tool and corresponding system and method for automated de-palletization of a stack of totes include resilient guide arms that extend outwardly in a cascading relationship, with the lower guide arm extending farther than higher arms. The cascading relationship of the guide arms enables totes in a stack to be engaged and aligned sequentially from lowest to highest.

The invention relates to a gripper (100) for finding, clamping and releasing spools (120) having a circular grip part (122) such as a flange or a bore hole as well as a method to operate such gripper. The gripper (100) comprises a driveable clamp (102) that is provided with a scanning system (106) comprising presence-absence detectors (108) that detect the presence of the absence of the circular grip part (122). The gripper (100) is slowly moved over the flange of the spool and by means of the detectors (108) and some calculation the centre of the grip part (122) is identified followed by the gripping of the spool. The gripper (100) has the advantage that no back-and-forth movement is needed in order to locate the circular grip part (122).

Example embodiments may relate to methods and systems for selecting a grasp point on an object. In particular, a robotic manipulator may identify characteristics of a physical object within a physical environment. Based on the identified characteristics, the robotic manipulator may determine potential grasp points on the physical object corresponding to points at which a gripper attached to the robotic manipulator is operable to grip the physical object. Subsequently, the robotic manipulator may determine a motion path for the gripper to follow in order to move the physical object to a drop-off location for the physical object and then select a grasp point, from the potential grasp points, based on the determined motion path. After selecting the grasp point, the robotic manipulator may grip the physical object at the selected grasp point with the gripper and move the physical object through the determined motion path to the drop-off location.

A creel assembly having an outer wall defines an interior space, a plurality of yarn package engagement locations distributed within the interior space, a gantry that is movable secured within the interior space, and at least one processor. The gantry is positioned to selectively engage yarn packages within the interior space. In use, the gantry can selectively access the plurality of yarn package engagement locations. The processor is communicatively coupled to the gantry and receives an input corresponding to a selected action by the gantry. Modular creel systems can be formed from a plurality of the disclosed creel assemblies. Methods of using and assembling the disclosed creel assemblies and modular creel systems are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for loading and delivering stalk subassemblies and yarn packages are disclosed herein. Such systems and methods can have at least one processor, at least one automated guided vehicle, at least one creel assembly, and an automated creel loading assembly. The at least one automated guided vehicle can be communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor can be configured to selectively direct an automated guided vehicle to engage a respective stalk subassembly. Upon engagement between the automated guided vehicle and the stalk subassembly, the processor can be configured to selectively direct the automated guided vehicle to move about and between the selected operative position within the creel assembly and a loading position proximate the automated creel loading assembly.

Example embodiments may relate to methods and systems for selecting a grasp point on an object. In particular, a robotic manipulator may identify characteristics of a physical object within a physical environment. Based on the identified characteristics, the robotic manipulator may determine potential grasp points on the physical object corresponding to points at which a gripper attached to the robotic manipulator is operable to grip the physical object. Subsequently, the robotic manipulator may determine a motion path for the gripper to follow in order to move the physical object to a drop-off location for the physical object and then select a grasp point, from the potential grasp points, based on the determined motion path. After selecting the grasp point, the robotic manipulator may grip the physical object at the selected grasp point with the gripper and move the physical object through the determined motion path to the drop-off location.

System for handling cardboard reels to feed machines that produce cardboard tubes, comprising a station (P) for picking up the superimposed cardboard reels (1), a reel unwinding station (1) comprising at least one unwinding unit (UU) capable of supporting the reels to be unwound, in the unwinding station (U) being also provided splicing means configured to splice a tail portion (TY) of a reel (1 Y) being exhausted with a new reel (1W), and handling means (D) for moving the reels (1) along a predetermined path between the reel pick-up station (P) and the unwinding station (U). Said at least one unwinding unit (UU) comprises several supports (403; 404) mounted on a vertical axis carousel structure (G).

An automatic yarn feeding system is provided. The system comprises a yarn feeding track which is arranged on the twisting machine in a length direction of the twisting machine and provided with a yarn feeding manipulator walking along the yarn feeding track; and a supply zone which is arranged on one side of the yarn feeding track and used to buffer base yarns. The yarn feeding manipulator is used to convey the base yarns from the supply zone to a yarn feeding creel of each spindle position. The yarn feeding track is located in the middle of the top of the twisting machine. The supply zone is provided with a structure for buffering a plurality of base yarns, and is located on one side of an end of the yarn feeding track on the top of a control cabinet.