Automated spacer processing systems and methods

A robotic spacer processing system comprising an insulating glazing unit assembly line, a spacer conveyor system, a sealant applicator, and a first robot arm, the first robot arm having a mount base that is mounted in position to a floor, the first robot arm also having a working end, wherein the first robot arm has four or more rotary axes, including a first rotary axis that is vertical and a subsequent rotary axis that is horizontal, where the first rotary axis and the subsequent rotary axis are counted in sequence moving from the mount base toward the working end of the first robot arm, such that the first robot arm has four or more rotary joints that respectively provide the four or more rotary axes, the spacer conveyor system comprising a spacer conveyor line along which spacers can be conveyed, the first robot arm being equipped with a first gripper frame such that the working end of the first robot arm carries the first gripper frame, the robotic spacer processing system having a first position, an intermediate position, and a second position, the robotic spacer processing system when in the first position having the first gripper frame holding a spacer adjacent the spacer conveyor line, the robotic spacer processing system when in the intermediate position having the first gripper frame holding the spacer adjacent the sealant applicator, the robotic spacer processing system when in the second position having the first gripper frame holding the spacer adjacent the insulating glazing unit assembly line, wherein the robotic spacer processing system when in the second position is configured to adhere the spacer to a glass sheet on the insulating glazing unit assembly line, wherein the robotic spacer processing system when in the intermediate position is configured to apply sealant onto opposed sides of the spacer, and wherein the robotic spacer processing system also has a start position, and when the robotic spacer processing system is in the start position the first robot arm is configured to remove the spacer from the spacer conveyor line, such that the mount base of the first robot arm is fixed in the same position on the floor when the robotic spacer processing system is in the start position as when the robotic spacer processing system is in the intermediate position and as when the robotic spacer processing system is in the second position.