Mobile reel transport device for component reel packaging system

A component reel packaging system for loading components on reels, the component reel packaging system comprising:

• a reel loading workstation having a reel support;
• a mobile reel transport device movable relative to the reel loading workstation, the mobile reel transport device including an automated guided vehicle (AGV) having a mobile cart with wheels for maneuvering the mobile reel transport device relative to the reel loading workstation, the mobile reel transport device including a reel manipulator mounted to the mobile cart having a movable component movable relative to the mobile cart and an end effector at a distal end of the movable component configured to pick up and manipulate a reel, and the mobile reel transport device including a reel positioning device at the distal end of the movable component having an imaging device for imaging the reel and environment and generating an image, the reel positioning device determining a position and an angular orientation of the reel based on the image, the reel manipulator being operable to move the end effector based on the position and move a rotational orientation of the end effector based on the angular orientation of the reel determined based on the image;
• wherein the reel positioning device is configured to pick up an empty reel and place the empty reel on the reel support;
• wherein the empty reel is configured to be loaded with components at the reel loading workstation;
• and
• wherein the reel positioning device is configured to pick up the full reel loaded with components and move the full reel away from the reel support.

A component reel packaging system for loading components on reels, the component reel packaging system comprising:

• an empty reel rack configured to hold an empty reel stack of empty reels;
• a full reel rack configured to hold a full reel stack of full reels;
• a reel loading workstation near the empty reel rack and the full reel rack, the reel loading workstation having a reel support configured to support a reel for loading components on the reel;
• a mobile reel transport device movable relative to the empty reel rack, the full reel rack, and the reel loading workstation, the mobile reel transport device including an automated guided vehicle (AGV) having a mobile cart with wheels for maneuvering the mobile reel transport device, the mobile reel transport device including a reel manipulator mounted to the mobile cart having a movable component movable relative to the mobile cart and an end effector at a distal end of the movable component configured to pick up and manipulate a reel, and the mobile reel transport device including a reel positioning device at the distal end of the movable component having an imaging device for imaging the reel and environment and generating an image, the reel positioning device determining a position and an angular orientation of the reel based on the image, the reel manipulator being operable to move the end effector based on the position and move a rotational orientation of the end effector based on the angular orientation of the reel determined based on the image;
• wherein the reel positioning device is configured to pick up an empty reel from the empty reel stack at the empty reel rack and place the empty reel on the reel support;
• wherein the empty reel is configured to be loaded with components at the reel loading workstation;
• and
• wherein the reel positioning device is configured to pick up the full reel loaded with components and move the full reel from the reel support to the full reel stack at the full reel rack.