High-rate cleanable robot cell

A method for transferring products, the method comprising:

• providing a robot cell, wherein the robot cell comprises:
• a structure delimiting a cell with a closed section, the structure comprising:
• metallic corner posts, extending vertically to edges of the cell,
• metallic upper crossbars linking, in pairs, upper ends of the metallic corner posts over a periphery of the cell,
• a central support formed by an assembly of at least the metallic corner posts and the metallic upper crossbars, the central support extending over the cell between the metallic upper crossbars and resting locally at fastening supports on the metallic upper crossbars, at intermediate areas of the metallic upper crossbars,
• a robot, housed within a volume of the cell, the robot comprising:
• a base unit fastened to and hanging from the central support,
• a platform movable relative to the base unit according to a plurality of main axes,
• at least two movable actuation arms linking the base unit to the platform configured to move the platform relative to the base unit, and
• a gripper coupled to the platform,
• at least one conveyor for products, crosses the cell, positioned below an action area of the robot,
• the robot is configured to perform transfers of products comprising depositions over a surface of the at least one conveyor, or for pick-ups on the surface of the at least one conveyor,
• the structure comprises an assembly of metallic beams with an open section (SO), the metallic beams with the open section (SO) of the assembly assembled by welding so as to form a mechanically-welded structure, the open section including a concave portion and a convex portion, the metallic beams with the open section (SO) being configured to ensure wet cleanability of the structure guaranteeing evacuation of water from the concave portions of the assembly of metallic beams, the concave portions remaining accessible for cleaning operations, at least with regards to the metallic corner posts and the metallic upper crossbars are arcuate so that the intermediate area (ZI) of the metallic upper crossbars at which the central support is locally fastened, is at a higher height with respect to the distal ends of the metallic upper crossbars in connection with two successive corner posts of the cell,
• the cell has a rectangular section comprising corner posts, four in number, and metallic upper crossbars, four in number, the metallic upper crossbars respectively linking the upper ends of two consecutive metallic corner posts,
• all of the four upper crossbars are arcuate, the intermediate areas (ZI) of the four upper crossbars over which or proximate to which the central support rests, located at higher heights with respect to the distal ends of the four upper crossbars in connection with the metallic corner posts of the cell,
• controlling the parallel-kinematics robot to proceed with transfers, comprising one of:
• depositing products over the surface of the at least one conveyor from a pick-up area, or picking up products on the surface of the at least one conveyor and deposit them over a deposition area and according to a rate higher than 70 transfers per minute, and for an amplitude of the transfer, higher than or equal to 400 millimeters transversally, and higher than or equal to 50 mm vertically, while limiting the vertical oscillations of the gripper due to the deformation of the structure, lower than or equal to a threshold value.