Overhead loading and unloading system, and method
AssigneeRaumaster Paper Oy
InventorsJarmo Pohjolainen, Kaarlo Talvinen
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Abstract
An overhead loading and unloading system (1) and method for handling pallets (2). The system comprises a pickup station (3), a loading station (4), a storage station (5) for storing protective sheets (S), and an automatically controlled linear gantry robot (6). The gantry robot comprises a robot arm (12) provided with a gripper (13) comprising forks (23) for handling the pallets and a vacuum gripper (24) for handling the protective sheets. The robot arm transports the pallets on the forks from the pickup station to the loading station and stacks the pallets in several layers (L). The robot arm implements the vacuum gripper for placing the protective sheets between the stacked layers.
Claims11
An overhead loading and unloading system for handling pallets on which material is stacked, and the system comprises:
- a pickup station;
- a loading station;
- an automatically controlled linear gantry robot;
- an overhead robot arm of the gantry robot movable in three saxes (X, Y, Z);
- a gripper mounted to the overhead robot arm;
- a storage station for storing protective sheets (S);
- wherein the gripper is provided with forks for handling the pallets and a vacuum gripper for handling the protective sheets (S);
- and the robot arm is configured to transport the pallets on the forks of the gripper from the pickup station to the loading station, and is configured to stack the pallets in at least two layers (L) one on top of the other;
- and the robot arm is configured to pick up the protective sheets (S) from the storage station by means of the vacuum gripper and is configured to place the protective sheets (S) on a first layer (L1) of the pallets prior stacking a second layer (L2) of the pallets on the first layer (L1).
A method for handling pallets on which material is stacked, the method comprises:
- implementing an overhead linear gantry robot for transporting the pallets from a pickup station to a loading station;
- and mounting protective sheets (S) on the pallets at the loading station;
- wherein
- using in the gantry robot a dual gripper whereby handling of the pallets is executed with forks of the gripper and handling of the protective sheets (S) is executed with a vacuum gripper;
- loading the pallets at a loading station in at least two layers (L) one on top of the other;
- and mounting protective sheets (S) between the layers (L) of the pallets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.