Robotic pallet/container

A protective positioning pallet for holding each of a plurality of articles in an accurate spatial position, comprising:

• (a) A load bearing rigid frame and base system to define an internal cylindrical space;
• (b) locator surfaces recessed within said space and protected from side forces by said frame;
• (c) a cradle system accurately suspended within such space reference to said locator surfaces and separated from the periphery of such space, said cradle system being comprised of dimensionally stable and tough material that is softer than the parts contained thereby;
• and
• (d) an impact shielding wall system hung on the rigid frame to enclose the cylindrical space, such wall system being comprised of a lightweight material that has high strength and high impact toughness resistant to abuse, crushing, and deformation.

A method of making a protective positioning pallet, comprising:

• (a) assembling a rigid frame having a bed with upright posts along the periphery of the bed to define a first interior cylindrical space;
• (b) machining a plurality of reference surfaces on said frame with sufficient accuracy to define reference coordinates for said interior cylindrical space;
• (c) stationing locator posts on said frame by mating machined surfaces of rigid locator posts adjacent said frame reference surfaces to obtain an accumulated stack-up of tolerances of about .+-.0.045 inches, said locator posts defining a second interior cylindrical space nested within said first space;
• (d) suspending part-holding cradles on said locator arms to obtain an interfit therebetween of no greater than 0.045 inches;
• and
• (e) hanging shielding walls on said upright posts of said frame to close off said interior cylindrical space.

A method of handling parts for precision work, comprising:

• (a) containerizing said parts within a positioning pallet having a rigid bed with reference locating surfaces, said parts being coordinated to said locating surfaces within an accumulated stack-up of tolerances no greater than .045 inches, said pallet having skids projecting from said bed to function as conveyor locating surfaces;
• (b) conveying said pallet with said skids aligned with the sides of the conveyor to a predetermined station adjacent an unloading robot;
• (c) controlling such robot to move to said predetermined station, open said container, and selectively grip one or more exposed portions of said parts in said station;
• (d) robotically moving said gripped parts from said container to a work station for performing work tasks upon such parts;
• (e) robotically returning said parts to said container upon completion of said work;
• and
• (f) vertically stacking said repacked containers for conveyance, each container separating and isolating the support forces from said parts.