Systems, processes and apparatuses for automated handling of non-ferrous metal objects

A destacking apparatus for separating an electrically conductive non-ferrous blank from a stack of electrically conductive non-ferrous blanks, the destacking apparatus comprising:

• a magnet configured to position adjacent the stack of blanks, the magnet being configured to generate a magnetic field in a first direction with respect to a surface of the non-ferrous blank positioned on top of the stack of blanks;
• first and second electrically conductive terminals configured to contact the surface of the non-ferrous blank and pass an electrical current through the non-ferrous blank in a second direction, wherein the second direction of the electrical current is generally normal to the first direction of the magnetic field such that a magnetic separation force sufficient to displace at least a portion of the non-ferrous blank from the stack of blanks is generated in a third direction;
• and
• a destacking apparatus stand with a transverse support rail, the first and second electrically conductive terminals each being slidably mounted to a respective portion of the transverse support rail.

A destacking apparatus for separating an electrically conductive non-ferrous blank from a stack of electrically conductive non-ferrous blanks, the destacking apparatus comprising:

• a magnet configured to position adjacent the stack of blanks, the magnet being configured to generate a magnetic field in a first direction with respect to a surface of the non-ferrous blank positioned on top of the stack of blanks;
• first and second electrically conductive terminals configured to contact the surface of the non-ferrous blank and pass an electrical current through the non-ferrous blank in a second direction, wherein the second direction of the electrical current is generally normal to the first direction of the magnetic field such that a magnetic separation force sufficient to displace at least a portion of the non-ferrous blank from the stack of blanks is generated in a third direction;
• and
• a destacking apparatus stand with first and second biasing mechanisms configured to bias the first and second electrically conductive terminals, respectively, into contact with the surface of the non-ferrous blank.

A destacking apparatus for separating an electrically conductive non-ferrous blank from a stack of electrically conductive non-ferrous blanks, the destacking apparatus comprising:

• a magnet configured to position adjacent the stack of blanks, the magnet being configured to generate a magnetic field in a first direction with respect to a surface of the non-ferrous blank positioned on top of the stack of blanks;
• first and second electrically conductive terminals configured to contact the surface of the non-ferrous blank and pass an electrical current through the non-ferrous blank in a second direction, wherein the second direction of the electrical current is generally normal to the first direction of the magnetic field such that a magnetic separation force sufficient to displace at least a portion of the non-ferrous blank from the stack of blanks is generated in a third direction;
• and
• a destacking apparatus stand with first and second pivotable armatures, the first electrically conductive terminal being mounted on the first pivotable armature and the second electrically conductive terminal being mounted on the second pivotable armature.

An automated robotic system for handling electrically conductive non-ferrous metal objects arranged in a stack, the automated robotic system comprising:

• a material handling robot with an end effector configured to remove a top one of the non-ferrous metal objects from the stack of the objects;
• a system controller communicatively coupled to the material handling robot;
• a platform upon which is seated the stack of objects;
• and
• a destacking apparatus mounted adjacent the stand and communicatively coupled to the system controller, the destacking apparatus including:
• a fixture assembly;
• one or more magnets attached to the fixture assembly and positioned adjacent the stack of the objects, the one or more magnets being configured to generate a magnetic field in a first transverse direction with respect to a conductive surface of the non-ferrous metal object positioned on top of the stack;
• two or more electrically conductive terminals movably attached to the fixture assembly and selectively pivotable into contact with the conductive surface of the non-ferrous metal object, the electrically conductive terminals being configured to pass an electrical current through the non-ferrous blank in a second transverse direction, wherein the second transverse direction is generally normal to the first transverse direction such that a magnetic separation force sufficient to displace at least a portion of the non-ferrous metal object from the stack of objects is generated in a vertical direction;
• and
• first and second liquid conduits configured to deliver cooling liquid to the first and second electrically conductive terminals, respectively.

A method for separating an electrically conductive non-ferrous blank from a stack of electrically conductive non-ferrous blanks, the method comprising:

• positioning a magnet adjacent a lateral side of the stack of blanks;
• generating, via the magnet, a magnetic field in a first transverse direction with respect to a surface of the non-ferrous blank positioned on top of the stack of blanks;
• contacting first and second electrically conductive terminals with the surface of the non-ferrous blank;
• transmitting, via the first and second electrically conductive terminals, an electrical current in a second transverse direction through the non-ferrous blank, wherein the second transverse direction is generally normal to the first transverse direction such that a magnetic separation force sufficient to raise at least a portion of the non-ferrous blank from the stack of blanks is generated in a vertical direction;
• and
• delivering, via first and second liquid conduits, a cooling liquid to the first and second electrically conductive terminals, respectively.