Universal Robotics Random Box Mover & Mixed Depalletizer
Universal Robotics’ ability to move a variety of packages, boxes, and objects has led to solving specific applications that are unique to the materials handling and distribution eco-system. The Random Box Mover and Mixed Depalletizer applications represent the industry’s first industrial material handling solutions that solve real logistics problems that have random inputs.
Universal Robotics has combined automated intelligence with high-speed control to enable 3D sensor input to update robot behavior in real-time. Universal’s applications integrate the best sensors and equipment with three main components to ensure measurable return on investment.
Sensing (Spatial Vision Robotics). Universal engineers are experts at mixing various sensor technologies to generate accurate 3D vision guidance and inspection.
Control (Sensor Servoing). The company has deep knowledge of industrial machine control required to react and move in real-time.
Intelligence (Neocortex). To ensure quick and efficient completion of the task, Universal applies patented machine learning techniques to control patterned behavior while reacting to sensor data .
Unlimited number of layers within 60” high pallets
Partial, mixed or full layered pallets
Moves up to 12 boxes per minute
Identifies box regardless of labels or tape
Boxes can be loosely or tightly packed
Any orientation up to 10 degrees of horizontal
Works well under varying lighting conditions
Eliminates costly fixturing or automated tables
Optional high speed throughput
Optional 3 SKU multi-case handling
Less than 24 month payback
Traditional vision approaches can’t automate the pick and place of mixed boxes in random locations. Even with the problem simplified, the result was either overly complex, too slow for normal operations, or had low return on investment.
Universal introduces a breakthrough application – Universal Robotics Random Box Mover. The application enables a robot to automatically move a number of randomly placed SKUs at typical unloading speeds, regardless of the orientation of the boxes or their packing density.
Example of One Box in Any Orientation
This breakthrough from Universal offers a cost-effective 3D suite of sensors that integrates off-the-shelf structured light sensors and pairs of cameras for stereoscopic vision.
The standard application moves one box in any orientation at up to 12 per minute with standard motion control. Whether loosely or tightly packed, either on the floor, conveyor or container, the boxes can be in any orientation. The application dynamically provides 3D guidance to the robot for boxes regardless of the type or presence of labels or shipping tape. The boxes can be flat on a surface or stacked in unlimited number of layers in a pallet up to 60” high. The cost effective approach eliminates expensive fixturing and automated tables, and works well under varying light conditions. Optionally, the Random Box Mover can handle up to 3 boxes or cases in any orientation with any combined mix of cases per layer. Optional high-speed servoing can further increase throughput where required.
The flexibility of the Random Box Mover enables picking and placing a wide range of box sizes from 6”x6”x12” up to 48”x48”x48”. The application can move individual boxes from floor to conveyor, table to pallet, truck to conveyor, or assembly line to staging area. Stacking of multiple boxes can be tight or loose, and random in both orientation and order. Boxes can be plain, have a variety of shipping labels, tape, lettering, or graphic designs.
Universal Robotics Box Mover Handles a Wide Range of Boxes
Boxes containing fragile items can employ precision handling using the optional Premium Sensor Suite (± 0.5mm accuracy).
The application can manage sophisticated motion control required in tight spaces such as individual work cells, trucks, or containers by optimizing the flexible motion of six axis robots.
Traditional vision approaches can’t automate the depalletization of mixed cases in random locations. Even when the problem was simplified, the result was either overly complex, too slow for normal operations, or had low return on investment.
Universal introduces a breakthrough application – the Universal Robotics Mixed Depalletizer. This application enables a robot to automatically move a number of randomly placed SKUs at typical unloading speeds, regardless of the orientation of the boxes or their packing density.
This solution from Universal uses a suite of 3D sensors that integrates off-the-shelf structured light sensors and pairs of cameras for stereoscopic vision. The standard application unloads/loads one box in any orientation at up to 12 per minute with standard motion control. Whether loosely or tightly packed in partial or full pallets, the cases can be in any orientation. The application dynamically provides 3D guidance to the robot for boxes regardless of labels or shipping tape, whether the cases are flat on a surface or stacked in unlimited number of pallet layers up to 60” high.
Universal Robotics Mixed Depalletizer Handles Mixed Pallets, Unlimited Layers, and Boxes with Labeling
This cost effective approach eliminates expensive fixturing and automated tables, and works well under varying light conditions. Optionally, the Mixed Depalletizer can handle up to 3 boxes or cases in any orientation with any combined mix of cases per layer. Optional high-speed servoing can further increase throughput where required.
The flexibility of the Mixed Depalletizer enables a wide range of pallet sizes up to 48” x 48” and 60” high. Stacking of the cases can be tight, loose and random in orientation and order. Layers can be fully packed or partially filled with a variety of box sizes and types. Layers can be homogeneous, mixed within a layer, or each layer have a different case. Boxes can be plain, have a variety of shipping labels, tape and other lettering.
Spatial Vision Robotics can work with any industrial robot, and with a wide variety of sensors. Universal offers three sensor suite resolutions – standard (± 5.0mm accuracy), enhanced (± 2.5mm accuracy), and premium (± 0.5mm accuracy) to fit the requirements of the task. The Mixed Depalletizer can be integrated with either new or existing robots having payloads from 5kg to over 500kg, and are designed to fit into standard workcell spaces wherever possible.
The Mixed Depalletizer automatically selects with highest box and unloads progressively down through the stack. After calibration of cameras and sensors, Spatial Vision Robotics software coordinates 3D input to the robot by getting an overall 3D view of the pallet, detecting all cases possible, selecting a case to be moved, and monitoring the motion of the robot as it places the case.
The Random Box Mover & Mixed Depalletizer Identify Boxes Whether Tightly or Loosely Packed
After calibration of cameras and sensors, Spatial Vision Robotics software coordinates 3D input to the robot by getting an overall 3D view of the boxes, detecting all boxes possible, selecting a box to be moved, and monitoring the motion of the robot as it places the box. If there are numerous boxes, the Random Box Mover automatically selects the highest or closest box and progressively moves through the stack of boxes.
The sensor system uses a combination of 3D stereoscopic vision and structured light for identifying SKU position. It generates X, Y, Z position and Rx, Ry, Rz pose values as needed for each box, then interfaces directly to the robot controllers through a PC.
Below are typical configurations of a work cell.
