Material Handling

Solar Panel Handling

Application:

To pick up, invert and place a solar panel from one conveyor onto a second SMEMA conveyor

Solution:

A robotic system utilizing multiple vacuum cups and redundant vacuum generators on the EOAT to pick, invert and place a solar panel from a SMEMA conveyor, invert it, and place it on a second SMEMA conveyor.   A second identical system was used to transfer the panel from a conveyor, invert it, and place it on another output SMEMA conveyor

Hardware:

  • Two Fanuc Robotics M710iC 50 kg robots
  • EOAT with high temp vacuum cups, redundant vacuum generators and pilot-operated check valves to secure glass
  • Master PLC controller with DeviceNET IO
  • Color touch screen HMI
  • Ethernet  communications for data exchange
  • Aluminum Extrusion guarding with Lexan panels.


 


Robotic Wafer Cartridge Handling

Application:

To process wafer cassettes through a series of chemical baths over a 24 hour period.  Cassette must go through multiple orientations during processing.  They system must be mobile to allow processing of other products.

Solution:

 A fully automated robotic system with a custom fixture to support the cartridge.  The system functions as follows:

  • Operator loads wafers into cartridge
  • Operator attaches custom robot interface bracket onto cartridge
  • Robot picks cartridge from nest
  • Robot processes cartridge in baths in multiple orientations
  • Robot places cartridge back in nest and picks from second pick position
  • Process is repeated for all four pick positions

Hardware:

  • One Fanuc Robotics LR Mate 200iC/5C 6-Axis Class 100 Clean room robot wearing a clean room rated sleeve and R30iA Mate controller
  • Stainless steel welded frame fully mobile cart on casters
  • Stainless steel machined EOAT with a Teflon fixture to interface with wafer cartridge
  • Color touch screen HMI
  • Ethernet  communications for data exchange
  • Stainless steel guarding with Lexan panels

Result:

  • System runs un-attended for 24 hours
  • No operator required
  • Extremely repeatable process



Produce Picking System

Application:

To robotically harvest produce in the field and place them onto conveyors without damaging the produce.

Solution:

A robotic system utilizing a stereo vision camera with a custom algorithm to indentify the product in 3D space and a custom LabVIEW application to translate and transfer the coordinates to the robot

  • Camera locates product in 3D space in field of view of the camera
  • System send coordinate data to the robot
  • Robot moves EOAT into position and actuates the gripper
  • Robot moves product to conveyor
  • Process is repeated for all product identified

Hardware:

  • One 6-Axis Fanuc Robotics LRMate200iC with R30iA Mate controller
  • One Stereo Vision camera to identify the product in 3D space
  • EOAT with pneumatic  cylinders to grasp and a analog load cell to measure the pull force
  • A PC based custom National Instruments LabVIEW application to translate and transfer the coordinates to the robot and monitor full force and control the vehicle IO

Result:

  • Product quality and readiness to pick is automated and repeatable
  • Reduces manpower required to harvest produc