Material handling robot

Keywords: Materials handling, Robotics, Assembly

Applicant: Fanuc Robotics North America, Inc. (USA)Patent number:US6,059,092Publication date: 9 May 2000Title: Material handling robot and rail assembly

This patent relates to a robotic system for handling a large number of items that are to be arranged in a desired pattern.

A robot is supported on a rail and positioned directly above a conveyor along which the items travel. The conveyor has a central longitudinal axis and moves the items along that axis. The robot can move along the rail, parallel to the conveyor axis without contacting the conveyor The robot comprises of a three-axis arm that is supported for movement relative to the robot base and has equal, symmetric access to either side of the conveyor. This results in significant space savings for most applications. The system allows the robot to handle items in any order to increase efficiency and is therefore not restricted to a first-in, first-out handling mode.