2023-07-28
Faced with the ultimate pursuit of efficiency in the warehousing and logistics industry, KUKA China has developed a 3D vision-based robot mixed palletizing and depalletizing application unit.
In today's rapidly developing e-commerce and retail industries, every link in the logistics industry is facing more severe challenges. At the same time, the manual picking and sorting process in large distribution centers faces problems of high labor intensity and low efficiency.
In response to the industry's ultimate pursuit of efficiency and commitment to promoting the ubiquitous existence of industrial robots, KUKA China has developed a 3D vision-based robot mixed palletizing and depalletizing application unit. As different sizes of cartons are transported to the palletizing station by conveyor belts, the robot recognizes and grabs each type of carton, and according to the mixed palletizing requirements, places them on the pallets.
This unit provides an intelligent upgrade solution for the inbound and outbound processes of distribution centers. It integrates industrial robots and 3D industrial cameras, and uses artificial intelligence and 3D vision technology to demonstrate single depalletizing, mixed depalletizing, mixed palletizing, and pallet continuation applications. The upgraded solution has the following advantages:
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Realized a highly flexible picking process by replacing manual labor with robots as the carrier; |
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Has higher work efficiency compared to manual labor, accelerating the pace of inbound and outbound processes; |
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All points are generated by vision, eliminating the need for manual teaching, and the entire system can be quickly put into operation. |
In addition, the solution also supports both online and offline mixed palletizing.
Online mixed palletizing supports mixed palletizing of any incoming order and box size. In the case where the carton specifications and incoming order cannot be obtained in advance, the robot can recognize the position and size of the carton, generate real-time optimal stacking position and motion path, and grab each carton and place it on the pallet.
Offline mixed palletizing calculates the optimal stacking pattern and placement sequence based on principles such as larger boxes first, heavier boxes first, ensuring stacking stability, and fully utilizing pallet space. Users can also set their own stacking calculation conditions. The system will transport the cartons according to the placement sequence, and the robot will complete the palletizing according to the optimal stacking pattern.
This solution is suitable for typical scenarios such as loading of express delivery cages and inbound and outbound processes of logistics warehouses, and has been widely used in industries such as e-commerce, express delivery, and food and beverage. MechaMan's independently developed intelligent mixed palletizing algorithm, together with industrial-grade 3D cameras and industrial robots provided by KUKA, has contributed to improving the efficiency of the logistics industry and reducing labor costs.
Mech-Eye Industrial 3D Camera
MechaMan's high-performance industrial 3D cameras can output high-quality 3D data of many types of objects and are the "soul component" of this robot mixed palletizing and depalletizing application. The diverse camera models are sufficient to meet various needs in different scenarios such as anti-environmental light, high precision, and small volume. The Mech-Eye LSR L and Mech-Eye DEEP cameras selected for this application use lasers to produce structured light, which is suitable for scenes with high requirements for anti-environmental light performance. They have high accuracy, wide field of view, and a maximum working distance of up to 3.5m.
The Robot Multi-tasker: KUKA KR Quantec
If artificial intelligence and 3D cameras are the soul and eyes of the entire solution, then the industrial robot is the most reliable hands and best executor of the solution. The KUKA KR Quantec robot used in the application is not only a strong and stable hand but also a "multi-tasker" in the industrial robot family. The diverse arm spans of KR Quantec models range from 2.7m to 3.5m, covering a payload range from 120kg to 300kg.
In addition to being used for depalletizing and palletizing in the logistics industry, KR Quantec can also be used in scenarios such as mechanical processing, installation, handling, welding, and more. Moreover, when faced with higher protection requirements and harsh environments such as high temperatures and low temperatures, KR Quantec still performs with ease.
