Automated pallet inspection and repair
US7765668B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53317
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An automatic pallet inspection cell (10) comprises one or two multi axis robot arms (14, 15) which terminate in either internal or exterior pallet grippers. The robots are used to transport a gripped pallet (12) through an automated inspection station (16) which compiles a three dimensional data map of a pallet surface. A processor interprets the map and producing a recipe for the robot or robots. One or more stations (17, 18, 19) conduct pallet repair operations that are specified by the recipe. A method for levelling a pallet prior to board removal by a band saw (17) is also disclosed, characterised by rolling the pallet relative to a blade of the band saw to a first and a second roll angle, and positioning the pallet at a position which is an average of the first and second roll angles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.