Patent ID: 11878410
Assignee: NORGREN AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS, LLC
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B  G

Claim 11:
12. A method for shuttling a workpiece to and from an industrial operation, the method comprising:
movably positioning a transfer rail with respect to a workstation, wherein an assembly is coupled to the transfer rail, wherein the assembly has a plurality of links adjustably connected by motorized joints to automatically position the assembly in a predetermined position, wherein the workstation comprises an end effector tool disposed in a holder, and wherein the assembly comprises an automated tool changer coupled to a free end of the assembly;
actuating the motorized joints of the assembly to cause the automated tool changer to engage the end effector tool; and
actuating the motorized joints of the assembly to move the assembly toward the workpiece to allow the end effector tool to engage the workpiece, thereby allowing the workpiece to move from one workstation to another workstation through movement of the transfer rail.