Patent ID: 7189049
Filing Date: 2007-03-13
Classification: B25J,G05B

Abstract:
1. A method for rapidly transferring a work object in both horizontal and vertical directions, the method comprising: providing a robot unit having a gripping mechanism; providing a first workstation and a second workstation between which to transfer the work object, the work object weighing between one kilo and forty kilos, and the transfer in the horizontal direction being at least one meter but less than ten meters and at least partially being effected along an essentially horizontally extending beam; arranging the gripping mechanism such that, at least in a first end situation along the beam, the gripping mechanism can collect the work object in a first position situated beyond the first end situation along the beam, controlling the robot unit with a control unit; driving the robot unit with a belt member and at least two motors having rotor units connected to drive wheels for the belt member; immovably arranging the at least two motors in relation to the first and second workstations; effecting transfer of the work object without displacement of either of the at least two motors; executing the entire transfer of the work object along the beam; providing the belt member as a single continuous drive belt, which, at the same time, is connected to and driven by the drive wheels; and guiding the transfer of the work object along a pre-programmed path using a control computer in the control unit, through continuous control and registration of the situation of each of the rotor units of the motors, wherein the gripping mechanism moves along the beam and is arranged with at least two gripping units, a first gripping unit collecting the work object from the first position and a second gripping unit depositing the work object in a second position beyond a second end situation along the beam, each of the first and second gripping units collecting and placing objects simultaneously with the other unit, wherein an intermediate storage for change of place of the work object is effected before the work object is transferred from the first position to the second position, wherein the first gripping unit collects the work object from the first position and deposits the work object at the intermediate storage, and the second gripping unit collects the work object from the intermediate storage and deposits the work object in the second position, and wherein transfer of the work object in the horizontal direction is unobstructed by the robot unit, the robot unit comprising: