This robotic cell utilizes vacuum to move glass or "lites" from one of two input racks onto a horizontal conveyor. Racks of lites are brought to the system by lift truck and moved into the cell through rolling access doors. Strapping is removed by the operator and the bar code label is scanned. Bar code data on glass size and orientation on the rack is sent to the robot from the line PLC.

Variability of the rack positioning and the lean angle of the glass on the rack is measured by the robot using specialized sensors in the end-effector tooling. The robot scans each new rack loaded, then locates each lite before using vacuum to acquire it. The robot then loads the lite onto a horizontal conveyor which feeds the coating line.

A touch-screen provides a user interface for the operator to perform normal operations with the robot while the KCP Pendant is used for advanced programming.

This robot gripper can handle any size lite from 22" X 36" X 2mm thick to 72" X 100" X 6mm thick.

If air pressure is lost to the system for any reason, the fail-safe check valves featured on the gripper maintain vacuum in the cups long enough for the robot to set the lite down in a safe position. This prevents glass on the floor-- a serious safety hazard.

All wiring normally exposed is actually wired underground or above any potential danger caused by falling glass.

• KUKA KR150 robot
• Integrated safety feature: light curtains allow the racks to be interchanged without stopping the robot
• Lightweight extruded aluminum gripper
• Allen-Bradley touch-screen user interface to perform standard operations

• Work-related employee injuries eliminated
• Improved productivity
• Touch-screen interface reduces amount of robot training required