SBIR-STTR Award

This proposal describes methods to automate the printing industry through the development of robotic end effectors, systems, and computer integration. Flexibility of robotic arms are extended through advanced end effector designs based on the sensitive end effector system (sees) concept. The sees has proximity/ranging, tactile, tracking, imaging, slip determination and slip correction capabilities. Communications protocol are researched with emphasis on map, top, and TCP/IP. Computer integrated manufacturing techniques are applied to specific problems within the printing industry to lead them into the "factory of the future". Computer integrated printing (cip) is the result.

This proposal describes methods to automate the printing industry through the development of a semi-autonomous mobile robot and dual purpose end effector. The prototype modile robot will consist of a self-propelled platform with a fork lift mechanism and a fully articulate robotic arm. An off robot "homing sensor" and searching routines provides accuracy necessary to greatly reduce error. To show the flexibility and cost effectiveness of the mobile robot as the central unit in the automation plan, a demonstration with the unit removing paper from a multigraphics collator, stacking the paper, moving the stack, measuring and cutting the padded stack, and moving raw material on a pallet to a multigraphics press is proposed.