Warehouse Distribution Robot Prototype

We were going to add support for Microsoft Robotics Studio, but I don't think it is a very good application - in my opinion. One of the reasons I created ARC was due to MRS not doing what I wanted. You can use the EZ-B.DLL with MRS, but I've never done it.

If Microsoft wanted a real robot control environment, we'd merge ARC with some features of Microsoft Robot Studio :)

I understand completely. I need to develop a standalone application controlling multiple robots.

It may or may not run on each robot. Depends how far the project goes.

The plan I have is up to 20 robots. Depends on funding.

Each will be dispatched via web based application written in .Net.

As each robot is dispatched it will go to a location, pick up a rack with the parts and bring it to a packer. Similar to what Amazon uses now. I threw everything on this robot I could to test all components and features you provide.

The backend database is SQL Server. I need to be able integrate with this application.

Currently jobs are assigned to an individual picker and he or she goes out to the floor to pick.

I want a system that simple "picks" can be achieved via a robot.

Lot of work to do .. just starting. Anyway I do this I will be using Visual Studio ( I live in Visual Studio all day.. not necessarily proud of that) and your components for controlling the robot... not necessarily with blue tooth though. I am find range a problem.

Thank for a great product and any help you can give me.

Some reason picture did not upload before. Trying again.

Are you talking about this?

Hi Rasad,

Exactly what I want to duplicate... in theory. Their system cost starts at $1 million and goes up.

I will have a lot smaller warehouse to work with we are now designing, at about 10,000 sq. ft. They will not deal with something that small.

Also we have in house software that I wrote that I can adapt to these robots.

I have in house engineers and in house plasma cutter I could use for the racks and robot parts if necessary.

I like their lifting method but I need to keep the robots price tag down to $2k each.

I was think along the lines of a scissor jack?

I am thinking that racks, with product will be around 300lbs. when in use.

They will make a one way trip of about 200 ft. per item. that is max.

I have warehouse utilization subroutines in place for product positioning by turn count.

Thanks for the input. Let me know what your thoughts are.

@jackphillips1953

Here is a very nice looking actuator. Have not found a price on it yet. I'm still looking....

KATAKA spec sheet

WOW! That looks exaclty what I need. Thanks for the help. Let me know what you find out.

The size maybe to big for this prototype, but that is probably the design I want to use.

looks like a motocycle jack

@jackphillips1953

Still trying to find pricing...here is another video

I don't think there is U.S. distributor. (I will look around for other possible methods to help you as time permits.)

www.kataka.dk/pages.asp?id=60

www.kataka.dk/pages.asp?id=67

www.kataka.dk/pages.asp?id=64

P.S. I think your robot is really cool :)

Great! Thank you very much.

Great idea. I've been considering something similar for years now but I just have not had the time to develop it. Keep me posted! ;)

OK.. probably not going to use Thumper as base unit. Not very manuverable.

For both simplicity and maneuverability you can use this style platform...

Personally I would have a caster in the front and the back though. Better handling and stability , just a little insurance for your robocarts payload. :)

I have seen this platform before. What is the name?

2wd robotic platform

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DF-ROBOT-MOBILE-PLATFORM-2WD-ARDUINO-COMPATIBLE-6-7-DIA-27-6-SEC-/110912956447?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item19d2ed681f

You may want to make or purchase one larger but they are very simple

Thanks. I will order one today.

I would look at thumper type of chassis ,like the on in EZB store,they make much better ones and can handle more then 300 lbs. i bought up a idea for the factory i work at,since i am electronic designer

But they say for now they dont want to use robots on the packing and shipping area,and some stuff it over 5 feet high on shelves

Thumper handle 300lbs?

I wish I have one... tires have no air in them maybe that is the problem?

Another problem is maneuverability.

I will need to do at least 3 types of docking maneuvers.

1. Dock to some sort of changing station.
2. Dock to a storage of parts module.
3. Dock or get close to a pack station.

I am having difficult time fine tuning maneuvers with 4 wheel Thumper.. 2 wheel 75:1 ratio.

I also need to either do a line following procedure to get around.

I am using only one H-Bridge controller. Could that be part of the problem?

Are you able to get good results?

Agreed that it can carry some weight.. right now I just need maybe 10 lbs. or so for proof of concept.

That is why a bought it, but it is a good test bed for getting some experience with EZ.

ok,then another idea would be like a wheel chair setup,.one of my robots has 2 6 inch wheels on a square aluminium frame and front and back has omniwheel coasters for stablity

It can handle easy 300 lbs or more

Its easy to make,just make a square frame from angle aluminium and attack easy to buy wheelchair motors and omniwheels for front and back.

I design a very good automatic charging system for it also up to 10 amops charging rate and 12 volts or 24 volts gel cell batteries

Witch a wheel chair setup you will get fine tuned maneuvers with it

I think my setup cost be about $125 i can try to get it back from my robot storage area and take photos or find photos of it

here is the frame of the robot,you dont need the top half

It handle 100 pounds plus me on top of it plus frame and still moved with no problem

I guess i could add more weight,but thats about 260 lbs total PLUS FRAME AND MOTORS ,also no stress on the frame too

Thanks for the help. I will be doing that something just like that when I get the bugs out of this software.

I want to do a small cheap version that I can demonstrate.

I may not get the funding for all that I want.

If I do I have a full machine shop with engineers and plasma cutter at my disposal.

But first I need to know I can develop cheap enough and get over some of the software issues first.

I also need to integrate with our in house software ..that is very important especially in the beginning.

We deal with Locomotive parts. Some every heavy and bulky which we will probably never use this system.

But a majority are small parts, bolts, gaskets, etc.. That is what I need this for.

Your design looks perfect for us for the base.

Can you maneuver very finely with that set up?

It will take some very precise handling for a lot of things I need to accomplish.

Thank again for the input.

Thats what i have is a very big robotic machine at home with almost every machine needed,last one is aluminium MIG welder and 3D plastic printer,like makerbot replicator or another type

yes it can ,thats what good about omniwheels ,look at vex robotics they have many omniwheels and you can make a robot low cost for under $200 to try it out,plus other wheels

Just change the wheels for another ,buy or make a small frame with the VEX ROBOTICS parts and change and test your design before making a bigger design.

Its a very good test platform for robotics,plus i bought 3 of the platforms with wheels and motors off ebay,i will be sliing my motors and cpu and camera that it uses and 2.75 inch wheels and gripper design ,since only using the platform and adding tracks to mine instead of wheels

OMNIWHEELS go foward and back and slide side to side if used as a coaster type like on bottom of chairs it gives very good maneuverablity

My design has one in the front and 2 6 inch wheels in the front

Will find out where i got it,they need to handle 300 lbs ,witch i think it handles 400 lbs ones i got and they sell others

I design my own gear boxes and my own servo's besides all phases of electrionic circuits

WHAT i am mostly a expert at is sensors and testing them and have so many different types of sensor ,and almost have bought every sensor made too

Only lack in programming

What are you going to do with the thumper base , email me if your ok with getting rid of it second hand kandyred@gmail. Com

Hey nice bot, I have used these actuators for many things from automatic tail gates for pickup trucks to opening a roof on a small shed for a telescope. All sizes and lifting powers the possibilities are endless. Good Luck

http://www.firgelliauto.com/robotics-animatronics-projects.php

Hey how's this project going? Any progress? - Josh S

Still working on project.. back loaded with other job related programing issues right now.

guyz, what do you think about tabe lift systems (like this one www.progressiveautomations.com/linear-actuators ) in robo-design? May be someone alredy used lifts for robots? I have separate parts from here www.ifdfurnishings.com/ariel-2pcs-rectangular-brown-lift-top-cocktail-coffee-end-occasional-tables-set/?page_context=search&faceted_search=0

@samdenson Hmmmm the thread is over 2 years old.... are you expecting an answer? Hopefully you are not spamming us... :)

to Richard R: haha) no, no spam, man I've posted that from my tablet PC so didnt see the latest post was 2 years ago. Probably I should make new topic )) Thank you. Btw, if you can help me with that question - I would appriciate that much.