An intelligent rail system that ‘maximises productivity and safety’ in material handling and assembly operations is being offered by Cobotics, a US company that specialises in intelligent assist devices (IADs).
Cobotics says that its new iTrolley, designed for the long travel on track rail systems, minimises the stop/start strain imposed on operators pushing loaded bridge cranes. “Internal testing has demonstrated an average of 56% greater productivity compared with conventional manual crane systems.” Driven by a DC servo, the iTrolley masks the momentum and inertia of the crane, reducing push/pull forces and energy required to perform each cycle.
This allows operators to work faster, Cobotics says. The operator pushes the load in the intended direction and the iTrolley responds as quickly as the operator moves, it is claimed. It works by a series of sensors, including a cable angle sensor, that interpret the operator’s intent.
Cobotics says that the system can be retrofitted to existing rail systems and works with both flexible cable/chain-based systems and rigid arm types.
Other features include the ability to programme-in ‘virtual boundaries’ to help guide operator motions more precisely, and the ability to automate portions of a task.
