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Container Handling System
Description
| JR Handling System | |
PotCLAW |
The Junior (JR) container handling system represents a self-mobile
outdoor platform powered by an internal combustion engine,
perceiving containers through a laser range-finder, controlled
through an on-board PLC computer, and actuated through a set
of electro-hydraulic and electro-mechanical actuation systems.
Performance and operational data was obtained during field
trials of JR and presented to the sponsor. JR had adequate
performance but was not at a price point that enabled it to
be readily accepted in the industry.
Project sponsor HRI then asked the NREC to adapt JR technology
to a lower cost attachment. This attachment must interface
to an existing prime mover and handle larger sized containers.
The NREC team took the critical technologies developed and
tested in JR and applied them directly to an attachment for
a mini-excavator (PotCLAW). The technologies include laser-based
pot position sensing and interpretation and the mechanism
designs required for reliable and robust "grabbing”
of the pots. PotCLAW performs the same function as JR except
that an operator handles all coarse positioning of the grabber
head for both loading and unloading operations. All fine positioning
and pot position sensing is performed automatically exactly
as in the JR system.
PotClaw was demonstrated to the Sponsor at NREC facilities
and delivered to a local nursery for field testing and demonstration
to end users.
The system is a commercially viable product that is available
for licensing.
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