Apparatus and method for harvesting portions with fluid nozzle arrays

摘要

A system for cutting a workpiece into one or more portions or final pieces, and then transferring the final pieces to a receiving location, includes a conveyor configured to support and advance workpiece, as well as a cutter configured to cut the workpiece into the final pieces. At least one fluid nozzle is positioned relative to the conveyor and selectively activatable to discharge a stream of fluid at a predetermined location(s) on the final piece, thereby to propel the final piece from the conveyor to a receiving location. A controller activates the nozzle to direct the fluid stream at the target position(s) on the final pieces.

主权项

1. A system for cutting a workpiece into final pieces and then transferring the final pieces to one or more desired receiving location(s) using a fluid stream, the system comprising:
a conveyor configured to support and advance the workpiece; a vision system configured to ascertain selected physical parameters of the workpiece and generate data pertaining to the physical parameters of the workpiece, the data from the vision system used to determine how the workpiece is to be cut into one or more final pieces and to identify one or more positions on the final piece(s) as targets for the fluid stream; a cutter configured to cut the workpiece into the final pieces; at least one nozzle that is selectively activatable to discharge a stream of fluid therefrom, thereby to transfer the final pieces from the conveyor to the receiving location(s) when the at least one nozzle is activated; a controller configured to activate the at least one nozzle to direct the fluid stream at the target position(s) on the final pieces; and a vacuum subsystem positioned relative to the conveyor to apply a vacuum to the workpieces to hold the workpieces relative to the conveyor as the at least one nozzle discharges a stream of fluid at the target position(s) of the final pieces.