STACKING LINE SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

The invention relates to an improved stacking line system used to handle stacking of metal parts, workpieces, which may be semi-finished stamped parts or blanks (BL). The line includes conveyor apparatus (CNV) for transporting said metal blanks towards one or more stacking stations (SS1-3), where each stacking station is preferably arranged with at least one stacking pallet (St1-3L, St1-3R) on which said metal blanks are automatically stacked. At at least one stacking station an industrial robot (R1-R3) is arranged to pick, grip and lift a workpiece and stack it on said stacking pallet or in a rack. Moveable flaps (F1-F3) are arranged between the conveyor and a picking platform arranged above the conveyor line, from platform which the robot locates, grips and picks up the workpiece or blank, the position and orientation of which has been previously obtained through a vision (or other sensor) system, prior to stacking it. A method and a computer program for carrying out the method are also disclosed.