Automated Shipboard Build-up of Customized Pallet Loads Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-091 Topic Title: Automated Shipboard Build-up of Customized Pallet Loads Proposal No.: N101-091-0725 Firm: CAMotion, Inc. 554 N. Ave. NW Suite E Atlanta, Georgia 30318-6923 Contact: Steve Gieseking Phone: (404) 920-0721 Web Site: www.camotion.com Abstract: This project is expected to make very lightweight, portable, and compact gantry robots able to build arrays of diverse items (or SKUs). Such arrays are commonly needed for palletizing, truck loading, and container loading in both industry and in the military. The process is currently often very manual as cost effective solutions often are not available. The specific technologies needed to go from manual to highly automated are: 1. Building light, compact, cost-effective but capable motion systems. This is the primary intellectual property of the proposing company. 2. Measurement of locations of payloads relative to pickup and deposition points. This is a topic of sensing emphasized in this proposal using evolving but existing technologies which have in the last few years become cheaper and more capable. 3. Methods of lifting, controlling, and depositing accurately diverse items. This is considered the main impediment to current applications and emphasized in the proposal Resolutions of these items are the primary technical issues in the Phase 1 proposal. Benefits: It is nearly universal in manufacturing and distribution that assembly of a variety of SKUs (stocking units) into a single container is largely manual. This is in contrast to assembly of a single SKU into a container which is often, but not universally, automated. The multiple SKU activities are referred to as mixed load palletizing, truck loading, shipping container loading and kitting. The resulting assembled SKUs are used within facilities; but more often are for shipment between facilities. In the case at hand between a ship and shore based locations. But the commercial applications are most concentrated in distribution facilities of companies like Avon, McKesson, UPS, Sanofi-Aventis, McMaster Carr, and the USPS. All are examples within the greater Atlanta area where the proposing company is based. We have endorsements from several that automation as proposed would be of commercial attraction. Return