Automatic Handling Awarded Patent for Automated Method to Remove Wires from Bales

Automatic Handling International Inc., a leading manufacturer of custom handling systems, announces the issuance of a patent for a method of removing wires from a bale, US patent number 8,707,532. This patent is another innovation within Automatic Handling's extensive line of bale handling equipment.

This invention is an apparatus that removes wires from bales in a timely and efficient manner, while eliminating potential for injury to workers. The invention includes, among other things, a robot having a full range of movement on three planes. The robot carries an end of arm tool which is comprised of a vision system for locating the wire and a cutting tool for cutting the wire. The end tool further includes a wire collecting spindle which removes the cut wires from the bale. The robot transports the wires to a hopper and the wire collecting spindle deposits the wires in the hopper.


The apparatus includes a conveyor system for moving one or more bales and a de-wiring station positioned adjacent the conveyor system. The de-wiring station includes the robot with end tool. A bale that is bound by one or more wires is transferred by the conveyor system to a position proximate the de-wiring station. The robot with end tool then moves to sense the location of the wires, cut the wires, collect the wires and deposit the wires in a collection hopper. The de-wired bale is then moved by the conveyor system and another wire bound bale is moved to the de-wiring station.

About Automatic Handling International

Established in 1972, Automatic Handling® has over 40 years of experience in a variety of material handling industries. They develop innovative solutions that integrate the latest technology with proven machine designs to create an end-product that will improve efficiency and reduce costs for their customers. Utilizing the capabilities of its engineers and manufacturing facilities, Automatic Handling provides custom solutions for customers worldwide.

Featured Product

3D Vision: Ensenso B now also available as a mono version!

3D Vision: Ensenso B now also available as a mono version!

This compact 3D camera series combines a very short working distance, a large field of view and a high depth of field â€" perfect for bin picking applications. With its ability to capture multiple objects over a large area, it can help robots empty containers more efficiently. Now available from IDS Imaging Development Systems. In the color version of the Ensenso B, the stereo system is equipped with two RGB image sensors. This saves additional sensors and reduces installation space and hardware costs. Now, you can also choose your model to be equipped with two 5 MP mono sensors, achieving impressively high spatial precision. With enhanced sharpness and accuracy, you can tackle applications where absolute precision is essential. The great strength of the Ensenso B lies in the very precise detection of objects at close range. It offers a wide field of view and an impressively high depth of field. This means that the area in which an object is in focus is unusually large. At a distance of 30 centimetres between the camera and the object, the Z-accuracy is approx. 0.1 millimetres. The maximum working distance is 2 meters. This 3D camera series complies with protection class IP65/67 and is ideal for use in industrial environments.