Automated Drum Storage and Retrieval by Robotic Gantry Manipulator and Intelligent Control System Abstract #317

Reducing handling time, manual intervention and improving accuracy have long been goals for the industry. Early methods of handling drums with manually operated lift trucks are slow and accuracy varies. Conveyors improved handling time but did nothing for accuracy, no random selection and still required manual intervention. The sheer numbers of moving conveyor parts are still maintenance considerations as well as a clean up issue. Lack of random selection of drums in the series flow of conveyors was not easy and required manual intervention. Better handling methods that reduce manual intervention and increase accuracy and reliability are available today and should be considered in the upgrading of existing facilities and the construction of new.