The spools have an inner and outer wall between them, which an end-effector could be
inserted. However, the opening between the spool walls is curved and has spokes
which create four quadrants and only a 3/4″ height into which an end-effector can be
inserted. In addition to supporting the weight of the spool, the end-effector must slide
the spool off the spindle
Remove aluminum spools wound with
rubber strands from the horizontal spindles on a
winding machine and transfer them to a cart with
horizontal shafts.
Vertical Lift Cylinder with 48″ of vertical
travel and 360° operator limited rotation. Poke end-effector with two curved forks to fit into two of the four
openings in the spool. A lever at the end of each fork is
power rotated to trap the spool on the forks. The trapped
spool can then be pulled off of the spindle. Manual
rotation of poke end-effector about its horizontal axis for
aligning forks with spool openings.