Automated Sorting and Organizing Systems :: Robotics

Background ResearchSorting and OrganizingSince the birth of civilization, organization has played an substantial role in allaspects of life. The seven wonders of the ancient world could not have been build withoutextensive organization. The Egyptians made an impressive use of organization when theybuilt the Great Pyramids. They had to organize their workers into different groups, eachdoing a different job. The architects also had to sort the bricks in order to build thepyramids. They sorted the bricks depending upon size and shape in order to reduce theamount of work they had to do shaping the bricks.1 This effectiveness of sorting can beseen today in the modern world.In modern times, sorting systems are automated requiring little human involvement.One familiarity that uses sorting to make its company run faster and more efficient is DHLin Belgium. They have put into practice an automated sorting system called Verastream.2Verastream can do the whole process of sorting, including weighing, measuring, andshipping without much human interference. Another company named Compac has anextensive sorting system that sorts produce by weight, color, blemish, shape, and density.Compacs color sorting system uses an InVision 5000 Color and Demension System tosort its produce. This machine can jazz between up to sixteen user-defined colors.In addition, it can choose the average color of the type of produce. After determining the1 Seven Wonders of the World - Pyramids of Egypt2 Verastream Helps Automate Package Sorting for DHLcolor of the produce passing through the machine, the produce can then be sent down the slide down path.3 Compacs color sorting system is similar to the soda sorting system.The soda sorting system uses a light sensor to sort the soda by color. When theconsumer makes a choice of soda by clicking the corresponding button, the light sensorwill look for the color of the corresponding soda. Once the light sensor acquires thecorrect soda, it will then send the information to another RCX. The other RCX will thenfind the correct type of soda, pick it up, and transport the selected soda to a soda canopener. The major advantage of the sorting machine compared to industrial sortingmachines is that the robot sorter is much smaller. It is small enough to fit into a cabinet. too this product allows an average someone to have a remotely operated way of choosinga type of soda and bringing it to him or her. This is useful because a person may not wantor be able to get up and get a soda for him or herself without missing part of his or her