Automatic magnetic gripper for non-magnetic objects

1. A method, comprising:

positioning a first side of a non-magnetic object substantially adjacent to a free magnetic element that is held in a structured surface in a predetermined position relative to the object, wherein the structured surface comprises rows of protrusions, and wherein multiple free magnetic elements are placed in spaces between the rows of protrusions;

positioning a second side of the non-magnetic object to substantially correspond to an end effector of a robot, wherein the second side of the non-magnetic object is substantially opposite the first side, and wherein a magnetic actuator is coupled to the end effector of the robot;

applying a magnetic field to the magnetic actuator to securely grasp the non-magnetic object between the magnetic actuator and the free magnetic element; and

actuating the robot to move the non-magnetic object.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein positioning the first side of the non-magnetic object comprises determining at least one optimal grasp point of the non-magnetic object to minimize the moment of inertia of the non-magnetic object.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein positioning the first side of the non-magnetic object comprises positioning the at least one optimal grasp point substantially adjacent to the free magnetic element.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising substantially automatically aligning the free magnetic element with the magnetic actuator.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the robot comprises a multi-degree of freedom robotic arm.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the free magnetic element comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a disk, a wedge, and a cross.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the free magnetic element and the magnetic actuator is coated with a high-friction material.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removably coupling the free magnetic element to the non-magnetic object.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically placing the free magnetic element on the structured surface to facilitate positioning the first side.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising deactivating the magnetic field to release the non-magnetic object.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the free magnetic elements in the spaces between the rows of protrusions are elongated free magnetic elements that are placed in multiple different parallel rows between the rows of protrusions.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the free magnetic elements are placed end-to-end in the multiple different parallel rows between the rows of protrusions.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the free magnetic elements are moved along in the multiple different rows by a conveyor system.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the non-magnetic object comprises a dish and wherein dishes are loaded onto the conveyor system such that each loaded dish is adjacent to at least one of the multiple elongated free magnetic elements.

15. A method, comprising:

positioning a first side of a non-magnetic object substantially adjacent to a free magnetic element that is held in a structured surface in a predetermined position relative to the object, wherein the structured surface comprises rows of protrusions, and wherein multiple free magnetic elements are placed end-to-end in rows to substantially fill spaces between the rows of protrusions;

positioning a second side of the non-magnetic object to substantially correspond to an end effector of a robot, wherein the second side of the non-magnetic object is substantially opposite the first side, and wherein a magnetic actuator is coupled to the end effector of the robot;

applying a magnetic field to the magnetic actuator to securely grasp the non-magnetic object between the magnetic actuator and the free magnetic element; and

actuating the robot to move the non-magnetic object.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the free magnetic elements in the spaces between the rows of protrusions are elongated free magnetic elements that are placed in multiple different parallel rows between the rows of protrusions.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the free magnetic elements are moved along in the multiple different parallel rows by a conveyor system.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the non-magnetic object comprises a dish and wherein dishes are loaded onto the conveyor system such that each loaded dish is adjacent to at least one of the multiple elongated free magnetic elements.

19. A method, comprising:

positioning a first side of a non-magnetic dish substantially adjacent to a free magnetic element that is held in a structured surface of a conveyor system in a predetermined position relative to the dish, wherein the structured surface comprises rows of protrusions, and wherein multiple free magnetic elements are placed in spaces between the rows of protrusions;

positioning a second side of the non-magnetic object to substantially correspond to an end effector of a robot, wherein the second side of the non-magnetic object is substantially opposite the first side, and wherein a magnetic actuator is coupled to the end effector of the robot;

applying a magnetic field to the magnetic actuator to securely grasp the non-magnetic object between the magnetic actuator and the free magnetic element; and

actuating the robot to move the non-magnetic object.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the free magnetic elements in the spaces between the rows of protrusions are elongated free magnetic elements that are placed in multiple different parallel rows between the rows of protrusions.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the free magnetic elements are placed end-to-end in the multiple different parallel rows.