Automated loading and packing for custom-sized packages
Systems and methods are disclosed for automated loading and packing for custom-sized packages. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a first range of dimensions, a second custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a second range of dimensions, and a first independent transport robot configured to transport items to at least one of the first and second custom-sized box generation machines. The first custom-sized package generation machine and second first custom-sized package generation machine are decoupled from an item induction portion of the system.
1 . An item packing facility comprising:
an item induction system configured to induct a first item and a second item for packing into custom-sized packages;
a first custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a first range of dimensions;
a second custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a second range of dimensions;
a first independent transport robot configured to transport the first item to at least one of the first and second custom-sized package generation machines; and
a second independent transport robot configured to transport the second item to at least one of the first and second custom-sized package generation machines;
wherein the first custom-sized package generation machine and the second custom-sized package generation machine are decoupled from the induction system.
2 . The item packing facility of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller configured to:
cause the first item to be loaded onto the first independent transport robot at the item induction system;
determine a first dimension of the first item;
determine that the first item is to be routed to the first custom-sized package generation machine based at least in part on the first dimension of the first item and the first range of dimensions of the first custom-sized package generation machine; and
cause the first independent transport robot to transport the first item to the first custom-sized package generation machine.
3 . The item packing facility of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a third range of dimensions; and
a fourth custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a fourth range of dimensions;
wherein the first range of dimensions partially overlaps the second range of dimensions, and the third range of dimensions partially overlaps the fourth range of dimensions.
4 . The item packing facility of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first conveyor configured to transport the first item to the first independent transport robot via a first container;
a second conveyor to transport the first container downstream; and
a sensor configured to determine at least one dimension of the first item while the first item is disposed on the first independent transport robot.
5 . A system for packing items into custom-sized packages, the system comprising:
a first custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a first range of dimensions;
a second custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a second range of dimensions; and
a first independent transport robot configured to transport items to at least one of the first and second custom-sized package generation machines;
wherein the first custom-sized package generation machine and the second custom-sized package generation machine are decoupled from an item induction portion of the system.
6 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a controller configured to:
cause a first item to be loaded onto the first independent transport robot at the item induction portion;
determine a first dimension of the first item;
determine that the first item is to be routed to the first custom-sized package generation machine based at least in part on the first dimension and the first range of dimensions; and
cause the first independent transport robot to transport the first item to the first custom-sized package generation machine.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the first dimension is unknown prior to loading the first item onto the first independent transport robot.
8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine that a load on the first custom-sized package generation machine satisfies a reroute threshold;
determine that the first dimension is within the second range of dimensions; and
cause the first independent transport robot to transport the first item to the second custom-sized package generation machine instead of the first custom-sized package generation machine.
9 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine that a number of upstream items having dimensions in the first range of dimensions routed to the system satisfies a system reconfiguration threshold;
cause the second custom-sized package generation machine to be reconfigured to generate packaging having the first range of dimensions.
10 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a second independent transport robot configured to transport items to both the first and second custom-sized package generation machines;
wherein the first independent transport robot is configured to transport items to both the first and second custom-sized package generation machines.
11 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a first conveyor configured to transport items to the first independent transport robot via a first container; and
a second conveyor to transport the first container downstream.
12 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a sensor configured to determine at least one dimension of an item while the item is disposed on the first independent transport robot.
13 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a third custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a third range of dimensions; and
a fourth custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a fourth range of dimensions;
wherein the first range of dimensions partially overlaps the second range of dimensions, and the third range of dimensions partially overlaps the fourth range of dimensions.
14 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a controller configured to:
cause a first item to be loaded onto the first independent transport robot at the item induction portion;
determine a first shape of the first item or a first packaging type associated with the first item;
determine that the first item is to be routed to the first custom-sized package generation machine based at least in part on the first shape or the first packaging type; and
cause the first independent transport robot to transport the first item to the first custom-sized package generation machine.
15 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first custom-sized package generation machine is unable to form wraparound packages.
16 . A custom-sized package generation system comprising:
a first custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a first range of dimensions;
a second custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a second range of dimensions;
a first independent transport robot configured to transport items to at least one of the first and second custom-sized package generation machines; and
a controller configured to:
cause a first item to be loaded onto the first independent transport robot at an item induction portion of the system;
determine a first dimension of the first item;
determine that the first item is to be routed to the first custom-sized package generation machine based at least in part on the first dimension and the first range of dimensions; and
cause the first independent transport robot to transport the first item to the first custom-sized package generation machine.
17 . The custom-sized package generation system of claim 16 , wherein the first custom-sized package generation machine and the second custom-sized package generation machine are decoupled from the item induction portion of the system.
18 . The custom-sized package generation system of claim 16 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine that a load on the first custom-sized package generation machine satisfies a reroute threshold;
determine that the first dimension is within the second range of dimensions; and
cause the first independent transport robot to transport the first item to the second custom-sized package generation machine instead of the first custom-sized package generation machine.
19 . The custom-sized package generation system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a second independent transport robot configured to transport items to both the first and second custom-sized package generation machines;
wherein the first independent transport robot is configured to transport items to both the first and second custom-sized package generation machines.
20 . The custom-sized package generation system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a third custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a third range of dimensions; and
a fourth custom-sized package generation machine configured to generate packaging having a fourth range of dimensions;
wherein the first range of dimensions partially overlaps the second range of dimensions, and the third range of dimensions partially overlaps the fourth range of dimensions.