Wok-piece positioner

Abstract

Work-piece positioners include a positioner chassis, a rotary framework coupled to the chassis, and a mezzanine disposed above the chassis, wherein the mezzanine is configured to mount one or more robots above the positioner. The rotary framework may be configured such that it may rotate a work-piece between a work-piece load/unload zone and a work zone about a framework axis. More particularly, the mezzanine may be secured to the chassis such that when one or more robots are mounted to the mezzanine, the one or more robots may be positioned above the work zone of the positioner.

1 . A work-piece positioner comprising: 
 a positioner chassis;    a rotary framework coupled to said chassis, said rotary framework configured to rotate a work-piece between a work-piece load/unload zone and a work zone about a framework axis; and    a mezzanine disposed above said chassis, said mezzanine including a substantially horizontal member and configured to mount at least one robot above said positioner.    
   
   
       2 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 1 , wherein said mezzanine is affixed to said positioner chassis, and wherein said positioner chassis is configured to support both said mezzanine and said at least one robot above said positioner.  
   
   
       3 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 1 , wherein said mezzanine is comprised of a first mezzanine support and a second mezzanine support secured to opposite ends of said horizontal member.  
   
   
       4 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 4 , wherein said work-piece support is comprised of: 
 opposite rotary framework arms rotatable about said framework axis;    a first set of work-piece supports positioned on one end of said framework arms so as to define a first work-piece axis extending between said first set of work-piece supports; and    a second set of work-piece supports positioned on an end of said framework arms opposite said first set of work-piece supports so as to define a second work-piece axis extending between said second set of work-piece supports.    
   
   
       5 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 4 , wherein said rotary framework is comprised of a work-piece support rotatable about said framework axis and said framework axis is substantially vertical.  
   
   
       6 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 4 , wherein framework axis is substantially horizontal.  
   
   
       7 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 1 , wherein a divider is disposed along said rotary framework so as to separate it into two areas.  
   
   
       8 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more robots mounted to said mezzanine such that said one or more robots are disposed above said work zone of said positioner.  
   
   
       9 . An work-piece positioner comprising: 
 a positioner chassis;    a framework rotatably coupled to said chassis and configured to rotate a work-piece between a work-piece load/unload zone and a work zone about a substantially horizontal axis; and    a mezzanine disposed above said chassis, wherein said mezzanine is configured to mount at least one robot above said positioner.    
   
   
       10 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 9 , wherein said mezzanine is affixed to said positioner chassis, and wherein said positioner chassis is configured to support both said mezzanine and said at least one robot above said positioner.  
   
   
       11 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 10 , wherein said mezzanine is comprised of a first mezzanine support and a second mezzanine support secured to opposite ends of a substantially horizontal member.  
   
   
       12 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 19 , wherein said rotary framework is comprised of: 
 opposite rotary framework arms;    a first set of work-piece supports positioned on one end of said framework arms so as to define a first work-piece axis extending between said first set of work-piece supports; and    a second set of work-piece supports positioned on an end of said framework arms opposite said first set of work-piece supports so as to define a second work-piece axis extending between said second set of work-piece supports.    
   
   
       13 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 9 , wherein a divider is disposed along said rotary framework so as to separate it into two areas.  
   
   
       14 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more robots mounted to said mezzanine such that said one or more robots are disposed above said work zone of said positioner.  
   
   
       15 . A work-piece positioner comprising: 
 a positioner chassis;    a movable framework movably coupled to said chassis, said framework configured to move a work-piece from a work-piece load/unload zone to a robot work zone;    a mezzanine disposed above said chassis, said mezzanine configured for mounting at least one robot above said positioner;    at least one robot mounted to said mezzanine; and    wherein said positioner defines a footprint having an area of less than about 30 m 2  and said at least one robot is within said footprint.    
   
   
       16 . The work-piece of  claim 15 , wherein said framework is rotatably coupled to said chassis such that said framework rotates a work-piece from said load/unload zone to said work zone about a framework axis.  
   
   
       17 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 15 , wherein said mezzanine is comprised of a substantially horizontal member.  
   
   
       18 . The work-piece of  claim 17 , wherein said mezzanine is comprised of a first mezzanine support and a second mezzanine support secured to opposite ends of said horizontal member.  
   
   
       19 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 15 , wherein said footprint is less than or equal to about 10 m 2 , and wherein said at least one robot comprises two robots.  
   
   
       20 . The work-piece positioner of  claim 15 , wherein said mezzanine is affixed to said positioner chassis, and wherein said positioner chassis is configured to support both said mezzanine and said at least one robot above said positioner.