Nov. 2 Webinar to Feature Robotic Systems for Garment Handling

Fixed-position machines that pick, separate, grasp and feed textiles approximate the versatility of the human form and speed laundry production. For tasks that only human limbs can accomplish, emerging wearable technology may achieve the same ends and reduce injuries. Examples of such robotics will be discussed in a TRSA webinar at 2 p.m. EDT on Nov. 2, “Machines More Like People – and People More Like Machines.”

Chief among these will be the robotic separator at Clean Uniforms and More, New Bedford, MA, supplied by JENSEN/Inwatec. A conveyor feeds garments to the separator, where a robotic arm picks each one and places it on a conveyor. Next, depending on a laundry’s needs, such a system could X-ray each garment to detect foreign items like pens and scissors so it can be rejected if it contains such items. Accepted garments are forwarded to vision-based sorting to build washloads.

Radio frequency (RF) ID tags and readers can substitute for vision-based sorting. X-ray detection is fast – handling up to 2,200 items per hour, the manufacturer says. Overall system productivity is around 1,200 to 1,500 pieces per hour, depending on article size, allowing the software and 3D cameras to work. Modular design allows mixing of these various capabilities.

Whether such a system is used for industrial, healthcare/hospitality or F&B items, laundries benefit from high separation efficiency. Skin cut and needle injury risks are essentially eliminated. Rejected garments are forwarded to a separate bin, where detected foreign items can be removed from pockets.

Also to be profiled in the webinar: material handling at Rentex (Netherlands), particularly its cart transport robot, akin to the robotic lawnmowers and vacuum cleaners used in homes, but with a physical track. The system features automated garment sorting, automatic cart identification, garment load auto-count and a cart-loading robotic arm that places bundled garments on both sides of a cage cart. Delivery manifests are produced automatically and the transport robot takes the filled carts to load-out.

Not yet used in laundries but working its way into industry at-large is a third technology to be portrayed in the webinar: exoskeleton apparatus for workers that may provide them with powered assistance to their limbs, perhaps adding strength or warning them when their motion invites injury. The webinar will feature current use of such technology in Boeing Corp. jet manufacturing. Thanks to a new bionic exoskeleton vest, teammates at locations across Boeing are getting a welcome boost when performing prolonged overhead work.

Teams at Boeing sites have tested the vest since 2018. It’s rolling out as an innovative enterprise standard tool designed to lessen the pressure mechanics bear as they work repetitive jobs at chest level and above. Team members benefit from both powered and unpowered (mechanical) exoskeletons for different needs. Postural support exoskeletons were first, such as shoulder exoskeletons. (Ergonomics shoulder injuries are some of the most severe and common across the production workforce.)

Back exoskeleton postural support units are next, as well as hand exoskeletons to support prolonged and repeated gripping. And to help mitigate manual material-handling cases involving lifting and carrying or pushing and pulling, full body-based, powered exoskeleton units are possible.

TRSA’s Industrial, Uniform & Workwear Committee has produced this webinar. Presenters are Anders Hansen, VP, garment technology, JENSEN USA, Panama City, FL; Mark Bodzioch, president, Clean Uniforms and More; Gerard van de Donk, CEO, ABS Laundry Business Solutions, Boxtel, Netherlands; and Christopher Reid, PhD, technical fellow, Human Factors and Ergonomics, Boeing Corp. Environmental Health & Safety.

Click here to register for the webinar. All TRSA webinars are free to staff of member companies; non-members pay $45.