Industrial Metal Waste Management with MAGNETO Robot

The world depends and strives on robots for solving the monotonous labour which does not require human intelligence; sometimes working in hazardous environments. This paper presents a robot designed to perform a common industrial task i.e. the disposal of iron fillings and chips near a machine which ejects these iron wastes that emanate due to a cutting or a lathing operation. The proposed semi-autonomous robot “Magneto” provides a cost effective solution for this industrial problem. This robot can pick and place the iron pieces using an electromagnet assembly housed on it, besides, the capability of following a predefined route. The magnetization of the electromagnet is time controlled precisely; i.e. during its travel to reach the work place the electromagnet is inhibited from energising in order to save power. Further, when the robot is near the work area, the position of the electromagnet is lowered through a motorised control. This gives the flexibility, ease of movement and lower power requirement for the robot. Different sensors are deployed on the robot for the overall assistance of the robot for its manoeuvre and iron acquisition. The robot as well as the electromagnet is designed, developed and real-time tested and the results are presented under various operating conditions.