US 12,251,924 B2
System and method for aligning a movable cart to an assembly apparatus
Patsy A. Mattero, Smithfield, RI (US); William A. Losiewicz, Douglas, MA (US); and Kenneth J. King, East Freetown, MA (US)
Assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/571,821.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/138,856, filed on Jan. 19, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0227120 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. B41F 15/00 (2006.01); B41F 15/12 (2006.01); H05K 3/12 (2006.01)
CPC B41F 15/12 (2013.01) [H05K 3/1225 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for aligning a movable cart to an assembly apparatus, the assembly apparatus having at least one item of a plurality of items for replacement within the assembly apparatus, the assembly apparatus including a docking station, the movable cart being configured to receive a used item or provide a new item to the assembly apparatus, the movable cart including an interface configured to dock within the docking station of the assembly apparatus, the system comprising:
a sensor associated with the assembly apparatus; and
a laser associated with the movable cart,
wherein the sensor and the laser are configured to align the movable cart with the assembly apparatus after an initial docking of the movable cart within the docking station of the assembly apparatus, and
wherein the laser is calibrated to one side of the movable cart to ensure that the laser emits a beam that is aligned to the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis coordinate of the movable cart.