Static Detonation Chamber Loader

CRG is pleased to present this video as an overview of a custom designed and built robotic cell that automates the dangerous and monotonous task of loading M56 chemical agent warheads, that have been previously packaged and sealed in containers, into a Static Detonation Chamber, or SDC, for their final destruction. Simply stated, the system will automatically package the containerized warheads into corrugated boxes, or Feedboxes, that will be placed on the SDC material input conveyor.

The process begins with operators loading a pallet of containerized warheads onto the material loading station. Once the pallet is placed in the cell the system will positively locate the pallet and the operator will scan the bar code from the pallet to track the units scheduled for destruction. With the safety interlocks satisfied, the system is now ready for the Control Room Operator to begin processing.

Once the system has been placed in Automatic Operation, a corrugated case, or Feedbox, will be erected and the bottom of the case taped closed. Erected cases are then fed into the canister loading station and will wait to be loaded with canisters. The system is designed to allow the operator to adjust the number of canisters that are placed in the waiting Feedbox from 1 to 4.  

Next, the robot will begin unloading canisters from the pallet. The robot will place two canisters on a ‘pick’ station in the canister loading station. As soon as the second canister has been placed on the pick station a two-axis robot with CRG custom end of arm tooling will pick and place the 2 canisters into the waiting feedbox. This process will repeat once again with the robot placing 2 canisters on the pick station and the 2-axis robot loading the 2 canisters into the feedbox, for a total of 4 canisters.

Once the Feedbox has been loaded, the top of the feedbox will be automatically closed and sealed with staples.

The sealed Feedbox is then conveyed to a label printer, where a label is applied to the top of the box that denotes how many canisters are loaded in the box so the Control Room Operators have visual confirmation prior to feeding into the Static Detonation Chamber.

Each sealed and labeled Feedbox is then accumulated on the input conveyor and are individually fed to the Static Detonation Chamber.

• Case Erecting
• Material handling
• Precision Packaging
• Conveyor system
• Robotic Handling
• Automated Labeling