Folding Arm Crane for Moving Cardboard Boxes

Folding boom cranes are core equipment for solving the problem of high-frequency, flexible handling of cardboard boxes. Their design aims to mimic the flexibility of a human arm while providing operators with lifting capabilities far exceeding those of human strength.

The ability of a folding boom crane to maneuver around obstacles is primarily due to its multi-degree-of-freedom structure:

Main Arm: Connected to the uprights, it covers a large radius.

Outer/Folding Arm: Connected to the main arm via a central hinge, it can fold like an elbow. This allows the robotic arm to extend and retract freely in confined spaces, such as inside containers or between racks.

End Effector: For cardboard boxes, it is typically equipped with a vacuum suction cup.

For handling cardboard boxes, the most common technology is vacuum suction. A vacuum pump or compressed air (vacuum generator) removes air from the suction cups. Once the suction cups grip the box, sensors detect the weight change, and the controller automatically adjusts the cylinder pressure so that the upward lifting force equals the weight of the box. The box is in a “suspended” state, and the operator only needs to apply a very small force (usually 2 kg) to easily lift and lower boxes weighing up to 50 kg.