Abstract: Methods and apparatus to position a cargo unit in a cargo compartment of an aircraft are disclosed herein. An example linear track system in a cargo compartment of an aircraft includes a first linear synchronous motor (LSM) track coupled to a floor of the cargo compartment, a second LSM track coupled to the floor of the cargo compartment, and a cargo positioning system to activate the first and second LSM tracks to move a cargo unit along the first and second LSM tracks through the cargo compartment. A bottom of the cargo unit has first and second strips of conductive material to interact with the corresponding first and second LSM tracks.

Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system including: a plurality of track sections including a track and an interior area; a track cover covering the track of the plurality of track sections; a top plate covering at least a portion of the interior area of the plurality of track sections; at least one top cover covering at least a portion of the top plate and any uncovered portions of the interior area; and a plurality of gaskets providing a seal between the track cover and track, top cover and top plate such that the interior area of the plurality of track sections are sealed. The track cover may be a strong, flexible material configured to wrap along or around the track to cover any joints between track sections and provide a sealed, easy to clean cover.

Abstract: Disclosed are a matrix track system, a production line with associated loops and a production method using the production line. The matrix track system includes a plurality of track nodes which are arranged in a matrix and a plurality of fixed guide rails connecting the track nodes. The fixed guide rails include a plurality of longitudinal guide rails and a plurality of transverse guide rails. Each of the track nodes includes a turnout mechanism which includes a straight guide rail, an arc guide rail and a switch component for the switching of the straight guide rail and the arc guide rail.

Abstract: A method for loading a container with packages, using a device having at least one guide. At least one hand element is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the guide, and is provided on the at least one guide. The hand element has a plurality of finger elements. The finger elements have at least two flexible flank elements extending together from one end of the finger element to the opposing end. The at least two flexible flank elements of the finger elements are flexibly connected together via a plurality of webs. The finger elements may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back. The at least one hand element takes packages one after the other, and deposits the packages into the container in a stack. The hand element is displaced along the guide between the deposit of two successive packages.

Abstract: A sweep auger system having a driveshaft with auger flighting and a backboard extending a length from an inward end to an outward end. An input of a gearbox is connected to an outward end of the drive shaft and a sweep wheel having a plurality of notches, arms and feet is connected to an output of the gearbox. A drive shield is placed around a rearward side of the sweep wheel that forms a channel that is configured to capture grain agitated by the sweep wheel. A guide plate is connected to the gearbox and covers a portion of the gearbox. The guide plate angles from an upper outward edge downward and forward to a lower inward edge that is configured to urge the grain captured within the channel of the drive shield to move in front of the sweep auger system reducing grain left in the grain bin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus for tampon applicators 100, having a first conveyor track 2, which comprises two transport belts 3.1, 3.2 which are arranged spaced apart from each other. The transport belts each have a bearing axis L1, L2. The conveying apparatus according to the invention furthermore has a first conveyor drive 4 for driving at least one of the two spaced-apart transport belts 3.1, 3.2, and transport belts which are arranged spaced apart from each other in such a manner that a tampon applicator 100 which is to be conveyed rests on the two transport belts in an intermediate space D between the transport belts. The bearing axes L1, L2 of the transport belts 3.1, 3.2 are arranged parallel; in particular in the case of transport belts having the same conveying direction F. The present invention furthermore relates to a method of conveying tampon applicators.

Abstract: A method of collating packages that includes receiving a plurality of packages in a main channel of a collation module, conveying the packages in the main channel along parallel grooves having a first portion arranged perpendicularly to the main channel, and conveying the packages in the main channel along a second portion of the parallel grooves angled towards a first side of the collation module, where each package passes through first and second portions of a single groove.

Abstract: Conveyor safety guard modules that are configured to be inserted between adjacent rollers in motor driven roller conveyor systems and shield drive bands or belts coupled between the adjacent rollers so as to protect workers from having their work gloves, loose hair, loose clothing, etc. becoming entangled in the drive bands or belts and causing injury.

Abstract: A storage station, a process for storing, and a bottle tray (5) configured for receiving a bottle layer (7) are provided. The bottle tray has an upright side wall (12), with an upper tray opening (13) and a tray bottom (15) connected to the side wall (12). The bottle tray (5) has a movable lifting bottom (18) that lies in the loaded state (5) on the tray bottom (15) and which has a plurality of passage openings (16) for a lifting device (34) for a relative lift between the side wall (12) and the lifting bottom (18). The tray bottom (15) has a perforated plate or a plurality of struts (17) located spaced apart and enclosing the passage openings (16). The struts are fastened to the side wall (12). The bottle tray (5) has a bottom centering (19) acting between the tray bottom (15) and the lifting bottom (18).

Abstract: A battery cast-on-strap machine unloading apparatus includes a first and a second unit. Each unit includes a rotary drive mechanism; and, a pinion co-axial with and directly driveable by the rotary drive mechanism. The apparatus further includes an elongate rack. The rack includes teeth along a first side and an opposing second side. The first and second units are mounted adjacent to each other on the rack. Operation of each drive mechanism causes rotation of the respective pinion to be converted into linear motion of the respective unit along the rack. Adjacent rotary drive mechanisms are located on opposing sides of the rack, such that the pinion of the first unit meshes with the teeth along the first side of the rack, and the pinion of the adjacent second unit meshes with the teeth along the opposing second side of the rack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring an item to be transported from an end portion of a flow storage system to a removal device, comprising the steps of: using an end stop arranged in a shut-off position for retaining at least one first item to be transported on the end portion of the flow storage system and/or using a separator arranged in the shut-off position to retain at least one second item to be transported on a retaining section of the flow storage system; arranging the removal device adjacent to the end portion of the flow storage system in a removal position; using at least one sensor of the removal device for checking whether the end stop and/or the separator is arranged in a shut-off position and transferring the first item to be transported from the end portion to the removal device.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a welding tip of a welder and an apparatus for replacing the same include a fixed bracket secured to a support. The apparatus includes an actuator coupled to the fixed bracket and a first moving member moved by the actuator. A second moving member is coupled to the first moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket. A third moving member is hingedly coupled to the second moving member. A first welding tip removal member is coupled to the third moving member to separate a welding to tip coupled to a shank. A fourth moving member is disposed opposite to the first moving member. A fifth moving member is coupled to the fourth moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket. A sixth moving member is coupled to the fifth moving member. A second welding tip removal member is coupled to the sixth moving member.

Abstract: An attraction loading system is provided that includes a turntable configured to rotate about a vertical axis. A ride vehicle is configured to travel along a loading path disposed about a perimeter of the turntable. A first track switch of the system is disposed along the loading path to direct the ride vehicle to a main portion of the loading path from an attraction path, or to direct the ride vehicle to the main portion of the loading path from a secondary portion of the loading path. A second track switch of the system is disposed along the loading path to direct the ride vehicle from the main portion of the loading path to the attraction path, or to direct the ride vehicle from the main portion of the loading path to the secondary portion of the loading path.

Abstract: An orientation module including a base configured to support at least one container, a camera positioned to scan the at least one container, a processor operatively connected to the camera configured to analyze an initial orientation of the container and determine a secondary orientation of the container, and a turning member positioned above the base configured to turn the corresponding container according to a command from the processor to rotate the container to the secondary orientation.

Abstract: A component mounting system including: a component mounting device group in which a plurality of component mounting devices that mount components supplied to a board transported in from an upstream side by a tape feeder and transport out the board to a downstream side, and cut a carrier tape after supplying the components by a cutter device and discharge scraps of carrier tape, are installed on a floor surface while being arranged in a direction of conveying the board; a main conveyor that is installed along an arrangement direction of the plurality of component mounting devices in a region on the floor surface under the component mounting device group, and transports the scraps of carrier tape discharged from each of the plurality of component mounting devices; and a scraps storage that is installed outside the region and stores the scraps of carrier tape transported by the main conveyor.

Abstract: A smart moving platform for transport of components in manufacturing includes a vehicle body, a transmission device, a conveying system, a detection device, a tag installation device, a control unit, and a tag reader. The conveying system conveys components. The detection device detects a location of the component and in a first predetermined area, the tag installation device installs and activates a tag on the component. The control unit writes component information to the activated tag and sets a predetermined period. The tag starts to count time elapsing, and the conveyor belt conveys the component to a second predetermined area. The tag reader reads the component information, the elapsed time, and a predetermined period of the tag. When the elapsed time matches the predetermined period, the conveying system sends the component to a third predetermined area.

Abstract: A case orienting system comprising a frame having a reference datum a traverse transport pivotally coupled to the frame about a traverse pivot axis, the traverse transport including a substantially continuous movable platform configured to support and transport at least one case in a case traverse direction along a traverse axis. The substantially continuous movable platform pivots about the traverse pivot axis to orient the case traverse direction to another traverse direction and a bias support disposed adjacent to and opposing the traverse transport and being movably coupled to the frame to move relative to the frame in opposition to the traverse transport, the bias support being configured to engage and seat against a seating surface of the at least one case to support the at least one case in a first orientation relative to the reference datum.

Abstract: A system for wirelessly transmitting power between a track and independent movers in a motion control system includes a pick-up coil provided proximate to the magnets on the movers. The fundamental component of the voltage applied to the drive coils interacts primarily with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets on the movers and not with the pick-up coil. Consequently, the pick-up coil does not interfere with desired operation of the movers but rather, interacts primarily with the harmonic components and has current and voltages induced within the pick-up coil as a result of the harmonic components. The energy captured by the pick-up coil reduces the amplitude of eddy currents on the mover. After harvesting the harmonic content, the pick-up coil may be connected to another circuit on the mover and serve as a supply voltage for the other circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wheel transfer device which can effectively prevent derailment of rolling wheels caused by breakage of a driving chain, to avoid falling of a wheel hub, thereby not only ensuring the finished product ratio of the wheel hub, and more importantly, ensuring the work safety of the workers.

Abstract: A feeder that feeds objects to be picked up by a robot, includes an object container unit having a first planar portion including a first planar surface in which the objects are thrown, and a groove portion including a plurality of grooves extending in a first direction from the first planar portion as seen from a normal direction in which a normal of the first planar surface extends, and a vibrator unit that applies vibration to the object container unit, wherein the vibrator unit has a first vibration mode in which the objects are moved in the first direction.