Abstract: Systems and methods of associating data to an item being transported by a conveying system are disclosed. The item and data associated with the item are received at a first zone of the conveying system. The data is stored in a first computer-readable storage medium associated with the first zone. The item is transported to a second zone of the conveying system, and the data stored in the first computer-readable storage medium is transferred to a second computer-readable storage medium associated with the second zone.

Abstract: A method for producing in a roll-to-roll process modules of thin film photovoltaic cells in a substrate film, the modules including the substrate with a photovoltaic layer inbetween a lower and upper electrode layer, by using an apparatus including a belt conveyor, and scribe and print stations arranged at respective positions along a transport direction of the belt conveyor to create an interconnection structure between the photovoltaic cells including an arrangement of structural elements having one or more conductive and isolating scribe lines and a conductive body connecting adjacent thin film photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: An automatic machine and an automatic method for grinding the edges of glass sheets are disclosed. The machine is provided with a machine body with motorized support and conveyance rollers or belts, an input conveyor with motorized support and conveyance rollers or belts, an output conveyor with motorized support and conveyance rollers and belts. There are at least two elements for conveying the glass sheets, a lower one and an upper one, which actuate respectively the synchronous motions about a lower axis and an upper axis, which engage and convey the glass sheets, which are interfaced alternately, for example the odd sheets with the lower conveyance elements and the even sheets with the upper conveyance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a jig for manufacturing a reinforcement cage, which comprises a base member, a plurality of rollers disposed on the base member and spaced at intervals, a trolley which is movable on the base member; a driving device for driving the trolley; and a member for positioning the main reinforcement disposed at the first end of the base member.

Abstract: Systems and methods of associating data to an item being transported by a conveying system are disclosed. The item and data associated with the item are received at a first zone of the conveying system. The data is stored in a first computer-readable storage medium associated with the first zone. The item is transported to a second zone of the conveying system, and the data stored in the first computer-readable storage medium is transferred to a second computer-readable storage medium associated with the second zone.

Abstract: Storage and distribution system for products in unit doses, including plurality of housing units, each including a plurality of locations for products in unit doses. The housing units are organised on a vertical plane to produce at least one portion of a picking wall, in which the locations for products in unit doses face selective picking members. A picking unit includes picking members oriented on the picking wall for picking products packaged in unit doses. A collecting unit, arranged on a second side of the picking unit, includes a rack having a plurality of pegs facing towards the first side of the picking unit. The pegs are reached by the picking members so as to pick therefrom or deposit thereon products packaged in unit doses. The plurality of pegs as a whole can collect a smaller number of unit dose products than those that can be stored in the automatic store.

Abstract: An automated system for manipulating a workpiece includes a machining device, a locating device configured to determine a position of a workpiece, and a positioning system operatively connected to the machining device and being configured to adjust a position of the machining device to align a centerline of the machining device with a longitudinal axis of the workpiece, based upon the determined position of the workpiece. The machining device includes a stabilizing mechanism to engage the workpiece to maintain the workpiece in the determined position, and a cutting element for performing a machining operation on the workpiece.

Abstract: A component mounting station is divided into two component mounting areas in a board conveyance direction according to the size of circuit boards used in two types of production that are performed in order, and the area in which a backup pin is arranged on a backup plate is divided into two pin arrangement areas corresponding to the two component mounting areas. The quantity of backup pins necessary to support the component mounting board are arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern, the circuit boards transported using the conveyor are stopped in the component mounting areas according to the type of component mounting board produced, the backup plate is lifted up, and the circuit boards are clamped by the clamp member, and the circuit boards supported by the backup pins in the pin arrangement areas are positioned below the circuit boards, and components are mounted on the circuit boards.

Abstract: An inspection workcell includes an equipment rack for securing one or more part trays comprising inspection parts, one or more inspection stations for inspecting the inspection parts, and a robotic manipulator for transporting the one or more part trays from the equipment rack to the one or more inspection stations.

Abstract: A work apparatus and a production line that effectively moves a work apparatus at a production line while reducing setup costs. A work apparatus of the production line includes an exchanging device configured to perform collecting and supplying of an exchange element set on each of the multiple electronic component mounters; a first rail provided on a front section of the multiple electronic component mounters, extending in the conveyance direction of the circuit board, and including a planar traveling path; and a moving device configured to move the exchanging device along the first rail by driving a driving wheel configured to engage with the traveling path of the first rail via friction.

Abstract: There is provided a sealing foil cutting assembly including: a cutting die including a slot through which a sealing tape penetrates, and a penetrating hole formed in a direction perpendicular to the slot; and a punch configured to move up along the penetrating hole of the cutting die to cut the sealing tape to form a sealing foil to be used for sealing an entrance of the container, the punch including: a lid cutting portion configured to form a lid region of the sealing foil; a tab cutting portion having an empty space formed therein to form a tab region protruding from a side surface of the lid of the sealing foil; and a finger member disposed in the empty space of the tab cutting portion, and having an upper end bent toward a surface of the lid cutting portion.

Abstract: In the method for transferring at least one item to be packaged into a container and for transporting the filled container onward, the container is arranged in a transfer area, which is arranged next to a linear motor transport device. The at least one item to be packaged is conveyed in a conveying direction to a transfer position by the linear motor transport device. After that, the at least one item to be packaged is moved from the transfer position to the transfer area, where the container is filled with the at least one item to be packaged. Then, the filled container is moved from the transfer area to the transport device and is transported onward by the transport device in the conveying direction.

Abstract: Component mounting line includes multiple component mounting machines arranged along a conveyance direction of a board, feeder storage container that stores multiple feeders that are attachable and detachable to component mounting machine, and exchanging robot capable of exchanging feeder between feeder storage container and each of the component mounting machines, in which feeder storage container is installed in the same arrangement as the multiple component mounting machines, and exchanging robot moves along the conveyance direction of the board and exchanges feeder. Accordingly, regardless of which of the component mounting machines feeder is used in, replenishment and collection may be performed in feeder storage container, so that an operator can easily replenish and collect feeder.

Abstract: Systems and methods of associating data to an item being transported by a conveying system are disclosed. The item and data associated with the item are received at a first zone of the conveying system. The data is stored in a first computer-readable storage medium associated with the first zone. The item is transported to a second zone of the conveying system, and the data stored in the first computer-readable storage medium is transferred to a second computer-readable storage medium associated with the second zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a plurality of articles (10) includes a transport belt (6), a bumper stopper (14), and a rotator (12). A motor moves the transport belt which is adapted to rotate the rotator as the belt conveys the plurality of articles. The stopper can move between first and second positions relative to the transport belt wherein the bumper stopper guides one article toward the rotator when the bumper stopper is in the first position. The bumper stopper allows the article to be conveyed to another location when the bumper stopper is in the second position. The transport belt can continue to convey other articles while the one article is temporarily held in place by the bumper stopper. The rotator is configured to rotate the article conveyed by the transport belt. The article can remain in contact with the transport belt while the rotator is rotating the article.

Abstract: A feed apparatus for successive processing of hollow bodies at processing stations which are arranged in a ring-shaped manner, to a necking machine for successive processing of hollow bodies, to a method for successive feeding of hollow bodies at processing stations which are arranged in a ring-shaped manner, and to a corresponding computer program. In order to allow a relatively large number of processing stations to be provided, without there being an excessive space requirement or similarly inefficient resource utilization, a feed apparatus is proposed for successive processing of hollow bodies at processing stations which are arranged in a ring-shaped manner, having a first circulating guide for first processing stations and a second circulating guide for second processing stations, one of the guides being arranged within the other guide, and having a moving unit for moving a hollow body into the first guide and/or the second guide.

Abstract: An article transport facility includes an alignment portion that aligns the position of an inspection unit that is transferred to a transport target location with a proper support position, and a position detection device for detecting the position of a detection target portion provided on a holding portion is provided in the inspection unit. The horizontal offset amount of the holding portion relative to the proper support position is measured based on detection information from the position detection device in a state in which the inspection unit is aligned with the proper support position and the holding portion is positioned at a release position or a release movement position.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a plurality of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container containing a sample. The system further comprises a transport plane to carry the multiple container carriers and a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier. The system also comprises at least one transfer device to transfer a sample item, wherein the sample item is a container carrier, a sample container, part of the sample and/or the complete sample, between the transport plane and a laboratory station such as, for example, a pre-analytical, an analytical and/or a post-analytical station.

Abstract: The present invention provides a part conveyor system comprising an attitude adjusting jig which adjusts the attitude of a part which has an axis part and a head part, and a conveyor device which takes out and conveys the part from the attitude adjusting jig. The attitude adjusting jig is provided with a recessed part which has an inside space which is sandwiched between a pair of upward slanted surfaces facing each other, a groove part which is formed at the bottom of the recessed part for holding the axis part of the part, and a magnet which is arranged in the groove part.

Abstract: A method for retrieving and presenting objects in an automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse adapted to obtain information related to upcoming SMT jobs, the method comprising receiving at least one of input data and a parameter representing a position within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse; retrieving a bin from said position within said automated SMD warehouse at least partly based on said at least one of input data and/or a parameter representing said position within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse; and -presenting said retrieved bin at, or close to, an output port, such as an opening, of said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse.

Abstract: Systems and methods of associating data to an item being transported by a conveying system are disclosed. The item and data associated with the item are received at a first zone of the conveying system. The data is stored in a first computer-readable storage medium associated with the first zone. The item is transported to a second zone of the conveying system, and the data stored in the first computer-readable storage medium is transferred to a second computer-readable storage medium associated with the second zone.

Abstract: A method of automatically mounting a sheet from a cutting table onto a spacer frame of an insulating glass unit begins with identifying a position and orientation of a specified sheet on the cutting table and moving a robotic sheet pickup apparatus to a corresponding position to that identified for the sheet. An edge of the specified sheet is lifted off of the table, beginning with mechanical suction that brings a corner of the sheet to within proximity of a primary vacuum suction of the pickup apparatus. In particular, the pickup apparatus may have a substantially planar platen with a set of channels coupled to a vacuum source. Once the sheet is fully picked up by vacuum suction, the sheet is laid upon a top surface of a tilt table, which can be simply the platen inverted. The table (or platen) is tilted to bring a corner of the sheet to abut against physical fences. Once the position and orientation of the sheet is so known, the sheet is oriented to correspond to a frame, and attached thereto.

Abstract: Magnetic core made of soft magnetic material with a data medium attached to, mounted on or integrated in the magnetic core, with data in machine-readable form being stored on the data medium, the data representing at least one magnetic parameter of the magnetic core or its corresponding electrical parameter, measured at at least two different temperatures.

Abstract: The die bonding apparatus including a transferring unit, a loading member loading a substrate to the transferring unit, an unloading member unloading the substrate from the transferring unit, a wafer holder supporting a wafer providing dies, and a bonding member picking up one of the dies from the wafer and bonding the picked-up die to the substrate loaded on the transferring unit by pressuring the picked-up die against the substrate using a gas may be provided.

Abstract: An insulated glass unit (IGU) assembly station can include an assembly table, a conveyor assembly, and a projection component. The assembly table can have a table surface configured to receive first and second transparent window components, the table surface being positioned at an incline relative to a vertical position. The conveyor assembly can be configured to translate the first and second transparent window components along a translation pathway from a first end of the table surface to a second end of the table surface, the translation pathway being substantially parallel to the table surface. The projection component can be adjacent to the assembly table and can be configured to engage the first transparent window component to translate at least a bottom portion of the first transparent window component between an initial position and a first assembly position offset from the translation pathway.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, the method comprises exposing an image frame of an object to be monitored by an area image sensor, transmitting a part of the exposed image frame to an image data processing device, analyzing the part and if the part is detected to comprise a predefined event, said image data processing device is arranged to transmit a trigger signal for triggering said area image sensor so that said area image sensor transmits a bigger part of at least one further image frame to said image data processing device for further analysis, and if not the area image sensor continues to expose at least one further image frame and to transmit a part of said at least one exposed further image frame. The invention further relates to a machine vision system for performing the method and a computer program product comprising instructions to perform the method.

Abstract: A laminated chip writing device having a tower, a plurality of chip writing units arranged on the tower, and a driving mechanism for driving the tower and the chip writing units linearly. The plurality of chip writing units are arranged on the tower along an inclination direction having an angle between 0° and 90° in a horizontal direction. The two adjacent chip writing units are staggered on one another in the horizontal direction to form a staggered space. An arrangement direction of the chip writing units on the tower is parallel to the linear movement direction of the chip writing units. When any chip writing unit arrives at a card access position, the clearance in the chip writing unit and the staggered space under the clearance form a passage in which working dial teeth pushes a card.

Abstract: Systems and methods of associating data to an item being transported by a conveying system are disclosed. The item and data associated with the item are received at a first zone of the conveying system. The data is stored in a first computer-readable storage medium associated with the first zone. The item is transported to a second zone of the conveying system, and the data stored in the first computer-readable storage medium is transferred to a second computer-readable storage medium associated with the second zone.

Abstract: An assembly line, wherein at least one operating branch of fixed length accommodates a number of platforms aligned with one another and with a given travelling direction; each platform being designed to receive a respective vehicle body, feed it in the travelling direction, and subject it to a succession of n assembly operations along the operating branch; each platform being designed for connection to at least one longitudinal extension to assume a total length, which depends on the length of the body carried, and ranges between a minimum length equal to the length of the platform with no extension, and a maximum length; and the length of the operating branch being equal to n times the maximum length.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transporting objects, in particular packaging means, said device comprising a continuous conveying section (3) and a plurality of conveying assemblies (40) that circulate on the conveying section (3). Each conveying assembly (40) comprises a first conveying element (4) and a second conveying element (5) and each of said conveying elements (4, 5) can be driven individually and independently of one another. The conveying elements (4, 5) are designed to jointly transport one individual object (2).

Abstract: A vehicle body component mounting system is provided with, along a conveyance path for a vehicle body, an upstream component mounting work area using a cell production system, a central component mounting work area in which the vehicle body is conveyed by an overhead conveyor, and a downstream component mounting work area using the cell production system in this order. Components other than principal components are mounted to the vehicle body using the cell production system. The cell production system is adaptable by increasing the number of component boxes, and thus an increase in the length of the line is prevented. The increase in the length of the line is prevented by using a line production system as a base and also using the cell production system as a part thereof.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens supplying system for supplying an eyeglass lens to a plurality of eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a plurality of conveyer line units, each of which includes: at least one conveyer line conveying a tray; a tray moving unit separating at least two trays from the conveyer line to move the trays to standby positions, and put the tray on the conveyer line; and a control unit obtaining processing information from a host computer; a carrying-in conveyer line connected to the conveyer line of the conveyer line unit; a carrying-out conveyer line connected to the conveyer line of the conveyer line unit; a main control unit communicating with each of the control units, and determines the processing apparatus to process the lens in the tray on the carrying-in conveyer unit, or determines the conveyer line unit to convey the tray on the carrying-in conveyer unit.

Abstract: In order to provide a crossmember device for a floor unit of a coating and/or processing chamber where components of a drive device for a conveying device are protected from unwanted contamination, it is proposed that the crossmember device includes a crossmember and a force-transmitting drive element of a drive device, wherein the drive element is arranged at least in portions in an interior of the crossmember.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device (2) for the conveyance of workplaces (4, 6, 8), specifically of circuit boards, in the conveyance direction (T) along a conveyance path (10). The conveyor device (2) is equipped both with primary conveyance means (18) and with secondary conveyance means (22) for conveyance of the workpiece along a first or second partial path (20, 24) of the conveyance path (10), wherein workplaces (4, 6, 8) are fed to the first partial path (20) via the second partial path (24).

Abstract: A system and method of painting parts of large dimensions that present a certain amount of flexibility that makes their shape geometrically unstable in the event of being moved. The surface of a part is moved in front of a paint spray device by an arm of a robot, while the spray device remains stationary relative to the robot and while the part is being deformed. Other elements include a gripper for gripping parts of large dimensions, the gripper being adapted to implement the method; an installation; and a booth for performing surface treatment of parts.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing electronic devices includes a rotary turret having first device concentric around the rotary turret, which transfer the electronic devices; a rotary wheel having second device holders concentric around the rotary wheel, which receive the electronic devices and a processing device to process the electronic devices. The rotary turret rotates the first device holders along a first circular path, and the rotary wheel rotates the second device holders along a second circular path. The first axis of the rotary turret is perpendicular to the second axis of the rotary wheel, and that a projection of the second circular path of the second device holders in a direction perpendicular to the second axis of the rotary wheel onto the first circular path of the first device holders defines a line from the inside to the outside of the first circular path of the first device holders.

Abstract: A tablet inspecting device which can overcome counting and discrimination errors is provided. A medicine packaging envelope strip is formed by connecting in a strip shape multiple envelopes separated when a user takes tablets, and is imaged, thus counting the tablets. A conveyance passage along which the strip is conveyed in an associated longitudinal direction, conveyance mechanism, and gap forming part forming a gap between adjacent tablets, the conveyance passage including a horizontal passage, a first inclined passage with upward inclination extending from the horizontal passage, and a second inclined passage with downward inclination and an upper end spaced apart from an upper end of the first passage, the gap forming part including a rod body having projecting portions staggered throughout a peripheral surface thereof, being arranged at the space approximately orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and being rotatable about a center axis thereof, are provided.

Abstract: An enclosed two-part computer controlled cyclical and sequential through-flow conveying, usage and metering System (200) is disclosed, for use in the electric vehicle motive power provision industries, for said two-part enclosed System to sequentially convey small-volume rechargeable Cell-Modules by sequential conveyor-means in a metered through-flow sequential conveying manner within said two-part System wherein the first part is a Stationary Part that includes a specially manufactured Cell-Module dispensing Bowser and a specially manufactured Cell-Module Charging-Bay and wherein the second part is a Movable Part that includes a specially manufactured or specially adapted Cell-Module powered electric Vehicle having a specially manufactured Cell-Module Chamber installed within. A Nozzle (3) and a Portal (4) respectively provide means for the Stationary Part and the Movable Part to exchange a choosable plurality of small-volume rechargeable Cell-Modules (100) and (500).

Abstract: A spraying system includes a spraying device, a toasting device, a conveyor line, and a turning device. The spraying device is configured to spray a workpiece. The toasting device is configured to toast the workpiece. The conveyor line passes through the spraying device and the toasting device and is configured to convey the workpiece. The turning device is coupled to the conveyor line and includes a first fixing frame across the conveyor line, a turning mechanism, and a blocking member. The turning mechanism includes a bearing frame detachably coupled to the conveyor line, a rotation shaft rotatably coupled to the bearing frame; a rotatable member coupled to the rotation shaft; and a positioning member coupled to the rotation shaft and configured to couple the workpiece. The blocking member is coupled to the fixing frame and configured to block the rotatable member to rotate the rotation shaft, the positioning member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for providing a bead to a number of workstations, the device includes a frame and a turret rotatable relative to the frame around an indexing axis between one or more predetermined positions relative to the frame, the turret including arms extending substantially radially relative to the indexing axis and being provided with bead-holding members for holding a substantially circular bead, wherein each of the bead-holding members is adapted to rotate around an associated axis of rotation for rotating a bead around its center.

Abstract: A thin-section sample fabrication apparatus includes a sample table that places a thin section cut out from an embedding block, a transporting mechanism that moves the thin section to the vicinity of the sample table, a liquid phase forming portion that forms a liquid phase having a predetermined amount of transfer liquid which continues from the transport surface onto the sample table, and a thin-section transfer portion that transfers the thin section onto the sample table so that a surface of the thin section opposing the transport surface opposes the sample table by surface tension of the liquid phase formed by the liquid phase forming portion.

Abstract: A traveling type immersion treatment apparatus for a vehicle body has a speed control device which controls the traveling speed of the conveying traveling body according to the angle of rotation of a rotary shaft that rotates the vehicle body. Between an upright position and a 90° rotation position the forward speed of the conveying traveling body is gradually decreased in relation to a reference conveying speed; then the forward speed of the conveying traveling body is gradually increased in relation to the reference conveying speed until the vehicle body reaches a 270° rotation position from the 90° rotation position; and then the forward speed of the conveying traveling body is gradually decreased in relation to the reference conveying speed until the vehicle body returns to the original upright position from the 270° rotation position.

Abstract: A breakage prevention mechanism includes a pair of arms which is synchronized and moves approximately parallel, and a crossbar bridged between the top end of the arms. Both end of the crossbar and the arm are connected pivotably around two axis. Both end of the crossbar are configured to be slidable against the arm in X axis direction. A plunger is placed between both end of the crossbar and arm, which protects the crossbar by restraining the pivoting and the sliding of both in the normal condition and releasing the restraint when the unintended force is given.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer apparatus for transfer to and/or from a processing machine, in particular an internal lacquering machine, for processing cylindrical containers with or without a closed bottom, in particular made of aluminium or steel, wherein the processing machine comprises a holding dial provided with holding elements for holding the cylindrical containers, to a processing system including such transfer apparatus and to a corresponding transfer method and it is an object of the present invention to provide such transfer apparatus, which allows for transferring cylindrical containers with or without a closed bottom to a processing machine the holding elements of which having radially and tangentially fixed positions relative to the holding dial and being equally distributed with a first mutual pacing on a circle with a reduced need for maintenance and/or cleaning.

Abstract: A system for weighing containers includes a movable member having a peripheral edge in which a recess forms a seat for drawing a container, the movable member being activatable in a first movement direction such that a first wall of the seat abuts and draws the container; a container-weighing cell comprising a support plane for receiving and supporting the container; a container guide. The weighing cell, the movable member and the guide are reciprocally arranged such that when the container is drawn by the movable member the container can slide on the support plane and be guided by guide externally of the seat. The movable member is further activatable in a second, opposed, movement direction to detach the seat from the container and leave the container on the support plane for weighing.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling panels and locking elements comprises a feeding conveyor for substantially continuously supplying a panel, a processing assembly including a magazine for receiving the continuously supplied panels, the processing assembly being provided with an indexing system for taking the panels from the magazine in a substantially discontinuous manner to a plurality of processing stations, including a machining station for making a recess into a panel, an inserting station for inserting a locking element into a recess of a panel, and a discharge station for discharging the assembled panel.

Abstract: A product storage apparatus for collectively storing processed products includes an endless loop member that is circularly moved along a path, plural holders each of which is fixed to the endless loop member with a predetermined pitch and holds the processed products, and a drive unit that circularly moves the endless loop member to circularly move the plurality of holders intermittently by stopping the endless loop member temporarily at every move by a mathematical product of the pitch and a natural number n. According to the product storage apparatus, it is possible to store the processed products with high space efficiency.

Abstract: A transport table, comprising a transport web; an unwinding roller for unwinding the transport web therefrom; a first return element; a second return element; a winding roller for winding thereon the unwound transport web; a first frame with which the first and the second return element are connected; and a second frame with which the unwinding roller and the winding roller are rotatably connected, wherein the unwinding roller, the winding roller and the return elements together are designed for stretching the transport web such that between the first and the second return element a surface of the transport web is available as transport surface, and wherein the second frame is movable along a path substantially parallel to said transport surface with respect to the first frame. The invention also discloses a method for the use of the transport table.

Abstract: A dynamic load lock chamber that includes a plurality of actuators positioned along its length to achieve a desired pressure gradient from an atmospheric pressure side to a processing pressure side of the chamber is provided. The chamber includes a transport belt continuously running through the chamber to transport substrates from the atmospheric pressure side to the processing pressure side of the chamber, if situated on an inlet side of a production line, and from the processing pressure side to the atmospheric pressure side of the chamber, if positioned on an outlet side of the production line. Separation mechanisms may be attached to the belt to separate discrete regions within the chamber into a plurality of discrete volumes. Substrates may be disposed between the separation mechanisms, such that separation between adjacent pressure regions within the chamber is maintained as the substrates are transported through the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cyclically shielding a work chamber opening (25) when loading and unloading workpieces using a conveyor device (10) that passes through the work chamber opening. A first shielding element (21) is placed at a workpiece loading station (11.1), and a second shielding element (22) is placed behind a second workpiece placement location (11.2), as viewed in the conveying direction. When the first workpiece is loaded into the work chamber (20), the first shielding element (21) is placed at or in the work chamber opening (25) by advancing the conveyor device (10). The first shielding element (21) is then removed from the work chamber opening (25) and placed behind the second shielding element (22). These steps are repeated with subsequent workpiece placement locations (11.2, 11.3, . . . ) of the conveyor device (10) and with respective cross-over changes of the shielding elements (21, 22).