Abstract: A transport device having a preferably flat transport element and at least one basic carrier which is mounted on the basic carrier by rollers. At least one article carrier can be mounted. The transport element is driven stops along the transport element allow halting of at least some of the basic carrier.

Abstract: A substrate accommodating tray pallet has a substrate in a horizontal state, includes openings for inserting substrate removal tools for raising the substrate, and is used for transferring substrate accommodating trays which can be vertically stacked, wherein: the substrate accommodating trays are to be mounted on an upper surface; and substrate removal tool insertion openings for inserting the substrate removal tools are positioned so as to oppose openings of the mounted substrate accommodating trays.

Abstract: A conveyor having an array of rollers defining a transport plane is used with pallets each having supports forming an upwardly open saddle adapted to hold a coil of metal strip, and a pair of generally parallel and longitudinally extending rails underneath and fixed to the supports. Each rail has a downwardly directed face adapted to ride directly on the rollers and having a generally planar center region and a pair of upwardly angled end regions each forming a small acute angle with the respective center region.

Abstract: Provided is an angle change device for an automatic conveyor system. The angle change device includes: a slate conveyor having guiding grooves formed to cross the slate conveyor; lift units disposed to vertically cross the slate conveyer to lift a loaded material up from the guiding grooves of the slate conveyor; a forward/backward driving unit including driving sprockets between rails arranged to cross the slate conveyor between the lift units and a driving motor; a rotation guiding shaft pin; and a turntable carrier unit including a moving plate for dynamically approaching to or retreating from the slate conveyor and a rotating plate for repeatedly rotating about the rotation shaft in a clockwise and a counter clockwise at predetermined angle when the rotating guiding shaft pin catches the rotating plate while moving in a forward direction or in a backward direction.

Abstract: A conveying system (10) for workpieces or objects, comprising a guide profile (14), conveying carriages (12) which can be moved along the guide profile (14) and in each case have a holding unit, in particular a pallet (58) or gondola, for at least one workpiece or at least one object, a first form-fitting unit (20) which can be moved substantially parallel to the guide profile (14) by means of a drive assembly (52), and a first mating form-fitting unit (22) which is respectively mounted on each conveying carriage (12) and can be coupled to the first form-fitting unit (20), is characterized by a first coupling unit (26), by means of which the coupling of the first form-fitting unit (20) to the respective first mating form-fitting unit (22) can optionally be engaged and disengaged, a stationary second form-fitting unit (30) running substantially parallel to the guide profile (14), a second mating form-fitting unit (32) in each case mounted on each conveying carriage (12) such that it can be coupled to the secon

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.

Abstract: Provided is an angle change device for an automatic conveyor system. The angle change device includes: a slate conveyor having guiding grooves formed to cross the slate conveyor; lift units disposed to vertically cross the slate conveyer to lift a loaded material up from the guiding grooves of the slate conveyor; a forward/backward driving unit including driving sprockets between rails arranged to cross the slate conveyor between the lift units and a driving motor; a rotation guiding shaft pin; and a turntable carrier unit including a moving plate for dynamically approaching to or retreating from the slate conveyor and a rotating plate for repeatedly rotating about the rotation shaft in a clockwise and a counter clockwise at predetermined angle when the rotating guiding shaft pin catches the rotating plate while moving in a forward direction or in a backward direction.

Abstract: The apparatus is a coupling device that couples a cart to a continuously moving towline which is recessed into the cart support surface. A vertically movable coupling pin engages the towline and is lifted away from the towline to disengage the cart from the towline. To prevent irregularities in the support surface from accidentally lifting the pin away from the towline, the pin is attached to the cart through a structure that also permits the cart to move freely relative to the pin but maintain the pin engaged with the towline. The preferred embodiment attaches the coupling pin to a movable tube that moves within a fixed tube, and the movable tube also can be lifted by a cam and locked into a position with the pin disengaged.

Abstract: A device (10) is provided for handling workpieces, in particular vehicle chassis (22) of modular construction, and having a first module with a handling line (12) in turn having one or several handling regions (14) for surface handling of the workpieces (22), and a guide device (44) along the handling line (12). A second module has one or several carriages (20b) to which the workpieces (22) may be fixed and moved along the guide device (44). Various types of second module may be combined with the first module to achieve various configurations of the whole device (10) with regard to throughput and flexibility.

Abstract: Glass substrates are transported to a plurality of processing devices to be processed. Certain of the processing devices have associated storage shelf for storing glass substrates and a transfer device. The transfer device is adapted to move the glass substrate between the processing device and the storage shelf and between the storage shelf and the transporting device.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading small objects into respective blisters of a foil web has a plurality of substantially identical fill plates each having an array of receptacles corresponding to the blisters of an area of the foil. A conveyor moves the fill plates one after another in a transport direction at an upper level from a fill station remote from the web to a transfer station close to the web, then lowers them to a lower level, then returns them in an opposite return direction from the transfer station to the fill station, and finally raises them in the transfer station to the upper level. At the fill station the receptacles of the plates are filled with the small objects. At the transfer station the small objects are taken out of the receptacles of the plates and put into the blisters of the web.

Abstract: A tote (1) used for conveying articles is transparent to x-rays in a conveyor system. At least a lower part (4) of the tote may be manufactured by injection molding rather than rotational molding. A wear-resistant material may also be employed for the lower part (4). The tote (1) may define a closed, hollow body, in which a damping device such as foam rubber, may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveying system that performs efficient conveyance by using trays each accommodating one workpiece, as basic conveying means, and fully utilizing this advantage of the trays to allow its conveyance form to be changed as required. The conveying system includes a single-pod conveying means 10 for conveying pods 5 one by one, a pod stacking means 50 for stacking a plurality of pods 5, a stacked pod conveying means 60 for conveying the stacked pods 5, and a pod destacking means 50 for destacking the stacked pods.

Abstract: A magnetic specimen-transport system for transporting racks of specimen-containers to or within an automated clinical instrument for analysis and/or processing. The magnetic specimen-transport system that is adapted to transport magnetically-attractable racks of specimen-containers in mutually perpendicular (X/Y) directions across a rack-supporting surface, whereby the racks can be transported among various non-linearly aligned positions on such surface.

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.

Abstract: A braking device for a pallet intended to run in a conveying track. The braking device includes a matrix and a braking element. The matrix includes the support service and exterior surface and a recess having various screws and openings. The braking element includes at least two protrusions which are disposed within the grooves of the matrix and project outwardly from the openings of the matrix at various stages of braking.

Abstract: A machining system and unit, especially a welding cell, is provided for use for the machining of workpieces (2), especially body parts of vehicles. The machining system has one or more machining stations (15, 16) with robots (18, 19, 20) and at least one rotation or turning station (5), which has at least two work stations (6, 7) for carrying out different operations simultaneously. The turning station (5) has at least two multiaxially movable turning units (8, 9) arranged next to one another with said gripping tools (11, 12, 13). The working areas (10) intersect each other at the work stations (6, 7).

Abstract: Lift device for lifting or, as the case may be, lowering of a support device (2, 3B, 5) of a transport track segment of a transport device for work pieces or the like, which are deposited upon plates, pallets or framework like work piece carriers (58) and upon which the work piece carrier (58) is seated translationally displaceably, with a force producing device (35, 72, 73) for producing a force for lifting or as the case may be lowering the support device (2, 3B, 5) and with a force transmission device for transmitting the force from the force producing device to the support device, the force transmission device includes at least one lever (25a, 25b), which on one side (29a, 29b) is coupled to be essentially horizontally displaceably guided with the force producing device (35, 72, 73) and on the other side (30a, 30b) is coupled with the support device (2, 3B, 5) and is guided for essentially vertical displacement.

Abstract: A method for handling trays for use with an article sorter includes providing a conveying surface along a plurality of sorter units and conveying empty trays along the conveying surface. The empty trays that are being conveyed along the conveying surface are stopped with a tray stopping device that is positioned at least partially below the conveying surface and operable to project a portion of the tray stopping device above the conveying surface to engage and stop an empty tray. The stopped empty trays are moved from the conveying surface to the tray support areas in a direction generally transverse to the conveying surface. The empty trays are at least partially filled at the tray support areas, and the partially filled trays are moved from the tray support area onto the conveying surface.

Abstract: A system for moving a pallet is provided. The system provides for a pair of pallets each having means for inducing movement in relation to an other pallet. Further, logic is provided for calculating a movement instruction to move the pallets relative to each other. Additionally, the present invention provides for means for communicating the movement instruction to the movement means on the pallets to prompt movement of one of said pair of pallets relative to the other pallet. As no special floor surface or configuration is necessary, the present invention described herein may be readily adaptable for utilization within existing storage and inventory facilities.

Abstract: It is the pallet conveying mechanism to move a pallet P arrived at an end point 17b of a friction conveyer FC2 to a starting point 7a of a friction conveyer FC1 in just as it is the direction without turning. The pallet conveying mechanism is comprised of rollers 34 having a flange portion 34a to contact with the pallet P by arranging along a main frame 31 provided so as to connect the friction conveyer FC 1 and FC 2 with each other and a drive mechanism 35 for driving rollers 34.

Abstract: A transport system, in particular an airport baggage handling system, includes a container for receiving an article, a sensor assembly including an inductive sensor for monitoring a transport of the container along a transport path, and a screening device for completely scanning the article within the container together with the container. The container is provided with a marking in the form of a doped zone or a metal element so attached to the container body as to pass the sensor assembly in its response range for detection of the container. The container body is hereby constructed to allow scanning of the article together with the container body.

Abstract: A machine for terminating wire assemblies comprising: a means for holding a wire assembly; a linear movement means for moving said means for holding between a first area and a second area; an insertion head; and, a means for dislodging; wherein, after a wire assembly is loaded into the means for holding a wire assembly, the means for holding a wire assembly is moved by the linear moving means from the first area to the second area for assembly termination by the insertion head; and, following termination, the assembly is at least partially unseated from the means for holding a wire assembly by the means for dislodging.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus permits to intermittent indexing with freely and independently setting stop position of work tables and stopping period adapting to each individual work station. The transporting apparatus sequentially transports a work table across a plurality of work stations. The transporting apparatus has a linear transporting path linearly connecting a plurality of work stations and guiding linear motion of the work table, a cylindrical cam engaging with a contactor provided on the work table for driving the work table for linear motion, and the cylindrical cam having a stopping zone formed corresponding to each position of the work station and having no axial displacement relating to cam rotation angle and a transporting zone formed corresponding to a position between the work station and having an axial displacement relative to cam rotation angle.

Abstract: Replaceable component carriers (40) are adapted to be freely floating in belt apertures (74) and have alignment features (160), such as conical holes (170), mated to features (162), such as tapered pins (184), in processing stations to temporarily hold a carrier (40) and its components (10), such as resistors, in a fixed position during various processes, such as termination. The carriers (40) include a rigid substructure (50) and a more elastic coating (60) to provide receiving holes (46) that can be adapted to hold particular components (10). The carriers (40) can be replaced without removing the belt (72), whenever differently shaped holes (46) are desired or become too worn to reliably handle components (10), thereby reducing damage risk, replacement cost, and operational down time of the belt (72).

Abstract: A method for conveying printed circuit boards (PCBs) in a system that includes at least two assembly modules, where each assembly module has multiple conveyors for delivering the PCBs so that while processing some PCBs, other PCBs can bypass particular assembly modules.

Abstract: An intermediate product carrying apparatus is provided for loading a carrier, which is carried between a plurality of process systems and stores a plurality of intermediate products, into the corresponding process system, and then transferring the plurality of intermediate products of the carrier to a single wafer carrying conveyer, which carries the intermediate products in a single wafer state to an intermediate product manufacturing apparatus provided in the process system. The intermediate product carrying apparatus comprising: an intermediate product transfer means provided in the process system, for loading the carrier, which is carried between process systems and which stores the plurality of intermediate products, into the corresponding process system, and transferring the intermediate products.

Abstract: A magnetic specimen-transport system for transporting racks of specimen-containers to or within an automated clinical instrument for analysis and/or processing. The magnetic specimen-transport system that is adapted to transport magnetically-attractable racks of specimen-containers in mutually perpendicular (X/Y) directions across a rack-supporting surface, whereby the racks can be transported among various non-linearly aligned positions on such surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production line (1) for assembling and/or processing components (3) transported on workpiece holders (2), incorporating several conveyor sections (5, 6a, 6b, 6c) disposed one after the other, each of which has at least one separate forward feed mechanism (15; 51) which is independent of the adjacent conveyor sections (5, 6a, 6b, 6c) and at least one co-operating guide mechanism with two oppositely lying guide tracks (20), along which the workpiece holder (2) disposed between them, incorporating guide elements to provide a height and lateral guiding action, can be moved and positioned.

Abstract: A container transport system for transport of an article, in particular a baggage item, includes a container for receiving an article, with the container made of flame-resistant, wear-resistant and translucent plastic material which is stable in shape. The container has an underside which is formed with touch surfaces extending in a transport direction by which the container is advanced by a conveyor between a receiving end and a discharge end. The conveyor is provided with a guiding and/or driving engagement assembly for cooperation with the touch surfaces of the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a linear conveyer assembly for cathode plates comprising a continuous timing belt provided with cathode plate conveying assemblies attached thereto and having cam rollers running in a pair of channels running along either side of and parallel to a forward path of the belt. The conveying assemblies insure that the cathode plate conveying assemblies are aligned in an overhead position in such a way that the cathode plates move in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface thereof. The timing belt is fabricated from a corrosive resistant material and allows an accurate positioning of the cathode plates due to a non-permanent stretch character thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device which is used to transport work-pieces, especially the work-pieces of motor vehicle bodies, through a processing area for surface treatment of said work-pieces, comprising a conveyor which brings the work-pieces which are respectively maintained by a holder into the processing area; transports them through said area and removes them therefrom. The inventive conveyor device requires less maintenance in comparison with known conveyor devices. The holders respectively comprise a base part which moves in a translatory movement along a conveyor device and a rotating part on which the work-piece is arranged and which is held in such a way that it is rotatable on the base part. The conveyor comprises at least one drive device enabling at least one directly driven respective holder to be driven directly in a movement along the conveyor device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating a new or transferred pallet into a conveyor system. The present invention provides a first conveyor for carrying a plurality of adjacently aligned pallets along a predetermined path of travel. A first motor is coupled to the first conveyor for driving the adjacently aligned pallets at a first rate of speed. A first encoder is coupled to the first motor for monitoring the position of the last pallet of the adjacently aligned pallets on the first conveyor. A second conveyor carries and introduces a new pallet to the first conveyor. A second motor is coupled to the second conveyor for driving the new pallet at a second rate of speed, and a second encoder is coupled to the second motor for monitoring the position of the new pallet.

Abstract: A buffer device for buffering a flow of stacks of discrete objects between a stacking machine and a packaging machine is disclosed which buffer includes a plurality of individual trays mounted on carriers which carriers are mounted on a frame and driven about the periphery of the frame by a drive. A first number of stacks of objects is placed on a first number of carriers on a first side of the frame and a second number of stacks are removed from a second number of carriers on a second side of the frame where the first number can be greater than, less than or equal to the first number. The carriers clamp onto a continuously moving drive belt in a manner that allow the drive belt to slip through the carrier clamps when motion of the carriers is obstructed. A method of using the buffer device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intermediate storage device for objects (11) to be transported. Said device comprises a plurality of carriers (9) which circulate on a closed strip and are used for the objects (11), e.g. printed products; an introducing device (12) arranged on a first point of the strip, and used to introduce the printed products (11) into the carriers (9) passing said point; a distribution device (26) arranged on a second point of the strip, and used to distribute the printed products (11) carried by the carriers (9) passing said second point; and a removal device (16) for removing printed products (11) from a carrier (9) in an area of the strip which is displaced between the first and the second point, said area comprising a section (07/08) which is oriented in a first direction and a section (07/08) which is oriented in a second direction opposite the first.

Abstract: A system and method for returning empty luggage carts over long distances from a remote collecting station to a retrieval station in a passenger terminal, where they may be retrieved by arriving passengers for the transportation of their luggage to parking lots, cab and bus loading areas, etc. A plurality of carts are inserted in nested arrangement into a load-in station. The carts are engaged individually, separated from the nested arrangement, and transported individually, in spaced-apart relation along a series of transport conveyor sections, changing elevations as appropriate and extending around curves as required to reach a discharge and retrieval station near the terminal luggage discharge area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conveyor system for transporting a workpiece. The conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a carrier plate. The drive assembly includes a frame, a drive belt, and a drive mechanism supported by the frame and engaging the drive belt. The carrier plate is adapted to support a workpiece and is disposed on the drive belt to move with the drive belt.

Abstract: A footwear article conveyer includes an article-conveying line for receiving carriers thereon, a first driving unit for driving the carriers to move simultaneously along the article-conveying line, a carrier-returning line separate from the article-conveying line, a first shifting unit for shifting one of the carriers from one end of the article-conveying line to one end of the carrier-returning line, a second driving unit for driving carrier movement along the carrier-returning line, and a second shifting unit for shifting carriers from the other end of the carrier-returning line to the other end of the article-conveying line.

Abstract: An automatic tray handling system for use with an article or mail sortation system, such as a flats mail sortation system, is operable to automatically remove filled or partially filled trays from individual sorter units and to replenish the sorter units with empty trays. The empty trays and/or filled trays are moved along at least one conveying surface adjacent to the sorter units. The automatic tray handling system includes a plurality of tray moving devices, which are operable to move the empty trays from the conveying surface to the sorter units, whereby the trays are at least partially filled by the sorter units. The tray moving devices are then further operable to move the at least partially filled trays from the sorter units to a conveying surface, whereby the filled trays may be conveyed to downstream operations, such as an automatic labeling station. Preferably, the empty trays are movable in a continuous loop about the mail sortation system.

Abstract: A conveyer assembly used as part of an automated packaging system is disclosed. The conveyer assembly allows the container filling process and produce leveling process to be combined as a single process station in an automated packaging system. The conveyer assembly includes a pair of elastic belts trained about two pulleys, four vibration isolation rollers, and a vibrator mechanism. The vibration isolation rollers are mounted to the frame structure and positioned at incrementally higher positions, which creates a slight incline to the conveyer belts over the first half of the conveyer run. The highest isolation roller, which is located at the center of the conveyer assembly, isolates the first half of the conveyer run from the vibrations generated by the vibrator mechanism. Consequently, the first half of the conveyer run where the produce is deposited into the containers is stable and free from vibration, which reduces the loss of produce due to spillage.

Abstract: The surface mounting method includes: transferring the PCB to one conveyer among multiple conveyers capable of moving from a first transfer; transferring the PCB to another conveyer; transferring the PCB to one conveyer, while electronic parts from a parts feeder are mounted onto the transferred PCB; mounting the electronic parts from the parts feeder again onto the transferred PCB, while the PCB onto which the parts have been mounted is transferred to the second transfer; and transferring the PCB onto which the parts have been mounted again to the second transfer, while a new PCB is transferred to one conveyer of the conveyers from the first transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing treatments to the surface of disk-shaped workpieces/substrates, as in the manufacture of multi-layer, thin-film recording media. The apparatus includes treatment stations for performing treatments to a surface of each of the disk-shaped workpieces/substrates; a pallet adapted for mounting the disk-shaped workpieces/substrates, a plurality of bias potential sources; and a transporting source to transport the pallet past the treatment stations. The pallet includes electrically conductive segments and each segment is electrically insulated from other segments; is adapted to mount and expose at lest one surface of a disk-shaped workpiece; and includes an electrical contact for providing electrical contact with the bias potential source of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device that is usable to change the direction of a transport assembly, on which feed roller may be transported, includes a lower section and an upper section. The upper section is pivotally mounted on the lower section. The transport assembly is arranged on the side or on the top of the upper section and the upper section can be pivoted by an angular amount, relative to the lower section, by use of a drive unit. A drive motor of the drive unit has its output transmitted to the upper section by a drive belt. A positive drive exists between the motor and belt and a friction drive exists between the belt and the upper section.

Abstract: A two-axis robot includes a vertical tubular post mounted for rotation about its vertical axis, with a vertically slidable shaft extending through the post. An arm on the upper end of the post projects radially outward and has a gripper assembly thereon with operable jaws for gripping a specimen tube. The robot is positioned between two reference locations, for retrieving a specimen tube from one reference location and transferring it to the other. The reference locations are located along a circle circumscribed by a central vertical axis of the gripper jaws as they swing about the rotational axis of the post.

Abstract: A transfer conveying mechanism includes a transfer track supported by a transfer support arm. Above the transfer track is a chain guide and depending therefrom are transfer sprockets. Extending about the transfer sprockets is an endless chain having at least one push dog attached thereto. The push dogs move the carrier into and across the transfer track. Attached above the transfer support arm is a sprocket, which is rotatably connected to a pivot plate. The pivot plate is attached to a structural steel assembly from which the transfer conveying mechanism depends. As the sprocket is rotated by a motor and chain transmission, the transfer conveying mechanism rotates in order to direct a carrier to a desired conveyor track.

Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide an apparatus and a method for transferring boards, and a component mounting apparatus whereby a production efficiency can be improved in accordance with types of boards to be produced. For accomplishing this object, there are arranged a shift device capable of moving a mounted board from a process-finished board transfer path to an unprocessed board transfer path, a controller for controlling this moving, and an identifying device. This arrangement enables switching of a method of transferring boards in accordance with types of boards to be produced, and controlling supply of boards to the component mounting apparatus, so that production efficiency is improved in accordance with types of boards.

Abstract: A reduction to the traveling motion of bottles along a delivery conveyor in an intermittent motion decorating machine is provided by one of a pair of workpiece feed cams rotatably supported in a side-by-side relation to rotate about spaced horizontal axes lying in a common horizontal plane. The workpiece feed cams have feed cam tracks for receiving cam followers of each of plurality of vertical bottle carriers. One of the feed cam tracks reduces the speed of the bottle carriers from a relatively high entry speed corresponding to the through put speed in the decorating machine to the speed of the deliver conveyor for more densely populating the delivery conveyor with workpieces. Carrier transfer members at each of opposite ends of the workpiece feed cams transfer the bottle carriers from one to the other of the workpiece feed cams. A drive rotates the workpiece feed cams, carrier return cams and carrier transfer members.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus suitable for driving a number of carriers in such a manner that the front end of each carrier thrusts the rear end of the preceding carrier is provided. The conveying apparatus comprises a guide rail and carriers. The rail includes a U-turn path section. Each carrier includes a load bar assembly including at least three load bars connected end-to-end by vertical pivot shafts in such a manner that the bars can pivot horizontally relative to each other. Each carrier also includes a load support supported by the associated middle load bar. Each carrier further includes a front trolley supporting at least the front end load bar and a rear trolley supporting at least the rear end load bar. The trolleys are supported movably on and guided by the guide rail. The trolleys are fixed to and in parallel with the end load bars.

Abstract: Hanging conveyance equipment according to the present invention comprises a carriage, a number of work supports and a work hand. The carriage travels along a horizontal travelling path, which has stop positions arranged along it. Each of the work supports is fixed below one of the stop positions. An amount of work-lifting positioning and an amount of work-lowering positioning are set for each of the work supports. The work hand can hold a work W hanging from it. The work hand is supported by the carriage in such a manner that the work hand can be positioned horizontally two-dimensionally with respect to the carriage. The work hand can vertically move with respect to the carriage to load a work onto or unload a work from each of the work supports. When the work hand is lowered from the carriage in each of the stop positions to lift a work from the associated work support, the work hand is positioned horizontally two-dimensionally in accordance with the amount of work-lifting positioning for the support.