Abstract: A continuous furnace for the heat treatment of steel sheets, such as hot forming and press hardening, wherein two zones with mutually different temperatures are formed in the furnace, and a separating wall is present between the two zones. A gap is present in the closed state between the steel sheet and the separating wall and a surface cooling nozzle is in the form of a tube, wherein the surface cooling nozzle has outlet openings pointing downwards in the vertical direction and the surface cooling nozzle is arranged in the direction towards a relatively cooler zone.

Abstract: A processing station, for example a framing station, for workpieces formed as vehicle body parts. The station has at least one clamping frame, at least one magazine area for holding the clamping frames, a working area for processing the workpieces and a feed device for feeding the clamping frames between the at least one magazine area and the working area in a longitudinal direction X and a transverse direction Y. The feed device has a floor-based rail arrangement for guiding and carrying the clamping frames.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus which allows a workpiece to be carried in and out of a desired process and lends itself to easy maintenance as well is provided. A conveyor apparatus (13) includes a first conveyance mechanism (13A) capable of carrying a board (7) into a desired process and a second conveyance mechanism (13B) capable of carrying the board (7) out of the desired process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device (1) for workpieces (2) which have a longitudinal axis (L), in particular for pipes or for round stock, by way of which transport device (1) the workpieces (2) can be conveyed from a first location (3) to a second location (4) in a conveying direction (F) transversely with respect to their longitudinal axis (L), wherein the transport device (1) has: at least two stationary storage carriers (5, 6) which are arranged spaced apart in the conveying direction (F) for the intermediate storage of the workpieces (2) to be conveyed, at least one first conveying rack (7) with a number of storage surfaces (8) which are spaced apart in a conveying direction (F) for the workpieces (2), at least two drive shafts (9, 10) which are arranged parallel to one another and are driven synchronously, and at least two first rocker arms (11, 12), wherein each first rocker arm (11, 12) is connected fixedly to a drive shaft (9, 10) so as to rotate with it and in an articulated manner to the fi

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for moving elements from a receiving location to delivery location which comprises a frame, two sets of stairs mounted on rectilinear, inclined slide bearings within the frame, a drive mechanism comprising a rocker assembly connected to both sets of stairs to reciprocate the stairs upwardly and downwardly on the bearings one set of stairs moving upwardly as the other moves downwardly.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for rapidly conveying workpieces successively through multiple stations by providing an integrated dual shuttle transfer mechanism conveyor operable in an intermittent repetitive lift and carry workpiece travel cycle mode. The dual shuttles cooperate to alternately advance an in-line array of workpieces at twice the rate of a conventional single shuttle by successively alternately handing off the workpiece array from the workpiece loaded shuttle to the companion empty shuttle for the next array advance thereon while the other shuttle as so unloaded retracts to reload a workpiece on its upstream end. Workpiece carrier rails of each shuttle reciprocable vertically adjacent and past one another between upper and lower elevational limits and horizontally between advance and retract stroke end limits. A shuttle drive causes the dual sets of carrier rails to move through identical closed loop lift and carry travel paths disposed in laterally adjacent vertical planes and in a 180.

Abstract: A furnace is provided for continuous high-temperature heat processing in which a work product is conveyed through a furnace muffle by rectilinear beam motion. An inner and an outer beam are equipped with interleaved rods which are used to alternately lift the work product and advance it through the muffle. A continuous cycle of sequentially raising and advancing the rods attached to one beam, while lowering and retracting the rods of the other beam causes stepwise movement of the work product through the furnace. At no point in the cycle does the work product, rods, or beams make contact with the muffle, nor do the interleaved rods touch each other. The result is frictionless conveyance of the work product through the muffle which virtually eliminates particle generation.

Abstract: A mechanical conveyor system is provided with an exposed flexible membrane surface for use in clean room environments. The conveyor system may be one of varied subassemblies which transfer articles on the conveyor by small orbital motions. The exposed flexible sheath is preferably a membrane which is permeable to air. The system may provide for air flow through the membrane to ensure a clean environment. A preferred flexible membrane is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: Workpieces are transported step-by-step by of transport bars which are provided with grippers and which are longitudinally, transversally and vertically displaceable. In addition to their transversal movement in the horizontal direction, the transport bars perform a slightly inclined movement in the longitudinal direction, in such a manner that the respective workpieces enter the next tool station in a lifted position. Without a special vertical drive for the transport bars, a safe transfer is obtained without the risk that workpieces collide with parts of the tool stations.

Abstract: An ambulator for conveying rolls of carpet from a first elevation to a second elevation in a continuous step-wise manner has a fixed frame including a pair of spaced apart inclined frame members having a multiplicity of steps extending thereon from the first elevation to the second elevation, and a movable frame having spaced apart inclined beam members having a similar multiplicity of steps thereon. The profile of the steps on the fixed frame and on the movable frame are identical, and the movable frame is driven in an orbital path raising and lowering while moving longitudinally relative to the fixed frame. As the movable frame orbits it lifts a roll of carpet extending across a first set of steps of the fixed frame and carries it to a second set of steps closer to the second elevation.

Abstract: A continuous conveying mechanism especially adapted as the cooker for continuous grilling of hamburger patties and the like uses a shiftable grid which intermittently lifts the patties off a stationary grid and effects advancement after each lift-off until a U-shaped path is traversed extending initially through and terminating beyond one end of the cooker exteriorly thereof. The patties initially travel upwardly along a straight line with respect to the first pair of legs of the grids and then upwardly and arcuately along interleaved, radially extending rods, whereupon they invert and drop such as to travel upwardly and arcuately with respect to a second set of radially extending interleaved rods. Finally, the patties travel upwardly along a straight line with respect to a pair of legs of the grids forming the final stretch of travel.

Abstract: A walking beam apparatus such as used in a reheat furnace for processing of steel slabs wherein a walking beam transfer structure includes a traversing beam assembly which is moveable both vertically and horizontally to contact, support, and laterally traverse a load through a given increment of distance, and a support beam assembly which supports such a load when not supported by the walking beam assembly, and which support is moveable at least vertically to move out of supporting engagement with the load upon attainment of supporting engagement thereof by the walking beam assembly, whereby the load is supported continuously in a predetermined, substantially horizontal plane throughout repeated operating cycles of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device for collecting and discharging solid matter from a liquid-solid mixture in a waste collecting stream having a grid structure including alternate stationary and displaceable bars, the displaceable bars being interconnected so as to rotate as one unit, and a drive mechanism used to impart rotational motion to said displaceable bars.

Abstract: An improved motive structure for transporting workpieces (wafers, chip, packages, etc.) between processing stations or tools in a manufacturing operation. The structure includes a first circular crankshaft assembly connected to center axles disposed at right angles to the transport motion. A second such crankshaft assembly is located some distance along the path of motion. Three driverods are connected between the first and second crankshaft assemblies, each affixed 120.degree. apart on the circular crankshafts so that each driverod is moved upward, then forward along the transport direction, then downward and backward to its original position as the crankshafts go through a complete 360.degree. rotation. The structure is disposed beneath transport rails which hold movable containers for holding the workpieces. As a driverod moves up and forward, it contacts a spring-loaded element on the movable container and drives it forward by friction contact.

Abstract: Device for the conveyance of material, in particular bulk material, comprises at least two parallel, mating trough-type conveyor elements which can move lengthwise relative to each other. Each conveyor element has an essentially U-shaped cross section. The open sides of the conveyor elements face each other, with the free edges of the side walls essentially resting against each other, so that a closed conveyance space is produced in the form of an oblong conveyor box. The two conveyor elements are provided with a cyclical drive which acts both transversely to and in the lengthwise direction of the conveyor elements, the drive of the two elements when transverse to the lengthwise direction being in phase, and in the lengthwise direction exhibiting a relative phase shift of about 180 degrees.

Abstract: The device for transporting fiber sliver cans employs pairs of rails for supporting a can during travel in a non-linear path. The pairs of rails are moved relative to each other in an endless path so that a can is supported on only one pair of rails during the forward movement of that pair of rails. No floor plate is required to support the cans. The straight rails of each set are interconnected by curved rails of an intermediate set of rails.

Abstract: The fiber sliver can transporting device uses rails which are driven in an alternating manner to lift and roll a can along a horizontal guide plate in a step-wise manner with the can being guided by the vertical boards through a non-linear path.

Abstract: The can transporting device transports the cans by using rails which are driven synchronously by crank drives. In one embodiment, the cans rest on a floorplate while the rails are moved so as to transport the cans in a forward step-wise manner along the floorplate. In non-linear arrangements, straight rails are jointed to each other by curved rails. In this embodiment, an additional crank drive is provided to support the outer curved rail for vertical movement. The transport direction of the cans can be selected through selection of the direction of rotation of a gear motor which drives the transmission for the crank drives.

Abstract: This bearing system has been developed primarily for long rotating shafts having a number of support points and supported objects. A beam is preferably extruded with a T-slot in one face. The slot receives the heads of mounting bolts securing a split bearing housing to the beam. A split eccentric assembly is also provided, which is rotatively secured to the shaft by clamps to generate orbital movement of a second beam, which is secured to a split bearing housing surrounding the eccentric assembly.

Abstract: A feed storage for drill rods for a long-hole drilling apparatus, said feed storage comprising a magazine provided with fixed guides (11) for storing drill rods (13) in parallel with each other, a delivery opening (14) defined by the guides for transferring drill rods one at a time into and out of the guides, and a feed device provided with gripping means (27) extending between the drill rods positioned in the guides for feeding the drill rods towards and away from the delivery opening in the guides, and a transfer device (9) comprising at least one transfer arm (29) provided with gripping jaws (31) and pivotably mounted on a pivot shaft (30) which is fixed with respect to the magazine so that the gripping jaws are displaced transversally with respect to the axial direction of the drill rods between the delivery opening of the guides and the drilling axis (A) of a drilling machine. The guides of the magazine guide the drill rods with their axes in the same plane.

Abstract: Automated reactor system and process for etching or otherwise processing semiconductor wafers in a plasma environment. The wafers are carried into and out of a reaction chamber by a conveyor and processed on an individual basis. Within the chamber, an electrode mounted on a swinging arm carries each wafer from the conveyor to a processing position adjacent to a stationary electrode. Gas is admitted to the chamber, and the electrodes are energized to ionize the gas and form a plasma for processing the wafer between the electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for loading articles, particularly meat articles, into containers. The apparatus comprises two groups of movably mounted beams cantilevered in a direction of article progression. One group of beams is movable in a vertical direction while the other group of beams is movable in a horizontal direction. The movement of the beams is synchronized to provide for article movement in the desired direction. The terminal portions of both sets of beams are unconnected and spaced apart so as to provide a spaced relationship between the group of beams to permit the insertion of a container over the terminal portions of the beams.