Abstract: This disclosure is directed to automated warehouse facilities that are configured to assemble mixed pallets. The warehouse facilities can include one or more layer handling devices that are configured to remove layers from pallets in a delayering operational mode, and to add layers to pallets in a palletizing operation mode. The warehouse facilities also may include one or more item retrieval devices that are configured to retrieve individual items from storage racks. The warehouse facilities can include other automated devices as well.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like associated with a robotic sortation system are provided. An example method may include receiving imaging data associated with a first item at a first sorting location of a material handling system, determining a sorting destination for the first item based at least in part on the imaging data, determining a plurality of first-tier robotic devices and a plurality of second-tier robotic devices based at least in part on the first sorting location and the sorting destination, and generating a first sortation scheme for the first item.

Abstract: Technologies are described for determining a loading arrangement for hollow circular pipes. Determining the loading arrangement can comprise determining an optimal telescopic arrangement for a plurality of hollow circular pipes. Determining the optimal telescopic arrangement can comprise determining a concentric telescopic arrangement and determining a radial telescopic arrangement. Groups of hollow circular pipes can be generated based on the concentric telescopic arrangement and the radial telescopic arrangement that specifies which of the hollow circular pipes will be arranged within each other concentrically and which of the hollow circular pipes will be arranged within each other radially. The loading arrangement can be determined that includes the optimal telescopic arrangement. The loading arrangement can also indicate how the groups of hollow circular pipes will be loaded into a container for shipment.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strapping machine with an improved edge-protector positioner.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to automated warehouse facilities that are configured to assemble mixed pallets. The warehouse facilities can include one or more layer handling devices that are configured to remove layers from pallets in a delayering operational mode, and to add layers to pallets in a palletizing operation mode. The warehouse facilities also may include one or more item retrieval devices that are configured to retrieve individual items from storage racks. The warehouse facilities can include other automated devices as well.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage array of storage locations for case units. An in-out case conveyor is capable of bi-directionally transporting case units to and from the storage array, and an in-out loaded pallet conveyor is capable of bi-directionally transporting loaded pallets towards and away from the storage array. A palletizer-depalletizer cell includes a bi-directional pallet transport system with more than one independently driven pallet transports, each with a different pallet holder independently movable relative to a cell frame. Placement of case units commissioning a pallet layer loading a pallet, and removal of case units decommissioning a pallet layer unloading another pallet are both effected at the common pallet layer interface at a predetermined level of the cell frame. The pallet transports independently index a first and a second of the different pallet holders, each independently holding the pallet loading at the common pallet layer interface.

Abstract: A data center rack system includes a rack housing that includes side panels and a top panel coupled to the side panels, the top and side panels defining a rack volume sized to enclose a plurality of data center server rack trays, each of the data center server rack trays configured to support a plurality of heat generating electronic devices; and a rack bottom coupled to the side panels to at least partially define the rack volume, the rack bottom including a bottom panel having a top surface coupled to the side panels and a plurality of blocks coupled to a bottom surface of the bottom panel opposite the top surface, at least one pair of the plurality of blocks defining an opening between the blocks and below the bottom surface of the bottom panel and sized to receive a lifting member of a lifting machine.

Abstract: An adapter plate assembly for stocking a variety of different modular boxes includes a first adapter plate that has a plurality of protrusions to engage structural features of a first modular box. The first adapter plate has a plurality of holes each extending to accommodate structural features of a second modular box. A pair of first blocks is each of the first blocks is pivotally coupled to the first adapter plate to abut an outer wall of the second modular box. A second adapter plate has a plurality of openings to accommodate structural features of the second modular box. A pair of second blocks is each removably coupled to the second adapter plate to abut an outer wall of the second modular box.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage array of storage locations for case units. An in-out case conveyor is capable of bi-directionally transporting case units to and from the storage array, and an in-out loaded pallet conveyor is capable of bi-directionally transporting loaded pallets towards and away from the storage array. A palletizer-depalletizer cell includes a bi-directional pallet transport system with more than one independently driven pallet transports, each with a different pallet holder independently movable relative to a cell frame. Placement of case units commissioning a pallet layer loading a pallet, and removal of case units decommissioning a pallet layer unloading another pallet are both effected at the common pallet layer interface at a predetermined level of the cell frame. The pallet transports independently index a first and a second of the different pallet holders, each independently holding the pallet loading at the common pallet layer interface.

Abstract: Provided is a dual lumber stacker assembly having two stackers constructed to remove lumber from a conveyor and stack the lumber. The arms are moved forward and aft by associated crank drives. The arms are moved upwards and downwards by associated cam drives. Also provided is a method stacking lumber using the dual lumber stacker.

Abstract: An article metering system is generally provided. The system is primarily comprised of a conveyor section, for receipt of a bulk flow of articles and conveyance of spaced apart metered article groups downstream of an ingress portion thereof, and an article metering station characterized by an article metering apparatus characterized by a drive assembly and a driven member driven thereby. The driven member includes an end effector for select positioning between adjacent articles of articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section in furtherance of delimiting a downstream spaced apart metered article group characterized by a select number of columns. The drive assembly includes cooperatively driven servo drives to effectuate travel of the end effector in either of a downstream article flow direction or an upstream article flow direction, and an up/down direction in relation to articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section.

Abstract: A glass ribbon engagement system is described herein that includes a robot tooling device with suction cups configured to engage a first side of a glass ribbon, and a guidance device with one or more devices (e.g., air nozzles, cylinder-wheel units) which are configured to apply one or more local forces to a second side of the glass ribbon to shift the glass ribbon towards the suction cups to assist the suction cups in engaging and securing the first side of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: An article metering system is generally provided. The system is primarily comprised of a conveyor section, for receipt of a bulk flow of articles and conveyance of spaced apart metered article groups downstream of an ingress portion thereof, and an article metering station characterized by an article metering apparatus characterized by a drive assembly and a driven member driven thereby. The driven member includes an end effector for select positioning between adjacent articles of articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section in furtherance of delimiting a downstream spaced apart metered article group characterized by a select number of columns. The drive assembly includes cooperatively driven servo drives to effectuate travel of the end effector in either of a downstream article flow direction or an upstream article flow direction, and an up/down direction in relation to articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section.

Abstract: A pallet tier cap forming apparatus is provided for forming a horizontal planar paperboard blank into a pallet tier cap. The blank includes a generally rectangular center panel having four edges, and four flaps connected by fold lines with the center panel edges, respectively. A blank transport device initially displaces the blank laterally in a first diagonal direction for simultaneous engagement with a first orthogonally arranged pair of drag walls, and vertically upwardly, thereby to break downwardly about associated fold lines a first pair of adjacent flaps of the blank. The blank is further displaced laterally in the first direction, thereby to reversely fold back the first pair of flaps about the associated wall junctions toward an acute angle relative to the blank center panel. The blank is then displaced in the opposite diagonal direction, and the forming steps are repeated to fold downwardly simultaneously a second pair of flaps.

Abstract: An automatic-adjustable stacker for controlling the movement of a media, such as cardboard, through a media handling system. The stacker includes a media receiver positioned proximate a feed of the media that receives a leading edge of the media and a controller that causes the media receiver to move from a first position for receiving the media, to a second position for depositing of the media at a desired location. The media receiver is configured to prevent the media from coming into contact with other media already located at the desired location until the media has arrived at the desired location, while creating a concave-like shape to the media while conveying it.

Abstract: There is provided a stacking system capable of manufacturing an electrode structure, where negative electrode sheets and positive electrode sheets are stacked with separators in between, precisely and at high speed. The present invention includes a first turntable that rotationally moves a plurality of stacking regions to a plurality of work positions in order and a plurality of conveying apparatuses that stack, at stacking positions included in the plurality of work positions, target objects at the stacking regions of the first turntable that have arrived at the stacking positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for palletizing a plurality of objects, such as, e.g., bottle packs or other containers. Particularly, a palletizing plant (1) comprising: a conveying and sorting system (2) of a plurality of objects to form an ordered set of objects; a handling system (3) wherein said handling system (3) is composed of a support column (10) on which there are movably arranged: a first handling member (11) suitable to handle the ordered set of objects from a discharge position (9) of the conveying and sorting system (2) to a pallet (P) arranged at a workstation (4); a second handling member (12) suitable to handle a pallet (P) from a pallet stack (5) to the workstation (4) and/or a cardboard flap (F) from a respective stack (6) to said workstation (4) is provided.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus for a secondary cell includes a guide roller guiding a film, and a laminate structure generator disposed parallel to the film vertically descended by the guide roller, the laminate structure generator includes a first hand including a first palm and a first finger extending from the first palm, the first finger being disposed parallel to the film to face one side of the film, and a second hand including a second palm and a second finger extending from the second palm to cross the first finger, the second finger being disposed parallel to the film to face the other side of the film, at least one of the first hand and the second hand being moved in a direction of separating from the other.

Abstract: A food processing system having a slicer/former for food preparations having a feed conveyor, a stacker for stacking food preparations, and n interleaver for inserting a substrate under a food preparation from the food slicer/former as it transitions to the stacker. The interleaver is arranged such that a portion of the interleaver is located beneath the feed conveyor of the slicer/former. The interleaver includes an interleaver conveyor which extends from the feed conveyor to the stacker in-feed conveyor, and an overall length of the interleaver conveyor is less than a length of the interleaver in order to provide a reduced footprint interleaver for new and retro-fit applications having a limited length for the food processing system.

Abstract: There is provided a simple-structured and inexpensive device for stacking a successive separator and sheet electrodes which can protect an end portion of a sheet electrode when folding the successive separator, and which enables smooth folding of the separator to improve the productivity. The device comprises a stacking stage 10 which adsorbs and holds a leading end of the tape-like separator S, and on which sheet electrodes P, N and the separator S are successively stacked, separator reciprocating means for reciprocating the tape-like separator S on the stacking stage 10 with the stacking stage 10 being as a center, and a folding guide member 20 which comes close/moves apart relative to the stacking stage 10, covers both side ends of the stacked sheet electrode P, N in the moving direction of the separator S, and guides folding of the separator S accompanied by a reciprocal movement of the separator S at both side ends of the sheet electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laminate structure generator, and a stacking method and apparatus for a secondary cell. The laminate structure generator includes a first hand including a first palm and a first finger extending from the first palm, and a second hand including a second palm and a second finger extending from the second palm. At least one the first hand and the second hand is moved in a direction of separating from the other. The laminate structure generator is capable of reducing manufacturing time of a secondary cell.

Abstract: A device for forming stacks of piece goods batches, includes a movable transport device for transporting the piece goods batch. A feed device feeds the piece goods batch to the transport device. The transport device includes a support device which at least intermittently supports the piece goods batch and relative to which the piece goods batch can move and which can be removed essentially completely from a region located below the piece goods batch. The transport device includes at least one controllable fixing device for temporarily fixing an intermediate layer, wherein the fixing device for fixing the intermediate layer moves below the piece goods batch.

Abstract: A method for job separation in a high volume document scanning is provided. The method includes monitoring a document receiver with a monitor device to determine when a batch of documents has been received by the document receiver and in response to the monitor device determining the batch of documents has been received by the document receiver, automatically inserting a job separation document with a separation document inserter at an end of the batch to separate the batch of documents from a successive batch of documents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spacing apart layers of cartons containing animal parts (such as chicken parts). In one embodiment is provided a vacuum assist lift device to transfer layers of cartons from a packed condition to a palletized spaced apart condition. In one embodiment is provided a method of simultaneously transferring a plurality of layers from a packed condition to a spaced apart condition. In one embodiment is provided a vacuum assist lift device which can be adjusted for a plurality of configurations of layers of cartons.

Abstract: A modular split palletizer for loading layers of articles on stackable pallets. The palletizer has a frame supporting first, second, and third sections. The first section includes a layer build area and a first portion of a stacker transfer track. The second section includes a tier sheet bin, a top frame bin, and a second portion of the track. The third section includes a pallet build area and a third portion of the track. Each of the first, second, and third sections can be disassembled, moved individually and independently, and re-assembled at a new location to form the complete palletizer. Also disclosed is a method of relocating the modular split palletizer. With the palletizer at one location, the utilities connected to the palletizer are disconnected, the fasteners holding the sections together are released, and the sections are separated. The disassembled sections are moved to the new location and reassembled.

Abstract: A method for palletizing confectioned units including the steps of grouping the confectioned units to a layer of confectioned units in a grouping device, providing a material for an intermediate layer comprising a partly elastic foil material, cutting a single sheet from the material for the intermediate layer, moving the layer of confectioned units and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to a transport device, moving the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer into the loading station of the transport device, transporting the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to an unloading station, and positioning the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer at the unloading station onto a pallet or onto layers of goods which are already positioned on the pallet.

Abstract: A food processing system having a slicer/former for food preparations having a feed conveyor, a stacker for stacking food preparations, and n interleaver for inserting a substrate under a food preparation from the food slicer/former as it transitions to the stacker. The interleaver is arranged such that a portion of the interleaver is located beneath the feed conveyor of the slicer/former. The interleaver includes an interleaver conveyor which extends from the feed conveyor to the stacker in-feed conveyor, and an overall length of the interleaver conveyor is less than a length of the interleaver in order to provide a reduced footprint interleaver for new and retro-fit applications having a limited length for the food processing system.

Abstract: In one representative example an underlayment stickering stacker includes a carriage/fork device configured to move a course of material with underlaid sticks from a course forming station to a hoist device, thereby forming the stack of material. The stacker also includes a rake-off device configured to facilitate removal of the course of material from the carriage/fork device. The stacker also includes a regenerative actuator configured to provide regenerative braking power to one of the hoist device, the carriage/fork device and the rake-off device.

Abstract: A compact palletizer combines a plate apron and an apron conveyor as a layer build area positionable both vertically and horizontally to implement receipt and organization of items as layers and to stack item layers on a pallet. A puller bar serves to pull item rows into layers in a layer building operation and to act as a backstop in delivering an item layer onto a stack of items. An apron serves to also deliver empty pallets to a stack build area.

Abstract: An automatic device and method for multi-layer stacking on a support with objects to be stacked in a predetermined spatial arrangement includes a control for determining a particular order and particular spatial positions of the objects to be stacked on the support, at least two conveying systems operable to transport the objects in the particular order, and at least two handling devices that take respective objects from a respective conveying system and displace the respective objects to the articular spatial positions, thereby forming a stack of the objects on the support.

Abstract: There is provided a simple-structured and inexpensive device for stacking a successive separator and sheet electrodes which can protect an end portion of a sheet 5 electrode when folding the successive separator, and which enables smooth folding of the separator to improve the productivity. The device comprises a stacking stage 10 which adsorbs and holds a leading end of the tape-like separator S, and on which sheet electrodes P, N and the separator S are successively stacked, separator reciprocating means for reciprocating the tape-like separator S on the stacking stage 10 with the 10 stacking stage 10 being as a center, and a folding guide member 20 which comes close/moves apart relative to the stacking stage 10, covers both side ends of the stacked sheet electrode P, N in the moving direction of the separator S, and guides folding of the separator S accompanied by a reciprocal movement of the separator S at both side ends of the sheet electrode.

Abstract: A device (1) for forming stacks of piece goods batches (10), comprising a movable transport device (2) for transporting the piece goods batch (10), and comprising a feed device (5) which feeds the piece goods batch (10) to the transport device (5), wherein the transport device (5) comprises a support device (6) which at least intermittently supports the piece goods batch (10) and relative to which the piece goods batch (10) can move and which can be removed essentially completely from a region located below the piece goods batch (10). According to the invention, the transport device (2) comprises at least one controllable fixing device (14) for temporarily fixing an intermediate layer (13), wherein this fixing device (14) for fixing the intermediate layer (13) can move below the piece goods batch (10).

Abstract: To make possible a tightly packed, essentially horizontal storage of wafers (40), in which a simplified access to each of these wafers (40) is possible, a device is provided having a plurality of superimposed storage elements (10). The storage elements (10) have device features (16) for depositing the wafers (40). The storage elements (10) have projections (14) for lifting, whereby a specific storage element (10a) as well as all storage elements (10) arranged above this specific storage element (10a) can be lifted by a predetermined first height for producing a contact gap. The projections (14) can also be used to lift the storage element (10b) arranged below the said storage element (10a) by a predetermined second height for producing a freedom of access.

Abstract: The formation of a group (2) of rolls (3) of paper arranged according to a first number (h) of overlaid layers (4) is performed by feeding the layers (4) onto an elevator platform (8) by means of at least two feed conveyors (11) positioned one on top of the other; the method providing for initial loading onto the platform (8) of a number of layers (4) at the most equal to the number of feed conveyors (11), lowering of the platform (8) by a distance equal or slightly greater than the height of the layers (4) just loaded and, lastly, loading onto the platform (8) and onto the layers (4) already loaded of a number of layers (4) at the most equal to the number of feed conveyors (11).

Abstract: A tray handling apparatus comprises a plurality of guides, a chuck device, a linear movement device, and a rack and pinion device. A space defined by the erected guides is used to hold a tray stack. The chuck of the chuck device is located at the center position of the bottom area of the space. The linear movement device is used to move the chuck relative to the guides. The rack and pinion device is used to cause the guides to move symmetrically. When an operator moves any one of the guides, the other guides move symmetrically and the center of the bottom area of the space surrounded by the guides remains at the same location during the movement of the guides. The operator does not need to adjust the position of the chuck if the positions of the guides are changed.

Abstract: A slat positioning and placing machine is preferably configured to place slats on top of or between accumulated material layers. A set of actuating arms preferably includes complementary operating slat holding holders, such as pans or other holding devices. As a first slat holder is inserting a slat into a material package being formulated, a second slat holder is preferably positioned to receive a slat. As the second slat holder is being positioned to insert the slat into the package, the first slat holder is preferably being cycled back to receive a slat. A controls methodology preferably electronically profiles the forward and rearward movement of the actuating arms. The raising and lowering functions can also be electronically profiled. The profiles can also preferably be adjusted to increase the cycle rates for various lengths being processed, and various cycling and positioning methods are contemplated.

Abstract: In one representative example a stacking method includes generating a cyclical master signal. A carriage/fork device is provided and is configured to move a course of material, including underlaid sticks, to a stack. A stick device is also provided and is configured to facilitate underlayment of the sticks. The method further includes controlling movement of the carriage/fork device and movement of the stick device as respective functions of the master signal.

Abstract: In one representative example an underlayment stickering stacker includes a carriage/fork device configured to move a course of material with underlaid sticks from a course forming station to a hoist device, thereby forming the stack of material. The stacker also includes a rake-off device configured to facilitate removal of the course of material from the carriage/fork device. The stacker also includes a regenerative actuator configured to provide regenerative braking power to one of the hoist device, the carriage/fork device and the rake-off device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interlacing device which can be used automatically to interlace long products on a transport pallet in an economical and optimum manner, which can be adapted to tubes of any length and which operates concurrently with the palletizing machine. The inventive interlacing device (10) is characterized in that it comprises at least one interlacing gantry (11) which extends parallel to the palletized products along at least part of the length thereof and which comprises at least one wire guide (20), the wire guide being fed by at least one interlacing (12?) link reel (12). The aforementioned interlacing device (10) also comprises drive means (14) which are connected to the interlacing gantry (11) in order to move same alternatively between at least two end positions such as to move the guide wire (20) alternatively from one side of the transport pallet (7) to the other in at least one interlacing plane (P) which is essentially perpendicular to the palletized products (2).

Abstract: A printing system is configured to be able to use a plurality of types of stacking units. The printing system comprises a first controller configured to execute operations to stack printed material which is printed by a printing unit to a stacking unit such that the printed material is stacked in a state shifted a defined amount as to other printed material stacked on the stacking unit. The printing system further includes a second controller configured to inhibit the operations based on information relating to a specified type of the stacking unit in the plurality of types of stacking units.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for placing circuit boards in a receiving container, comprising the following steps: a) gripping and lifting a circuit board with a first grappling device, b) moving the first grappling device and the receiving container relative to each other, such that the receiving container is located below the first grappling device, c) the first grappling device lowers the circuit board into the receiving container, d) gripping and lifting a partition layer from a dispenser with a second grappling device, e) reversion to step b), such that the receiving container is accessible from above and is below the second grappling device, f) the partition layer is placed in the receiving container on top of the previously placed circuit board and g) start the process at a).

Abstract: The device comprises a guide (23) defining a closed for a plurality of separator fingers (15). In the vicinity of the end of the advance stretch of the guide is set a separating member (101) provided with a movement of insertion and extraction (f103) with respect to the pile of products (P, P1, P2), synchronized with the movement of advance of the products along the path of advance, so as to insert itself between two contiguous packs of laminar products (M1, M2), between which is inserted a respective separator finger (15), and to withhold temporarily the pile of laminar products whilst said separator finger (15) is moved away from the path of advance.

Abstract: A stack processing tray for use with tray-based integrated circuit device handling systems. The stack processing tray has a plurality of cells, each cell being configured to receive at least two integrated circuit devices in a vertically superimposed, stacked relationship. Increased efficiency in the handling and processing of integrated circuit devices is realized as the tray-based integrated circuit device handling system performs fewer tray movements, and therefore less work, to handle a given number of integrated circuit devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing stacks of flat objects, such as printed products 28, wherein the printed products are fed to a preliminary stacking compartment 20, into which opens the outlet 32 of an arrangement 12 for feeding additional sheets 14. Located beneath the preliminary stacking compartment is a final compartment 36, which can be rotated through 180° about a vertical axis of rotation 38 in order to be able to receive from the preliminary stacking compartment 20 sub-stacks 34 which have been rotated in relation to one another. Each sub-stack 34 may be formed on an additional sheet 14 in the preliminary stacking means 18, as a result of which, in the complete stack 54, the sub-stacks 34, each forming a layer, are separated from one another by an additional sheet 14.

Abstract: Sticker handling apparatus include an actuating assembly that operatively supports one or more sticker support brackets. The actuating assembly includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator is configured to impart motion to the sticker support bracket in a first dimension and the second actuator is configured to impart motion to the sticker support bracket in a second dimension different from the first dimension. The actuating assembly can thus be selectively actuated to move the one or more sticker support brackets in a manner such that one or more stickers are contacted and lifted by respective sticker support brackets and moved from a sticker in-feed conveyor to respective sticker trays supported on respective fork arms with no substantial rotation of the one or more sticker support brackets.

Abstract: A part handling and handwork table including a lift assembly, a drive assembly, a stack support assembly, and a part support beam assembly. The lift assembly is raised/lowered to properly position the stack support assembly adjacent a cart containing a series of stacks, one of which is to be lifted to access a rework part incorporated therein. The drive assembly is operated to drive a movable member of the stack support assembly into the cart and beneath the stack containing the rework part. The lift is further raised and the drive assembly is reversed to carry the stack out of the cart on the movable member of the stack support assembly. The part support beam assembly is secured to the movable member and includes a manually withdrawn movable portion that defines a surface upon which parts from the stack of parts may be placed so as to access or reveal the rework part.

Abstract: A palletizing system for stacking materials is provided. The system utilizes support members to minimize leaning of stacked materials. These support members are inserted through openings defined by one or more slip sheets. In particular, these openings are spaced about the perimeter of the slip sheet so that support members may be inserted therethrough. Thus, indentation or deformation of the outer edges of the materials is minimized.

Abstract: A work arrangement apparatus arranges plate-shaped works in such a manner that the works are piled up being interposed between interlayer sheets. The apparatus comprises: a work conveyance belt for intermittently transporting the works, one by one; a first air-suction unit for sucking with air the works to the work conveyance belt; an interlayer sheet conveyance belt for intermittently transporting the sheets, one by one, the interlayer sheet conveyance belt being arranged to cross with the work conveyance belt; a second air-suction unit for sucking with air the sheets to the interlayer sheet conveyance belt.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient, reliable lumber magazine feeder that can supply large numbers of boards of all sizes. Some embodiments of this magazine lumber feeder comprise of one or more modules, each capable of dispensing a particular width of board. These modules may comprise a gripper/shuttle assembly, an overhead rail, and an adjustable lumber support. The gripper/shuttle assembly contains hydraulic valving to operate two hydraulic cylinders. The first cylinder grips the bottom most board in the stack by clamping onto the narrow dimension on a board. The second cylinder is capable of moving the gripper assembly in a push or pull direction, thus sliding the bottom board from its stacked position. The present invention may also include a programmable logic controller that receives electronic commands from an automatic saw, or the like. The controller in some embodiments receives electronic signals representing a desired board size from the automatic saw.

Abstract: A bottom sheet inserter is described in which a conveyor is provided on a frame that defines a path for a load. The conveyor is operable to move the load in a forward direction along the path. A bottom sheet insertion station is situated between first and second conveyor flights which support and move a load in a forward direction. A bottom sheet feeder is operable to feed a bottom sheet through the bottom sheet insertion station and under the load as the load moves from the first flight and onto the second flight.