Abstract: A connection adapter for a connection of profile segments of a rail profile in a conveying device for conveying hanging objects. The connection adapter has, on its inside, a running surface for the mounting of holding adapters mounted such as on rollers, where the running surface is disposed in an inclined manner with respect to a profile extension direction of the connection adapter in such a way that a cross-section of an inner space of the connection adapter, which is defined by the running surface, is larger at a first end face of the connection adapter than at a second end face of the connection adapter.

Abstract: A method for controlling the material flow of goods to be conveyed in a conveyor system of a real warehouse by a virtual three-dimensional model, for which purpose the conveyor system of the real warehouse is virtualized in a central computer, for which purpose a virtual three-dimensional model of the real conveyor system having the dimensions of the individual conveyor components and the movement parameters thereof, including the actuator properties and the identity, shape and position of the goods to be conveyed, is stored, and the conveyor system of the real warehouse is centrally controlled from the virtual model, images of the goods to be conveyed in the real conveyor system are cyclically captured by sensors, and the virtual model is cyclically compared with the reality on the basis of the recorded images.

Abstract: A method for maintaining, commissioning and checking systems in warehouses, where a service technician has sight of the system in question and, by way of a mobile computer, makes wireless contact with the controller of the system in order to take control thereof, where taking control by the mobile computer is permitted by a central controller only if the service technician can have sight contact with the corresponding system, for which purpose localization services of a local radio network are used for the determination of the position and/or of the orientation of the mobile computer of the service technician.

Abstract: Controlling a conveyor installation of a real warehouse having automated machines and persons that are virtualized in a central computer for storing a virtual model of the conveyor installation having the dimensions of the individual conveyor components and the movement parameters thereof. Images of the objects to be conveyed, automated machines and persons in the conveyor installation are captured by sensors at predefined short time intervals and identified by image recognition, and the positions thereof in the conveyor installation are determined. The virtual model is continuously updated with the identification and position determination of the objects in the central computer such that a virtualized real-time model is generated, and the real conveyor installation is centrally controlled with the aid of the model, where material flow control commands are generated for the real actuators for controlling the conveying movement of the automated machines to avoid endangering the persons.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a plurality of conveying zones having conveying elements, each conveying zone having at least one conveying drive for the conveying elements of the zone in question and being associated with a control unit that controls the conveying drive of the conveying zone, with the conveying device being designed having a support structure. Each conveying zone is formed by an individual independent conveying module that is fastened on the support structure as a complete individual unit and forms the entirety of the conveying device with additional adjacent conveying modules.

Abstract: A method of fulfilling orders of goods of mixed packs and single packs of the same type. The goods are first stored as single packs of the same type and all of the goods allocated to an order are removed from a specified order storage rack aisle of a storage rack. Goods present in the storage racks required for the order that are not present within the specified order storage rack aisle are transferred into the order storage rack aisle from another storage rack aisle by a transverse transport process. A mixed pack for the order is generated by picking from packs of the same type, and a picking station is supplied with corresponding packs of the same type from the same storage racks, and the mixed pack is stored into the order storage rack aisle. The order, comprising single packs of the same type and mixed packs, is removed from the specified order storage rack aisle.

Abstract: A method of fulfilling orders by making orders available in order units by picking from product units in a storage facility that includes a routed product order picking area, and an automated storage and retrieval racking area that is upstream from the routed products order picking area and connected thereto by a routing conveyor. The method includes reassigning order fulfillment of orders requiring products from product units requiring many exchanges between adjoining storage racks from a source storage rack to an adjacent storage rack via cross conveyance locations in the storage racks themselves to reach a destination storage rack, where the orders are reassigned to the routed products order picking area for parallel order fulfillment such that bottlenecks within the automated storage and retrieval racking area can be prevented or at least decreased.

Abstract: A method for automatically stacking packages of different sizes in layers on a support in a specified spatial arrangement so as to form a stack by determining the order and spatial position of the packages of different sizes in the stack to be formed in a computer-assisted manner, including by placing the individual packages in an order by a conveyor system, and transporting the packages to be loaded from the conveyor system to the pre-calculated spatial positions on the support or the stack being formed on the support using the handling means of a stacking device. The specified order and the specified spatial position of the packages are used to computationally check whether at least two packages following each other on a conveyor system path leading to the stacking device can be transported together to the pre-calculated spatial positions by the handling means.

Abstract: An automated warehouse storage system for storage and retrieval of items and conveying items within the storage system comprises a plurality of primary multilevel storage racks, the primary multilevel storage racks positioned parallel with one another, and extending in a first direction. The plurality of primary multilevel storage racks have at least one storage rack exchange level, in which items are delivered to or retrieved from the storage racks, and at least one exchange position in the at least one storage rack exchange level. At least one transfer shuttle is configured to travel in a second direction spanning the exchange positions of the storage racks and transverse to the first direction, with the transfer shuttle and the exchange positions configured for exchanging items between the transfer shuttle and the exchange positions of the storage racks to retrieve or deliver items.

Abstract: A picking device and method for increasing the through-put of picking an order from a storage container into an order container. The picking device includes a mobile platform capable to travel along a guide rail and a robotic gripping arm. The mobile platform includes a receiving location for each of a storage container and an order container, which are both reachable by the robotic gripping arm. The robotic gripping arm is actuated by a platform-supported image acquisition and evaluation unit and by a platform-supported controller.

Abstract: A method of fulfilling orders from a queue of a plurality of orders in an automated storage facility with storage of items of the same kind in receptacles stored in a rack. When items to complete an order are available, automatic storage and retrieval devices retrieve and transport receptacles containing items for fulfillment of an order to a picking station. Each aisle is connected to one of the picking stations and receptacles containing items for orders to be fulfilled at such connected picking station are stored within the connected aisle. When the specific receptacle for the order is retrieved it is checked according to predetermined criteria whether the same item is needed for fulfillment of further orders and if so items from the receptacle are placed into separate receptacles for storage in different aisles according to picking station assignment for the further orders.

Abstract: A device for storing items having a rack that is provided with storage compartments, and having a rack serving apparatus. In order to place items into storage and to remove them from storage, the rack serving apparatus and the rack can move horizontally and vertically relative to one another, with the rack having a variable adjustment of the storage compartments by way of storage compartment divisions that can be variably set both in the horizontal and also in the vertical direction and bear the item.

Abstract: A method of fulfilling orders in a warehouse with an order fulfillment area comprising the steps—storing slow-moving items in a first storage comprising mobile shelf units, automated transportation of slow-moving items needed for order fulfillment on the mobile shelf units from the first storage to an unloading station, where at least one of the slow-moving items needed for a certain order is manually transferred into a receptacle, routing of the receptacles directly to picking stations if needed right away, otherwise routing of the receptacles to a second storage and storing the receptacles therein. When all of the items to complete an order are available and/or are stored in the second storage, retrieving the receptacles containing items for fulfillment of the certain order and transporting to one of the picking stations for specific item retrieval for fulfilling the certain order.

Abstract: Device for lifting an article from a roller conveyor having a fork that can be raised and lowered, and having a plurality of spaced-apart elongate tines which, in the lowered position, move with the tines between or below the rollers of the roller conveyor in order to lift one or a plurality of articles from the rollers as the fork is being raised into the raised position with the tines, where the tines form a carrier surface for the article and the tines can be expanded in the direction transverse to the longitudinal extension thereof in order to form an expanded carrier surface.

Abstract: A method for placing packets into and/or out of storage with or without loading aids into/from a particular storage rack aisle of a storage rack, wherein a distribution path conveys packets into storage and/or out of storage, wherein the distribution path comprises adjacent introducing and/or discharging devices which lead to incoming and/or outgoing paths which each supply goods to a storage rack aisle or remove goods therefrom. If the incoming/outgoing path of a destination storage rack aisle is overloaded, the packet is supplied to another incoming/outgoing path of another intermediate storage rack aisle, wherein a transfer takes place from the intermediate storage rack aisle to the destination storage rack aisle or vice-versa within the storage rack.

Abstract: A method of supplying a palletizing device with goods for order-related palletization in a warehouse, which method may include delivering pallets to the incoming goods area of the warehouse and temporarily storing the pallets. Pallets containing goods required for replenishing of a buffer storage area may be removed from temporary storage and depalletized from the pallets in a depalletizer. The goods can be singulated and buffered in a buffer storage area. The buffer storage area can be connected to the palletizing device, and the goods required for an order can be removed from the temporary storage and transported to the palletizing device individually and in a controlled manner according to a specified sequence. The buffer storage area may be supplied with new goods from the pallets in the temporary storage by removal therefrom, depalletizing and singulation by means of a dynamic adaptation of the quantity removed from storage and depalletized.

Abstract: A method for changing the alignment of articles in a conveying flow, wherein, by a rotary projection projecting into the conveying path of a conveyor of a material handling system, the alignment of the article is achieved via the force of the conveying flow, and the conveying flow runs obliquely in front of the rotary projection in relation to the direction thereof, in order to ensure the contacting of the article on the rotary projection. The rotary projection is configured such that it can move in a transverse manner in relation to the conveying flow, in such a way that the extension thereof into the conveying flow is variable, wherein the scale of the extension of the rotary projection into the conveying flow is determined based on the respective article.

Abstract: A method for operating a warehouse, in which a modular shelving rack warehouse having a plurality of levels and spaces is manually supplied and emptied of goods by order pickers, wherein a placing and removing of goods is possible at at least one central transfer point between the shelves of a level, and wherein the transfer points arranged at different levels are each connected to each other and to a common warehouse entrance and exit in respect of materials handling technology, and a corresponding warehouse.

Abstract: A method for placing packets having a length different from the width into and out of storage in a storage rack in which the packet is oriented extending longitudinally and transversely as selected and the orientation can be changed between a distribution path and it being placed into or out of storage. The orientation of the packet can be changed by 90 degrees between a distribution path and the storage rack, for which purpose in each case two incoming paths and/or outgoing paths are disposed in a crossing arrangement between the distribution path and the storage rack, wherein via each incoming path and/or outgoing path at least two storage rack aisles can be reached or emptied, and a 90 degree deflector is disposed at the crossing point in order to change the incoming or outgoing path as selected.

Abstract: A single-level rack serving apparatus for transporting load units, which comprises two chassis halves each having a pair of rollers and each having an extendible arm, a storage region between the chassis halves and a connection structure, wherein the chassis halves are connected to one another by the connection structure and travel on running rails by the rollers. The arms serve to pull up or push down load units onto or from the storage region which comprises at least two first and second lateral supporting plates for supportingly carrying the load units. The size of the storage region can be varied by varying the spacing between the arms together with the lateral supporting plates. A further third supporting plate is arranged between the first and second lateral supporting plates such that it supports a load unit centrally from below in the storage region irrespective of the size of the storage region.