Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for saving energy while increasing the conveying speed in vacuum coating plants consisting of a series of sputtering segments (3) and gas separation segments (2) along with a continuous substrate plane (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for friction stir welding materials of different thicknesses and that have fillet welds, comprising the following features: a) a receiver panel (1) that has a drive head (2) and a welding shoe (4) that has a pin bearing, said welding shoe (4) being selected and inserted according to whether it is being used with materials of different thicknesses or with materials that have fillet welds, b) the longitudinal axis of the spindle bearing being at an incline of an angle between 0 and 5 degrees relative to the vertical line; the transverse incline being 0 degrees for the fillet weld shoe (4), and c) when the welding pin (6) is exchanged, the length of the welding pin (6) being adjusted using an adjustment element (12) and the position of the counter-bearing of the welding pin (6) being adjusted using an adjustable pin stop (19) and, in the case of the pin stop (19), additionally secured by an adjustment screw (20).

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for the mobile friction stir welding of two tubular structures as joining partners, said apparatus having the following features: a) an annular main body (2) which can be unfolded using a hinge (4) and can be fixedly connected for operation opposite the hinge (4) using a locking mechanism (1); b) a plurality of lifting elements (3) which are distributed along the circumference of the main body (2), can be moved radially by a drive unit (5), and each include a retaining jaw (15) for securing the tubular structures, one retaining jaw (15) being mounted so as to be horizontally movable by a drive unit (6); c) a ring gear (21) which is connected to the main body (2) and on which a spindle head (11) can be moved by a drive unit (20) in an orbital movement about the tubular structures in order for a weld seam to be applied; d) a welding shoe (27) having a sliding surface (27) which is adapted to the curvature of the surfaces of the joining partners.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transport vehicle and a method for the trouble-free transport of load shelves in workshops with partially autonomous operation, having the following features: (a) a vehicle body with a carrier plate for receiving and transporting a load shelf with cargo, with two separately driven drive wheels, at least one support wheel being provided at the front and at the rear of the vehicle body in each case; (b) a transverse link which connects the drive wheels which are each pivotable via an angled lever about the rotational axis, such that the drive wheels can carry out vertical movements independently of each other; (c) a centrally disposed adjusting element which, via a lifting-turning lever and a thrust rod connected thereto, can move two front lifting rods and two rear lifting rods in order to raise or lower the carrier plate; (d) a system for supplying energy to the vehicle body; and (e) at least one 3D scanner and at least one light field sensor in the front region of the vehicle body.

Abstract: Method and device for quick and reliable tool changing in the process of friction stir welding, comprising the following features: a) a robot (1) with a robot pivoting head (2) and a friction welding head (3) with a welding shoe (13), wherein the robot (1) can select a friction welding head (2) from a tool magazine (4), b) a device for sensing the mechanical forces at the welding pin tip (14) of each welding shoe (13) of a friction welding head (2), wherein a sensor (16) is attached to the frustoconical part of the tool (11), wherein a sensor (21) is provided, and wherein furthermore a sensor (25) is provided in the flared pin receptacle (26) and a piezoelectric force-measuring sensor (24) is provided in the longitudinal axis of the pin shaft (27) for measuring the axial force acting on the welding pin tip, c) an RFDI code provided on the pin shaft (27) of each welding shoe (13) for identification, d) a changing skid (28) provided on each welding shoe (13).

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a simulator with a special impression of reality is provided. The apparatus is configured for learning how to control a vehicle moving in three-dimensional reality. Controllable systems for detecting human stress reactions are provided. The controllable systems may be configured for sensing the resistance of the skin and for detecting movements of persons and physiognomy.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing a reliable breaking line for the industrial cutting to length of glass sheets by means of a cutting wheel running on a float glass line under pressure imposed from above, with the following features: a) the location of the beginning of a breaking line is determined and a cutting wheel holder (20) with a cutting wheel (2) is brought into position, b) the cutting wheel holder (20) is lowered and the cutting wheel (2) is lowered onto the glass sheet (1) concerned with the desired pressing pressure, wherein the pressing pressure is set by means of a swing arm (3) and is monitored by means of a strain gauge (4) secured thereto, c) a change in the height of the glass sheet (1) prompts a control signal for an actuating motor (12) to be derived from the change in the resistance of the strain gauge (4), and the actuating motor brings about a corresponding change in the pressing pressure of the cutting wheel (2).

Abstract: A device for quickly grouping picked goods for transport. The device includes a pair of stacking bridges lying opposite each other for pushing goods containers together in a defined manner to form a layer. The stacking bridges include a plurality of parallel, finger-like conveyor belts. The goods containers are pushed together in the direction of the diagonals of their base surfaces. A lifting apparatus is provided for lowering a layer of goods containers and placing a layer onto an empty pallet. A film-wrapping apparatus is provided for wrapping a shipment of picked goods prepared for transport.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the flush transfer of large-surface-area panels of different types of construction to a transporting vehicle, having the following features. At least one conveyor for supplying panels of at least one type of construction. At least one pivoting-stack apparatus, having a gripper frame and having adhesion elements fastened thereon. At least one stack framework on a mobile carriage, wherein the latter is connected to at least one transporting vehicle by a switchable coupling. The transporting vehicle is supplied with power, and controlled electronically and/or electrically, by a multiplicity of lines installed in the floor region. An electrically controlled parking brake on each transporting vehicle, for arresting purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for saving energy while increasing the conveying speed in vacuum coating plants consisting of a series of sputtering segments (3) and gas separation segments (2) along with a continuous substrate plane (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for transporting heavy duty racks on an uneven ground surface by means of a transport vehicle, comprising the following features: a) a housing (3) having a carrier plate (1) for transporting a heavy duty rack (12), having two separately powered drive wheels (20) hinged to a respective axis of rotation (5) on both sides in the center of the housing (3), having at least one stabilizing wheel (9) in the front and at least one stabilizing wheel (21) in the back; b) a transverse control arm (34), which connects the drive wheels (20), which respectively can be pivoted about the axis of rotation (5) by means of an angle lever (40) such that they are able to carry out vertical movements independently from one another; c) a centrally arranged actuating element (31), which can move two front lift rods (19) and two rear lift rods (16) by means of a lifting rotary lever (27) and of a push rod (24) connected thereto, for raising and lowering the carrier plate (1); d) a sys

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the rapid and reliable measuring of distortion defects in a manufactured float glass strip, having the following features: a) a linear inset LED light source (5) sweeping the breadth of the glass strip (4) to be examined, said light source having LEDs that are tightly packed one next to the other below a glass strip (4) to be examined, b) a linear cylindrical lens 8) which is arranged in parallel to the entire length of the inset LED light source (5) and the distance of which to the inset LED light source (5) is continuously variable, c) a light source (2) arranged above the glass strip (4), d) an array of at least 4 CCD cameras arranged above the glass strip (4), and a two-stage parallel signal evaluation unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for the industrial wiring and final testing of photovoltaic concentrator modules, comprising a module frame, a lens disc, a sensor carrier disc, and electrical cable routing, having the following features: a) a laser contacting device for contactless connection of connecting lines between the individual sensor (11) and of connection elements (17) and of collector contact plates (19), wherein the cable routing on the sensor carrier disc (13) has in each case 5 CPV sensors connected in parallel as the basic structure, and said parallel circuits are connected in series, b) a device for testing electrical properties, wherein the CPV sensors (11) per se have a specific voltage applied thereto, and the light emitted therefrom via the lenses (15) is detected and evaluated, and c) a device for testing the tightness (5) of finished concentrator modules, wherein compressed air is applied to the interior of said modules and testing for the emission of compressed air is c

Abstract: Apparatus and method for increasing the quality of the weld seam in friction stir welding, with the following features: a) a receiving plate (1) with a drive head (2), the latter having a receiving flange (19) for receiving a holding bell (3) connected by means of a union nut (7) to a welding shoe (4) with a welding pin tip (5), b) the welding shoe (4) has a circular basic shape, on which there is a transverse web running over the cross section and rising at a right angle to said basic shape, said transverse web having a width of approximately 1/4 to 1/5 of the diameter of the basic shape and having an arc-shaped shoe sliding surface and shoe smoothing surface (9), c) the welding pin tip (5) has substantially a surface structure in the form of a tapering thread, this thread-like structure not being arranged in a purely circular manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the safe use of a vehicle simulator is provided. The apparatus having an access zone, a rescue unit, a shock absorbing surface, and a projection surface. The rescue unit being moveable with the vehicle simulator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum insulated glass, which comprises two or more glass plates, which can be evacuated, which are oriented in parallel and which are sealed air-tight at the outer edge, with respect to the interior formed by means of spacers, by means of strip-shaped connecting elements attached to the entire perimeter, in particular metal strips connected to each other in a vacuum-tight manner, having the following features: a) the spacers each comprise at least two segments (7, 9) associated with each other, b) the spacers are arranged on closed distribution lines, which are arranged at a distance from each other and extend substantially parallel to the perimeter of the glass plate in question and run out in a defined manner in a curve in the corner regions of the glass plate, c) the segments (7, 9) are made of different materials, and d) the segments (7, 9) have a coating and/or structuring on the surfaces that do not come in contact with the glass plates (5, 6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for trimming a float glass strip that has a normal or structured surface, comprising the following features: a) a cutting slide having a lower running rail and a cutting slide having an upper running rail for a bottom cut for a structured surface or a top cut for a normal surface, wherein both running rails are arranged at an acute angle to the running direction of the glass strip and this angled position can be adjusted; b) a number of counter pressure rollers for the lower cutting slide; c) a hold-down apparatus (6) having a breaking roller (20) and a front hold-down roller (21) for a bottom cut; d) a hold-down apparatus (15) having a breaking roller (14) and a rear hold-down roller (18) for a top cut; e) apparatuses (10, 11, 12) for measuring the advance speed of the glass strip (11) and the current length of the glass strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for friction stir welding materials of different thicknesses and that have fillet welds, comprising the following features: a) a receiver panel (1) that has a drive head (2) and a welding shoe (4) that has a pin bearing, said welding shoe (4) being selected and inserted according to whether it is being used with materials of different thicknesses or with materials that have fillet welds, b) the longitudinal axis of the spindle bearing being at an incline of an angle between and 5 degrees relative to the vertical line; the transverse incline being 0 degrees for the fillet weld shoe (4), and c) when the welding pin (6) is exchanged, the length of the welding pin (6) being adjusted using an adjustment element (12) and the position of the counter-bearing of the welding pin (6) being adjusted using an adjustable pin stop (19) and, in the case of the pin stop (19), additionally secured by an adjustment screw (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for the orientation of electrically driven transport vehicles, especially so-called AGVs (automatic guided vehicles), automatically guided in factory buildings, the invention having the following features: a) a camera for identifying the reference points of a planned route using markers, in particular on the basis of the data matrix code, wherein a position marker is made up of an arrangement of nine data matrix codes arranged in a square, and wherein the diagonals of 3 individual codes are located on a straight line; b) a front ultrasound sensor and a rear ultrasound sensor; c) a laser scanner; and d) a light-field sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for operating a driver-free transport vehicle for transporting heavy loads which are in the form of loaded carriages which can be moved on four castors, comprising the following characteristics: a) a vehicle housing having a central lifting mandrel, a left lifting mandrel and a right lifting mandrel are used for receiving and transporting a carriage by means of a docking traverse integrated into the carriage, said vehicle housing being provided with two drive wheels mounted on both sides of the vehicle housing in the centre thereof, and are driven individually by a drive system respectively on a separate rotational axis, b) the lowering of the vehicle housing to below a carriage, the determination of the openings of the docking traverse and the driving of the lifting mandrel, the left lifting mandrel and the right lifting mandrel, the orientation being determined by means of at least one laser scanner, c) the transport of the carriage, the release of the connection