Abstract: A device for automated manipulation of articles along a predetermined movement path has a working area having a working surface for articles. The device also has a manipulator with a gripping device for moving the articles. The working surface consists of neighboring longitudinal elements, wherein longitudinal gaps are formed between the neighboring longitudinal elements. The griping device has at least one gripping finger that can be lowered into the longitudinal gaps between the neighboring longitudinal elements and moved into a position underneath an article for picking up the article. The article is essentially secured in the gripping device by a combination of acceleration forces generated along a movement path of the gripping device and of the force of gravity.

Abstract: A device for automated manipulation of articles along a predetermined movement path has a working area having a working surface for articles. The device also has a manipulator with a gripping device for moving the articles. The working surface consists of neighboring longitudinal elements, wherein longitudinal gaps are formed between the neighboring longitudinal elements. The griping device has at least one gripping finger that can be lowered into the longitudinal gaps between the neighboring longitudinal elements and moved into a position underneath an article for picking up the article. The article is essentially secured in the gripping device by a combination of acceleration forces generated along a movement path of the gripping device and of the force of gravity.

Abstract: In a method for automatically grouping articles, the articles are moved on a belt to a manipulation device for grouping the articles in a predetermined order to form an assortment. Orientation and position of the articles on the belt are detected by a recognition device. A manipulation position based on the orientation and position detected by the recognition device, the belt speed, and the number of articles on the belt leading and/or trailing each article is determined for each article. The manipulation position is an assigned position in the assortment or an advanced or pushed-back position in the feeding direction. The advanced position or the pushed-back position is assigned when the number of articles leading and/or trailing each article is smaller than the predetermined number of the assortment. The manipulation device moves the articles into the manipulation position as soon as the articles reach its gripping range.

Abstract: In a method for automated sorting of objects and combining the objects to assortments according to a selectable sorting specification, the objects are removed from a supply and an object sorting position for the objects is determined, respectively, by a control unit according to a sorting specification. The objects are placed onto a belt conveyor in an intermediate position in proximity to the object sorting position by at least one first manipulating device acting as a feeding device. The objects placed onto the belt conveyor are continuously conveyed into a working area of controllable second manipulation devices acting as placing devices arranged downstream of the feeding device. The objects are gripped by the placing device and positioned in the object sorting position determined for the objects.

Abstract: A method for testing a vacuum package with regard to seal-tightness, the vacuum package is placed with at least one surface section against at least one contact surface of a vacuum device. A vacuum is generated on a side of the contact surface opposite the vacuum package. A parameter indicative of an air flow through the contact surface in a flow direction away from the vacuum package is measured. The parameter is compared with at least one limit value. A first state is assigned to the vacuum package when the parameter surpasses the at least one limit value and a second state is assigned to the vacuum packaged when the parameter drops below the at least one limit value.

Abstract: In a method for testing a vacuum package with regard to seal-tightness, the vacuum package is placed with at least one surface section against at least one contact surface of a vacuum device. A vacuum is generated on a side of the contact surface opposite the vacuum package. A parameter indicative of an air flow through the contact surface in a flow direction away from the vacuum package is measured. The parameter is compared with at least one limit value. A first state is assigned to the vacuum package when the parameter surpasses the at least one limit value and a second state is assigned to the vacuum packaged when the parameter drops below the at least one limit value.

Abstract: In a method for automated placement of articles onto a support, the supports and articles are positioned on a supply belt and the supports and the articles are supplied on the supply belt to a detection device where output signals are created based on the supports and the articles passing through the detection device. The output signals are transmitted as measured data to a control unit. The supports and the articles are recognized and differentiated in the control unit based on the measured data. Subsequently, the control unit, according to predetermined criteria, controls one or more gripping devices connected to the control unit for carrying out a placement step of placing the articles on the supports.

Abstract: An article gripping device for automation technology has a base member having a flat side. Gripping elements having a gripping head are arranged on the flat side of the base member. The gripping head has a contact surface resting against the article being gripped, wherein the gripping head has an active gripping position in which an article is gripped and an initial position in which no article is gripped. The contact surface in the active gripping position is retracted relative to a first position of the contact surface in the initial position of the gripping head. In the active gripping position, the gripping element is sunk into the flat side of the base member and the contact surface of the gripping head is positioned approximately in the plane of the flat side. The flat side of the base member forms a support surface for the article.

Abstract: In a method for automated placement of articles onto a support, the supports and articles are positioned on a supply belt and the supports and the articles are supplied on the supply belt to a detection device where output signals are created based on the supports and the articles passing through the detection device. The output signals are transmitted as measured data to a control unit. The supports and the articles are recognized and differentiated in the control unit based on the measured data. Subsequently, the control unit, according to predetermined criteria, controls one or more gripping devices connected to the control unit for carrying out a placement step of placing the articles on the supports.

Abstract: In a method for automated sorting of objects and combining the objects to assortments according to a selectable sorting specification, the objects are removed from a supply and an object sorting position for the objects is determined, respectively, by a control unit according to a sorting specification. The objects are placed onto a belt conveyor in an intermediate position in proximity to the object sorting position by at least one first manipulating device acting as a feeding device. The objects placed onto the belt conveyor are continuously conveyed into a working area of controllable second manipulation devices acting as placing devices arranged downstream of the feeding device. The objects are gripped by the placing device and positioned in the object sorting position determined for the objects.

Abstract: In a method for automated grouping of objects, the objects are randomly placed onto a conveyor belt and transported in a steady conveying flow to a grouping device. A recognition device determines a location and a position of the objects transported on the conveyor belt before reaching the grouping device and communicates the location and the position of the objects to a control unit. The control unit evaluates the random ordered state of the objects on the conveyor belt based on the location and the position of the objects. The control unit determines, based on the evaluation result of the evaluating step, sorting positions on the conveyor belt. The handling device groups, taking into account the belt speed, the objects in a group on each one of the determined sorting positions on the conveyor belt. The groups of objects are then further transported on the conveyor belt.