Abstract: To dispatch ordered articles order data is transferred from a customer to a supplier of the articles. A dispatch center of a common dispatch service is notified of the earliest possible outward delivery time for each supplier. This information is saved in a database at the dispatch service. The latest of the earliest possible arrival times of the articles at the dispatch center is determined, wherein each arrival time is calculated by adding the respective transport time to the earliest possible outward delivery time. The dispatch service notifies each supplier of the outward delivery time to be achieved, which is obtained from the latest of the earliest possible arrival times at the dispatch center minus the respective transport time from the supplier to the dispatch center. The suppliers send out the ordered articles to the dispatch center at the notified times, and the articles are forwarded together to the customer.

Abstract: A system and method are set out for automating the sorting and loading of parcels into a delivery vehicle. While being conveyed from a customer, parcels to be delivered are scanned and information obtained therefrom. The information may be the parcel either or both the identification code and delivery address. The obtaining may be performed by a bar code reader, hand held or overhead, as well as a videocoding device. The parcel information is matched to a sort code, a unique code for a unique delivery address. A list of matched identification and sort codes and delivery addresses and sort codes is then saved for later search, sort, and retrieval. The parcels are then loaded in sequence into mobile racks, which when full, is loaded onto the delivery vehicle. A sequence list of the order in which the parcels were scanned is also saved for later search, sort, and retrieval. An end user enters a select list of addresses in search of possible hits from the saved lists.

Abstract: A freely positionable placement head (1) removes presented flip chips (6) from a wafer (5), the connection side of said chips being directed upward. The placement head has a turning device (9), in which, by the time they are placed onto a substrate (8) to be provided with placed components, the flip chips are turned in such a way that they can be placed with their connection side onto the substrate. This makes it possible to dispense with a complex turning device assigned to the wafer (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ascertaining valid address codes for valid address data using an address dictionary which stores all the permissible address details with the associated address codes in searchable form for a particular territory. The address dictionary is automatically searched using the valid address data and all the coarsening stages respectively derived therefrom. The address codes contained in the dictionary entries found for each valid address, including all the associated coarsening stages, are output as a valid address code.

Abstract: A method for the damping of mechanical vibrations in the drive train of an internal combustion engine by detection of vibration excitations in the drive train, and adjustment of the ignition angle of the internal combustion engine in the event of the occurrence of a vibration excitation in the drive train, in order to damp the vibration in the drive train, the adjustment of the ignition angle taking place in a flexible way.

Abstract: Placement head and placement system for a placement apparatus for placing components in a placement plane, at least one placement head being provided with at least one gripper for picking up and/or putting down the components. The gripper is fitted in an edge region of the placement head, with the result that, in the case of a projection of the placement head onto the placement plane, the image of the gripper situated in the placement position essentially does not project from the image of the placement head. According to the invention, simultaneous independent placement using a plurality of placement heads is possible without the risk of a collision of the placement heads.

Abstract: Device for severing at least one optical fiber When severing optical fibers (1) with conventional severing devices, after the severing operation the severed fibers (1) are distributed in a disorderly manner on the second fixing element (26), with the result that they can only be removed with difficulty and laboriously. Using a bonding device (20, 21) in the form of a rocker (21) with an adhesive strip (20), the fiber ends are adhesively bonded on during the severing operation, with the result that they remain in an orderly manner on the adhesive strip after the severing operation. The rocker (21) is in this case mounted such that it can pivot between an inserting position and a severing position, in order to facilitate the insertion of the fibers (1).

Abstract: Component receptacle device (1) of an automatic placement machine for printed circuit boards (2), having at least one suction pipette (5) which serves for receiving a component (8) and interacts with an optical sensor means, wherein the optical sensor means is arranged laterally beside the suction pipette (5) in such a way that the actual position of the suction pipette (5) can be detected by way of the longitudinal profile parameters thereof, evaluation means connected downstream providing information about deviations with respect to a defined desired position of the suction pipette (5) as well as configuration information.

Abstract: The rotary positioning of a suction pipette (5) serving for receiving a component (8) takes place with the aid of an incremental encoder arrangement essentially comprising a stationary read head and a rotatable segmental disk (9) which has an incremental track (10) for measuring a traversed angle of rotation for the fine positioning and also one of two full tracks (12a, 12b) arranged in opposite quadrants (11a, 11c) of the segmental disk (9) and serving for rapid movement into an initial position of the suction pipette (5) for receiving a component (8). According to the invention, to supplement the full tracks (12a, 12b) the segmental disk (9) is in this case provided with an additional marking (13a; 13b′, 13b″; 13c) in order to ensure, by means of the incremental encoder arrangement, a reproducible angular orientation of the suction pipette (5) with respect to the initial position. (in this respect, FIG.