Abstract: A conveyor system including a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path, and a plurality of automated conveyor carriers supported on the rail. Each carrier includes an on-board motor, at least one wheel forming an interface with the rail, and an on-board power source selectively powering the on-board motor to drive the ACC along the rail. Each of the plurality of carriers operates to power the on-board motor from the on-board power source under the direction of instructions programmed to a local controller. Each of the local controllers is programmed with an algorithm for independent wear monitoring of the at least one wheel and further programmed to take at least one responsive action based on an identification of the at least one wheel being worn.

Abstract: An oven system includes an oven chamber defined by side walls and a top wall. The oven chamber includes a slot formed in the top wall. A conveyor rail extends longitudinally along the slot at a position outside of the oven chamber. A conveyor hanger is coupled to and movable along the conveyor rail to support a material within the oven chamber. A first support bracket and a second support bracket each extend longitudinally along a length of the top wall of the oven chamber. The second support bracket is spaced from the first support bracket to define the slot that extends longitudinally along the top wall of the oven chamber. A closure mechanism is coupled to the first and second support brackets to inhibit heat from releasing out of the oven chamber.

Abstract: An industrial oven includes an oven chamber configured to receive a plurality of work pieces. A heater box of the oven has a heating element therein operable to heat air for delivery to the oven chamber. A circulation system of the oven is operable to force hot air from the heater box into the oven chamber. The circulation system includes a delivery manifold extending from the heater box to the oven chamber. A duct has an inlet coupled with an outlet of the delivery manifold, and the duct has a plurality of hot air outlet apertures therein for expelling hot air into the oven chamber. The duct is constructed of fabric sheet and suspended within the oven chamber.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a coating process system including a continuous conveyor, a first end defining a loading station for loading work pieces to the conveyor, and a second end defining an unloading station for unloading work pieces from the conveyor. A series of workstations is configured to render coated work pieces and arranged at a first level to extend between the first and second ends. A cure oven is arranged at a second level above the first level, the conveyor making a plurality of runs between the first and second ends at different sub-levels within the second level. A first post-oven run of the conveyor extends from an outlet of the cure oven to the unloading station. A second post-oven run of the conveyor extends from the unloading station to the loading station.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path. An automated conveyor carrier (ACC) is supported by the rail and drivable along the rail by an on-board motor in a self-driving trolley of the ACC, the motor powering a drive wheel. The rail defines a first section and a second section separate from the first section. The conveyor system is adapted to provide a first amount of traction for the ACC on the rail in the first section and a second amount of traction, greater than the first amount of traction, in the second section.

Abstract: A finishing system includes a workpiece carrier configured to hold a workpiece, and a plurality of work stations arranged in a row along an axis defining a process line, each of the plurality of work stations configured to receive the workpiece and treat the workpiece. A hoist runway, including fixed and movable rail sections, extends along the plurality of work stations of the process line. A hoist is movable along the hoist runway to traverse the plurality of work stations, the hoist coupled to the workpiece carrier to raise and lower the workpiece carrier and to move the workpiece carrier along the process line. A side transfer mechanism moves the movable rail section, with the hoist situated thereon, in a direction transverse to the axis so that the hoist is movable out of the process line.

Abstract: An adjustable transfer mechanism for a power and free conveyor system includes a free track defining a conveyor path. A first power track defines a first drive path for a first drive member of the first power track to drive a trolley. The first power track is positioned to extend along the conveyor path up to a divergence point where the first power track diverges from the conveyor path. A second power track defines a second drive path for a second drive member of the second power track to drive the trolley. The second power track is positioned to extend along the conveyor path from a convergence point downstream of the divergence point so that the second drive member can pick up the trolley dropped off by the first power track. At least one of the divergence and convergence points is adjustable along the conveyor path.

Abstract: A bracket for supporting an electrical device on a cable tray. A receiving area includes an aperture for fastening the electrical device. A plurality of retainers flanks the receiving area. The retainers are planar-formed of an integral, uniform-thickness sheet with the receiving area. The retainers extend away from each other on opposite sides of the receiving area, each formed with a relief of locally thickness-reduced sheet material along a line to define at least one fold axis for conforming the retainer to a portion of the cable tray to retain the bracket with respect to the cable tray, with the plurality of retainers extending directly over top outer edges of the cable tray. One or more of the retainers are provided along a first edge of the bracket for engaging a first edge of the cable tray, the first edge devoid of any fasteners and devoid of any fastener apertures.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path and an automated conveyor carrier (ACC) supported on the rail to be movable along the conveyor path. The ACC includes an on-board motor and an on-board electrical power source selectively powering the on-board motor to drive the ACC along the rail. The ACC may include a wireless sleep mode module operable to selectively shut off power to an on-board ACC controller.

Abstract: A conveyor roller turn for establishing a curved path for a conveyor chain includes a frame supporting a rail defining a curved conveyor path, and a roller body supported rotatably on the frame along the curved conveyor path. The roller body has an outside surface positioned to provide horizontal support to the conveyor drive chain. At least one bearing supports the roller body on the frame, the at least one bearing including: a plurality of ceramic rolling elements, an inner race supporting the plurality of ceramic rolling elements on a radial inner side of the bearing, an outer race supporting the plurality of ceramic rolling elements on a radial outer side of the bearing, and tungsten disulfide dry film lubricant on the ceramic rolling elements.

Abstract: An industrial oven includes an oven chamber configured to receive a plurality of workpieces for drying or curing. A heater box of the oven has a heating element therein operable to heat air for delivery to the oven chamber. A circulation system of the oven is operable to force hot air from the heater box into the oven chamber. A VOC oxidation catalyst is provided in the circulation system.

Abstract: An augmented reality system includes a display device defining a display area, a database containing a three-dimensional model of a conveyor system, a communication link between the database and the display device, and a processor. The processor is operable to display the three-dimensional model of the conveyor system on the display area. The display allows a human user to see a real time combined view of the real physical environment, including a building and features thereof, and the three-dimensional model of the factory automation system within the building. A user interface has controls operable to effect one or both of: movement of the displayed conveyor system within the building, and measurement between features of the building and the displayed conveyor system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for coating interior surfaces of products with coating material. The systems and methods can include at least one plug to selectively close an opening of the product, wherein the plug is movable relative to the opening between a first position in which the plug is retracted from the opening and a second position in which the plug is engaged with the opening to seal the opening. When the plug is in the second position, a pump delivers coating material to the cavity of the product via a fluid line and a port in the plug. The coating material can fill the cavity, and an electrode can be energized to coat the interior surface of the product with an electrophoretic deposition process. Other coating processes can also be used in a similar manner.

Abstract: A bracket for supporting an electrical device on a cable tray. A receiving area includes an aperture for fastening the electrical device. A plurality of retainers flanks the receiving area. The retainers are planar-formed of an integral, uniform-thickness sheet with the receiving area. The retainers extend away from each other on opposite sides of the receiving area, each formed with a relief of locally thickness-reduced sheet material along a line to define at least one fold axis for conforming the retainer to a portion of the cable tray to retain the bracket with respect to the cable tray, with the plurality of retainers extending directly over top outer edges of the cable tray. One or more of the retainers are provided along a first edge of the bracket for engaging a first edge of the cable tray, the first edge devoid of any fasteners and devoid of any fastener apertures.

Abstract: An indexing conveyor system including a work station skipping device. The conveyor system has a rail situated above a plurality of same-length work stations along a path of conveyance. The work station skipping device is operable to engage a load and transfer the load from a first conveyor carriage to a second, further downstream carriage for advancing more than one work station length so that the load skips over a predetermined one of the plurality of work stations.

Abstract: A bracket for supporting an electrical device on a cable tray. A receiving area includes an aperture for fastening the electrical device. A plurality of retainers flanks the receiving area. The retainers are planar-formed of an integral, uniform-thickness sheet with the receiving area. The retainers extend away from each other on opposite sides of the receiving area, each formed with a relief of locally thickness-reduced sheet material along a line to define at least one fold axis for conforming the retainer to a portion of the cable tray to retain the bracket with respect to the cable tray, with the plurality of retainers extending directly over top outer edges of the cable tray. One or more of the retainers are provided along a first edge of the bracket for engaging a first edge of the cable tray, the first edge devoid of any fasteners and devoid of any fastener apertures.

Abstract: A waste liquid solidification system includes a chamber at least partially enclosing a volume, a liquid outlet positioned to spray a liquid into the volume, and a powder outlet adjacent the liquid outlet positioned to discharge a super-absorbent polymer powder into the volume. The liquid outlet and powder outlet are configured such that the liquid and the super-absorbent polymer powder undergo airborne mixing within the volume enclosed by the chamber to create a solid waste.

Abstract: A waste liquid solidification system includes a chamber at least partially enclosing a volume, a liquid outlet positioned to spray a liquid into the volume, and a powder outlet adjacent the liquid outlet positioned to discharge a super-absorbent polymer powder into the volume. The liquid outlet and powder outlet are configured such that the liquid and the super-absorbent polymer powder undergo airborne mixing within the volume enclosed by the chamber to create a solid waste.

Abstract: A method of operating a tilting carrier assembly includes operating a conveyor in a primary direction of travel and supporting a work piece from the conveyor by a pair of links. A pair of respective upper connection points of the links are laterally spaced transverse to the primary direction of travel and a pair of respective lower connection points of the links are also laterally spaced. The work piece is conveyed along the primary direction of travel relative to a work station, and the upper connection points are tilted so that a line therebetween forms a first angle relative to horizontal. In response, the lower connection points and the work piece are tilted to a second angle relative to horizontal, and the second angle is greater than the first angle.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of stations positioned along a direction of conveyance. Rails span the length of all stations and include at least first, second, and third rails configured for independent vertical movement. A plurality of objects is supported by and movable along the first, second, and third rails between the stations. Each of the plurality of objects has first, second, and third supports coupled to the respective first, second, and third rails so that all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a first set of parallel axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a first configuration of vertical heights, and all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a second set of parallel axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a second configuration of vertical heights.