Abstract: A transporting system and method for a linear motor conveyor system, wherein the conveyor system includes at least one moving element and at least one track on which the moving element moves, the transporting system including: a rotatable element; a motor for rotating the rotatable element; a coupler connected to the rotatable element, wherein the coupler is configured to engage with the moving element when the coupler is positioned in a predetermined relationship with the moving element; and a controller configured to: operatively connect with the linear motor conveyor system; and control at least one of the moving element and the rotatable element so that the coupler is positioned in the predetermined relationship with the moving element on the track such that the coupler strips the moving element off the track.

Abstract: In order to at least temporarily increase the throughput of transported objects in a transport device in the form of a planar motor, without negatively influencing the movement of the transport units, at least one engagement portion is provided on each of the at least two transport units, it being possible for the at least two transport units to be moved in succession in the transport plane in a direction of movement into an engagement position in which the engagement portions of the transport units are at least partially engaged. The engagement portions are designed to overlap with one another in the engagement position at least in the direction of movement such that a total extent of the transport units in the direction of movement is smaller than a sum of the individual transport-unit extents of the transport in the direction of movement.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a process belt includes a woven rectangular planar structure with opposed longitudinal ends that are joined together to form an endless belt. The exemplary woven planar structure includes metal and glass warp fibers that extend in the longitudinal direction, and metal and/or glass weft fibers which extend transversely of the warp fibers. The diameter of the glass warp fibers is substantially greater than the diameter of the metal warp fibers which causes the outer surfaces of the glass fibers to extend outwardly of the metal warp fibers on the outer surface. This configuration causes items engaged with the outer surface to be operatively engaged with only the glass warp fibers. In exemplary arrangements a coating comprised of fluoropolymer extends on the fiber surfaces which comprise the entire outer surface of the planar structure and the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for uniformly arranging solar cell elements that includes: a transport device for moving at least one solar cell element at a first speed; a transfer device that includes at least one gripping unit configured to grip the at least one solar cell element; and an actuator configured to move the transfer device at a second speed that is higher than the first speed.

Abstract: A tolerance adjuster and wear device, e.g. spring clip, is provided for automatically adjusting the tolerance or clearance between a pusher shoe surface and an adjacent surface of a linear slat of a positive displacement sorter. The spring clip includes an engagement portion to couple the clip to a pusher shoe and a wear portion to automatically bias or adjust a tolerance between the pusher shoe and a corresponding slat. The engagement portion includes a retainer, in the form of a pair of opposing elastic grips or teach that are insertable through a receiver in a surface of the shoe. The wear portion includes a wear surface and spring element, such as a spring arm or convex dome. The spring element is elastic to provide a consistent and automatic bias against the slat surface. Preferably, the spring clip is extruded from a resilient, wear-resistant self-lubricating polymer.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers includes a first track including a first plurality of lugs, each lug having a respective gripper coupled thereto configured to drive containers along the first track and a second track configured to move a second plurality of lugs wherein each of the lugs is coupled to a respective gripper configured to receive containers from the first track, and move the containers along the second track wherein the grippers of the second track contact the container while the gripper of the first track contacts the container.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer apparatus includes: a magnetomotive force source providing magnetic flux, a first magnetic flux distribution circuit connected to one end of the magnetomotive force source, having a single input terminal and a plurality of output terminals, and distributing the magnetic flux, and a second magnetic flux distribution circuit connected to the other end of the magnetomotive force source, having a single output terminal and a plurality of input terminals, and collecting the distributed magnetic flux. The output terminals of the first magnetic flux distribution circuit are disposed to be adjacent to each other to form a pair with the input terminals of the second magnetic flux distribution circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a centering cone for fixing a container, in particular a container standing on a centering plate, and for supplying clean air into the container through an air outlet of the centering cone so as to increase the internal pressure of the container. The air outlet is defined by a passage opening with a screen or by at least two individual passage openings.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automated lateral transfer and elevation of sortation shuttles. An example system may include a track having a first portion arranged in a first direction, a shuttle configured to move along the track, and a shuttle carriage system configured to move in a second direction transverse to the first direction, where the shuttle is configured to move from the track to the shuttle carriage system. The shuttle carriage system may include a first frame configured to support the shuttle, a first electromagnet configured to propel the first frame, and a second electromagnet coupled to the first frame, the second electromagnet configured to propel the shuttle off the first frame.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating containers includes a handling device for the containers wherein the handling devices has a movable carrier with which the containers can be moved on a transport path, and wherein the handling devices is assigned at least one handling station, wherein the transport speed of the handling device can be controlled in such a way that the transport speed of the handling device can be synchronised with the transport speed of the transport device and/or a further transport device during transfer and/or discharge of the containers and the transport speed of the handling device can be reduced after the transfer of the containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the path. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

Abstract: A linear motor system, which is in particular a transport system and, for example, a multi-carrier system, includes a guide track having a plurality of electromagnets arranged distributed along the guide track; and at least one carrier that is guided by and movable along the guide track and that has a drive magnet for cooperating with the electromagnets to move the carrier. The linear motor system furthermore has at least one coupling element and at least one securing structure that extends along the guide track and that is held by the coupling element. The coupling element couples the securing structure to the carrier.

Abstract: A control system includes: a sway detection unit configured to detect a reference swaying amount that is a swaying amount of a mast at a detection height, which is set to be greater than or equal to a height of a lowermost part of a transfer apparatus when a lift is located at an upper limit of a lifting range; a lifting height acquiring unit configured to acquire lifting height information that indicates a lifting height, which is a height of the lift, at a plurality of points in time; and a transfer control unit configured to control the transfer apparatus. The transfer control unit converts the reference swaying amount detected by the sway detection unit into a lifting height swaying amount that is a swaying amount of the mast at the lifting height indicated by the lifting height information.

Abstract: A device for conveying products within an industrial line, comprising a conveyor transporting a stream of products along at least one line. The device comprises at least one main zone delimited by primary beacons and covering a segment of the stream; and above the conveyor, at least one member for detecting the primary beacons and for counting the number of products at least inside the main zone. Also a method for conveying products, in which a stream of products is transported along at least one line and, by means of primary beacons at least one main zone is delimited, covering a segment of the stream; the primary beacons are detected and the number of products in the main zone is counted.

Abstract: A pitless and modular belt-type accelerating moving walkway transit system including at least three substantially identical walkway modules that are leveled and positioned atop a surface such as the ground, floor, road or deck. Each module has an endless belt moving at a different or the same speed wherein the at least three walkway modules are positioned linearly adjacent. Each module having one or more electric motors operably connected to an electrical source and handrails on opposing sides that move in synchrony with the endless belt of the same module.

Abstract: A printing system for printing substrates, in particular circuit boards, such as wafer and solar cells, has a printing device, with a printing table on which the substrate can be positioned and a print head associated with the printing table for printing the substrates positioned on the printing table, has a feed device for feeding the substrates to be printed to the printing device, a discharge device for discharging the printed substrates from the printing device, and a plurality of substrate supports on which each of the plurality of substrates can be supported. The feed device, printing device and discharge device convey the substrate supports with the substrates located thereon. The feed device collects plurality of substrate supports and feeds them to the printing device. The printing device prints the substrates on the collected substrate supports, and the discharge device separates and discharges these collected substrate supports.

Abstract: A moving walkway transit system having a moving walkway and a beltway control system for monitoring and controlling various operational aspects of the moving walkway. A method of using the beltway control system to operate and monitor the moving walkway.

Abstract: A system and method for parts handling including: a plurality of parts arranged in a first configuration; a linear motor conveyor including a linear motor track and a plurality of moving elements; a pick and place device configured to move at least a subset of the parts from the first configuration to the linear motor conveyor system; and a control system configured to: determine locations of the parts within the first configuration; control the linear motor conveyor to move the moving elements to positions related to the locations of the parts within the first configuration; control the pick and place device to move the parts generally simultaneously to the corresponding moving elements; and after receiving the parts, move the moving elements such that the parts are in a second configuration that is different from the first configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for passive braking systems for container shuttles. An example system may include a track having a first portion and a ramp portion disposed at an angle, a first electromagnet disposed along the first portion, a shuttle with a permanent magnet that is configured to interact with the first electromagnet to propel the shuttle along the track, and a first metal block disposed along the ramp portion. The shuttle may enter the ramp portion at a first speed and exit the ramp portion at a second speed due to an eddy current induced in the first metal block by the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A selectably configurable modular labware transport system including a labware bulk overhead transport system module forming an overhead transport path. The labware bulk overhead transport system module has a labware support, with at least a movable part of the labware support being configured to support labware thereon, and move longitudinally defining the overhead transport path. The labware support has more than one labware holding stations for holding a labware piece, each of the labware holding stations having a different location along the labware support and overhead transport path. The labware bulk overhead transport system module is communicably couplable to another labware bulk overhead transport system module that forms another different overhead transport path, and effects undisrupted transport of the labware throughout the overhead transport path with the labware bulk overhead transport system module both coupled to and uncoupled from the other labware bulk overhead transport system module.