Abstract: A method for pre-tensioning a chain conveyor, the method relating to a chain strand which is deflected by at least one chain wheel, wherein at least one measurement module is integrated in the chain strand and transmits data wirelessly to a communication device arranged outside the chain strand. The pre-tensioning force is adjusted according to the data collected and transmitted wirelessly by the measurement module.

Abstract: A judgment process of judging whether or not the movable linear module is located in the facing range is performed before the slider transfer operation of moving the slider from the fixed linear module to the movable linear module located in the facing range is performed. As a result, unless the movable linear module is judged to be located in the facing range, the slider transfer operation is performed after a preparation operation of moving the movable linear module into the facing range is performed. Therefore, the slider can be properly moved from the fixed linear module to the movable linear module.

Abstract: A turnout for use with two transport sections includes a turnout arm rotatably supported with respect to a first axis of rotation, guided linearly movably in the direction of the first axis, and movable between two end positions. The turnout arm has a deflection surface configured such that, when the turnout arm is in a first end position, a transported item can be transferred between the first and second transport sections via the deflection surface, and the turnout arm is located beneath the transport level in a second end position such that the transported item is movable along the first transport section beyond the turnout. The turnout arm is connected for driving, via a transmission, to a single electric motor such that it is movable back and forth between the first and second end positions solely by being driven by the electric motor in two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A buffer conveyor comprises a drivable endless conveyor belt which successively follows a transport path from an input station to an output station and a return path. A frame includes two parallel transport path frame legs and a U-shaped transport path bridge. The transport path bridge includes a curved bridge portion and parallel bridge legs extending therefrom. Each transport path frame leg is provided with a transport path frame guide for a lateral contact side of the belt in outward direction as seen from the other frame leg. The transport path bridge is shaped such that along the curved bridge portion and respective twisted regions of the bridge legs adjacent to the curved bridge portion the belt has a transverse down-slope towards the inside of the U-shape and such that the lateral contact side (of the belt at said twisted regions is above the respective transport path frame guides.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor having a self-stacking conveyor belt positively driven on a helical path up or down a drive drum. Stacker supports at opposite sides of the belt support the tiers above. Locking structure on the outer stacker supports interlock consecutive tiers. Drive members on the drive drum have a belt entrance segment and a positive-drive segment. The positive-drive segment has ridges that engage the inner side of the belt without slip. The entrance segment provides a smooth reduction in drum diameter without drive ridges to multiple belt tiers entering the helical path.

Abstract: A method for format adaptation of carriages for the transportation of bottles on a linear motor system and a corresponding linear motor system are described. According thereto, container guides provided on the carriages are adapted to the body cross-section of the bottles by adjusting a guide width in an automated manner between guide jaws of the container guides which in relation to the direction of travel are the leading and trailing ones. There is then no need to replace component parts at the container guides, and the production in filling systems is optimised in terms of staff requirements, resultant production stoppages, and error sources.

Abstract: A conveying method includes first and second pads conveying workpieces with speeds of the first and second pads being varied; circumferential velocities of the first pads and the second pads are accelerated by variable speed mechanisms; the first and second pads move and separate in a state in which a distance between the first pad and the second pad, whose speeds were increased, is increased; the circumferential velocities of the first pads and the second pads are decelerated by the variable speed mechanisms; and a first slider and a second slider, which were subjected to deceleration, overlap each other in a part in a circumferential direction, which causes the first pad and the second pad to approach each other, and the first pad and the second pad move and approach each other in this state in which the first pad and the second pad have approached each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and stacking slab-shaped elements has an inlet line; plural suction gripping units; a sorting carousel rotatable around an axis and including multiple carousel arms mutually solidly constrained and each bearing a respective one of the plurality suction gripping units; a plurality of seats for receiving the slab-shaped elements, forming stacks thereof; and a support crown solidly constrained to a frame. The carousel axis and an axis of the support crown coincide with one another. Each carousel arm is supported by the support crown at or in proximity of a respective free end. A first slab-shaped element from the inlet line can be gripped by a first one of the suction gripping units, rotated by a first one of the carousel arms which bears the first suction gripping unit, and released by the first suction gripping unit on a first of the seats.

Abstract: Provided is a transport robot and a substrate treating apparatus including the transport robot. The substrate treating apparatus includes a transport chamber having a long shape on one side, and for providing a moving space of a substrate, a load lock chamber connected to the transport chamber to provide an exchange space between the transport chamber and a substrate before a process or a substrate after a process, a process unit connected to the transport chamber to perform a process for a substrate transferred from the transport chamber, a track provided in the transport chamber to provide a moving path of a substrate, and a transport robot capable of moving along the track in a non-contact manner, and entering or exiting the load lock chamber to perform a substrate exchange between the load lock chamber and the transport chamber.

Abstract: A dynamic routing method and apparatus for an Overhead Hoist Transport (OHT) system are disclosed. The present disclosure in some embodiments provides a dynamic routing method for an OHT system, including generating a Q table of records of at least one Q value which is a time for a vehicle to move through an edge between two adjacent nodes to a node other than the two adjacent nodes, measuring a transit time of the vehicle when assigned a destination node and passing a transit edge between a current node and next node, extracting target edges to be updated according to the transit time from a plurality of edges, and differentially updating Q values for the target edges according to distances to the transit edge partially based on the transit time, the Q values for the target edges being time values for the vehicle to move through the target edges to the destination node.

Abstract: The transfer operation of moving the slider between one fixed linear module and the movable linear module while locating the movable linear module in the facing range facing toward the one fixed linear module, out of the plurality of linear modules arranged in parallel, is performed. At this time, a judgement process of judging whether or not the coordinate axis of the one fixed linear module and the coordinate axis of the movable linear module are continuous is performed. If it is judged that the coordinate axes are not continuous, the transfer operation is performed while the speed control is executed for the slider. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the transfer operation of moving the slider between the movable linear modules cannot be performed due to the discontinuity of the coordinate axes respectively set for the movable linear modules.

Abstract: A grain spreading device for evenly distribute grain as it is poured into a storage bin. The grain spreading device generally includes a flow-control ring (e.g., an evenflow ring) adapted to be positioned below a grain bin opening, the flow-control ring comprising an upper opening and a bottom, and a cone movably suspended below the flow-control ring by a plurality of springs to create a variable opening between the cone and the bottom of the flow-control ring, the plurality of springs creating a restoring force, wherein the variable opening increases in size when a weight of grain on the cone moves the cone away from the bottom of the flow-control ring against the restoring force of the plurality of springs.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a quick fastener that connects a profiled element to a machine frame's base support and that supports a sliding strip on which a conveying element slides as it circulates around deflection elements to form a loop and conveys goods along a transport direction.

Abstract: A caster wheel alignment system for selectively re-orienting improperly oriented caster wheels for transport vehicles of a conveyor system, such as a circular sorter. The alignment system includes a main support frame couplable with the conveyor at a drive track of the conveyor. The system includes a horizontal cam for adjusting an orientation of the caster wheel from a leading orientation to a trailing orientation. In some forms, the alignment system may include a bypass system, such as a float frame, supporting the horizontal cam, and a vertical cam. The vertical cam provided to temporarily move the float frame and horizontal cam away from the transport vehicle and/or drive track to permit the vehicle to move through the alignment system. The vertical and horizontal cams coordinate to intercept and correct improperly oriented wheels without significantly impeding the movement of the transport vehicle along the drive track.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor has a conveyor belt and at least one cleat disposed on an outer surface of the belt and configured to receive and move an object along the conveyor frame. The system may also include a portable base having a base frame and at least one wheel secured to the base frame. The conveyor may also be pivotably coupled to the portable base.

Abstract: A container screening device (200) including: a star wheel (60) arranged on or above a conveyance surface (201) on which inspection objects (101) are conveyed and having an outer periphery formed with plural housing portions (110) configured to house the inspection objects (101); a rotation shaft (220) arranged under the conveyance surface (201) and configured to rotate with the star wheel (60); a bearing portion (230) rotatably supporting the rotation shaft (220); air holes (60a, 60b, 220a, 220b) extending through interiors of the star wheel (60) and the rotation shaft (220) and communicating with the rotation shaft (220) and the housing portions (110); and an air coupling (240) fixed to a periphery of the rotation shaft (220) and configured to generate suction force in the air holes (60a, 60b, 220a, 220b) to suck the inspection objects (101) to the housing portions (110).

Abstract: A method includes conveying baggage through a baggage claim system, receiving a code from a first passenger in a queue, and scanning codes on the baggage in the baggage claim system for a baggage item that matches with the code received from the first passenger. The method includes detecting the bagging item that matches with the code received from the first passenger and diverting the baggage item from the baggage conveyed through the baggage claim system for retrieval by the first passenger. This can be performed without the first passenger touching any of the baggage in the baggage claim system other than the baggage item that matches with the code received from the passenger, and without any other passengers touching the baggage item.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading substrates in an inspection station is disclosed herein. In one embodiment a loading module is disclosed that includes a loading station for two or more substrate cassettes, a first lane comprising a first conveyor that is substantially aligned with one of the two or more substrate cassettes and a conveyor system, a second lane comprising a second conveyor that is substantially aligned with another of the two or more substrate cassettes and positioned in a spaced-apart relation relative to the first lane, and a lateral transfer module positioned between the first lane and the second lane that is adapted to move substrates from the second lane to the first lane.

Abstract: A handling system in a machine for processing containers, including a plurality of support plates circulating in a closed circuit, each support plate including one or more housings, each housing being able to hold a container, a first portion, in which the support plates circulate in a horizontal position along a first axial direction, a second portion, known as the return portion, with a second moving member configured to move the support plates in an opposite second axial direction X1B, the support plates circulating in the second portion in a vertical return orientation, the handling system including a holding pallet to selectively either unload the support plates from the second portion onto the holding pallet or for loading the support plates from the holding pallet into the second portion.

Abstract: A split drive sprocket assembly includes: a first sprocket portion and a second sprocket portion configured to be joined along an opposing mating surface to form a cylindrical sprocket body; a series of teeth extending radially from a circumferential end of the first sprocket portion and the second sprocket portion; a first shoulder connected to the first sprocket portion and extending radially so as to extend from an axial further than the teeth extends from the axial and spaced axially apart from the teeth; a second shoulder connected to the second sprocket portion and extending radially so as to extend from the axial further than the teeth extends from the axial and spaced axially apart from the teeth. The first sprocket portion and the second sprocket portion are configured to engage a belt with the teeth and the first and second shoulder are configured to overlap with the belt while the teeth are engaged with the belt.