Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a three-dimensional grid and a plurality of container handling vehicles. The three-dimensional grid includes multiple storage columns, in which containers may be stored on top of one another in vertical stacks. Each container handling vehicle includes a container lifting device having a lifting frame for releasably connecting to a container. Each container handling vehicle is operated on rails at a top level of the grid for retrieving containers from, and storing containers in, the storage columns, and for transporting the containers horizontally across the grid. The automated storage system includes multiple floor elements. Each floor element arrangeable at a top end of a storage column on top of a vertical stack of containers, such that an operator may stand on top of the storage column. Each of the floor elements includes rail-connecting elements at a horizontal periphery thereof.

Abstract: A workstation for a material handling system is provided. The system may include a plurality of vehicles for retrieving items from a plurality of storage locations located in one or more racks. The workstation is configured to accommodate the vehicles so that the vehicles drive into the workstation and drive upwardly along a track in the workstation. In one configuration, the track is configured to tilt the vehicle at a predetermined angle relative to the horizon as the vehicle is driven upwardly. After the vehicle is tilted to the predetermined angle the vehicle continues to drive upwardly while maintaining the predetermined angle.

Abstract: The present application relates to a substrate transfer device, comprising a horizontally arranged cross beam, and support beams longitudinally arranged at two ends of the cross beam, wherein a substrate carrier is suspended on the cross beam, the substrate carrier is located between the two support beams, and the substrate carrier is parallel to a plane where the two support beams are located, the substrate carrier comprises two side walls oppositely arranged in a horizontal direction, and each of the support beams is provided with an auxiliary clamping structure for clamping the substrate carrier during transferring of the substrate carrier.

Abstract: A substrate storage apparatus includes a stage on which a cassette that has a lid detachably mounted to an opening is disposed, a lid attaching/detaching plate that performs attaching/detaching of the lid to/from the opening of the cassette disposed on the stage, and is provided to be movable between a mounting position in contact with the lid disposed at a position of the opening and a retracted position not in contact with the lid disposed at the position of the opening, a lid holding sensor that detects whether the lid is being held by the lid attaching/detaching plate, and a controller that determines presence/absence of abnormality related to attachment/detachment of the lid based on a detection result of the lid holding sensor.

Abstract: The front pillar disposed on the second side face of the cab is located behind the front pillar disposed on the first side face of the cab. The boom mounting bracket and the front pillar overlap each other in a side view.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to lock the remotely operated vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator, and wherein the locking device being arranged to unlock the remotely operated vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.

Abstract: A moving system and method of moving an item, for example a construction component. The moving system includes a first guide cable mounted between first and second mounting points, a first member arranged for movement along the first guide cable between a first position and a second position, the first member arranged for connection to an item to be craned into position, a second guide cable mounted between first and second mounting points, a second member arranged for movement along the second guide cable between a first position and a second position, the second member arranged for connection to the item to be craned into position, and a lifting support arranged for connection to a moving device and to provide support for the item during moving of the item.

Abstract: A workpiece conveying system for a transfer press machine includes: a beam provided to extend in a feed direction of a workpiece; and a plurality of workpiece conveying apparatus supported by the beam. The workpiece conveying apparatus each include: a feed device including a first carrier that is movable relative to the beam in the feed direction; a raising and lowering device including a second carrier that is movable relative to the first carrier in a raising and lowering direction; a clamp device including a third carrier that is movable relative to the second carrier in a clamp direction of the workpiece; and a workpiece holding tool, which is supported at a distal end of the third carrier, and is configured to hold and release the workpiece.

Abstract: A railway wagon for moving sleepers including: a base structure having a platform and at least one carriage, a first conveyor carried by the platform and configured to move the sleepers along a feed direction, a second conveyor distinct from the first conveyor and also carried by the platform. The second conveyor has: a first portion extended above the platform within a lateral size of the latter, and a second portion extending outside lateral size of the platform and configured to move the sleepers outside the platform.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis and a body assembly. The body assembly includes a series of panels configured to contain a volume of refuse therein and an ejector. The panels define a hopper volume and a storage volume. The ejector is configured to fully eject refuse from the storage volume. The ejector includes a wall at least partially defining an opening and a coupling pivotally and fixedly coupling a panel to the wall. The wall is movable within the storage volume. The panel is repositionable relative to the wall between a closed position and an open position. The panel extends at least partially across the opening when in the closed position and is angularly offset relative to the closed position when in the open position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for container transporters and related item manipulation devices. In one embodiment, an example item manipulation device may include a support platform, and a conveyance surface attached to the support platform and configured to convey a container at least a portion of a distance from a first side of the support platform to a second side of the support platform, where the conveyance surface defines at least a portion of a container passage through which a container can be conveyed. The item manipulation device may include a manipulator comprising a first arm disposed along a longitudinal axis of the item manipulation device and a second arm disposed along the longitudinal axis of the item manipulation device, where the manipulator is engageable with the container to move the container at least partially onto the conveyance surface.

Abstract: A distribution site and a distribution method are provided. The distribution site includes: a building having a storage space configured to store goods and a distribution interface area configured to park an unmanned ground distribution vehicle that is capable of performing goods distribution; and a goods sorting device arranged in the building and configured to load the goods in the storage space onto the unmanned ground distribution vehicle.

Abstract: Robotic systems are provided for flexibility in assembly operations. A robotic system includes a suction module having a front side with a face shaped to match a mating component and a rear side with a coupling for a suction line. Openings extend through the face. The suction module defines internal passages connecting the coupling with the at least one opening through the face. An end-effector has a base plate, a mounting plate selectively moveable relative to the base plate, and a clamp. The suction module is selectively mounted to the mounting plate and releasably secured by the clamp. An actuator is mounted to selectively move the mounting plate and the suction module relative to the base plate.

Abstract: A wafer carrier that exhibits a thin, low-profile includes a bottom support plate upon which a thinned semiconductor wafer may be positioned, with a holding ring disposed to surround the periphery of the wafer and engage with the bottom support plate to hold the wafer in a fixed position between the two components. The bottom support plate is formed to include a plurality of apertures for pulling a vacuum through the carrier, as well as features that engage with the holding ring and alignment fiducials for properly registering the orientation of the wafer's surface with respect to the wafer carrier and other testing equipment using the wafer carrier.

Abstract: There is provided an exhaust nozzle unit capable of discharging a gas atmosphere in a substrate storage container having a loading/unloading opening from the container to an outside of the container through a port formed on a bottom surface of the container. The exhausted nozzle includes a nozzle capable of switching the port from a closed state to an open state by pressing a valve of the port; and a housing configured to hold the nozzle so as to be movable up and down between a use posture in which the port is in the open state and a standby posture in which the port is in the closed state.

Abstract: A rack storage system with at least two multi-level longitudinally extending storage racks separated by an aisle, and at least two load lifting devices for storage units. Guide tracks run in at least some of the rack levels along the aisle for storage and retrieval vehicles that transport storage units between the storage racks and load lifting devices, with the guide tracks arranged to extend along the aisle and past the load lifting devices to enable access to the storage racks and each load lifting device. The load lifting devices are arranged in a row in a longitudinal direction of a storage rack either within the storage rack itself or in an extension of the longitudinal extension of a storage rack and a conveyor is connected to the intermediate load lifting device by circumventing at least one lifting device by using free space of an adjacent aisle.

Abstract: End-of-arm tools to be coupled to a robotic arm and configured to handle structural lumber objects are disclosed as are methods of use for such. The end-of-arm tools comprise opposing jaws to grip the lumber objects. The opposing jaws are coupled to a rigid frame via a four-bar linkage providing mechanical advantage and over-center functionality. An actuated extractor extends between the opposing jaws to engage the lumber object upon release. Assemblies of multiple end-of-arm tools coupled together are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container carrier system for carrying containers, especially blister packages, and a method of carrying containers. The system includes a body having a longitudinal channel having a central portion and two side portions, the central portion having a greater depth than a depth of channel portions on either side of the central portion. The body further includes roof portions that cover the two side portions. The channel is configured to allow movement of containers only in the longitudinal direction of the channel. The blister packages may carry unit doses of medication.

Abstract: A gripping mechanism includes a frame and two or more spheres. The frame houses the two or more spheres. At least two spheres of the two or more spheres grip an object. Preferably, the frame includes two or more side plates. The number of the two or more side plates is the same as the number of the two or more spheres. Each of the two or more side plates is inclined toward a center axis of the frame. Each of the two or more spheres is in contact with at least one side plate of the two or more side plates.

Abstract: A vehicle moving device for moving a vehicle from a first location to a second location includes a frame having a first end and a second end. A driving wheel is coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to contact a vehicle wheel at a first wheel location. A holding arm is coupled to the second end of the frame opposite the driving wheel and configured to contact the vehicle wheel at a second wheel location. The holding arm holds the vehicle wheel in contact with the driving wheel as the driving wheel rotates the vehicle wheel.