Abstract: A method for loading a medicine transport plate with one or more medicine items using a docking station includes the steps of moving a preparation release mechanism of a docking station into a preparation holding state; inserting the one or more medicine items into one or more preparation compartments in the docking station; loading the medicine transport plate into the docking station; and moving the preparation release mechanism from the preparation holding state into a preparation release state to release the one or more medicine items from the preparation compartments.

Abstract: A filling station for filling a feeder unit with discrete medicaments includes a base and a holder that is positionable in one or more inclined orientations relative to said base for holding the feeder unit in said one or more inclined orientations. A method for filling a feeder unit with discrete medicaments includes the step of filling the feeder unit with the discrete medicaments when the feeder unit is held by the holder in one of the one or more inclined orientations.

Abstract: A Method for loading a medicine transport plate with one or more medicine items using a docking station includes the steps of a) moving a preparation release mechanism of a docking station into a preparation holding state; b) inserting the one or more medicine items into one or more preparation compartments of a plurality of preparation compartments in the docking station; c) loading the medicine transport plate into the docking station; and d) moving the preparation release mechanism from the preparation holding state into a preparation release state to release the one or more medicine items from the preparation compartments.

Abstract: A gripper assembly has a gripper having a gripping element with a gripping face to engage and retain a tire component through suction. The gripping face has a plurality of sections; each section has a vacuum channel and a valve placed between the vacuum channel of the respective section and a vacuum source. Each valve is individually operable to an open position and a closed position, wherein the gripping face in use has a suction area formed by the sections of which the respective valves are in the open position, wherein the suction area is adjustable by selectively operating the plurality of valves to open positions and closed positions wherein the gripper assembly further has a configuration tool which is arranged to control the respective valves to their open and closed positions.

Abstract: A gripper assembly has a gripper having a gripping element with a gripping face to engage and retain a tire component through suction. The gripping face has a plurality of sections; each section has a vacuum channel and a valve placed between the vacuum channel of the respective section and a vacuum source. Each valve is individually operable to an open position and a closed position, wherein the gripping face in use has a suction area formed by the sections of which the respective valves are in the open position, wherein the suction area is adjustable by selectively operating the plurality of valves to open positions and closed positions wherein the gripper assembly further has a configuration tool which is arranged to control the respective valves to their open and closed positions.