Abstract: An automated conveyor carrier includes a first trolley and a second trolley. The first trolley includes an on-board motor and at least one drive wheel driven from the on-board motor and configured for engagement with a conveyor rail. An on-board power source is configured to selectively power the on-board motor to drive the at least one drive wheel. The second trolley includes at least one wheel configured for engagement with the rail. A load bar connects the first trolley and the second trolley. The on-board power source is supported by the load bar between the first and second trolleys.

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.

Abstract: A method of operating a conveyor system having a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path and a plurality of automated conveyor carriers (ACC). The ACCs are supported on the rail such that an interface is formed between the rail and at least one wheel of each of the ACCs. The ACCs are independently driven along the conveyor path through a plurality of work stations defining a forward direction by an on-board motor and an on-board power source selectively powering the on-board motor. A first ACC of the plurality drives itself to oscillate back and forth with respect to the forward direction at a selected one of the plurality of work stations. During the oscillating of the first ACC, a second ACC of the plurality of ACCs is stopped or moves only in a single direction.

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.

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: A coating system includes a plurality of liquid immersion workstations positioned along an arcuate path, the plurality of liquid immersion workstations defining a single complete coating process for a sequence of objects. A plurality of curing workstations are configured to independently receive objects of the sequence of objects exiting the plurality of liquid immersion workstations. An articulated robotic arm has a base positioned inside the arcuate path in top plan view such that the robotic arm is operable to carry each object of the sequence of objects through each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations and to exactly one of the plurality of curing workstations. An articulated robotic hand is provided at a distal end of the robotic arm and configured to grasp and hold each of the objects and to oscillate the object while submerged in each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations.

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 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: A coating system includes a plurality of liquid immersion workstations positioned along an arcuate path, the plurality of liquid immersion workstations defining a single complete coating process for a sequence of objects. A plurality of curing workstations are configured to independently receive objects of the sequence of objects exiting the plurality of liquid immersion workstations. An articulated robotic arm has a base positioned inside the arcuate path in top plan view such that the robotic arm is operable to carry each object of the sequence of objects through each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations and to exactly one of the plurality of curing workstations. An articulated robotic hand is provided at a distal end of the robotic arm and configured to grasp and hold each of the objects and to oscillate the object while submerged in each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations.

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 and electrical power source selectively powering the motor to drive the carrier along the rail. Each of the plurality of ACCs operates to power the on-board motor from the on-board electrical power source under the direction of instructions programmed to a local controller on the respective ACC. Wherein each of the local controllers of the respective ACCs is programmed to carry out independent power level management for its own on-board electrical power source and configured to selectively operate an adaptive low power indicator to communicate a low power status based only in part on the power level of the on-board electrical power source and further based on one or more parameters of a current work cycle.

Abstract: A method of operating a conveyor system includes providing a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path, the rail supporting first and second consecutive automated conveyor carriers (ACC), each of which includes a motor-powered self-driving trolley. First and second loads are suspended from the first and second ACCs. The first and second ACCs are driven independently along the rail by executing instructions from independent on-board controllers of the first and second ACCs, wherein a first spacing between the first and second ACCs is maintained through a first section of the rail. The first ACC is accelerated away from the second ACC to increase the spacing from the first spacing to a second spacing for navigating a second section of the rail, the second section being a curved section.

Abstract: A conveyorized industrial system includes at least one work station including a heated oven chamber. A fixed, non-powered rail defines a conveyor path including an oven zone in which the rail extends through or over the heated oven chamber. An automated conveyor carrier (ACC) is suspended from the rail by a self-driving trolley having an on-board motor for driving the ACC along the rail, and by at least one additional free-rolling trolley. The ACC further comprises an enclosure containing one or both of an inverter and a battery, the enclosure having a wall defining an interior space of the enclosure. A heat protection system is provided in addition to the wall, the heat protection system operating to limit an internal temperature of the enclosure during transport along the oven zone.

Abstract: A method of constructing a conveyor system includes decommissioning an existing conveyor system by removing electrification or a powered chain from a conveyor rail. Carriers of the existing conveyor system are removed from the rail. An automated conveyor carrier (ACC) is installed onto the rail so that a drive wheel of a self-driving trolley of the ACC is put into contact with the rail. A battery is installed on the ACC. Electrical connection is established from the battery to the self-driving trolley.

Abstract: A method of operating a conveyor system includes providing a fixed, non-powered first rail supporting first and second trolleys of a first carrier, at least one of which is self-driving. The first and second trolley are conveyed in line along the first rail with a load bar therebetween. The first carrier defines a length measured along the first rail and a width measured transverse. The first carrier is conveyed to a branch point where a second rail branches from the first rail. The second trolley is conveyed along the second the rail to turn the first carrier so that it is conveyed with the load bar traversing between the first and second rails. The width is substantially less than the length such that the turning of the first carrier reduces an occupancy of the first carrier along the first rail.

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: An e-coat line includes a frame supporting a process track configured to extend along a process direction, a workpiece rack moveably supported on the frame, and a plurality of electrodes supported on an electrode rack. The rack includes support members configured to hold a plurality of hollow workpieces in a predetermined arrangement, and the workpiece rack is moveable relative to the frame between a raised position and a lowered position. The plurality of electrodes are supported on the electrode rack in a predetermined arrangement complementary to the predetermined arrangement of the plurality of hollow workpieces on the support members.

Abstract: A coating system includes a plurality of liquid immersion workstations positioned along an arcuate path, the plurality of liquid immersion workstations defining a single complete coating process for a sequence of objects. A plurality of curing workstations are configured to independently receive objects of the sequence of objects exiting the plurality of liquid immersion workstations. An articulated robotic arm has a base positioned inside the arcuate path in top plan view such that the robotic arm is operable to carry each object of the sequence of objects through each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations and to exactly one of the plurality of curing workstations. An articulated robotic hand is provided at a distal end of the robotic arm and configured to grasp and hold each of the objects and to oscillate the object while submerged in each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations.

Abstract: A bulk finishing system including a plurality of liquid immersion workstations defining a finishing process for a plurality of metal work pieces processed therethrough. Each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations includes a tank, and the plurality of metal work pieces are conveyed through a group of one or more of the respective tanks of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations by non-contact magnetic conveyance provided by an inclined downstream tank end wall forming a work piece exit slide, with a magnetic conveyor extending along an exterior side of the inclined downstream tank end wall. The plurality of work pieces are introduced loosely in bulk to each one of the group of tanks of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations.

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 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.