Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A tab (22) at the edge of a panel (10) may be advantageously sheared by transporting the panel into an in-line shear (30). As the panel is transported into the shear, an adjustable rail (52) engages the tab (22) to guide the panel to maintain its orientation. The rail (52) is adjusted after the tab (22) has been sheared to now engage the panel (10) along its edge formed by the removal of the tab. In this way, the rail (52) can guide the panel upon transport from the shear.