Abstract: Along an annular conveyance path there are provided plural work stations 4a, 4b, 4c and a warehouse 6 for temporary storage of products. Between the work stations 4a, 4b, 4c and the conveyance path there are disposed station conveyors 10. Further, a buffer mechanism 12 comprising a parting conveyor 14 and a stock conveyor 16 is interposed between the warehouse 6 and the conveyance path 2. Products are conveyed between the work stations 4a, 4b, 4c and the warehouse 6 by means of a carrier 8 which moves on the conveyance path 2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pallet arranging system for use in a multiple-item small-lot production setup. The system uses a plurality of pallet groups each comprising a plurality of pallets, each of the pallets including a plurality of cartridges, each of the cartridges containing a large number of parts of the same type. The system creates channel setting data for use by a part assembler fed with parts and printed circuit boards. The parts are assembled by the part assembler onto predetermined positions on the printed circuit boards in accordance with the channel setting data that designate which cartridge is to be assigned to which of the channels constituting the pallet groups.

Abstract: A system for transporting products, including a circulating type transport unit; and an entry unit for products, a plurality of cells for processing the products, and a discharge unit for the processed products, disposed at predetermined locations, the entry unit including a first-in-first-out type first storage and random access type second storage, the second storage temporarily storing products which have to wait for processing by a cell due to that cell's being busy.