Abstract: A centering station may be used for correcting a position of a load carrier on a channel vehicle. A centering station may comprise a centering channel extending along a longitudinal direction, the centering channel comprising at least one running rail for the channel vehicle running in the longitudinal direction and at least two centering means extending substantially in the longitudinal direction above the at least one running rail. In embodiments, the centering channel may comprise an entrance which allows the channel vehicle to enter the centering channel, wherein a clear span between the centering means decreases in the longitudinal direction of the centering channel. In embodiments, a clear span is measured in the transverse direction, i.e., horizontally and orthogonally to the longitudinal direction, wherein the clear span between the centering means decreases in the vertical direction, i.e., vertically and orthogonally to the longitudinal direction towards the running rail.

Abstract: With a view to an inexpensive access to parts of a racking system using structurally simple means, a rack operating device for the racking system, in particular for a storage and retrieval system, is specified. The rack operating device has two masts extending in the vertical direction and a lifting unit movably arranged on the mast. The rack operating device is designed and developed such that the lifting unit carries two load-handling devices which can be moved in the horizontal direction in the lifting unit. A specified racking system is designed accordingly. A method for assembling the racking system is specified.

Abstract: A method for safe access to a hazard area in a racking system using simple means is provided, wherein the racking system has a rack storage unit with a storage rack and a rack operating device for operating the storage rack. The storage rack has one or more compartments for stored goods in one rack level or in several rack levels arranged one above the other. The rack operating device has a lifting unit that is movable in a vertical direction. The method comprises 1) requesting access to the hazard area, 2) interrupting any operation of the storage rack by the rack operating device, and 3) granting access to the hazard area. After requesting access to the hazard area, the lifting unit is moved in a vertical direction to a lowest height and/or to a preferred height and secured at the preferred height in the vertical direction.

Abstract: With a view to improving access to parts of a racking system using structurally simple means, a rack operating device for the racking system, in particular for a storage and retrieval system, is specified. The rack operating device has at least one mast extending in the vertical direction and a lifting unit movably arranged on the mast. The rack operating device is designed and developed wherein the mast is arranged directly on a rack upright of the rack system and/or is integrated into the rack upright. A specified racking system is designed accordingly. A method for assembling the racking system is specified.

Abstract: A drive device for a conveying carriage of a distributing conveyor, preferably, of a transverse-belt sorter, includes a drive source and a roller chain for transferring a drive force of the drive source to a drive means on which the conveying carriage can be attached. With regard to an improved service life of the roller chain and a simultaneous reduction of maintenance effort and the associated costs and system downtimes, the drive device includes a measuring and control unit for monitoring and influencing, as necessary, at least one operating state of the roller chain.

Abstract: A conveying carriage for a distributing conveyor, in particular a crossbelt sorter, which is configured to be conveyed along at least one guide element of the distributing conveyor in a conveying direction, includes a connecting arrangement for connecting the conveying carriage to a drive means of the distributing conveyor. With regard to a maximum freedom of movement of the conveying carriage relative to the drive means of the distributing conveyor, it is provided that the connecting arrangement has an articulated bearing.

Abstract: In a method for operating a shuttle system, shuttles may move automatically horizontally within rack levels in a normal operating mode, and can optionally change rack levels by means of a vertical conveyor. The vertical conveyor may convey the recovery vehicle into a transfer position in a recovery vehicle mode in order to allow the recovery vehicle to be used in an adjacent rack level.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for handling a load carrier that can be stored or removed from a rack structure. In an embodiment the method includes temporary storage of the load carrier in a buffer area, which may also serve as a transfer area to a vertical conveyor, or passing through the buffer area to transport the load carrier in a storage and retrieval area level to be moved in or out.

Abstract: A guide device for guided vertical movement of the gripper is designed such that (a) the guide device has at least one guide element which protrudes upward from the gripper, for guiding cooperation with the shaft or a storage column and/or with an upper closure element of a transport vehicle and/or gripper, and projects upward at least in the uppermost position of the gripper beyond an upper end of the transport vehicle or the closure element, or terminates flush with the upper end or the closure element, and/or (b) the guide device has at least one guide element which can be moved downwards from a lower end of the shaft or from at least one support of the shaft, for guiding cooperation with the gripper and/or the container.

Abstract: In a method for operating a shuttle system, at least one shuttle is intended to accept a load carrier, to be put into storage, from a transfer station, and to transfer a load carrier, to be removed from storage, to a transfer station.

Abstract: A transfer unit for the transfer of a load carrier from a first vehicle to a second vehicle and vice versa, or from a first vehicle to a conveyor and vice versa, is disclosed. The transfer unit includes a first entrance that allows the entry of a first vehicle, and the transfer unit opposite the first entrance includes either a second entrance, which permits the entry of a second vehicle, or is connected to the conveyor. The transfer unit may include at least one parking and receiving area for the load carrier, on which the first vehicle can park and receive the load carrier. A centering device for centering a load carrier may be arranged in the transfer unit, so that centering takes place when the load carrier is transferred from the second vehicle to the first vehicle or from the conveyor to the first vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a shuttle system by a control device are disclosed. The shuttle system comprises a rack with a driveway and a multi-deep storage channel with at least two storage locations. In embodiments, the shuttle system comprises at least two shuttles arranged to store, retrieve, or transfer conveyed goods; the shuttles receive orders from the control device. Once an active order for a conveyed good in a specific storage channel is present, the control device checks whether an open order for storing, retrieving, or transferring in this storage channel is present. If no open order is present, the control device places the active order. If an open order is present, the control device either assigns the active order only after the open order has been completed, or modifies the active order so that a storage channel is selected for which no open order is present.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor, which may be a cross-belt sorter, comprises a basic structure, a guide element arranged on the basic structure, and at least one conveying cart configured to be conveyed along the guide element of the sorting conveyor in a conveying direction. The sorting conveyor further includes a measuring device configured to monitor at least one operating state of the conveying cart and/or of the guide element.

Abstract: With a view to a quick and safe construction of an elevator using structurally simple and cost-effective means, a method for constructing an elevator in particular, a freight elevator—on a construction site, and preferably in a factory hall. The elevator is built from several components arranged one atop the other. The method includes providing a base for the elevator; positioning a lifting device on the base; raising an upper component of the elevator by way of the lifting device; positioning a lower component, which is to be arranged underneath the upper component, under the raised upper component; lowering the upper component onto the lower component by way of the lifting device; and removing the lifting device from the base. Further specified is an elevator constructed according to said method.

Abstract: A centering station may be used for correcting a position of a load carrier on a channel vehicle. A centering station may comprise a centering channel extending along a longitudinal direction, the centering channel comprising at least one running rail for the channel vehicle running in the longitudinal direction and at least two centering means extending substantially in the longitudinal direction above the at least one running rail. In embodiments, the centering channel may comprise an entrance which allows the channel vehicle to enter the centering channel, wherein a clear span between the centering means decreases in the longitudinal direction of the centering channel. In embodiments, a clear span is measured in the transverse direction, i.e., horizontally and orthogonally to the longitudinal direction, wherein the clear span between the centering means decreases in the vertical direction, i.e., vertically and orthogonally to the longitudinal direction towards the running rail.

Abstract: A drive device for a conveying carriage of a distributing conveyor, preferably, of a transverse-belt sorter, includes a drive source and a roller chain for transferring a drive force of the drive source to a drive means on which the conveying carriage can be attached. With regard to an improved service life of the roller chain and a simultaneous reduction of maintenance effort and the associated costs and system downtimes, the drive device includes a measuring and control unit for monitoring and influencing, as necessary, at least one operating state of the roller chain.

Abstract: A conveying carriage for a distributing conveyor, in particular a crossbelt sorter, which is configured to be conveyed along at least one guide element of the distributing conveyor in a conveying direction, includes a connecting arrangement for connecting the conveying carriage to a drive means of the distributing conveyor. With regard to a maximum freedom of movement of the conveying carriage relative to the drive means of the distributing conveyor, it is provided that the connecting arrangement has an articulated bearing.

Abstract: A pallet transport apparatus within a rack installation oriented orthogonally with a longitudinal x direction, a transverse z direction and a vertical y direction has a travel route in the x direction and in the z direction. In the apparatus, an x traveling mechanism/x wheel units and a z traveling mechanism/z wheel units are designed so as to be vertically moveable in the y direction mechanically independently of one another. The apparatus has an x lifting device for lifting the x traveling mechanism or of the x wheel units in the y direction, a z lifting device for lifting the z traveling mechanism or of the z wheel units, and a y lifting device for moving the pallet pickup unit. The x/z lifting devices can be activated in the y direction independently of one another and independently of the y lifting device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a material flow system, wherein the material flow system includes vehicles for transporting goods packages, wherein the vehicles communicate autonomously among one another in the material flow system, wherein the vehicles move by movement steps along a material flow path from a starting node to a target node, and wherein a logical clock is associated with each node. The method includes providing each movement step of a first vehicle with a time stamp, carrying out movement steps such that for the first vehicle, successive movement steps assume monotonically increasing values for the time stamp, and for each node that is traversed, providing an outgoing movement step of the first vehicle with value of a time stamp which is less than or equal to a value of a time stamp for a subsequently incoming movement step of a second vehicle.

Abstract: A method fbr controlling a material flow system, wherein the material flow system includes vehicles for transporting goods packages, Wherein the vehicles communicate autonomously among one another in the material flow system, wherein the vehicles move by movement steps along a material flow path from a starting node to a target node, and wherein a logical clock is associated with each node, The method includes providing each movement step of a first vehicle with a time stamp, carrying out movement steps such that for the first vehicle, successive movement steps assume monotonically increasing values for the time stamp, and for each node that is traversed, providing an outgoing movement step of the first vehicle with value of a time stamp which is less than or equal to a value of a time stamp for a subsequently incoming movement step of a second vehicle,