Abstract: The present document discloses a conveyor system comprising a plurality of workpiece carriers, each adapted for supporting at least one workpiece during transportation, a conveyor, adapted for transporting the workpiece carriers, at least one flow device for controlling a movement of one of the workpiece carriers relative to the conveyor, the flow device comprising a local controller, at least one workpiece carrier sensor and at least one actuator, and a central controller, which is in data communication with the flow device, and having a memory containing a flow plan comprising data describing an intended flow of workpieces in the conveyor system.

Abstract: The present document discloses a conveyor system comprising a plurality of workpiece carriers (WPC), each adapted for supporting at least one workpiece (WP) during transportation, a conveyor (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, d), adapted for transporting the workpiece carriers (WPC), at least one flow device (3, 4, 5, 6) for controlling a movement of one of the workpiece carriers (WPC) relative to the conveyor (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d), the flow device (3, 4, 6) comprising a local controller (30, 40), at least one workpiece carrier sensor and at least one actuator, and a central controller (100), which is in data communication with the flow device, and having a memory containing a flow plan comprising data describing an intended flow of workpieces in the conveyor system. The document also discloses a method of operating a conveyor system, stop devices and switch device for use in such a conveyor system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a conveyor system comprising a plurality of work piece carriers, each presenting a machine readable and writable tag and being adapted for supporting at least one work piece during transportation. The system further comprises distribution highway conveyors each in the form of an endless conveyor adapted for transporting and circulating the work piece carriers, flow balancing conveyors and operation unit conveyors. Control of the system is achieved by autonomous switch control devices arranged at each intersection between conveyors to control the flow of the work piece carriers at the respective intersection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a conveyor system, comprising a plurality of work piece carriers (WPC), each presenting a machine readable and writable tag (T) and being adapted for supporting at least one work piece during transportation. The system further comprises distribution highway conveyors (DHC1, DHC2) each in the form of an endless conveyor adapted for transporting and circulating said work piece carriers (WPC), flow balancing conveyors (FBC) and operation unit conveyors (OUC1, OUC2, OUC3, OUC4). Control of the system is achieved by autonomous switch control devices (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d; 13a, 13b) arranged at each intersection between conveyors to control the flow of the work piece carriers (WPC) at the respective intersection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for a conveyor chain with identical links (A, B. C). These are mutually operatively connected in such a way that two links (A, B; B, C) arranged adjacent to one another are capable of pivoting relative to one another about two mutually orthogonal axes, of which a first axis is perpendicular to the upper surface (1) of the link. The chain is able in this way both to run over a guide pulley and to follow a curved path. In order to permit flexibility in the curved path, gaps (6) are present between the links (A, B, C), the width of which gaps increases up to a certain limit on the convex side of the curved path, and decreases on the concave side as the radius of curvature of the chain path decreases. Each link (A, B, C) has a recess largely parallel with the upper surface (1) and essentially in the form of a slot. Arranged so as to run in which recess is at least one essentially disc-shaped element (8; 8a, 8b), the purpose of which is to cover the aforementioned gaps (6).