Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a material web in a thermoforming machine is disclosed. The thermoforming machine may have a forming tool. The forming tool is tilted about an axis running transversely to the feed direction of the material web during a forming process. The material web is transported from a forming region of the forming tool of the thermoforming machine to a downstream station of the thermoforming machine. The material web is moved from the forming region to the downstream station, where the transfer apparatus includes a transport unit with a transport device that is displaced in a first direction between the forming tool and the downstream station and is engaged with an initial portion of the material web in a first region facing the forming tool and is disengaged in a second region facing the downstream station.

Abstract: A transfer device for transferring parallel-arranged rows of stacked molded parts, a transfer station with a transfer device, a thermoforming system with a transfer station, and a method for transferring thermoformed molded parts are described. Thermoformed molded parts are transferred from a stacking basket to a transport unit using a transfer device. Stacked molded parts are transferred row by row from the receiving compartments of the stacking basket to a transfer device for transferring stacked molded parts via a shifting unit. The transfer device has transfer elements arranged parallel relative to one another, which in each case hold a row of stacked molded parts during a transfer to a transport unit. The transport unit has parallel-arranged receptacles for stacked molded parts. The spacing of the transfer elements relative to one another is modified after the receiving of the stacked molded parts and prior to the transfer to the transport unit.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved rack for efficient and safe storage and transport of cylindrical or near cylindrical product. The rack may be rectangular or square in shape and consist of a base with uprights, which may form the base rails on the sides of the rack, and side end rails. The base includes openings at predetermined intervals on its short sides and on its long sides to accept tines from a fork lift. The base further includes stringers and ribs. The stringers support cradles having two L-shaped sections which extend the length of the cradle. The base of the cradle includes teeth that engage with one or more ribs to allow the cradle to selectively lock into a predetermined position in the rack. The cradle base portion includes a cradle upper portion which may define product support sections. The product support sections are designed to support a cylindrical or near cylindrical product such as drive shaft tubes or tie rods for vehicles.