Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system including: a track including: at least one guide rail, including a first portion and a second portion; and a plurality of moving elements, each moving element including: a body; and at least one set of bearings supported by the body, including a first bearing configured to move along the first portion and a second bearing configured to move along the second portion, wherein the second bearing and second portion are offset in relation to the first bearing and first portion such that the second bearing overlaps along the direction of the track with a first bearing of an adjacent moving element to provide a reduced tooling pitch between the moving elements. In some cases each of the plurality of moving elements further includes: a second set of bearings; and a bearing suspension system to provide a suspension to the second set of bearings.

Abstract: A conveyor system and method for controlling the same. The conveyor system includes: at least one moving element; a track including: a straight track section with a first mechanism for moving the moving element; and a curved track section connected to the straight track section including a second mechanism for moving the moving element; and a controller configured to control a speed of the moving element as the moving element moves from the straight track section to the curved track section and vice versa such that a velocity profile of the moving element includes a sinusoidal portion to provide a transition from straight to rotary motion or from rotary to straight motion having a linear position profile. In the method, the controller controls at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism to move the moving element according to the velocity profile including the sinusoidal portion.

Abstract: A packaging system for film including: a controller; and a seal jaw controlled by the controller, wherein the seal jaw includes: a first sealing bar; a second sealing bar; a servo motor controlling movement of at least one of the first and the second sealing bars between an open position and a closed position, where the sealing bars are in contact; and a pneumatic cylinder, connected with at least one of the first and second sealing bars, and controlling a pressure between the sealing bars when in the closed position. A method of creating a seal in packaging film, the method including: moving, via a servo motor, a first sealing bar and a second sealing bar from an open position to a closed position; and upon reaching the closed position, clamping, via a pneumatic cylinder, the sealing bars to create a seal in the packaging film.

Abstract: A transporting system and method for a linear motor conveyor system, wherein the conveyor system includes at least one moving element and at least one track on which the moving element moves, the transporting system including: a rotatable element; a motor for rotating the rotatable element; a coupler connected to the rotatable element, wherein the coupler is configured to engage with the moving element when the coupler is positioned in a predetermined relationship with the moving element; and a controller configured to: operatively connect with the linear motor conveyor system; and control at least one of the moving element and the rotatable element so that the coupler is positioned in the predetermined relationship with the moving element on the track such that the coupler strips the moving element off the track.

Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system including: a moving element comprising at least one magnetic element and at least one bearing; a first track comprising a first linear motor, the first track configured to have a first rail on which the at least one bearing of the moving element runs and the first linear motor is configured to generate a dynamic magnetic field which acts on the magnetic element; a second track having at least a transfer region positioned adjacent the first track, the second track configured to have a second rail on which the same at least one bearing runs while in the transfer region.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a location of a moving element on a conveyor system. The system including: magnetic sensors; a magnetic encoder strip that is readable by the magnetic sensors; and a processor for receiving and processing the sensor readings to determine a location of the moving element. The method including: sensing a current location of the moving element, wherein at least one of the magnetic sensors and magnetic encoder are associated with the moving element; and providing a current location to a conveyor system controller. The system may further include: color sensors; and a color gradient encoder strip that is readable by the color sensors, wherein the color gradient encoder strip and color sensors provide moving element location at start up and the magnetic sensors and magnetic encoder strip track moving element location during operation. In this case, the method is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system including: a track; at least two moving elements configured to move on the track, wherein the at least two moving elements may include a primary moving element and a secondary moving element; a tooling plate mounted on the at least two moving elements, the tooling plate mounted to the at least two moving elements by a support apparatus including: a first pivot assembly provided to the primary moving element; and a second pivot assembly provided to the secondary moving element, wherein the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly support the tooling plate such that the tooling plate can move in relation to the at least two moving elements through at least two degrees of freedom. A method for carrying a heavy/large payload on a linear motor conveyor system using the above concepts.

Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system including: a track comprising a shaped guide rail; a plurality of moving elements, each moving element having: a body; at least two bearings supported by the body and configured to match with the shaped guide rail, wherein the bearings are mounted to the moving element such that the moving elements overlap along the direction of the track providing a reduced tooling pitch between the moving elements. A moving element for moving on a track of a conveyor system, the moving element including: a first set of bearings shaped to match with a first shaped guide rail; a second set of bearings configured to abut against a second guide rail; and a body supporting the first and the second bearing, wherein the body is shaped to allow the first bearing to at least partially overlap the body of an adjacent moving element.

Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system including: at least one track section comprising: electronic circuitry housed within the track section; and a rotatable segment comprising an end profile that abuts another track section to form a stepped groove sealed by a gasket. A moving element for a linear motor conveyor system including: a body; a first set of bearings attached to the body and angled to abut against a first guide rail of a conveyor system having a protrusion with opposing angled profiles; a second set of bearing attached to the body and designed to abut against a flat profile of a second guide rail of the conveyor system. A dry lubricant provided to the body and configured to lubricate a bearing surface of the linear motor conveyor system supporting the first set of bearings.

Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system having a moving element comprising a first and a second magnetic element on opposite sides; a first track comprising a first linear motor configured to generate a dynamic magnetic field which acts on the first magnetic element to provide a first dynamic lateral force and a first dynamic longitudinal force; a second track with a transfer region positioned adjacent to the first track, the second track configured to generate a magnetic field that acts on the second magnetic element to provide a second lateral force; and a controller to control the first linear motor such that the first dynamic lateral force is configured to bias the moving element toward the first linear motor until the moving element reaches a switch point in the transfer region, after which the dynamic lateral forces are selectively adjusted to bias the moving element toward the first or second track.

Abstract: A protected/laser operation system and method for an automation system including one or more workpieces carried by a conveyor. The protected laser operation system includes: a protected operation/laser; one or more stationary shield elements forming an enclosure for the protected operation/laser, with an inlet and an outlet, and positioned such that a work piece on the conveyor can enter the inlet and exit the outlet; and one or more moving shield elements that move in synchronization with the one or more workpieces as the workpieces are moved in continuous motion by the conveyor into a protected area/laser emissions from the laser, wherein the one or more moving shield elements are configured to reduce/prevent access to/from the protected area such as exfiltration of laser emissions from the inlet or outlet while the one or more workpieces are moving through the enclosure.

Abstract: High voltage leak detection can be used to detect leaks in containers and is particularly useful in pharmaceutical applications in which small leaks in sterile containers such as viles, syringes, ampules etc. must be detected reliably. The high voltage leak detection relies upon the fluid within the container being at least partially conducting. The container, and so the fluid within it, are spun at a high RPM to force the liquid into any cracks or holes which can then be detected by monitoring the electrical characteristics. Advantageously, the leak detection may be performed with the container in a vertical orientation by spinning the container at an RPM sufficient to spin the liquid up the sides of the container.

Abstract: A conveyor system and a moving element therefor, wherein the moving element includes: a body; at least one canted bearing configured to abut against a first portion of a first guide rail of the conveyor system; and an articulation mechanism provided to the body that allows the canted bearing to rotate so that a line of contact of the canted bearing with the first guide rail remains at 90 degrees to a direction of travel of the canted bearing and parallel to an axis of rotation of the canted bearing. The articulation mechanism may include a bearing body and a third bearing, wherein the bearing body supports the canted bearing and rotates about an articulation axis, or may include a trunnion and a trunnion support with a virtual pivot at a center of contact of the canted bearing and the guide rail.

Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system including: at least one track section comprising: electronic circuitry housed within the track section; and a rotatable segment comprising an end profile that abuts another track section to form a stepped groove sealed by a gasket. A moving element for a linear motor conveyor system including: a body; a first set of bearings attached to the body and angled to abut against a first guide rail of a conveyor system having a protrusion with opposing angled profiles; a second set of bearing attached to the body and designed to abut against a flat profile of a second guide rail of the conveyor system. A dry lubricant provided to the body and configured to lubricate a bearing surface of the linear motor conveyor system supporting the first set of bearings.

Abstract: An automation system including a primary conveyor, the system including: an auxiliary conveyor provided to an overlap portion in which the auxiliary conveyor overlaps with the primary conveyor; wherein the auxiliary conveyor is configured to connect with at least one of the plurality of pallets to control the at least one of the plurality of pallets to augment the function of the primary conveyor. A method for controlling an automation system including: providing an auxiliary conveyor in an overlap portion of the automation system, wherein the auxiliary conveyor is configured to connect with at least one of a plurality of pallets; and when the at least one of the plurality of pallets is in the overlap portion, selectively connecting the auxiliary conveyor to the at least one of the plurality of pallets to provide functions to the automation system not available using the primary conveyor.

Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system with actuation and method for actuation including: a track; a moving element configured to move on the track, the moving element including: a main body; a sidecar; and an actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism including: an actuator; and a sidecar linkage connecting the sidecar to the actuator, wherein the main body and sidecar are independently moveable relative to each other and the sidecar linkage is configured such that movement of the sidecar and/or main body relative to each other provides energy to the actuation mechanism. A method of actuation for a linear motor conveyor system, the method including providing a sidecar with a sidecar linkage connecting the sidecar to a main body of a moving element; and independently moving the sidecar and/or the main body relative to each other such that the sidecar linkage provides energy to an actuator provided to the moving element.

Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system including: a plurality of track sections including a track and an interior area; a track cover covering the track of the plurality of track sections; a top plate covering at least a portion of the interior area of the plurality of track sections; at least one top cover covering at least a portion of the top plate and any uncovered portions of the interior area; and a plurality of gaskets providing a seal between the track cover and track, top cover and top plate such that the interior area of the plurality of track sections are sealed. The track cover may be a strong, flexible material configured to wrap along or around the track to cover any joints between track sections and provide a sealed, easy to clean cover.

Abstract: A transporting system and method for a linear motor conveyor system, wherein the conveyor system includes at least one moving element and at least one track on which the moving element moves, the transporting system including: a rotatable element; a motor for rotating the rotatable element; a coupler connected to the rotatable element, wherein the coupler is configured to engage with the moving element when the coupler is positioned in a predetermined relationship with the moving element; and a controller configured to: operatively connect with the linear motor conveyor system; and control at least one of the moving element and the rotatable element so that the coupler is positioned in the predetermined relationship with the moving element on the track such that the coupler strips the moving element off the track.

Abstract: A rotatable linear actuator comprises an actuator body; a drive shaft arranged within the actuator body, the drive shaft having a longitudinal axis and configured to be linearly actuated along and rotatable around the longitudinal axis within the actuator body, wherein the drive shaft is configured to be coupled at a first end thereof to a linearly actuated component that is configured to receive linear and rotational movement; one or more permanent magnets coupled to the drive shaft and magnetized in a radial direction about the longitudinal axis; and one or more electric coils disposed within the actuator body around the one or more permanent magnets and configured to receive an electric current that interacts with a magnetic field of the one or more permanent magnets to generate an axial force to linearly actuate the drive shaft. Accordingly, the drive shaft is rotatable while being linearly actuated.

Abstract: A system and method for collaborative manufacturing system operation for a linear motor conveyor system including one or more moving elements. The system includes: at least two safety gates arranged on the linear motor conveyor system creating a collaborative area between the safety gates. Each safety gate includes: a body; two doors, one on each side of the body; an interlock connecting the two doors such that only one door can remain open at a time; and a control system to control the safety gates in coordination with the linear motor conveyor system. The method includes: configuring an operating status, which may be non-collaborative, collaborative, or semi-collaborative modes; monitoring a safety trigger and, if activated, performing a safety action and controlling according to the type of safety trigger; monitoring if the safety trigger is removed; and if the safety trigger is removed, return to operating in the configured mode.