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: An inspection system capable of identifying particles within a liquid container such as a vial or syringe. The inspection system captures images of a container after it has stopped spinning while it is moving in a linear path through the field of view of an imager. A plurality of images are captured of the container at different positions within the field of view. The images are registered to each other and combined in order to identify particles that have moved between images, which are considered particles.

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.

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 joint system and method for managing alignment tolerances in a track section of a conveyor, the system including: a plurality of track sections, each track section including at least one end to be joined with an adjacent track section and one or more rails on which bearings of moving elements move; and wherein, at the end of each track section, the one or more rails each comprise a finger such that rails from adjacent track sections form an interlaced connection between fingers from each track section and both fingers are angled such that a non-alignment of the rails will not jar a bearing moving over the joint.

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.

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 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 conveyor system configured to allow adjustment of part pitch by moving elements. The conveyor system including: a track; at least two moving elements configured to move on the track; and a pitch assembly mounted on the at least two moving elements, the pitch assembly including: at least one rail provided on at least one of the moving elements; a plurality of nests; and a mechanical linkage connected to the at least two moving elements; wherein the nests are slidably engaged with the rail to maintain linear motion and connected with the mechanical linkage such that, as the moving elements move closer together, the mechanical linkage contracts and slides the plurality of nests closer together for a reduced pitch, and, as the moving elements move apart from each other, the mechanical linkage extends and slides the plurality of nests apart for an increased pitch.

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 system and method for a rotary drive for a curved track section of a conveyor. The system includes: a rotary motor; a wheel provided to the curved track section and driven by the rotary motor, the wheel includes an engagement mechanism configured to engage with a moving element; and a control system configured to control the wheel/rotary motor, such that the engagement mechanism engages a moving element adjacent a beginning of the curved track section and controls the moving element through the curved track section and releases the moving element adjacent an end of the curved track section. The method includes: moving a moving element toward the curved track section; controlling at least one of the moving element and a wheel such that the moving element and the wheel engage; controlling the moving element on the curved track section; and releasing the moving element.

Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system having a moving element including a first and a second magnetic element on opposite sides; a first track including a first linear motor configured to generate a dynamic magnetic field which acts on the first magnetic element to provide a first lateral force and a first 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, where the first and second lateral forces are selectively adjusted to bias the moving element toward the second track.

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 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 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 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power to moving elements on a conveyor system while the moving elements are moving. An accessory for mounting on one or more of the moving elements, which receives power from the system. Various accessories for using the power provided. In one case, the accessory is a rotary gripper that includes a body; a gripper motor; a rotation motor; and a plurality of grippers, wherein the gripper motor is mechanically connected with and configured to open and close the plurality of grippers, the rotation motor is mechanically connected with and configured to rotate the plurality of grippers. Other accessories include a gripper, a vacuum system, a heater, and a cooler.