Abstract: A battery plate handling apparatus comprises a horizontal elongate rack and gripper modules mounted so as to be movable along the rack. Each gripper module comprises a gripper unit carrier mounted on the rack and a gripper unit mounted on the gripper unit carrier for gripping groups of battery plates. The gripper modules comprise at least two adjacent configurable modules each comprising a gripper unit sub-mounting pivotally mounted on a respective carrier so as to pivot around a vertical axis spaced to one side of the rack. The gripper unit sub-mounting comprises a horizontal sub-rack on which a pair of gripper units are mounted such that the horizontal separation between the gripper units can be varied. The horizontal sub rack of one of the sub-mountings is higher than the horizontal sub-rack of the other sub-mounting. A process for configuring the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning the lugs on a stack of battery plates in a jig box. The apparatus comprises a frame carrying a lug alignment mechanism for positioning over the jig box. The frame comprises a set of feet that engage the jig box to locate the lug alignment mechanism. The frame feet on one side comprise fixed surfaces configured to engage contact surfaces on a first side of the jig box. The frame feet on the opposite side comprise for engaging contact surfaces on the corresponding second side. The actuators are operable such that when the frame is positioned over the jig box, moveable surfaces are moveable between a first position and a second position in which they are engaged with the contact surfaces on the second side and the fixed surfaces are engaged with the contact surfaces on the first side.

Abstract: A battery cast-on-strap machine unloading apparatus includes a first and a second unit. Each unit includes a rotary drive mechanism; and, a pinion co-axial with and directly driveable by the rotary drive mechanism. The apparatus further includes an elongate rack. The rack includes teeth along a first side and an opposing second side. The first and second units are mounted adjacent to each other on the rack. Operation of each drive mechanism causes rotation of the respective pinion to be converted into linear motion of the respective unit along the rack. Adjacent rotary drive mechanisms are located on opposing sides of the rack, such that the pinion of the first unit meshes with the teeth along the first side of the rack, and the pinion of the adjacent second unit meshes with the teeth along the opposing second side of the rack.

Abstract: A battery cast-on-strap machine unloading apparatus includes a first and a second unit. Each unit includes a rotary drive mechanism; and, a pinion co-axial with and directly driveable by the rotary drive mechanism. The apparatus further includes an elongate rack. The rack includes teeth along a first side and an opposing second side. The first and second units are mounted adjacent to each other on the rack. Operation of each drive mechanism causes rotation of the respective pinion to be converted into linear motion of the respective unit along the rack. Adjacent rotary drive mechanisms are located on opposing sides of the rack, such that the pinion of the first unit meshes with the teeth along the first side of the rack, and the pinion of the adjacent second unit meshes with the teeth along the opposing second side of the rack.