Abstract: A transport device for article transport boxes for storing or sorting stacked box-type pallets has four vertically movable gripping columnar members on a transporting traveling body horizontally travelable on an upper side of a storage area. The gripping columnar members have an angular shape in cross section and have gripping faces pressure-contacted to both sides of each corner of an article transport box. An elevating drive means and a gripping drive means of the gripping columnar members are provided to the transporting traveling body. The gripping drive means moves at least three gripping columnar members of the four gripping columnar members horizontally between a retracting position of being away outside from each corner of the article transport box, and a gripping position of gripping the article transport box via the four corners thereof by way of the four gripping columnar members.

Abstract: An automatic machining apparatus includes a rack for storing workpieces mounted on pallets, setting stations for setting the workpieces on the pallets, processing machines for processing the workpieces according to specified processing information, and a stacker crane for transporting the workpieces on the pallets between the rack and setting stations and between the rack and processing machines. The entire apparatus is operable under control of a main controller, with the processing machines controlled by an auxiliary controller. Each pallet carries an IC card for storing information on treatment done to the workpiece mounted thereon. The main controller includes a first communicating device for writing the information on treatment into the IC card. The auxiliary controller includes a second communicating device for reading the information on treatment from the IC card.