Abstract: An alignment compensation system for use with parallel linear bearings which isolates the linear motion system load or carriage plate from alignment errors in the system. Spherical bearings are mounted in bearing blocks, each spherical bearing having a support shaft therethrough to support a plate connected to a carriage or load plate. One of the bearings shafts is free to laterally float within its bearing block, thus providing for compensation of lateral misalignment of the linear bearing track. The other spherical bearing is held fixed within its bearing block. The linear system load or carriage plate is mounted on the spherical bearing shafts, thus isolating the carriage plate from alignment errors in the linear motion system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for arranging a plurality of containers into desired patterns and palletizing the containers onto pallets. The apparatus has an infeed conveyor and an orienting unit having a receiving end and a moveable discharge end. The orienting unit includes a pair of side-by-side orienting conveyor belts which have independent speed controls. A container on the pair of orienting conveyor belts can be rotated by controlling the differential speed of the pair of belts. The receiving end of the orienting unit is pivotably connected to a fixed stanchion so as to permit the discharge end of the orienting unit to rotate in a horizontal plane. The orienting unit is also constructed so that its length may be lengthened or shortened to discharge the container at any location on a pattern forming table. A pusher bar transfers a layer of containers from the forming table onto an adjacent surface. The adjacent surface is horizontally slid from beneath the layer of cartons onto a pallet.

Abstract: A robot for depalletizing open top boxes having a product from a pallet, removing the box from the product, unloading the product onto a magazine conveying surface and picking up slip sheets.

Abstract: An improved machining apparatus for machining a workpiece. The machining apparatus includes a base assembly having a base support member and a table support frame non-movably attached to the base support member. A pair of cross members span the upper surface of the table. The table support frame has a longitudinal axis transverse to the cross members and includes a raceway for allowing lateral displacement of the table relative to the base assembly. At least one spindle is mounted on the cross members and can be displaced along the longitudinal axis of the cross members. Flexible retractable covers are mounted on spring-loaded rollers attached to the ends of the table support frame. The machining apparatus further includes a conveyor positioned proximate the base assembly at the lower edge of the table for removing cuttings and debris resulting from the machining of the workpiece.

Abstract: A movable body having a pair of parallel arms supported from the body and in turn supporting a pair of forks for movement for engaging and releasing the bottom of a stack of sheet material. A clamp is movably connected to the body above the forks for engaging the top of the material and holding the material between the clamp and the extended forks. A probe lifter is movably connected to the body and movable between a lower position below the forks and an upper position between the extended forks for removing the weight of the stack from the forks for allowing the forks to be retracted.

Abstract: A support body having a plurality of grasping fingers on opposite sides which are shaped in the form of an arc of a circle. The fingers move in a circular path for grasping and releasing articles with a minimum of clearance along the side of the articles. An arm supports each of the fingers by one end and has the second end of the arm rotationally supported from the support body at an angle. The first end of the arm is at an angle to the plane of the supported finger and the second end is at an angle to the first end. A lever is connected between the support body and the first ends of each arm for rotating the first ends about the second ends. A conveying system may be used with the pick up and release apparatus having a conveyor with spaced rollers in which compression plates are positioned at each end of the rollers for compressing the article for pickup.