Abstract: Virtual slots are provided to coordinate traffic flow in an independent cart system. Multiple virtual slots are defined along a length of a track for the independent cart system. The track includes multiple track segments, and the independent cart system includes a linear drive system to propel movers along the track. Each of the virtual slots are controlled to travel along the length of the track. The virtual slots are spaced apart at a first distance and are controlled to travel synchronously at a desired speed. Each of the movers is controlled to travel within one of the virtual slots at the desired speed, and each of the movers has a minimum stopping distance greater than the first distance when travelling at the desired speed.

Abstract: A system and method of transitioning between motion trajectories in an independent cart system includes controlling motion of a mover along a track segment with a segment controller responsive to a first motion trajectory. At least one operating state for the first motion trajectory is received at an external controller as the segment controller is controlling motion of the mover responsive to the first motion trajectory. A second motion trajectory for the mover is generated with the external controller, where the second motion trajectory includes the at least one operating state as an initial condition for the second motion trajectory. While the segment controller is controlling motion of the mover along the track segment responsive to the first motion trajectory, the second motion trajectory is transmitted from the external controller to the segment controller, and the segment controller switches from the first motion trajectory to the second motion trajectory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a data transmission method, an apparatus, and a device; the data transmission method is applicable to layer 2 L2, and includes: performing data packet transmission between a second functional entity of a media access control (MAC) of L2 and a first functional entity of layer 3 L3.

Abstract: A system for collecting data about an environment in which an independent cart system is operating includes a track extending through the environment, a mover mounted on the track and operative to travel along the track, and a sensor mounted on the mover. The sensor generates a feedback signal corresponding to a condition external from the mover as the mover travels along the track. A memory is operative to store multiple instructions and multiple values of the feedback signal. A controller is operative to execute the instructions to receive the feedback signal from the sensor and periodically store a value of the feedback signal in the memory.

Abstract: A method for node management in an independent cart system receives a path command at a controller for the independent cart system. The path command defines a desired motion for a mover in the independent cart system. The path command spans at least one transfer segment and multiple fixed track segments. Each of the fixed track segments has a predefined flow, and the transfer segment has a dynamic flow. A single direction of travel is defined within the controller corresponding to the desired motion for the mover. A motion command corresponding to the desired motion for the mover is transmitted to each of the fixed track segments. The dynamic flow is set for the transfer segment to the single direction, and a motion command is transmitted to the transfer segment as a function of the dynamic flow for the transfer segment and of the desired motion for the mover.

Abstract: A system for zero radius direction changes in an independent cart system includes a drive magnet array movably mounted to a mover. The drive magnet array includes at least one drive magnet configured to engage an electromagnetic field generated by coils extending along a track and a first engagement member for selectively positioning the drive magnet array between at least a first position and a second position. A switch track segment defines at least a first and second path for the mover. The first path includes coils to generate the electromagnetic field along the first path, and the second path includes coils to generate the electromagnetic field to along the second path. The drive magnet array is aligned with the first path when the drive magnet array is in the first position and with the second path when the drive magnet array is in the second position.

Abstract: A system for distributing wear on multiple movers in an independent cart system includes a machine learning model executing on a processor. The machine learning model may include models of operation for each of the movers, and the machine learning model is operative to receive multiple inputs for each of the movers. Each of the inputs corresponds to an operating condition for one of the movers as the mover travels along a track for the independent cart system. Each of the inputs are received for each of the movers over multiple runs along the track, and the inputs received generate a training set of data for the movers. A weighting value is determined for each of the movers as a function of the training set of data, where the weighting value corresponds to a level of wear present on each of the movers.

Abstract: An independent cart system includes multiple track segments, multiple movers, multiple position sensors, and a controller. Each track segment includes multiple coils along a length of the track segment and a segment controller operative to selectively energize the coils to generate an electromagnetic field. Each mover includes a magnet array having multiple magnets, where the magnet array generates a magnetic field that interacts with the electromagnetic field generated by the coils to propel the mover along the track segments. The position sensors are spaced apart along the length of each track segment and generate a position feedback signal with a waveform as a function of the magnetic field generated by the magnet array on each mover. The controller is operative to receive the position feedback signal from each position sensor and to determine a unique identifier for each mover as a function of the waveform of the position feedback signal.

Abstract: A system for identifying movers in an independent cart system includes movers having at least one magnet and sensors generating a feedback signal responsive to detecting a magnetic field from the magnet as each mover travels past the sensor. A memory stores an identifier and a corresponding digital fingerprint for each mover. The stored digital fingerprint is generated as a function of the magnetic field generated by the magnet on each mover. A controller receives the feedback signal from each sensor and determines a run-time digital fingerprint for each mover corresponding to the magnetic field generated by the magnet on each mover as a function of the feedback signal. The run-time digital fingerprint is matched to one of the stored digital fingerprints, and the identifier, corresponding to the stored digital fingerprint matching the run-time fingerprint, is read from memory.

Abstract: A system includes one or more automation devices and a computing system. The computing system is configured to receive motion data associated with a transit of a plurality of products, associate a first portion of the motion data to a first product of the plurality of products, and determine motion energy consumption data for the first product based on the first portion of the motion data. Further, the computing system is configured to receive machine data associated with one or more operations performed on the plurality of products at a location, associate a second portion of the machine data to the first product, and determine energy consumption data based on the motion energy consumption data and the machine energy consumption data. Moreover, the computing system is configured to send one or more control signals to the one or more automation devices based on the energy consumption data.

Abstract: A system includes processing circuitry and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to receiving operational data captured from an industrial automation system performing an industrial automation process, model the industrial automation process based on the operational data, model one or more adjustments to the industrial automation process, identify that the modeling of the one or more adjustments to the industrial automation process indicates that the one or more adjustments to the industrial automation process improve one or more sustainability metrics for the industrial automation process, generate one or more sustainability recommendations to implement the one or more adjustments to the industrial automation process, and implement the one or more adjustments to the industrial automation process.

Abstract: A mover system includes a track, a plurality of movers configured to move along the track, and one or more processors configured to determine a first amount of energy consumption associated with a first portion of the plurality of movers and a second amount of energy consumption associated with a second portion of the plurality of movers and determine a first emissions per unit for each of the first portion of the plurality of movers based on the first amount of energy consumption and a second emissions per unit for each of the second portion of the plurality of movers based on the second amount of energy consumption. The one or more processors are also configured to determine one or more operating settings for the mover system based on the first emissions per unit, the first emissions per unit, or both and send one or more commands to the first number of the plurality of movers, the second number of the plurality of movers, or both based on the one or more operating settings.

Abstract: A system and method for holding position of a mover in an independent cart system includes receiving a current feedback signal corresponding to a current present in at least one coil for a linear drive system in the independent cart system. A motion command for the mover is received, where the motion command defines a desired position along a track of the independent cart system to which the mover is to travel. An electromagnetic pinning control mode is disabled while controlling operation of the at least one mover to the desired position and enabled when the at least one mover is at the desired position.

Abstract: A motion control system for an independent cart system provides for an improved system for controlling operation of movers in areas of high traffic. A controller monitors operation of the movers to detect heavy traffic. In heavy traffic, the controller may bring a mover to a stop to avoid collisions. Once a mover is stopped, the segment controller will look at the present location of the mover and determine whether it is at the desired position set in the motion command. If the mover is not at the desired position, the stop was a result of heavy traffic. After detecting heavy traffic, the controller commands the mover to resume travel using a modified motion command. The modified motion command will command the first mover to its desired position but will command the move at a reduced rate or using a reduced response in the controller.

Abstract: A system for selecting one of multiple paths in a linear drive system includes track segments having a first drive member and at least one mover having a second drive member for the linear drive system. A switch track segment includes a first path, a second path, and a third path along which the mover may travel. The switch track segment also includes a first sensor positioned along the first path to detect the mover present on the first path, a second sensor positioned along the second path to detect the mover present on the second path, and a third sensor positioned along the third path to detect the mover present on the third path. The switching device is configured to engage the mover to selectively direct the mover along either the first path, the second path or the third path.

Abstract: A system and method for holding position of a mover in an independent cart system includes receiving a current feedback signal corresponding to a current present in at least one coil for a linear drive system in the independent cart system. A motion command for the mover is received, where the motion command defines a desired position along a track of the independent cart system to which the mover is to travel. An electromagnetic pinning control mode is disabled while controlling operation of the at least one mover to the desired position and enabled when the at least one mover is at the desired position.

Abstract: A system for detecting linear drive system faults includes a track, a calibrated inspection apparatus, and processing circuitry. The track includes track segments defining a path along which movers travel. Drive coils induce travel of the movers along the track. The calibrated inspection apparatus includes (i) a calibrated inspection mover that travels along the track and/or (ii) a calibrated inspection station including one or more of the track segments. The processing circuitry obtains feedback signals from controllers for the track segments. The feedback signals characterize relative motion between the calibrated inspection apparatus and (i) the track segments and/or (ii) the movers. The processing circuitry determines a fault based on the feedback signals and calibrated characteristics of the calibrated inspection apparatus. The fault includes at least one of (i) a track segment fault in the track segments or (ii) a mover fault in the movers.

Abstract: A mover system includes a track, a plurality of movers configured to move along the track, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive a user input indicative of operational parameters for the mover system, determine operating settings for the mover system based on the operational parameters, and cause the plurality of movers to operate in accordance with the operating settings.

Abstract: Motion is coordinated between a robot and a mover in an independent cart system. Positions for a mover along a track for the independent cart system and for each axis of motion of the robot mounted on the mover are received at the motion controller. The axis position corresponds to either an angular position of the motor or a mechanical position of a corresponding axis on which the motor is mounted. The motion controller receives a robot motion command corresponding to a desired operation of the robot and generates a mover motion command for the mover and an axis motion command for each axis of the robot. The mover motion command and the axis motion commands are generated as a function of the robot motion command, the position of the mover along the track, and the position of the motor or of the axis for each axis of the robot.

Abstract: Motion is coordinated between a robot and a mover in an independent cart system. A first mover for the independent cart system is located at an initial position, where the robot is mounted on the first mover. A motion trajectory command, defining motion of the robot and the first mover, is received at a motion controller. A mover command is generated for the first mover and a robot motion command is generated for the robot as a function of the motion trajectory command at the motion controller. The mover command is transmitted to a segment controller in a track segment on which the first mover is located, and the robot motion command is transmitted to a robot control system. Operation of the first mover is controlled with the segment controller in tandem with controlling operation of the robot with the robot control system responsive to the robot motion command.