Abstract: A case orienting system comprising a frame having a reference datum a traverse transport pivotally coupled to the frame about a traverse pivot axis, the traverse transport including a substantially continuous movable platform configured to support and transport at least one case in a case traverse direction along a traverse axis. The substantially continuous movable platform pivots about the traverse pivot axis to orient the case traverse direction to another traverse direction and a bias support disposed adjacent to and opposing the traverse transport and being movably coupled to the frame to move relative to the frame in opposition to the traverse transport, the bias support being configured to engage and seat against a seating surface of the at least one case to support the at least one case in a first orientation relative to the reference datum.

Abstract: A machine and method for positioning objects is provided. The machine has a first conveyor belt configured to receive a plurality of objects; machine vision device configured to identify the position and the shape of the objects; robotic collection device configured to collect the objects according to the information received from the machine vision device; and a second conveyor belt configured to enable the outlet of the objects. The transfer conveyor has transfer carriers configured to move in a closed loop through it enabling the speed and position thereof to be controlled independently, where the transfer carriers are configured to receive the objects coming from the robotic collection device and deliver the objects to the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus that is capable of accurately detecting skew angle when arriving at a resist roller. In the image-forming apparatus, the resist roller feeds the printing paper to a printing unit at specified timing, and the printing unit performs printing on the printing paper. The flat-conveying section is formed between the paper-supply roller and the resist roller, and conveys the paper in a flat state. The camera takes images of the edge of the front end of the printing paper that is conveyed in the flat-conveying section. The camera-driving apparatus causes the camera to move along the flat-conveying section at the designed conveying speed of the printing paper. The skew-detection unit, based on images taken in the flat-conveying section by the camera, detects the skew angle when arriving at the resist roller as the arrival skew angle.

Abstract: A method of operating a cross belt slat sorter includes moving a first item of a first type positioned on the sorter. A database is maintained that stores transport requirements for different item types. A control system ascertains a first type of the first item via a separate vision system that is operatively connected to the control system. The database is accessed to establish the first transport requirements for the first item based on the first type. Belts are controlled based on the first transport requirements of the first item. A second item is moved on the belts, and a second type of the second item is observed with the vision system. The database is accessed to ascertain second transport requirements for the second item. The belts are controlled based on the second transport requirements of the second item.

Abstract: The objective of the invention is to arrange the articles on the conveyor so that the bundle can be easily stacked on top of each other. This problem can occur when the articles have caps on one side of the bundle causing a sloped surface that hinders stacking the bundles. The problem can be solved by arranging the articles so that the caps are always on the outside of the bundle.

Abstract: A method and device for supplying spout attachment bags, in which one vertical plane is set as a reference plane N, and the center line (C) of a corner-spout attachment bag (2) positioned at the distal end of a conveyor magazine (7) is located in the reference plane N. A suction cup (28) picks up the bag and is rotated by a specific angle (?) centered on a vertical rotational axis (O) when being transferred. When the suction cup picks up the positioned bag, the rotational axis is set to a position where a corner opening vertical line (M) that passes through the center of a corner opening (3) of the bag intersects the reference plane N. The bag held by the suction cup is sent to a positioning conveyor and positioned by stoppers (52, 53) with the corner opening vertical line being in the reference plane.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor with the workpieces oriented transverse to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors configured to convey workpieces toward a lugged conveyor. The first and second endless conveyors of each pair are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction and aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array can form a continuous or discontinuous transport surface. Some pairs of endless conveyors in the array may overlap one or more other pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array may include two or more endless conveyors that are independently driven at different speeds and/or in different directions to de-skew a workpiece.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor with the workpieces oriented transverse to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors configured to convey workpieces toward a lugged conveyor. The first and second endless conveyors of each pair are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction and aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array can form a continuous or discontinuous transport surface. Some pairs of endless conveyors in the array may overlap one or more other pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array may include two or more endless conveyors that are independently driven at different speeds and/or in different directions to de-skew a workpiece.

Abstract: An article inspection and orientation adjustment assembly is generally provided. The assembly is generally characterized by a primary subassembly operatively linked for travel with a secondary subassembly. The primary subassembly includes a vision system for visually inspecting conveyed articles, and an array of actuators, actuators thereof responsive to detections of the vision system and selectively energizable for conveyed article engagement in furtherance of altering an orientation of the conveyed article. The secondary subassembly includes a friction bar extending along a travel path for the conveyed articles, energization of an actuator of the array of actuators resulting in frictional engagement of an actuated article with the friction bar so as to rotatingly orient the actuated article.

Abstract: An unjamming system is used in connection with mass-produced parts fed through a process by a rotating bowl feeder. The bowl feeder has a bowl with an axis of rotation and an outer wall. The parts are disposed against the outer wall by centrifugal force. The unjamming system includes a jamming region adjacent the bowl, wherein unjamming is carried out. A sensor adjacent the jamming region detects a jam. A pneumatic cylinder actuator and an air blow jet adjacent the jamming region removes the parts from the jam. The parts are returned to the bowl by the air blow jet.

Abstract: A production system according to an embodiment includes a workpiece circulator, a robot, and a posture changer. The workpiece circulator circulates a workpiece along a certain path. The robot holds the workpiece circulated by the workpiece circulator in a holding region that is part of the certain path, to move the workpiece to a certain place. The posture changer is arranged in the workpiece circulator and changes a posture of the workpiece circulated by the workpiece circulator.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for positioning a hot glass sheet G on a roll conveyor 24 for further processing utilizes sensors (60, 62, 64) for sensing a conveyed glass sheet position and a turntable (72) having an actuator (74) for providing axial shifting of rolls (26) supported on the turntable to properly locate the glass sheet G, without any sliding between the glass sheet and the conveyor rolls, both rotationally and laterally for further processing which is specifically disclosed as forming.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus aligns conveyed packaging bags. In the conveyance apparatus, a thickness measurement part measures the thickness of a packaging bag. A controller infers that the width of the packaging bag has decreased when the thickness of the packaging bag is greater than a reference thickness, and the controller causes a first guide member to move so as to approach a second guide member via a guide drive part. In addition, the controller infers that the width of the packaging bag has increased when the thickness of the packaging bag is less than the reference value, and the controller causes the first guide member to move so as to be distanced from the second guide member via the guide drive part.

Abstract: An article alignment device aligns articles having first end portions and second end portions that have a shape different from the shape of the first end portions. The article alignment device includes a first conveyance device, a second conveyance device, and a control device. The first conveyance device has conveyance units that carry and convey the articles. The first conveyance device conveys the articles in a first orientation. In the first orientation the first end portions are positioned on a downstream side with respect to a first conveyance direction of the articles. The second conveyance device is placed downstream of the first conveyance device. The control device controls the first and second conveyance devices such that the orientation of first articles conveyed by the second conveyance device are changed to a second orientation where the second end portions are positioned on the downstream side.

Abstract: An article inspection and orientation adjustment assembly is generally provided. The assembly is generally characterized by a primary subassembly operatively linked for travel with a secondary subassembly. The primary subassembly includes a vision system for visually inspecting conveyed articles, and an array of actuators, actuators thereof responsive to detections of the vision system and selectively energizable for conveyed article engagement in furtherance of altering an orientation of the conveyed article. The secondary subassembly includes a friction bar extending along a travel path for the conveyed articles, energization of an actuator of the array of actuators resulting in frictional engagement of an actuated article with the friction bar so as to rotatingly orient the actuated article.

Abstract: Side edge position detection processing includes adjustment of the light amount of light-emitting devices, a process of determining a threshold value for detecting the side edge position, and a process of reading out the side edge position. If a sensor is provided between a transfer roller pair and a registration roller pair as in conventional devices, sufficient processing time cannot be ensured. Therefore, the sensor is provided between the conveyance roller pair and the registration roller pair, and the light amount adjustment is executed before the registration roller pair that is being stopped for skew correction is driven. Further, the processes of determining the threshold and reading out the side edge position are executed after driving of the registration roller pair is resumed.

Abstract: A turning mechanism includes a disc-shaped rotatable carriage comprising receptacles spaced around an edge, each receptacle being adapted to receive one of polarized electronic component and including an air channel; a turn channel projecting out of the edge of the carriage, the turn channel being arc and comprising an inlet communicating with one receptacle and including a first sensor, and an outlet communicating with another receptacle and including a second sensor; an auxiliary air passageway proximate to the first sensor and projecting inward out of the turn channel, the auxiliary air passageway communicating with the turn channel and comprising an air outlet; and a polarity detector disposed externally of the carriage and being proximate to the inlet, the polarity detector being adapted to detect polarity of the polarized electronic component proximate thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for inspecting and orienting manufactured articles. The apparatus and method include recirculating inspected articles to the inspection station for additional processing.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus aligns conveyed packaging bags. In the conveyance apparatus, a thickness measurement part measures the thickness of a packaging bag. A controller infers that the width of the packaging bag has decreased when the thickness of the packaging bag is greater than a reference thickness, and the controller causes a first guide member to move so as to approach a second guide member via a guide drive part. In addition, the controller infers that the width of the packaging bag has increased when the thickness of the packaging bag is less than the reference value, and the controller causes the first guide member to move so as to be distanced from the second guide member via the guide drive part.

Abstract: An apparatus to tilt, flip, or rotate a round cotton module on a conveying system employs actuated arms includes that support a bar which fits in place of a roller on a provided conveyor system having multiple rollers. A cotton module can be easily rotated or flipped to a vertical position when the bar rotates between initial reclined and final elevated positions. The wrapping can be removed once the cotton module reaches the final elevated position.

Abstract: A packaging system and method is disclosed for use with a conveyance system. The package assembly provides protrusions which keep the assembly properly oriented on a conveyor system.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a moving arrangement for supporting and moving along an advance direction a plurality of articles; and orienting units movable along said advance direction and such as to contact and orient the articles by displacing angularly each article around an axis thereof so as to position the articles in respective output positions, the orienting units being such as to maintain the articles in contact with the moving arrangement, a detector being provided for each orienting unit for detecting an initial angular position of a respective article associated thereto and for promoting a desired angular displacement such that each article is brought in the output position.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for packing an article (20) onto a shipping carrier (26), the article (20) having an arbitrary orientation relative to the conveyor (28) and being transported within an order-picking system on a conveyor (28; 28a, 28b) downstream towards a packing station (22), which includes a packing robot (12) for automatically loading the shipping carrier (26), wherein the article (20) is to be put down with one of its faces (38) onto the shipping carrier (26).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a posture converting device includes two upstream-side correction rollers spaced apart in a direction intersecting with a conveying direction of a paper-like material, two downstream-side correction rollers arranged at a position spaced apart from the upstream-side correction rollers toward a downstream side in the conveying direction, and a control unit for independently controlling rotations of the four correction rollers, wherein the control unit rotates a conveyance posture of the paper-like material to some extent by making a speed difference between the two upstream-side correction rollers, and rotates the paper-like material to a desired conveyance posture by making a speed difference between the two downstream-side correction rollers.

Abstract: The invention relates to automated handling of baggage objects of variable sizes, shapes and consistencies, including baggage in an airport. The invention involves measuring at least length in two directions of the objects while supported on a conveyor means, turning selected objects in an angle according to a selection in response to the measured lengths in relation to a predetermined value, and transferring objects to a storage device to collect a plurality of objects, and preferably while the objects are supported on a conveyor means. The selection in response to at least one predetermined value provides one basis for deciding whether to turn the objects before the objects are transferred to the storage device. This facilitates automatic transfer of baggage objects without manual intervention.

Abstract: A conveyor and methods for turning cases. The conveyor includes a pair of side-by-side belts running preferably at different speeds. The different belt speeds cause the leading edge of a package straddling both belts to move toward the slower belt. The two belts include transverse rollers that can be selectively actuated in a series of actuation zones along the conveyor to push packages conveyed atop them to the right or to the left. A controller controls the actuation of the belt rollers in each zone sequentially so that the belt rollers supporting the leading edge of the package push it towards the slower belt and the belt rollers supporting the trailing edge of the package push it towards the faster belt to accelerate the turning of the package as the belts advance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an object repositioning system configured for use in association with a conveyor includes opposed gates positioned over the conveyor and oriented in an initial partially-closed position in which the gates define an opening through which objects conveyed by the conveyor can pass that is narrower than a width of the conveyor, a locking mechanism configured to lock the gates in the initial partially-closed position, and an actuation mechanism configured to release the locking mechanism to enable the gates to pivot when an object conveyed by the conveyor contacts both of the gates at the same time.

Abstract: A device for handling profile parts, including a mechanism for linearly and/or axially positioning such parts perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the profiles, for conveying, for measuring, for controlling the cutting and/or for stacking such parts, with at least one supporting beam placed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the profiles wherein the beam is provided with a mechanism for picking up the parts, and wherein the device includes a mechanism for axially rotating the beam and a mechanism for linearly moving the beam in two or more directions perpendicular to its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A conveyor comprises two endless conveyor belts (1, 2) arranged in parallel. The upper surface of each conveyor belt (1, 2) includes an array of belt rollers (3), each belt roller arranged to rotate with movement of the conveyor belts about an axis at an oblique angle to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belts (1, 2). The conveyor also includes a respective drive mechanism arranged to drive each conveyor belt (1, 2). Each drive mechanism is arranged to drive the associated conveyor belt (1, 2) selectively in a forward direction and a reverse direction independently of the direction of drive of the other conveyor belt (2, 1). The axes of the belt rollers (3) are aligned such that when each conveyor belt (1, 2) is driven in the forward direction, the belt rollers (3) of the conveyor belt (1, 2) rotate about their axes to urge an object on the upper surface of the conveyor belt (1, 2) towards the other conveyor belt (1, 2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a tray handling apparatus in which the conveyance and inversion of a tray can be performed simultaneously to thereby achieve a rapid inspecting operation and a simplified apparatus configuration, and a semiconductor device inspecting method using the tray handling apparatus. The tray handling apparatus includes an inverting unit to turn the tray, in which objects are received, upside down, and a transfer device to convey the object receiving tray from one conveyor to another conveyor while being reciprocally moved above a body of the apparatus. The inverting unit is integrally provided at a lower end of the transfer device, to allow the conveyance and inversion of the tray to be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: The device for individual conveying of elongate objects comprises: a hopper from which batches of elongate articles are extracted, which fall onto an initial tract of a conveyor belt provided with transversal seatings. The belt draws the articles towards a strongly-inclined ascending tract, along which all the articles which are not correctly inserted in the seatings are unloading. After the ascending tract thereof follows an intermediate tract, superiorly of which a television camera is arranged to monitor the transversal seatings as they transit, in order to detect each of the a presence or absence of articles and if there should be any present, a number, position and orientation thereof.

Abstract: A bag-making and packaging machine, in which a horizontal bag-making machine and a packaging machine are provided, including a positioning conveyor for positioning bags fed out from the horizontal bag-making machine, a feed conveyor for feeding the bags to the packaging machine, and first, second, and third transport mechanisms provided between the positioning conveyor and the feed conveyor. The first transport mechanism lifts up the bags up and change their attitude to a vertical attitude with the bag mouths oriented upward. The second transport mechanism receives the bags from the first transport mechanisms, transports them, and rotates the bags to orient bag surfaces in the feed direction of the feed conveyor. The third transport mechanisms receives the bags from the second transport mechanisms, changes their attitude to a horizontal attitude, and places them on the feed conveyor with the bag mouths oriented in the feed direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting piece goods may include a receiving surface which can rotate about a predefined rotation axis and is designed to receive the piece goods. The apparatus may include a first guide rail for guiding the piece goods, wherein this guide rail has a gap through which one region of the piece goods passes and by means of which another region of the piece goods is held. The apparatus may include a turning device which pivots the piece goods with respect to a longitudinal direction of the piece goods. The apparatus may include a separating device which separates out some of the sorted piece goods which are not guided in a predefined manner by the first guide rail or by the turning device. The turning device may be arranged upstream of the separating device in the movement direction of the piece goods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for article conveyance and orientation are provided. The system includes first and second conveyors, which convey articles in a conveying direction. The system also includes first and second sensors, which detect articles conveyed on the first and second conveyors, and which are coupled to a controller. The controller, based on information received from the first and second sensors, controls the first and second conveyors to orient the articles so that the articles have a size in a direction of conveyance which is greater than a size in a direction transverse to the direction of conveyance. The controller also controls the system to prevent another article from being conveyed onto the first and second conveyors when an article is being oriented.

Abstract: A device for conveying closures (D) made from metallic sheet in an essentially vertical direction from a collecting point (1) to a release point (6) is proposed. The closures are selected to be in correct position during conveying in order to release at the release point (6) only same-lying closures in a row of closures following one another closely. A conveyer belt (10) serves for the transport (v1, v2) of the closures. A sensor and discharge device (17, 16, 19, 18; 3) serves for detecting wrong-position closures and for lateral discharge (q1, q2) of individual wrong-position closures. In the course of the conveyer belt (10) upstream of the sensor and discharge device, a bar (15) is arranged above the conveyer belt, which terminates after the sensor and discharge device (17, 16, 19, 18; 3). More than one row (R1, R2) of closures next to one another may be supplied separately to the sensor and discharge device (17, 16, 19, 18; 3).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for feeding articles to and removing articles from an automatic washer, for example, a tunnel-type automatic washer are provided. The systems and methods employ conveyors, for example, belt conveyors, gantry-type conveyors, and shuttle-type conveyors, for handling and conveying articles to or from a washer or an intermediate station. The conveyors utilize arm-end tooling adapted to grasp and manipulate at least one article, but may typically handle a plurality of articles. The arm-end tooling includes cylinder-based actuators that can be operated and controlled by an automated control system. The handling of the articles can be assisted by using a vision-based system. Aspects of the invention are suited for use in handling laboratory equipment, for example, utensils and containers, such as, laboratory animal cages, in particular, cage tops and cage bottoms.

Abstract: An automatic tray repositioning device for automatically repositioning a tray that has been misaligned onto a rotating shelf. The invention includes a placement arm set partially within a housing, the arm connected to a vertically mounted motor. The motor is in communication with a detection system, such that when a portion of a tray is detected, the motor acts to immediately move the placement arm toward the tray, to gently reposition the tray back onto the shelf on which it sits.

Abstract: An article or postal mail conveyor or transportation system which has an in-line mechanism integrally incorporated therein that has been specifically constructed and assembled so as to enable mail tray and mail tub receptacles, which may initially be disposed upon the conveyor or transportation mechanism in improperly oriented states or dispositions, to be automatically moved to properly oriented dispositions or states such that the mail tray and mail tub receptacles can in fact be processed further by automated apparatus or equipment without encountering or causing operational difficulties. The mechanism for re-orienting the mail trays or mail tubs comprises a four-sided tubular housing within which conveyor rollers are disposed upon the four walls of the tubular housing such that any one of the walls of the tubular housing can effectively serve as the floor member of the housing along which the mail trays or mail tubs can be conveyed.

Abstract: A device for aligning parcel goods, in particular bottle crates, boxes, trays or the like during conveyance, and having a conveyor device with a roller conveyor belt having two-part freely rotatable rollers, whereby the conveyance takes place in a plane of conveyance and the alignment takes place in an alignment area situated at least partially in the plane of transport, with a plurality of manipulation units that can be operated in a controlled manner and are situated above and/or below the roller chains in the alignment area. The manipulation units are able to alter the speed and/or the direction of rotation of the rollers for rotation of a parcel about an axis perpendicular to the plane of transport, with at least one preferably optical recognition device which detects the aligned position of the parcel and a control device which controls the process of alignment of the parcel.

Abstract: A load manipulation system includes a plurality of cells arranged to form a generally planar load manipulation surface. Each cell has at least one actuator coupled to an upper surface which forms the load manipulation surface. The actuator is operable to vibrate the upper surface of the cell within a plane of the load manipulation surface. The system further includes a controller operable to receive input from a sensor and send commands to the actuators to manipulate loads on the load manipulation surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively orienting an article (28) can include a selective indexing of a movable carriage (94) between a first carriage position and at least a second carriage position, thereby providing a selected face-alignment of a datum surface (74) of the article. In particular aspects, the first carriage position can be configured to provide for a first, twist displacement of the article, and the second carriage position can be configured to provide for a second, twist displacement of the article with the second twist displacement directionally opposite to the first twist displacement. In another aspect, the movable carriage can include an indexing wheel (120). In a further aspect, at least one set of twist-belts (66) can be connected to the carriage (94).

Abstract: A board turner (1, 31) is intended for use on a conveyor (3) for transporting large volumes of boards. The conveyor (3) defines a plane for carrying boards (14) and the board turner (1, 31) has a rotation unit (4) and a gripping unit (7) mounted on the rotation unit (4). The gripping unit (7) has an open position and a closed position and is switchable between these positions in response to a signal from a sensor. In the open position, the gripping unit (7) rotates past the carrying plane without making contact with the synchronously arriving board (14). A signal from the sensor switches the gripping unit (7) between the open position and the closed position while the gripping unit (7) grips two opposite surfaces of a sideways extending part of the board (14) and continues to rotate above the belt conveyor (3) in order to turn the board (14) in this way.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accumulating articles (28) include conveying a plurality of individual articles with a stacking conveyor (96) In particular aspects, the vacuum conveyor (96) can be arranged with an elbow configuration to substantially avoid an undesired encircling or surrounding of a substantially fixed portion of cooperating downstream equipment, and the stacking conveyor (96) can have a plurality of holding members (112) that project away from an article-side surface of the stacking conveyor. In another aspect, the method and apparatus can include a turning mechanism which forms the desired elbow configuration. A further aspect can include a transfer system (98) which can cooperate with a vacuum system (100) to load the articles (28) into downstream packaging equipment. Still another aspect can include a storage buffer mechanism (104) which provides an area upon which to stage at least one article-set (70).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively orienting an article (28) can include a selective indexing of a movable carriage (94) between a first carriage position and at least a second carriage position, thereby providing a selected face-alignment of a datum surface (74) of the article. In particular aspects, the first carriage position can be configured to provide for a first, twist displacement of the article, and the second carriage position can be configured to provide for a second, twist displacement of the article with the second twist displacement directionally opposite to the first twist displacement. In another aspect, the movable carriage can include an indexing wheel (120). In a further aspect, at least one set of twist-belts (66) can be connected to the carriage (94).

Abstract: The invention described here concerns a unit for automatic container returns systems, with a conveyor device for transporting the containers in the direction of their longitudinal axis, with two rotary-driven rollers arranged along the conveyor path and which can be transferred from a neutral position into an identification position in which they release the container from the conveyor device and rotate said container, and with a sorting means for the selective, lateral removal of the container from the conveyor device according to the identification.

Abstract: The invention provides an image reading apparatus and method capable of performing skew error correction at high speed. In an image reading apparatus that conveys a stacked medium along a conveyance path, reads an image of the medium being conveyed, and discharges the medium after reading the image, the apparatus comprises calculation means for calculating the amount of skew of the medium while being conveyed, and correction means for correcting the amount of skew of the medium in accordance with the amount of skew calculated by the calculation means. The correction means comprise determination means for determining whether correction for the amount of skew should be performed or not, and control means for correcting the amount of skew of the medium. The calculation means comprise medium detection means for detecting the state of the medium conveyed along the conveyance path, and calculate the amount of skew from the detected result of the state of the medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for orienting a flexible walled article, such as a pillow type bag. With the method and apparatus, the article is presented to a pattern detector which detects a pattern on the surface of the article. The detected pattern is compared with at least one of a number of predetermined patterns representing respective orientations of the article, to identify the orientation of the presented article. When the identified orientation is not a required orientation, the article is automatically turned in a manner dependent on the identified orientation so that the article takes up the required orientation.

Abstract: A parts aligning apparatus that has a plurality of parts carried on a track located upstream of the apparatus. A first track of the apparatus carries the parts thereon. When a sensing device senses a particular face of each part is contacting the first track, an air jet device emits a burst of compressed air, causing the part on the first track to turn over onto a second track so that the particular face faces upward, or away from the track surface. During this process, the part turns around a common apex between the first and second tracks, which serves as a support point.

Abstract: A group of bolts are suppled into a placing surface of a tray, an isolated bolt is searched for by a visual sensor, and its deviation from a standard position at the time of teaching is determined. The isolated bolt is picked up by a robot that has been taught how to pick up an isolated bolt laying in a standard position. The position of the robot's hand is corrected according to the deviation from the standard position before the robot attempts to pick up the located isolated bolt. If no isolated bolt is found, a shaking device 1 is operated to loosen the piled-up bolts, and a new isolated bolt is again searched for by the visual sensor. The isolated bolt, if found, is picked up. The picking-up operation may be performed by searching for an isolated small set of bolts using a three-dimensional visual sensor. The oscillating excitation can also be provided by a robot.

Abstract: An assembly for turning bundles includes a planar surface that receives bundles from an upstream station. A sensor detects movement of the bundle toward the surface and initiates a timing sequence. The sequence includes slowing the bundle over the surface so that it does not contact the stop at high speed. The stop is then retracted after the bundle movement is terminated and a portion of the surface is lifted and rotated through approximately ninety degress to re-orient the bundle. After the bundle is lowered to the planar surface, it is then advanced by a drive assembly from the surface toward a downstream station.