Abstract: The invention relates to a system for operating storage units. The inventive system enables quick storage and removal therefrom and exhibits an optimum redundancy capacity. In order to counteract shortfalls in individual shelf operation devices, the inventive load receiving means acts as a support for a system for operating storage units, especially high shelf storage units, comprising means for mechanical connection to shelf unit, a lift device and a device arranged thereon for the transversal movement of loads, whereby the means for connection to a shelf unit has an electric drive unit with a pinion gear, driving a toothed rack and the toothed rack is arranged and embodied in such a way that when the pinion gear is rotated said toothed rack moves laterally outside the load receiving means, and the toothed racks are respectively provided with means which protrude from the ends thereof above the load receiving means, engaging into corresponding receiving devices on the shelf units.

Abstract: An elevation conveyor 5 includes a turntable 17 and a roller conveyor 18. The roller conveyor 18 is supported onto the turntable 17. A turntable controller 7 turns the turntable 17 so that the roller conveyor 18 matches with a carrying direction of a conveyor rail for receiving or delivering a load and then drives the conveyor rail and the roller conveyor 18 to receive or deliver an FOUP 8. An elevation conveyor 5 is held in a cable 20a installed in an elevation space 9 through a coupling member 20b of a cableveyor 20, and can freely elevate and stop at a port 21 installed on each floor while being interlocked with motion of the cableveyor 20 caused by reciprocating circulation of the cableveyor 20 in a vertical direction by an elevation conveyor controller 4.

Abstract: A line feed system of the invention comprises a framework having a first end and a second end. At least one conveyor is carried on the framework. The conveyor comprises a drive system and a cart configured to engage the drive system. In one embodiment, the cart has a base that engages the drive system and a carriage that is movable, e.g., extensible and retractable, with respect to the base. In another embodiment, the drive system is extensible and retractable. The cart can also include one or more lift devices that can be raised and lowered with respect to the carriage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system includes a continuous track and a plurality of individual storage units stacked in multiple columns or rows. Each storage unit is engaged with the track for selective movement along the track. Each storage unit includes two sets of wheels, a first set of wheels for engaging the continuous track, and a second set of wheels for engaging support rails disposed above an upper rail of first and second tracks of the continuous track, so as to support the storage unit as the storage unit passes gaps in the upper rail due to intermediate vertical rails extending downwardly intermediate ends thereof.

Abstract: An article transport facility comprises an article transporting mobile body movable along a moving path and having an article holding unit; an article support for article storage, the article support movable between an article transfer position for receiving an article from the holding unit of the mobile body and transferring the article to the holding unit, and an article storage position; and a operating device provided on the mobile body for moving the article support between the article storage position and the article transfer position when the mobile body is at an article transfer location corresponding to a location of the article support.

Abstract: An automatic warehouse 8 is provided parallel to a running rail 4 for an overhead travelling carriage 6. Open shelves 16 each of which is open on its side are provided in a rack 10. According to the present invention, articles can be transferred directly to and from a shelf in the automatic warehouse.

Abstract: A system and method for automated handling, transferring and storing conventional cargo storage containers on a cargo ship wherein the containers are stored in a multi-tier cell system and are manipulated by powered transfer units which are selectively moveable along an intersecting overhead track system such that containers may be simultaneously retrieved from, moved or placed within any of the cells of the ship. The transfer units are equipped both with hoists, which control spreader beams which are selectively secured to the cargo containers, and guide stabilizers, which prevent undesirable movement of the cargo containers when they are elevated above the cell structures such that the containers may be manipulated even during rough sea conditions such that the system is essentially continuously operable as a floating supply distribution system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a stocking system and its operating method. The stocking system comprises a shelf assembly, a first crane, and a second crane. The shelf assembly stores a plurality of cassettes. The first crane is installed at one side of the shelf assembly and loads/unloads the cassettes to/from the shelf assembly. The second crane is installed at the other side of the shelf assembly and loads/unloads the cassettes to/from the shelf assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining items in an outbound container through the use of autonomous vehicles, each of which includes means for automatically loading and unloading a payload, to perform both transfer and transport functions in moving containers of items within a workspace via a network of roadways. Under computer control, said autonomous vehicles transfer and transport case containers of item units between incoming receiving stations, intermediate storage locations, and outgoing order-assembly stations where entire containers or individual item units are combined in the outbound container.

Abstract: An overhead traveling vehicle has a lateral movement mechanism for moving a transfer apparatus toward left and right sides. The lateral movement mechanism includes a fixed base unit having drive means, and a middle unit supported by the base unit. The middle unit is slidable laterally by the drive means toward both of the left and right sides and is provided at an intermediate position below the base unit. The mechanism has further a front unit supporting the transfer apparatus, and being supported by the middle unit. The front unit is slidable laterally, moves with the movement of the middle unit, and is provided at a front end position below the middle unit.

Abstract: A cradle assembly for moving and positioning a watercraft with respect to a support module. The cradle assembly comprises a plurality of horizontally varying cradle beams, a cradle wall extending upward from the cradle beams and a transportation track traversing the cradle beams. A transportation rail is slideably positioned on the transportation track to engage the bottom of the water craft as the cradle assembly moves the watercraft with respect to the support module. A positioning system is operatively connected to the transportation rail to extend a substantial portion of the transportation rail within the support module to place the watercraft in and retrieve it from the support module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carrying apparatus that prevents an elevating motor and the like from projecting from a stacker crane to hinder the stacker crane from interfering with walls of an automatic warehouse. A traveling vehicle 2 of a stacker crane comprises traveling driving means 20, 20 for wheels 9, and elevation driving means 35 for elevating and lowering a platform 4. Both driving means 20, 35 are arranged so that a longitudinal direction of both driving means 20, 35 is almost parallel with a direction in which the traveling vehicle 2 runs. The traveling vehicle 2 comprises a pair of frames 17, 17 spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and a plurality of connecting members that connect both frames 17, 17 together. Both driving means 20, 35 are arranged outside the respective frames 17. Wheels 9, 9 are arranged in the front and rear, respectively, of the traveling vehicle 2. The traveling driving means 20 is connected to each wheel 9.

Abstract: A storage lift has at least one chain drive (14, 15) used for loading and unloading storage goods carriers (4). Each chain drive has two chains (16, 17) that are laterally and vertically offset from each other and are interconnected by coupling members (22, 23). The chains propel drivers (27) fixed to extension arms (24, 25) of the coupling members (22, 23) and are used to transfer the storage goods carriers (4) to a vertical conveyor (1) and to hold them in a position in which the vertical conveyor is movable upwardly and downwardly. The chains (16, 17) of the chain drive or drives (14, 15) are located between the front edges of the storage goods carriers (4), which lie opposite one another in storage columns (2, 3), to enable the vertical conveyor (1) to have a relatively narrow construction.

Abstract: The invention provides a palletless loading structure for a storage system which comprises a plurality of storage forks including a first support beam and a plurality of storage fork bars mounted in regular interval to cross the first support beam at a right angle; a stacker crane and a including a plurality of transporting fork bars horizontally arranged in a regular interval to be alternatively positioned between the storage fork bars and a third support beam supporting the lower middle portion of the transporting fork bar, wherein any one height of the storage fork bar transporting fork bar is set to be relatively higher than the other one, and the fork bar of a relatively lower height includes a projecting tap mounted on the lower portion thereof, the projecting tap being mounted on the supporting beam.

Abstract: A system for relocating elements within a storage library is provided, the library comprising plurality of adjacent horizontal arrays of storage cells and at least one robot that moves along the horizontal arrays and can retrieve objects from and place objects into the storage cells. The present invention comprises a cross-cabinet guide rail that is placed at the end of the adjacent horizontal arrays and serves as a means 1) to move media elements and robots between adjacent arrays of storage cells, 2) to provide an easy access method for the entry and removal of components from the library, and 3) to provide a method for movement of cartridges and robots between separate library enclosures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load-bearing frame (18) for a conveyor device, in particular a shelf-stacking device (1), with a support frame (19) which can be secured on a lift (17) of the conveyor device and, disposed on it, mutually parallel support mechanisms with displaceable telescopic support arms for receiving a storage unit such as a pallet (6), box, etc., and a conveyor system forming a conveying direction extends parallel with a displacement direction of the support mechanisms (21). The conveyor system consists of conveyor mechanisms (27) with two linear conveyors (26) arranged in pairs, disposed symmetrically by reference to a mid-plane (31) and extending between the support mechanisms (21) perpendicular to the standing surface (8) of the shelf-stacking device (1), forming a conveyor direction parallel with a displacement direction of the support mechanisms (21).

Abstract: A processor for processing articles, such as semiconductor wafers, in a substantially clean atmosphere is set forth. The processor includes an enclosure defining a substantially enclosed clean processing chamber and at least one processing station disposed in the processing chamber. An interface section is disposed adjacent an interface end of the enclosure. The interface section includes at least one interface port through which a pod containing articles for processing are loaded or unloaded to or from the processor. The interface section is hygienically separated from the processing chamber since the interface section is generally not as clean as the highly hygienic processing chamber. An article extraction mechanism adapted to seal with the pod is employed. The mechanism is disposed to allow extraction of the articles contained within the pod into the processing chamber without exposing the articles to ambient atmospheric conditions in the interface section.

Abstract: A buffer apparatus includes a vertically moving mechanism containing a plurality of horizontally moving mechanisms to store carriers and transfer carriers to and from a load port, and one or more buffer load ports adjacent to the buffer apparatus to charge and uncharge the buffer apparatus by means of a guided vehicle, an overhead vehicle, or a human. A buffer system includes a buffer apparatus and a processing system load port to transfer carriers from the buffer apparatus to a processing system load port. An arrayed buffer system includes a plurality of buffer systems where each buffer system interacts with an individual set of load ports or a pair of buffer systems interacts with a shared set of load ports. A combination of arrayed buffer systems includes a plurality of adjacent arrayed buffer systems capable of sharing a single, environmental front-end mechanism maintenance space and capable of being serviced from the front.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for picking articles situated in a rack storage unit, comprising a plurality of parallel rack rows (60, 62, 63) for the storage of articles situated on retrieval pallets (38) and/or in containers (80), storage aisles (70) and picking aisles (72) formed alternately between the rack rows (60, 62, 63), at least one storage vehicle (56) in each storage aisle (70), which vehicle is designed to accommodate at least one retrieval pallet (38) and/or container (80) and is capable of travelling along each storage aisle (70) to place the retrieval pallets and/or containers into storage in the pallet racks, at least one picker vehicle (10) in each picking aisle (72) for picking the articles to be picked, which is capable of travelling along in each case one of the two mutually opposing picking fronts forming the picking aisle (72), buffer locations (64), which are disposed in the picking aisles (72) between the routes of the picker vehicles (10) travelling along the two opposing picking

Abstract: A self-service kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, multi-section inventory storage area for dispensing items and accepting returns. User selections are entered via instructions entered at an interactive panel containing a selection menu of graphical icons and messages. A programmable controller monitors entered identification data and payments to control the dispensing and return of selected items from assigned storage locations via X-Y-Z track driven, transfer and end effect assemblies. Associated software manages payment transactions via a bill receiver, coin changer, credit card verifier, and receipt printer and develops associated administrative inventory status reports. One end effect includes a hook that interconnects to storage trays. The end effect extends and retracts the trays onto a support platform and conveys the trays and items back and forth from the storage space.

Abstract: Roll-changing apparatus for a multi-nip calender an upright part (10) of the roll-changing apparatus having at least one vertical column (11), to which at least one horizontal beam (12) and, at its lower end, a carrier part (13) belong, and a roll-changing apparatus (1) of the roll changing apparatus further including a vertically moveable lifting carriage (14) which is fitted to the vertical column. According to the invention for transporting the rolls (21,22) of the calender (2) in the lateral direction from the calender to the roll store (3) and vice versa, the roll-changing apparatus (1) can be conveyed between calender and roll store, while the lifting carriage (14) of the roll-changing apparatus (1) is immovable in the lateral direction with respect to the vertical column (11).

Abstract: A storage shelf system for hanging goods, for example, a storage system for articles of clothing hanging on clothes hangers, essentially includes a hanging conveyor of the power-and-free type with trolleys traveling on rails, a storage unit, operating devices for loading and unloading the high shelf storage system, and storage rods for receiving the goods during transport and storage thereof, wherein the trolleys, the operating devices, and the high shelf storage system are equipped with supports and corresponding securing devices, such as locking pawls, locking bolts and the like, for securing the storage rods in a positively engaging manner.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to reduce the number of shelves for supporting articles in an article storage system for storage of articles such as containers. The storage system includes a shelf 12 for supporting a container 2 having an engaging means 8 formed at an upper portion thereof. The storage system also includes a loader/unloader 4 for loading the container 2 on and unloading it from the shelf 12. The shelf 12 includes a deck 20 formed on the upper side thereof, on which the container 2 can be placed. The shelf 12 also includes a pair of right and left engaging parts 16 formed on the lower side thereof for engaging with the engaging means 8 of the container 2 to hold the container 2 hanging from the shelf 12. The engaging means 8 and the pair of engaging parts 16 can engage with and disengage from each other in the directions in which the container 2 can be loaded and unloaded.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and simultaneously loading/unloading a plurality of wafer boats (24) onto/from a cantilever paddle includes a cantilever paddle (47-1) and a carriage (42-1) supporting the cantilever paddle First and second vertical translation mechanisms (34A,B) each include a stationary part (62,63) and a vertically moveable support (61). First and second horizontal translation mechanisms (50A,B) each have a base (86) supported by one of the vertically moveable supports and a horizontally moveable arm (51) supported by the base (86). A horizontal boat support assembly (102) supports the loaded wafer boats and has an end supported by a first horizontally moveable arm (51A) and another end supported by a second horizontally moveable arm (51B).

Abstract: An accessor device for a tape library has two accessor bases movably mounted on two parallel guide rails extending along a plurality of cells housing tapes. The accessor bases have, on respective confronting portions thereof, overlapping edges which overlap each other in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rails when the accessor bases move toward each other. The accessor device mounted on the two parallel guide rails is prevented from falling, and the accessor devices with the overlapping edges has a wide accessible area for accessing endmost regions in the tape library.

Abstract: A cassette stocker includes a plurality of cassette storage shelves positioned adjacent a cleanroom wall and vertically disposed relative to a plurality of cassette docking stations, and a cassette mover to carry a cassette between the shelves and the docking stations. An interstation transfer apparatus includes a support beam and a transfer arm adapted to carry a cassette between processing stations.

Abstract: An autonomous remote controlled vehicle for use in the automation of an existing refrigerated flow through storage facility food processing application. The remote vehicle is specifically designed to operate within a network of centrally controlled remote vehicles that are adapted to receive selectable items from production and temporarily store them for later retrieval. The system is adapted to minimize travel time for the remote vehicle and optimize cycle time. The system is specifically adapted to handle cardboard shipping boxes containing meat products.

Abstract: An upper cart 12 and a lower cart 2 have running motors 4, 14, respectively, for controlling these carts in a manner overlapping each other on a vertical line. A mast 18 is formed into a truss structure, and an elevating platform 20 has a slide fork a load on which is supported on a shelf support of a rack. The present invention provides a light stacker crane operating at a high speed.

Abstract: An easily installed inter-row transfer unit is disclosed employing a movable cartridge bin assembly suspended via linkage from a pair of bearing blocks, wherein the resulting bin assembly carriage travels horizontally along a support housing extending between front-to-back arrangements of rows of library systems, to enable expansion of the library systems into very large mass storage systems. The pair of bearing blocks of the bin assembly carriage are spread or closed to respectively raise or lower the bin assembly from or into a respective library system. Thus, vertical as well as horizontal motions of the bearing blocks are controlled by a motor/cable drum drive device secured to the support housing. In a preferred embodiment, a trapdoor mechanism and a cooperating roller support mechanism are used to enable reversing the direction of horizontal translation of the bin assembly carriage with a single motor/cable drum drive device. Various other embodiments and modifications are illustrated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for storing spools 3, especially filament spools, comprising several spool carriers 2. According to the invention, the spools 3 are stored with an upright spool axis 6 in a shelf storage unit 1 with horizontal shelf compartments 17 for receiving individually movable spool carriers.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, multi-section inventory storage area for dispensing items and accepting returns. User selections are entered via instructions entered at an interactive panel containing a selection menu of graphical icons and messages. A programmable controller monitors entered identification data and payments to control the dispensing and return of selected items from assigned storage locations via X-Y-Z track driven, transfer and end effect assemblies. Associated software manages payment transactions via a bill receiver, coin changer, credit card verifier, and receipt printer and develops associated administrative inventory status reports. One end effect includes a hook that interconnects to storage trays. The end effect extends and retracts the trays onto a support platform and conveys the trays and items back and forth from the storage space.

Abstract: An autonomous remote controlled vehicle for use in the automation of an existing refrigerated flow through storage facility food processing application. The remote vehicle is specifically designed to operate within a network of centrally controlled remote vehicles that are adapted to receive selectable items from production and temporarily store them for later retrieval. The system is adapted to minimize travel time for the remote vehicle and optimize cycle time. The system is specifically adapted to handle cardboard shipping boxes containing meat products.

Abstract: A device handler having a device holder 200 in which are provided a plurality of feed stockers 201 and/or storing stockers 202, provided with an IC card reader 260 able to read and/or write identification data of an IC card 270 provided at each of the feed stockers 201 and/or storing stockers 202 and a movement mechanism 205 for moving the IC card reader 260 inside the device holder 200. The movement mechanism 205 is a tray movement arm. It is possible to simplify the configuration of the handler and lower the cost while enabling extremely easy reading and/or writing of identification data provided at the feed stocker and/or storing stocker.

Abstract: In an automatic storage system and an automatic storing method for automatically take in and out a container box 1 accommodating therein a wafer carrier 6, a take-in port and a take-out port of a storage unit 8 are unified to one common inlet/outlet port 15, and a control is conducted to the effect that when the container box 1 is taken in and out on the basis of a take-in/take-out schedule of the container box 1 to the storage unit 8, the empty container box is ceaselessly left at the inlet/outlet port 15. Thus, the take-in/take-out operation can be smoothly conducted with no necessity of enlarging the storage unit 8 and with no congestion of the conveying container box accommodating therein the wafer carrier 6.

Abstract: A storage system is disclosed which utilizes an array of at least three storage columns, each including a plurality of storage spaces. A primary automation system, which includes a robotic end effector for engaging objects to be stored, carrying objects into and removing objects from the storage spaces. A secondary automation system moves at least one of the storage columns as needed to create a travel space for the robotic end effector, thereby permitting ready access to all of the storage locations in the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and simultaneously loading a single long wafer boat or a plurality of wafer boats onto a cantilever paddle includes a stationary first track aligned with a first opening of a diffusion furnace and a first carriage moveable on the first track. The first carriage supports a cantilever paddle. A first vertical translation mechanism includes a first stationary part and a first vertically moveable support. A second vertical translation mechanism includes a second stationary part and a second vertically moveable support. A first horizontal translation mechanism includes a first base supported by the first vertically moveable support and a first horizontally moveable arm supported by the first base. A second horizontal translation mechanism includes a second base supported by the second vertically moveable support and a second horizontally moveable arm supported by the second base.

Abstract: A storage shelf system for hanging goods, for example, a storage system for articles of clothing hanging on clothes hangers, essentially includes a hanging conveyor of the power-and-free type with trolleys traveling on rails, a storage unit, operating devices for loading and unloading the high shelf storage system, and storage rods for receiving the goods during transport and storage thereof, wherein the trolleys, the operating devices, and the high shelf storage system are equipped with supports and corresponding securing devices, such as locking pawls, locking bolts and the like, for securing the storage rods in a positively engaging manner.

Abstract: Case handling magazines and robot end effector for an automated storage and retrieval system in a warehouse include comb shelves for holding individual cases of goods. The case handling magazines are transported by conventional automated pallet handling stacker cranes and transfer cars. The magazine comb shelves and robot end effector have load carrying teeth spaced apart along the length of the shelves. The magazines include storage magazines for holding cases in conventional storage bays and transfer magazines for transferring cases to and from the storage magazines. The comb shelves of the storage magazines and transfer magazines are complementary with one another and enable the teeth of the comb shelves to intermesh with each other for transferring cases from a loaded comb shelf to an empty comb shelf. The robot end effector and some magazines include movable comb shelf segments that enable the selective transfer of all or less than all the cases on the loaded comb shelf to the unloaded comb shelf.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and simultaneously loading/unloading a plurality of wafer boats (24) onto/from a cantilever paddle includes a cantilever paddle (47-1) and a carriage (42-1) supporting the cantilever paddle First and second vertical translation mechanisms (34A,B) each include a stationary part (62,63) and a vertically moveable support (61). First and second horizontal translation mechanisms (50A,B) each have a base (86) supported by one of the vertically moveable supports and a horizontally moveable arm (51) supported by the base (86). A horizontal boat support assembly (102) supports the loaded wafer boats and has an end supported by a first horizontally moveable arm (51A) and another end supported by a second horizontally moveable arm (51B).

Abstract: A rotary die storage and retrieval unit, a rotary die storage rack, and a rotary die storage cart are disclosed. The unit is for an automated storage of a rotary die upon a rotary die shelf and for an automated retrieval of a rotary die from upon the rotary die shelf. The rotary die shelf is disposed within the rack, and accessible through a side opening of the rack. The rotary die shelf is either adjoined to the rack, or adjoined to the cart which is disposed within any embodiment of the rack capable of housing the cart. A frame of the unit is movably mountable to the rack. When the frame is movably mounted to the rack, the frame is operative to be aligned with the rotary die shelf. A carriage of the unit is movably mounted to the frame and is also operative to be aligned with the rotary die shelf.

Abstract: A telescoping table with a base and at least two slides and a support table, which can be displaced linearly on it in a telescoping manner, and with drive devices assigned to these components, is to be operated in such a way that, even at small degrees of extension, at least the support table is fully or almost fully extended on the slide which guides it, and, to the extent possible, the second slide is also extended relatively far forward on the first slide, the required drive devices being installed in readily accessible and easy-to-maintain locations. For this purpose, it is proposed that the base be equipped with two drive devices, the first of which is connected only to the first slide, whereas the second operates tension cables, tension belts, tension bands, tension chains, and/or lengths of chain which operate a second slide or a second slide plus additional slides as well as the support table.

Abstract: This transfer device is to be supported by the tines of a forklift and supports a load such as a lumber pack to be transferred to a rack cell which have an anchor bar at its opening. The device comprises an underframe having tine receivers, and a mainframe which is movable with respect to the underframe towards the cell opening and which has hooks to hook onto said anchor bar. Said mainframe has rollers on which the load is supported. The system is motorized; first, the load remains centered with respect to the underframe when the mainframe is first shifted laterally of the forklift to hook onto the anchor upper bar of a selected rack cell because the frame rollers rotate in a direction opposite to the shifting direction; then the mainframe rollers rotate in the opposite direction to transfer the load into the rack cell.

Abstract: A warehousing system includes a multistory building having at least one lower floor, at least one upper floor located above the lower floor, opposed pairs of rack members disposed on the upper floor, and an aisle formed between each of the pairs of the rack members. Each pair of the rack members has two opposed horizontal guide rails respectively formed thereon at two sides of the aisle. A hole is formed in the upper floor at the aisle to intercommunicate respectively with the lower floor. A conveying device is disposed movably on the horizontal guide rails. The conveying device includes a translation device having a base bridging the aisle and connected slidably to the horizontal guide rails, a driving device disposed on the base for driving the base to move along the horizontal guide rails in a first direction, a holding apparatus mounted on the base and adapted for holding an article to be conveyed, and an elevator apparatus disposed on the base for raising and lowering the holding apparatus from the base.

Abstract: A selective-type battery charging and transferring system for electric vehicle uses a discretionary scheme rather than conventional continuous scheme and select the fully-charged battery to load on the transfer stage. The electric vehicle can be ensured to load with the most fully charged battery, thus eliminates the difficulty caused by the charging time difference.

Abstract: A vehicle handling system is provided for an automated parking garage. The system includes a loading platform dimensioned to support a vehicle, the loading platform including gratings each formed by a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel bars. The system also includes a carriage also formed with a grating having a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel bars, wherein the gratings of the loading platform and the carriage being sized and configured to allow the bars of the carriage to pass between the bars of the loading platform. The system also includes a lifting mechanism for lifting a vehicle away from the loading platform. The lifting mechanism may be a stacker crane assembly allowing both vertical and horizontal movement of the carriage or a robot trolley and lift assembly. The system may also include a turntable for changing the orientation of the vehicle within the garage.

Abstract: A paper roll supply system for a printing press system comprises a paper roll storage portion having a plurality of vertically arranged shelves for storing a plurality of paper rolls in desired orientation and a paper roll delivery outlet for the paper roll storage portion, the paper roll delivery outlet being positioned in alignment with a paper roll supply station along a substantially straight paper roll transporting path, by way of which a paper roll is transferred to a printing press. For supplying the paper roll to the printing press system, a paper roll transporting means is disposed between the paper roll delivery outlet and the paper roll supply station for transporting a paper roll along the paper roll transporting path.

Abstract: A mobile WIP parts tracking system useful in semi-conductor fabrication operations, includes an identifying tag fixed to each of a plurality of parts containers, and a tag reader mounted on the head of a robotic carrier which delivers the containers to and removes the containers from any or a plurality of storage bin containers within a storage facility. A control system coordinates the movements of the robotic carrier and received information from the tag reader in order to provide positive, continuous tracking of the storage bin location of each of the containers within the facility. In addition to generating continuous tracking information, the robotic carrier may be used to scan each of the storage bin locations in order to search for a desired container.

Abstract: Machine for handling objects such as raw materials, semifinished products, finished parts, and in particular metal sheets or the like, comprising: a portal comprising two uprights and a transverse beam and mounted on a movable carriage with drive means, a crossmember that can move up and down the said uprights and is connected to the latter as well as to lifting means; and two tracks, mounted at right angles to the said crossmember, in which two prongs with drive means can travel back and forth; the said means of lifting the said movable crossmember comprise two screws arranged parallel to each of the said uprights, each screw being engaged in a nut arranged at one end of and with its axis perpendicular to the said crossmember, and each screw being provided with drive means, and also a pallet that is especially suitable for use in the said machine.

Abstract: Wafer handling apparatus includes a plurality of holding stations arranged in an upstream-to-downstream order and devices to treat the wafers held at the stations. Cyclically operative wafer shifting devices engage the wafers, simultaneously remove the engaged wafers during that cycle from the holding stations, shift the engaged wafers downstream relative to said holding stations and then simultaneously redeposit the wafers onto the holding stations. Thus, each wafer redeposited on a cycle of the wafer shifting devices is disposed at a holding station downstream from the holding station occupied by such wafer before that cycle of the shifting devices. Wafer supply and removal devices are provided for introducing and removing the wafers to and from the holding stations after they are treated. A method of handling wafers among a plurality of holding stations is also disclosed.