Abstract: A control process for a conveyor system for conveying pallets or other objects comprises at least two mutually separate free-moving, i.e. not rail-mounted, conveyor units. Of the at least two conveyor units, a first conveyor unit is assigned a superordinate status and a second conveyor unit is assigned a subordinate status. The second conveyor unit therefore follows the first conveyor unit. To this end, the second conveyor unit detects a shift in the mutual relative position of the two conveyor units with the aid of a sensor and modifies its driving parameters depending on the shift in position detected by the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for handling of luggage of an aircraft container. The arrangement helps service stall transferring luggage Items from a conveyor belt into a container device, or transferring luggage items from a container device onto a conveyor belt. The arrangement comprises a frame structure having a vertical lever and a carrier mounted for slidable motion along said vertical lever, means for vertically adjusting the carrier along said vertical lever, aid a table oriented horizontally and telescopically mounted onto said carrier for enabling positioning of the table in the horizontal plane, where each luggage item can easily be transferred into the container device or transferred from said container device by vertically adjusting and horizontally position the table and sliding the luggage item on the table.

Abstract: A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder and a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder has a frame with device openings. The mobile drive unit is operable to dock with an inventory holder and undock with an inventory holder. When undocked from an inventory holder, the mobile drive unit is further operable to traverse a path from a first location to a second location. The path passes through at least a first device opening of the inventory holder such that the mobile drive unit passes beneath the inventory holder while moving along the path.

Abstract: A method for management of first in, first out stores is provided. The method includes producing parts at a primary process. The parts are processed at a secondary process. A storage region is provided that includes at least one store lane pair including a first store lane and a second store lane. The first store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The second store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The receiving volumes of the first store lane are filled with the parts in the order they are produced at the primary process in a first in, first out fashion from the pick side of the first store lane to the drop side of the first store lane using an automated guided vehicle sized and configured to pass through each of the plurality of receiving volumes.

Abstract: In the present invention, through the provision of a tray placing rack for storing trays in multi steps, the trays accommodating electronic parts after inspection are received in the racks and through the provision of a tray stacking rack above the tray placing rack, an empty tray emptied by having been inspected of the electronic parts before inspection at an inspection stage is stacked on the tray stacking rack. When a certain tray is filled with electronic parts after inspection and is discharged, an empty ray is taken out from the tray stacking rack and the empty tray is fed to the rack position of the discharged tray to permit re-use of empty trays.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for automated handling, positioning and orienting of an ear of corn includes apparatuses and systems for altering a portion of an ear of corn. Optionally included are one or more stations for automatically processing, testing, sampling and preparing the ear of corn for processing, testing or sampling and an automated transport means automatically moving ears of corn from station to station using alterations made to the ear of corn.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing the lowest workpiece from a stack of a plurality of substantially similar workpieces. A horizontal shuttle has a lip on its edge, and is driven in one direction to remove the lip from a void beneath the stack, thereby permitting the stack to fall. The lowest workpiece drops into the void, and the next higher workpiece rests on the upper surface of the shuttle lip. The shuttle is subsequently reversed to drive the workpiece into a slot in a vertical clamp body. The clamp body is driven downwardly, thereby driving the workpiece downwardly, to be acted upon by a secondary device, such as a conventional degating apparatus.

Abstract: A portable data storage cartridge comprising a housing, a first information storage medium removeably disposed within the housing, a holographic data storage medium disposed within the housing, wherein the housing is formed to include an aperture, and wherein the holographic data storage medium is disposed adjacent the aperture.

Abstract: In a machine tool arrangement comprising a machine tool component including a mounting structure for a work piece to be machined by a suitable metal cutting tool, a housing enclosing the machine tool component, a horizontal support beam is disposed above the housing and carries handling equipment for supplying work pieces from an adjacent loading area to the machine component for machining and returning the finished work pieces to the storage structure and an intermediate storage structure is disposed near the machine tool component for temporarily storing unfinished work pieces to be machined and finished work pieces after being machined.

Abstract: A method for loading and unloading a machining machine for machining boards that includes for loading the machining machine, the changing table is loaded with a board to be machined, whereby the board is separated from the first storage place and is deposited on a changing table. The changing table is conveyed together with the board to the machining machine. For unloading the machining machine, the changing table is conveyed together with a machined board to the second storage place and is then unloaded, wherein the machined board is separated from the changing table and deposited on the second storage place, wherein the unloading of the changing table includes conveying the changing table and the machined board to an unloading place in an area above the second storage place and the machined board is separated from the changing table at the unloading place.

Abstract: A degreasing furnace loading apparatus including a molded body moving mechanism configured to move a plurality of ceramic molded bodies simultaneously, and a transporting table configured to transport a degreasing jig for mounting the ceramic molded bodies thereon to a degreasing furnace. The molded body moving mechanism is configured to simultaneously place the plurality of ceramic molded bodies on the degreasing jig, such that each of the ceramic molded bodies is placed to have predetermined intervals therebetween.

Abstract: A loader picks up a workpiece from a container, and delivers it to a workstation downstream. An unloader receives the workpiece from the workstation upstream and puts it into a container. In the loader and the unloader respectively, a first stacker and a second stacker, for holding containers in stacked manner, are placed in parallel along direction Y. A table working as a container moving mechanism moves an extracted container along direction Y. A first container transfer mechanism extracts a container from the containers stacked in the first stacker and delivers it to the container moving mechanism. A second container transfer mechanism receives the container from the moving mechanism, and stacks it in the second stacker. A transfer-head working as a workpiece transfer mechanism picks up the workpiece from the container on the table, moves it along direction X, and delivers it to the workstation downstream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stacking device for a machine for processing sheets, especially a sheet printing machine. Said device can be displaced between a first stacking position (02) and a second stacking position (03), and comprises carriers for a pallet receiving the stacked sheets in the first stacking position (02) and the second stacking position (03). The inventive device also comprises transport units (14, 16, 18) for transporting the pallets (09, 21) from each stacking position (02, 03) to a single pile of pallets (11), and for stacking the pallets (12, 19) in the pile of pallets (11).

Abstract: Devices and methods for holding a tray stack having a plurality of trays configured to carry and store microelectronic devices. Several devices in accordance with the present invention are particularly applicable to carrying a stack of JEDEC trays that have been loaded with a plurality of microelectronic devices. In one embodiment, the device is a tray retainer including a guide structure configured to allow the tray stack to move in a direction of a load/unload path, and to restrict lateral movement of the tray stack with respect to the load/unload path. The guide structure can have a first end, a second end, and an opening at least proximate to the second end. The guide structure, for example, can have first and second channel sections extending in the direction of the load/unload path. The second channel section can also face the first channel section. The tray retainer can also include a cross-member and a moveable retaining element.

Abstract: A loader picks up a workpiece from a container, and delivers it to a workstation downstream. An unloader receives the workpiece from the workstation upstream and puts it into a container. In the loader and the unloader respectively, a first stacker and a second stacker, for holding containers in stacked manner, are placed in parallel along direction Y. A table working as a container moving mechanism moves an extracted container along direction Y. A first container transfer mechanism extracts a container from the containers stacked in the first stacker and delivers it to the container moving mechanism. A second container transfer mechanism receives the container from the moving mechanism, and stacks it in the second stacker. A transfer-head working as a workpiece transfer mechanism picks up the workpiece from the container on the table, moves it along direction X, and delivers it to the workstation downstream.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pallet orienting apparatus for use in a return lane of a pallet live storage system, wherein one or more empty pallets may be placed in the pallet orienting means in a generally upright position, the pallet being rotated to a pallet delivery position in which the pallet lies in a generally horizontal plane. A plurality of pallets may be simultaneously handled by the orienting apparatus, which may be linked to a computerized control system for a live storage warehouse. The specification describes preferred methods for handling empty pallets, in a palletized live storage system.

Abstract: For monitoring the transport of an object, the object is sent to a detection point. Signallings representing arrival of the object and related objects belonging to the same group at the detection point are registered. The target time for receipt of a signalling representing arrival of the object at the detection point is determined or adjusted depending on time points of signalling of arrival of related objects at the detection point. If after the target time no arrival of the object at the detection point has been registered yet, a warning signal is generated automatically. A computer program for automatically carrying out the proposed method is also described.

Abstract: Successive collapsed cardboard blanks which can be erected to accommodate, for example, arrays of cigarette cartons are supplied from a source (such as a magazine for one or more piles of superimposed randomly distributed properly oriented and misoriented blanks) to a packing machine along a path wherein the orientations of successive blanks are monitored and the misoriented blanks are reoriented so that the packing machine receives blanks each of which is in an optimum orientation for erection and subsequent reception of arrays of commodities. The arrangement for monitoring and, if necessary, correcting the orientation of successive blanks can include pneumatic and/or other conveyors, mobile props, mobile pushers, an upright chute and a vertically movable supporting platform for stacks of monitored and (if necessary) reoriented blanks.

Abstract: An automated cell is provided for handling parts received in part carriers. The device comprises a working space closed to the outside, within which a first, second and third stack position are sequentially arranged. A transfer device is provided with a first linear axis extending in a horizontal direction and a second linear axis coupled thereto extending in vertical direction. A bulkhead wall is arranged between the first and the second stack position, which together with a driveable hood guarantees a closure free of contact when the door on the front side of the device is opened. Handling procedures within the working space can then be decoupled from loading and unloading operations at the first stack position. The automated cell is very space-saving and inexpensive and also allows a stack-specific logistics.

Abstract: Sheet metal working system includes a housing rack provided with a plurality of shelves for housing pallets, an elevator provided on a side of the housing rack, and a pallet holder located on a bottom shelf of the housing rack for temporarily holding a pallet transported by pallet transporter. Also provided is a workpiece separator located above the pallet holder, a workpiece table located adjacently to the housing rack, a sheet working machine and a workpiece piler arranged so as to sandwich the workpiece table, and a loader that moves among the workpiece table, the machine and the workpiece piler.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting components stored in stackable trays, and removing empty trays having a base member having an input and an output portion; a discharge area; a shuttle member which removes empty storage trays and places them in the discharge area.

Abstract: A handling device for feeding and/or removing workpieces as unfinished parts to and/or from machining or assembly equipment for machining and/or assembly purposes and for picking up workpieces as finished parts after machining and/or assembly has a feed position, at least one intermediate position and a removal position, in which in each case there are workpiece-carrier stack units comprising workpiece carriers which are arranged one above another, the workpiece carriers in turn being populated with the workpieces. A workpiece-carrier handling unit removes the workpiece carriers in a pick-up position and sets them down again in a removal position after machining, it being possible for these positions to be defined via a control device. A device of this type contributes to reducing the downtimes in machining equipment and has a beneficial influence on the cycle-time intervals during the machining of workpieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing electronic circuit devices includes an infeed station, a first inspection station, an inverter station, a second inspection station, a sorting station, and an outfeed station. A linear transport mechanism having side edges transports a first work piece containing a plurality of electronic circuit devices through the stations along a linear path. The inverter station holds an empty second work piece above the transport mechanism in an inverted orientation. The inverter station also includes an elevator for lifting the first work piece vertically into an abutting relationship with the second work piece, and an inverting mechanism for inverting the first and second work pieces while maintaining them in the abutting relationship to position the electronic devices in the second work piece in the inverted orientation.

Abstract: An interlinked production system is provided with a plurality of processing stations, at least three buffers being provided for decoupling the processing steps in the different processing stations. The flow of parts through the individual stations and the buffers is provided by at least one portal or several portals, upon which a plurality of portal grippers can be driven. The portal grippers are configured for transferring the parts to be processed between the processing stations and the buffers and for loading and unloading of parts. The buffers are configured to receive part carriers and each comprises at least two stack positions. A transfer device is provided for transferring part carriers between the stack positions within the buffers. In this manner, a very flexible interlinked production system is achieved, which can be adjusted to operate in one-piece-flow or also for an optimal productivity with optimized buffer capacities.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for sequentially feeding a plurality of stacked carrier members to an assembly area. The conveying apparatus comprises a first bin for storing a desired quantity of stackable carrier members and the first bin has an outlet for sequentially discharging a carrier member therefrom. A feed mechanism communicating with the outlet of the first bin, and the feed mechanism facilitating individual feeding of the carrier members, in a sequential manner, from said first bin toward the assembly area. A conveyor mechanism, communicating with the outlet of the first bin, for receiving one carrier member, fed by the feed mechanism, and for conveying the carrier member to the assembly area where a plurality of components can be either retrieved from the carrier member to manufacture a desired product or loaded on the carrier member for later manufacture of a desired product.

Abstract: A shuttle assembly for handling trays of IC packages. The shuttle assembly is configured to accept cooperatively-configured trays in a vertically-extending tray stack volume in only a single rotational orientation. Trays are selectively released from or accepted by the tray stack volume by operation of selectively extendable and retractable tray support elements driven by actuators, which may comprise air cylinders. A lift mechanism for raising and lowering a tray in alignment with the tray stack volume may be included. A method of operation of the shuttle assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling electronic devices in a system that assigns a category corresponding to one of a plurality of predetermined categories to the electronic devices and sorts the electronic devices according to the categories is provided. A plurality of platforms, each for supporting one tray that carries one or more electronic devices, and each platform corresponding to one of the categories, are vertically stacked in a predetermined order according to the plurality of categories. A group of the stacked platforms are separated from a platform located at a first position corresponding to a particular category corresponding to the category of an electronic device to expose a tray and enable the electronic device to be placed on the tray. A method of handling electronic devices is also provided.

Abstract: Each pack has a pair of opposite edges and a pair of locating pins, and is also provided with pairs of holes separated by a distance equal to that between the pins to enable the packs to be stacked in offset manner, with the pins inserted inside the holes of the underlying pack. The loading and unloading device has a loading station and an unloading station located on either side of the worktable; and a transfer device movable between the stations and a fixture on the worktable for clamping the pack for machining. An unpinning mechanism for unpinning the pack has punches which are activated to remove the pins from the pack before the pack is deposited at the unloading station.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing electronic circuit devices includes an infeed station, a first inspection station, an inverter station, a second inspection station, a sorting station, and an outfeed station. A linear transport mechanism having side edges transports a first work piece containing a plurality of electronic circuit devices through the stations along a linear path. The inverter station holds an empty second work piece above the transport mechanism in an inverted orientation. The inverter station also includes an elevator for lifting the first work piece vertically into an abutting relationship with the second work piece, and an inverting mechanism for inverting the first and second work pieces while maintaining them in the abutting relationship to position the electronic devices in the second work piece in the inverted orientation.