Abstract: A method for self-assessing components of a cargo handling system configured for autonomous control by a processor is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes receiving by the processor a sensor database from a plurality of sensing agents in operable communication with the processor; testing by the processor the plurality of sensing agents by comparing the sensor database against a sensor assessment; and performing by the processor a first calibration assessment of the plurality of sensing agents to assess whether a compromised operational status of the cargo handling system has occurred due to a failure of one or more of the plurality of sensing agents.

Abstract: A product unpacking system includes a work surface at a first height and a product unloading position at a second height. An adjustable cutter is positioned adjacent to the work surface and configured to cut a plurality of sides of each case. A case movement device, such as a robot or manual mover, is configured to retrieve a case from a group of cases and move the case to the cutter to cut a plurality of sides of the case. The case movement device may then move the cut case to an unload position over a product container to allow products within the case to drop into the product container. A system of conveyors may be used to convey empty product containers toward the work surface and to convey filled product containers away from the work surface. The system may be automated to receive recipe information for each case to be unloaded and modify parameters of the system based on the case.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer program products are disclosed for container transportation. An example system includes a conveyor network that includes a plurality of conveyors and each conveyor supports one or more containers thereon. Each conveyor defines a conveyor length and a conveyor operating speed. The system further includes a computing device operably coupled to the conveyor network. The computing device receives a starting location and a destination location of a first container within the conveyor network and receives an operating density for each conveyor in the conveyor network. The computing device determines a first travel path for the first container between the starting location and the destination location based upon the conveyor length, the conveyor operating speed, and the operating density for each conveyor in the conveyor network. The first travel path minimizes a total travel time for the first container between the starting location and the destination location.

Abstract: An automated container cutting system for cutting a container includes a cutting platform and a cutting tool held by the cutting platform. The cutting tool is configured to cut the container. The automated container cutting system includes a force feedback sensor operatively connected to the cutting tool such that the force feedback sensor is configured to measure resistive force exerted on the cutting tool. The automated container cutting system includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to the force feedback sensor. The processor is configured to receive resistive force data from the force feedback sensor. The resistive force data represents resistive force exerted on the cutting tool as the cutting tool pierces a wall of the container. The at least one processor is configured to determine whether the cutting tool has penetrated through the wall of the container using the received resistive force data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system with which a change in the state of a workpiece which has occurred in a conveyance process can be detennined. The sensor system comprises: a plurality of sensors positioned along a line and measuring data indicating that a workpiece being conveyed upon the line has passed thereby; a plurality of slave units respectively connected to the plurality of sensors and acquiring the data measured by the plurality of sensors; and a master unit connected to the plurality of slave units. The master unit comprises: a storage part for storing the data in association with information which relates to the timing at which the data was measured; and a determination part for comparing the data transmitted from two or more of the plurality of slave units using the information which relates to the timing, and determining a change in the state of the workpiece.

Abstract: Provided is a conveyance-task control device that is able to appropriately control conveyance tasks between workstations. A conveyance-task control device (10) includes a task-priority calculation unit (11) and a conveyance-task determination unit (12). The task-priority calculation unit (11) calculates respective priorities of conveyance tasks on the basis of first parameters respectively indicating a degree of how much amount of products in process a plurality of conveyance subjects are conveying in corresponding ones of areas respectively including conveyance routes between a plurality of workstations. The conveyance-task determination unit (12) determines a conveyance task with a highest one of the respective priorities as a candidate for a conveyance task to be performed next.

Abstract: A product unpacking system includes a work surface at a first height and a product unloading position at a second height. An adjustable cutter is positioned adjacent to the work surface and configured to cut a plurality of sides of each case. A case movement device, such as a robot or manual mover, is configured to retrieve a case from a group of cases and move the case to the cutter to cut a plurality of sides of the case. The case movement device may then move the cut case to an unload position over a product container to allow products within the case to drop into the product container. A system of conveyors may be used to convey empty product containers toward the work surface and to convey filled product containers away from the work surface. The system may be automated to receive recipe information for each case to be unloaded and modify parameters of the system based on the case.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer program products are disclosed for container transportation. An example system includes a conveyor network that includes a plurality of conveyors and each conveyor supports one or more containers thereon. Each conveyor defines a conveyor length and a conveyor operating speed. The system further includes a computing device operably coupled to the conveyor network. The computing device receives a starting location and a destination location of a first container within the conveyor network and receives an operating density for each conveyor in the conveyor network. The computing device determines a first travel path for the first container between the starting location and the destination location based upon the conveyor length, the conveyor operating speed, and the operating density for each conveyor in the conveyor network. The first travel path minimizes a total travel time for the first container between the starting location and the destination location.

Abstract: A conveyor belt management system is capable of determining in detail the state of a conveyor belt. A state of the conveyor belt is monitored by a calculation unit based on data of an indicator indicating a status of a belt conveyor device and data of an indicator indicating a use environment of the conveyor belt installed on a belt conveyor device; at least one data from an amount of wear of an upper cover rubber, an impact force acting on the conveyor belt, a tensile force, an indicator indicating a state of a core, and an indicator indicating a state of an endless portion input to the server by the input unit; and a belt specification database and a tolerance range database in which a tolerance range for each of the input items is input in advance per belt specification stored in a storage unit.

Abstract: Described is a consignment store for the separate acceptance, storing, and issuing of consignments. The consignment store has a handover device for the separate acceptance and handover of the consignments to separate carrier elements, a detecting device for detecting heights of the consignments, and a rack system with holding elements arranged one above the other in a vertical direction and which define holding levels. The holding and carrier elements are of corresponding design such that, on two adjacent holding levels, two carrier elements carrying one consignment can be held one above the other in a vertical direction, and such that, on a holding level, a carrier element can be held with a consignment taller than the spacing to the next holding level. A control device allocates carrier elements in a vertical direction one above the other to different holding elements/storage positions dependent on the detected height of the consignments.

Abstract: An assembly of a controller is to be arranged on a hydraulic lifting device, and a mobile control module can remotely operate the controller. Sensor data can be fed to the controller via signal inputs, and a processor of the controller is configured to calculate first information characteristic of a current position of the hydraulic lifting device from the sensor data and from specific data of the hydraulic lifting device stored in a memory. The controller has an operating mode in which parameters for a further position of the hydraulic lifting device and/or for a lifting load can be input at the mobile control module. Second information characteristic of the further position and/or the lifting load is calculated from the parameters, and the stored data is compared with the first information and/or the specific data.

Abstract: A package scanning conveyance system that integrates a first two-dimensional image with at least a second two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional point clouds to calculate or estimate a package's physical properties, and/or determine if there are two or more packages in a pile. The captured imaging data is transformed by the inventive system to provide real-time feedback to a human operator to enable the operator to maintain an understanding of the system's performance. The imaging data may also be used to perform quality-checks on other parts of the package delivery and conveyance systems and document the condition of packages that have passed through the system.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a mass of feedstock discharged by a conveyor during a first time interval ?t are disclosed. The method includes taking successive digital images of the feedstock in a specific zone of the conveyor being separated by a second time interval ?t of smaller duration than the first time interval ?t, for each of the second time intervals ?t: computing the advancing distance of a sub-volume of feedstock during the second time interval ?t in the specific zone of the conveyor by numerical treatment of the two successive images associated with the second time interval ?t; determining at least one transversal height profile of the sub-volume of feedstock; and determining an effective feedstock density for the sub-volume of feedstock.

Abstract: A controller for an independent cart system simplifies programming and automatically adapts operation each mover travelling along a track. The controller includes a configuration table defining segments of the track, which includes a maximum velocity and/or a maximum acceleration for each mover within the segment. A motion command for a mover commands motion across multiple segments between the starting point and the ending point. As the mover travels, the controller receives a position feedback signal corresponding to the present location of the mover. The controller obtains the maximum velocity and/or maximum acceleration for the mover corresponding to the segment in which it is located. The controller automatically adjusts the speed and/or acceleration of the mover along the segment in which it is presently located. As the mover transitions between segments, the controller automatically adjusts the speed and/or acceleration according to the new segment in which the mover is located.

Abstract: A method for controlling motion of a robot relative to a conveyor flow direction of a moving conveyor includes the steps of: establishing a tracking frame for coordinating a position and movement of the robot relative to an object support surface of the conveyor; setting an upstream boundary perpendicular or skewed to a conveyor flow direction of the conveyor; setting a downstream boundary perpendicular or skewed to the conveyor flow direction; optionally setting a circular boundary partially overlapping the upstream boundary and the downstream boundary, wherein the upstream boundary, the downstream boundary and the circular boundary are positioned to define a picking area relative to the support surface; and operating the robot to pick objects from the picking area.

Abstract: A device for feeding items to a sorting machine, including: a conveyor plane (26) for feeding items or parcels along an advancement direction (A1); an optical detection device (18), to allow the acquisition, while the items are in motion on the conveyor plane (26) of the three-dimensional coordinates of a determined number of points on the surface of the items and to organize them into coordinate vectors; a manipulator (19) provided to pick the items from the conveyor plane (26) and to place the items picked in a desired position; a control system, provided to process, for each item in motion on the conveyor plane (26), the coordinate vectors in order to obtain a three-dimensional representation of the item, including the information based on which the control system handles the manipulator for picking and placing the items. The invention also relates to a sorting machine and a method for feeding items to a sorting machine aimed at increasing production capacity and accuracy thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an escalator braking system and an escalator braking control method, belonging to the field of escalator braking control technology. In the escalator braking system and the escalator braking control method according to the present invention, a braking mode is determined based on the classification of failure information in combination with the corresponding image information, and a braking device is controlled based on the braking mode, so that the braking is more intelligent, scientific and accurate, the occurrence of security problems caused by the failure can be effectively prevented, and the probability of accident is reduced.

Abstract: An automated food preparation system includes a seasoning-dispensing system, a sauce-dispensing system, and a conveyance system. The seasoning-dispensing system includes a plurality of vessels, a dispersion nozzle, and a conduit coupled to the dispersion nozzle. Each vessel contains one of a plurality of seasonings. The vessels are in selective communication with the conduit. The sauce-dispensing system includes a plurality of sauce reservoirs, a scanning head, and a plurality of tubes. Each sauce reservoirs contains one of a plurality of sauces. The scanning head includes openings each coupled with one of the sauce reservoirs via one of the tubes. The conveyance system transports a foodstuff between a seasoning position in which the foodstuff is disposed below the dispersion nozzle and a sauce position in which the foodstuff is disposed below the openings. The scanning head is movable to dispense one or more sauces onto the foodstuff.

Abstract: An inkjet printer including a feeding device configured to feed a sheet in a feeding direction, a platen configured to support the sheet, a recording device configured to eject ink on the sheet, contacting members configured to contact the sheet, a detector configured to detect an end portion position of the sheet in a width direction, and a controller configured to control the feeding device and the recording device is provided. The contacting members are arranged at intervals in the width direction, and the controller performs a suppression process in which at least one of the feeding device and the recording device is controlled to suppress a contact of the sheet with the recording device when the end portion position detected by the detector is a position between the two adjacent contacting members.

Abstract: A system for individually packaging medicine is provided with a medicine inspection device that is capable of performing inspection of medicine that is individually packaged using a device for individually packaging medicine or the like. The control device of the medicine inspection device is provided with an inspection database in which images of medicine are stored as master images and is capable of carrying out an inspection task using image matching processing that involves an image acquired by imaging. The control is also capable of performing similarity determination for determining whether a medicine that is similar to a medicine that is packaged in an individual wrapper is present in the inspection database in a state in which the reference scope of the inspection database is restricted.

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring the number of sheets in a drying oven and a management and control system of the drying oven are disclosed. The method for monitoring comprises: acquiring sheet inlet signals and sheet outlet signals during transmission of the sheets (S100), in which the sheet inlet signals include information about a number of sheets transmitted into the oven by a robot, and the sheet outlet signals include information about a number of sheets transmitted out of the oven by the robot; and calculating an actual number of sheets in the oven according to the sheet inlet signals and the sheet outlet signals (S200). Moreover, the monitoring device (1) comprising an acquisition module (11) and a calculation module (12) is disclosed, and the management and control system of a drying oven, comprising the above device, is disclosed.

Abstract: A two-level hierarchical communication architecture for segmented material conveyors having separate motor zones for sensing and control is presented herein. The architecture utilizes peer-to-peer serial communications among a plurality of motor zones to coordinate the article handling actions of those zones. Specific communications connectivity and message content schemes are used to better provide ZPA functionality that is performed in prior art conveyors by discrete contact-logic single bit “look-ahead” wiring. Additional features of the present invention include variations on placements of one or more barcode, tag reader or article presence sensors; a variable speed ZPA scheme; and a token-passing scheme for relaying pre-arranged article routing decisions among zone controllers.

Abstract: The method of steel grade determination for a steel material having a substantially circular cross-section comprise: a detection step in which while a measurement section 2 including an irradiation section 21 for performing X-ray irradiation and a detection section 22 for detecting fluorescent X-rays is relatively moved along an outer peripheral surface of the steel material 4 with respect to the steel material for a predetermined time period necessary for analysis, the steel material is irradiated with X-rays from the irradiation section, and fluorescent X-rays radiated from the steel material are detected by the detection section; a calculation step of calculating a composition of the steel material based on fluorescent X-rays detected in the detection step; and a determination step of determining a steel grade of the steel material according to the composition calculated in the calculation step.

Abstract: A drive transmission device having motor, a first pulley configured to be driven to rotate by the motor, a second pulley configured to be connected to a device, and a belt unit configured to be wound around the first pulley and the second pulley. The belt unit includes a metal layer and a dielectric layer configured to be provided between the first pulley and the metal layer and between the second pulley and the metal layer. The drive transmission device also includes a voltage supply unit configured to supply voltage to cause attraction between the first and second pulleys and the belt and a controller configured to control the voltage of the voltage supply unit based on information indicating load of the device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for assisting sort operators in identifying the appropriate location to sort an item. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system for identifying a particular bin from a plurality of bins for sorting a package is provided. The system includes a plurality of bins configured to receive sorted packages; an optical reader positioned to capture destination indicia associated with the package; a keypad comprising a plurality of keys, where in at least some of the keys are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights; and a control system. The control system is configured to: receive data from the optical reader relating to the destination indicia; identify a particular bin within the plurality of bins associated with the received data; and trigger illumination of one or more lights on the keypad.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory processor readable media of the various embodiments enable control of a conveyor having a plurality of zones each having a control module configured to control a selectable speed of the zone. The various embodiments are disclosed in connection with, but not necessarily limited to, accumulation conveyors with control systems which selectively set the speeds of zones based on conditions of upstream and downstream zones. The various embodiments are directed to improving efficiency of accumulation systems by controlling zones based upon consideration of conditions of neighboring zones. The various embodiment also enable the generation and use of translation tables correlating zones with network addresses of their respective control modules.

Abstract: A processing system according to embodiments has an article supplier which supplies an article; a first conveyor which conveys an object to be processed; a workbench which is provided on the downstream side of the first conveyor and places thereon the object to be processed, conveyed by the first conveyor; a robot which takes out the article from the article supplier and subjects the object to be processed, placed on the workbench, to an operation using the article according to a previously instructed operation movement; and a second conveyor which is provided on the downstream side of the workbench and conveys the object to be processed, which has been subjected to the operation by the robot.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens supplying system for supplying an eyeglass lens to a plurality of eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a plurality of conveyer line units, each of which includes: at least one conveyer line conveying a tray; a tray moving unit separating at least two trays from the conveyer line to move the trays to standby positions, and put the tray on the conveyer line; and a control unit obtaining processing information from a host computer; a carrying-in conveyer line connected to the conveyer line of the conveyer line unit; a carrying-out conveyer line connected to the conveyer line of the conveyer line unit; a main control unit communicating with each of the control units, and determines the processing apparatus to process the lens in the tray on the carrying-in conveyer unit, or determines the conveyer line unit to convey the tray on the carrying-in conveyer unit.

Abstract: There is provided a medicinal agent filling device that allows reduction of the operator's time and effort when the operator fills a medicinal agent into a container. A medicinal agent filling device includes: a supply device for supplying a medicinal agent of interest to a container capable of being filled with the medicinal agent; a holding body having a plurality of holding sections, each of which can hold the container; a conveyance device for conveying the holding body and moving the holding body to a supply position at which the medicinal agent can be supplied from the supply device to the container held by any one of the plurality of holding sections; and a detecting unit for detecting the holding body located on an immediately upstream side of the supply position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stacking receptacles in materials handling facilities. An automated receptacle stacker may be integrated into a materials handling system to receive empty receptacles from upstream stations via an input conveyance mechanism, add the receptacles to a stack in a stack hopper, detect when the stack is complete, and output the stack onto an output conveyance mechanism. The output conveyance mechanism may convey the stack to a palletization station, and the stacker may begin another stack. This process may continue to build and output stacks of empty receptacles. In some implementations the receptacles may be stackable only when oriented correctly; in these implementations, orientation of the receptacles may be detected prior to stacking and incorrectly oriented receptacles may be either rotated to the correct orientation or diverted to a second receptacle stacker.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to article carriers and related methods for use in grading apparatus and in particular, but not exclusively, for use in grading fruit. The present subject matter provides an article carrying apparatus comprising a plurality of carrier lanes each for receiving and conveying a number of articles; one or more diverters arranged to control the distribution of received articles into the lanes; a sensor arranged to determine a capacity use parameter for each lane; and a controller arranged to control the position of each diverter dependent on the determined capacity use parameters.

Abstract: A packaging system and method for receiving articles from a first location, such as a product delivery system, transporting the articles to a second location for unloading the articles such that they are placed in a desired orientation and number of columns, rows, and stacks.

Abstract: A container unloading system that is adapted to automatically unload containers from carts while the containers and carts reside in an unloading station. The containers may be off-loaded onto a conveyor. The system includes a frame that is movable along the path of ingress/egress of the carts, and a vertically and horizontally movable lifting device that is supported on the frame and adapted to engage and lift the containers. A number of sensors may be present to gather information about the carts and/or containers and to send corresponding signals to a controller that is programmed to automatically operate the system.

Abstract: A diamond sorting system comprising a diamond source for supplying one or more diamonds to be graded by a vision system having one or more cameras arranged to take one or more images of the diamond, and a processor arranged to receive the image data and execute an algorithm on the data to grade the diamond. The sorting system further comprising a diamond collection unit arranged to receive a graded diamond from the vision system and an electromechanical diamond transporter arranged to transport a diamond to be graded from the diamond source to the vision system, and further arranged to transport a graded diamond from the vision system to the diamond collection unit.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to propose a computerized control device and a computer-implemented method for speed regulation during delivery of printed products to stacking devices which do not have at least some of the disadvantages of the known systems. It is in particular an object of the present invention to propose a computerized control device and a computer-implemented method for regulating the speed of a conveyor for delivering printed products to stacking devices which enable flexible production of stacks of different sizes.

Abstract: A handling system for containers includes an automated zone in which floor-bound, rubber-tired and driverless container transport vehicles are used which transport containers between container bridges and a container storage facility. A non-automated zone is provided in which floor-bound, rubber-tired and manned container transport vehicles are used, the container transport vehicles being optionally operable in a driverless or manned mode and thus being optionally transportable in the automated zone or the non-automated zone. A corresponding container transport vehicle which can be connected to an auxiliary device for control in the manned mode is characterized in that the auxiliary device comprises a driver's cab that is equipped with a control system for steering, motion control and braking in the manned mode, the container transport vehicle having a detachable fastening possibility for the driver's cab at the front face of the vehicle.

Abstract: An article storage device for storing a plurality of pallets and having a plurality of storage compartments includes a conveyor for conveying the pallets, the conveyor being divided into a plurality of control zones corresponding to the respective storage compartments and having controllers in the respective zones. At least the controllers in the zones between the both end control zones each have a motor functioning also as an arrival detector, a RAM, and a communication circuit, the motor being for detecting a pallet being entering the home control zone, the RAM being for memorizing information indicating whether a pallet exists in the home control zone, and the communication circuit being for transmitting the information to the controller in the downstream zone. The controllers each contain a program to move up the pallet to the downstream zone so as to store the pallet.

Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.

Abstract: There is proposed a unit including a station for preparing orders, controlled by a control system. The station has a first circuit that includes a first outward conveyor, which receives containers for storing products, and an accumulator for accumulating a predetermined quantity of storage containers received on the first outward conveyor. The accumulator includes: at least one first shaft comprising superposed mobile positions that can each receive and downwardly move at least one storage container, the at least one first shaft vertically accumulating and sequentially dispensing storage containers previously placed in the positions; and at least one first elevator moving vertically along the at least one first chute up to each of the locations of the at least one first chute.

Abstract: A material handling system comprising: a platform for receiving a plurality of articles; a plurality of sorting bins, each bin in corresponding to an article type; an object recognition system for identifying an article on the platform and categorizing said article by specific article type; said 3D object recognition system including a 3D detector for detecting said article and a database containing data on characteristics of article types; an article engagement assembly for engaging and delivering said article to said corresponding sorting bin; wherein the object recognition system is arranged to identify the article based upon the data within said database and instructs the article engagement assembly to engage and place the article in said sorting bin.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus includes a motor, a transporting mechanism which receives a power from the motor and transports the sheet, and a control section which controls the motor in accordance with a predetermined control sequence to make the transporting mechanism transport the sheet up to a target position, and detects an occurrence of an electric-current saturation phenomenon in the motor. When the control section detects the occurrence of the electric-current saturation phenomenon, the control section performs correction of the predetermined control sequence including correction in which a target transporting velocity of the sheet is lowered from a predetermined value determined in the predetermined control sequence, and controls the motor in accordance with the corrected control sequence to make the transporting mechanism transport the sheet so that the sheet is stopped at the target position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a conveyor system including a conveyor zone having a plurality of conveyor regions. A zone controller is configured to track the position of one or more articles within a controlled zone. The zone controller may be operatively coupled to controllers of adjacent zones, and may receive and transmit data relating to the position of articles in the controlled zone and whether the zone is accepting articles from the other controllers. Articles are moved within the controlled zone by selectively activating the zone based on determined positions of articles within the controlled zone, the positions of articles within adjacent zones, and/or the operating mode of the zone. The zone controller may thereby operate cooperatively with adjacent zones to manage spacing between articles by selectively positioning multiple articles within the zone, and may accumulate or discharge articles from the conveyor system in a desired arrangement.

Abstract: An automated storage system for vehicles or the like is provided with a guidance system that interacts with a remote-controlled transport system that transports a vehicle between an access location, such a drive-up location, and a storage location. More particularly, in one embodiment, an omni-directional, battery-powered, wirelessly-controlled, transport system or so-called automated guided vehicle (“AGV”) is designed to follow magnetic field generating wires and RFID chips on the floors of the parking facility to move forward, backward and side to side underneath cars that are parked on a flat surface. In one embodiment, the AGV automatically contracts and expands its body to slide its arms under the wheelbase of a car, lift the car, and roll with speed and precision in any direction on to a waiting lift, that will then raise and lower the AGV and its automobile payload toward its ultimate destination.

Abstract: A system for managing semiconductor production includes a conveyor to convey a wafer carrier to or from an overhead hoist transfer system. The system also includes a cross-system transport apparatus to transfer the wafer carrier between the conveyor and an overhead shuttle system.

Abstract: A control apparatus controls a circulating conveyor having areas each of which stores one of articles. A storage stores inventory information indicating a state of storage of each of the articles. A computer executes a program to perform a controlling process of controlling the conveyor. The controlling process includes a receiving process of receiving an instruction of storing or carrying out an article, a computing process of computing, in response to reception of the instruction by the receiving process, an amount of travel of the conveyor based on the inventory information, the amount of travel being necessary to move one of the areas of the conveyor to a predetermined position at which one of the articles is stored in or carried out of the one of the areas, and a first controlling process of controlling an operation of the conveyor in accordance with the computed amount of travel.

Abstract: The control of second to fourth paths (slave paths) is performed with reference to various settings and the sequence of the first path (master path), instead of various settings and sequences of the second to fourth paths, thus, control of all path groups is centralized by the sequence of the first path.

Abstract: A feed station feeds a flow of items along a transport path, in which a path, a path point W2 is orthogonal to the position of a first transport roller, a path point W3 is orthogonal to the position of a sensor, and a path point W4 is orthogonal to a second transport roller. A distance between W3 and W4 is smaller than the minimum length of the flat items and is greater than or equal to a distance between W4 and a path end point Wend. A distance between Wend and an intake point W4-Wend of the subsequent goods processing apparatus is much smaller than the W4-Wend distance. A transport velocity distance between the separated flat items at the start of the transport path is controlled to a minimum distance and is always the same size when the items leave the feed station.

Abstract: A method for order picking products in an order picking facility having at least one rack for storing products and an assigned warehouse transport system for collecting and storing the products and for transferring the collected products to a transport system, by means of which the collected products are transported to a good-to-picker order picking station, at which the quantity of the collected products that is determined in a picking order is order-picked manually or automatically by a robot, into one order transport unit for each picking order. Product types corresponding to the picking order are collected, order-picked at the good-to-picker order picking station, one after the other, and the remaining products of the product type are stored via the transport system again in the rack.

Abstract: A component of a material flow system for transporting goods has a mechatronics arrangement with transport elements, sensors and actuators for transporting the goods, a control device for controlling the mechatronics arrangement, interfaces to adjacent components and the surroundings, and an internal simulator for determining the future state of the component. The internal simulator co-operates with internal simulators of other components of the material flow system, for determining a prognosis of the future state of the installation of the material flow system. The decentralized internal simulators can be synchronously or asynchronously activated.

Abstract: A feed station has a pre-separation region, a separation region and a transport region in succession along a transport path. A first sensor is at the start of the separation region and a second sensor is at the start of the transport region. A control unit processes signals from the sensors and encoders to determine the position of the flat item, and is connected with a separation motor to drive the separation device, so that a flat item is separated from a stack with a predetermined separation velocity. If unacceptably small gaps exist between the flat items, the separation process is stopped when the leading edge of a subsequent flat item reaches the second sensor and is continued when the preceding separated flat item achieves a predetermined clearance from the leading edge of the aforementioned flat item due to its transport.