A lift system for an automated storage system of the type where storage containers are stacked in storage columns arranged in a grid, and where automated container handling vehicles retrieve and replace containers from a top level of the grid. The lift system has a platform vertically movable adjacent to a face of the grid, arranged for receiving and transporting one or more containers. A dedicated mechanical device is arranged for grabbing, lifting and moving the storage containers from a staging area at the top of the grid and placing containers on the platform and vice versa.

A conveyance system according to the present disclosure includes a conveyance request receiver that receives the conveyance requests of the conveyance targets, a starting area selector that selects a starting area from among the partial areas, a partial area traveling order setter that sets the starting area to one of the partial areas to be traveled first and sets partial area traveling order for traveling of an automatic conveyance apparatus, and a storage position traveling order setter that sets storage position traveling order of the automatic conveyance apparatus inside each of the partial areas. The automatic conveyance apparatus travels the partial areas in accordance with the partial area traveling order and travels the storage positions in accordance with the storage position traveling order inside each of the partial areas so as to convey the conveyance targets corresponding to the received conveyance requests inside the entire area.

A conveyance system according to the present disclosure includes a conveyance request receiver that receives the conveyance requests of the conveyance targets, a starting area selector that selects a starting area from among the partial areas, a partial area traveling order setter that sets the starting area to one of the partial areas to be traveled first and sets partial area traveling order for traveling of an automatic conveyance apparatus, and a storage position traveling order setter that sets storage position traveling order of the automatic conveyance apparatus inside each of the partial areas. The automatic conveyance apparatus travels the partial areas in accordance with the partial area traveling order and travels the storage positions in accordance with the storage position traveling order inside each of the partial areas so as to convey the conveyance targets corresponding to the received conveyance requests inside the entire area.

A conveyance system according to the present disclosure includes a conveyance request receiver that receives conveyance requests of the conveyance targets, a combination pattern generator that combines the conveyance requests so as to generate conveyance request combination patterns of different combinations, an appropriateness evaluator that performs appropriateness evaluation on the individual conveyance request combination patterns, a combination pattern selector that selects one of the conveyance request combination patterns based on a result of the evaluation, and a conveyance instructor that outputs a conveyance instruction to the automatic conveyance apparatus based on the selected conveyance request combination pattern.

A conveyance system according to the present disclosure includes a conveyance request receiver that receives conveyance requests of the conveyance targets, a combination pattern generator that combines the conveyance requests so as to generate conveyance request combination patterns of different combinations, an appropriateness evaluator that performs appropriateness evaluation on the individual conveyance request combination patterns, a combination pattern selector that selects one of the conveyance request combination patterns based on a result of the evaluation, and a conveyance instructor that outputs a conveyance instruction to the automatic conveyance apparatus based on the selected conveyance request combination pattern.

A method of manufacturing a window may include cutting a window having a uniform thickness of about 20 μm to about 100 μm and polishing a cut surface of the window with a polishing pad having an elastic modulus less than an elastic modulus of the window while applying slurry to the cut surface of the window.

A method of manufacturing a window may include cutting a window having a uniform thickness of about 20 μm to about 100 μm and polishing a cut surface of the window with a polishing pad having an elastic modulus less than an elastic modulus of the window while applying slurry to the cut surface of the window.

A transportation system of a cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a port and a system controller. The port accommodates a cassette carrying a glass substrate. The port includes a plurality of displacement sensors for sensing a position of a cassette. The system controller calculates a distortion amount of the cassette using a plurality of sensed values of the cassette and a misplaced amount of the displacement sensors to determine whether the cassette is in a normal settlement status. Therefore, the position of the cassette can be automatically taught without clamping operation of a clamping device clamping the cassette disposed in the port, so that it is possible to prevent defects of the glass substrate by removing various defect-causing factors such as particles and static electricity that may occur during a conventional clamping operation.

A transportation system of a cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a port and a system controller. The port accommodates a cassette carrying a glass substrate. The port includes a plurality of displacement sensors for sensing a position of a cassette. The system controller calculates a distortion amount of the cassette using a plurality of sensed values of the cassette and a misplaced amount of the displacement sensors to determine whether the cassette is in a normal settlement status. Therefore, the position of the cassette can be automatically taught without clamping operation of a clamping device clamping the cassette disposed in the port, so that it is possible to prevent defects of the glass substrate by removing various defect-causing factors such as particles and static electricity that may occur during a conventional clamping operation.

A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in a grid framework structure having first and second sets of parallel rails or tracks. The load handling device includes: a body mounted on first and second sets of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. A direction-change assembly is arranged to raise or lower the first set of wheels and or lower or raise the second set of wheels with respect to the body to engage and disengage the wheels with the tracks. The direction-change assembly includes a linkage-set having a series of members arranged between a traveller and a fixed brace, wherein the traveller is arranged to move under an applied force to cause the wheels to raise or lower.