Various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a system and method for synchronized markers. A multiple-scanner X-ray system includes a belt passing by an upper X-ray scanner and a lower X-ray scanner. An upper belt portion is conveyed in a first direction by the upper X-ray scanner and a lower belt portion is conveyed in a second direction opposite the first direction by the lower X-ray scanner, to obtain upper and lower X-rays. A plurality of X-ray reactive markers are positionally synchronized relative to each other and the belt and conveyed by the belt to cause upper visual marker information, corresponding to a visual appearance of the upper scanned belt section, to be consistent with i) upper X-ray marker information of the upper X-ray, and ii) lower X-ray marker information of the lower X-ray.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a system and method for synchronized markers. A multiple-scanner X-ray system includes a belt passing by an upper X-ray scanner and a lower X-ray scanner. An upper belt portion is conveyed in a first direction by the upper X-ray scanner and a lower belt portion is conveyed in a second direction opposite the first direction by the lower X-ray scanner, to obtain upper and lower X-rays. A plurality of X-ray reactive markers are positionally synchronized relative to each other and the belt and conveyed by the belt to cause upper visual marker information, corresponding to a visual appearance of the upper scanned belt section, to be consistent with i) upper X-ray marker information of the upper X-ray, and ii) lower X-ray marker information of the lower X-ray.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes providing a first pipe having a first leading end and a first trailing end, providing a second pipe having a second leading end and a second trailing end, abutting at least a portion of the second leading end to at least a portion of the first trailing end to define a pipe abutment zone comprising a portion of the first pipe measured longitudinally from the first trailing end and a portion of the second pipe measured longitudinally from the second leading end, conveying the first and second pipe past an inspection device, inspecting by the inspection device a first portion of the pipe abutment zone and a second portion of the pipe abutment zone, and providing defect data that describes defects detected within the first portion and the second portion.

A first-in first-out solder container automatic supply management system includes a refrigerating chamber configured to store a plurality of solder containers, a transfer part positioned outside the refrigerating chamber and configured to move at least one of the plurality of solder containers, a stirring part formed at one end of the transfer part and configured to stir the at least one solder container, and a hand part configured to move any one solder container of the at least one solder container positioned on the transfer part to the stirring part.

A first-in first-out solder container automatic supply management system includes a refrigerating chamber configured to store a plurality of solder containers, a transfer part positioned outside the refrigerating chamber and configured to move at least one of the plurality of solder containers, a stirring part formed at one end of the transfer part and configured to stir the at least one solder container, and a hand part configured to move any one solder container of the at least one solder container positioned on the transfer part to the stirring part.

This invention quickly supplies a predetermined amount of powder from a hopper to a recoater. A powder supply apparatus includes, as its feature, a hopper, a powder spreader, a powder replenisher, and a pivoting unit. The hopper of the powder supply apparatus stores a powder. The powder spreader spreads the powder on a shaping surface. The powder replenisher of the powder supply apparatus is provided between the hopper and the powder spreader, and replenishes the powder spreader with a predetermined amount of powder. The pivoting unit of the powder supply apparatus causes the powder replenisher to pivot.

This invention quickly supplies a predetermined amount of powder from a hopper to a recoater. A powder supply apparatus includes, as its feature, a hopper, a powder spreader, a powder replenisher, and a pivoting unit. The hopper of the powder supply apparatus stores a powder. The powder spreader spreads the powder on a shaping surface. The powder replenisher of the powder supply apparatus is provided between the hopper and the powder spreader, and replenishes the powder spreader with a predetermined amount of powder. The pivoting unit of the powder supply apparatus causes the powder replenisher to pivot.

Disclosed herein is a method for converting energy between electric, kinetic, and potential and storing potential energy; the method comprising the steps of: providing a conveyor belt having a lower end, an upper end; the conveyor belt configured to convey conveyed material between the upper end and the lower end in both directions; providing an evaluation system configured to determine the electric power load on an electrical grid relative to the power supply on the electrical grid; a generator configured to generate electric power when the conveyor belt conveys the conveyed material from the high potential energy storage location to the low potential energy storage location; coupling a motor to the conveyor belt, the motor configured to provide motive force to the conveyor belt to convey the conveyed material from the low potential energy storage location to the high potential energy storage location.

Disclosed herein is a method for converting energy between electric, kinetic, and potential and storing potential energy; the method comprising the steps of: providing a conveyor belt having a lower end, an upper end; the conveyor belt configured to convey conveyed material between the upper end and the lower end in both directions; providing an evaluation system configured to determine the electric power load on an electrical grid relative to the power supply on the electrical grid; a generator configured to generate electric power when the conveyor belt conveys the conveyed material from the high potential energy storage location to the low potential energy storage location; coupling a motor to the conveyor belt, the motor configured to provide motive force to the conveyor belt to convey the conveyed material from the low potential energy storage location to the high potential energy storage location.

The invention relates to a transport device (38) for transporting a workpiece (23) between a clamping chuck (22) and a workpiece carrier (30). The transport device (38) comprises a gripper arrangement (39) with a pivot arm (40). One end of the pivot arm (40) is supported on the machine tool (20) and, in particular, a machine slide (25) via a first pivot drive (41) so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis (S1). On the other end, the pivot arm (40) supports a second pivot drive (42) that defines a second pivot axis (S2). A workpiece gripper (43) is supported so as to be pivotable about this second pivot axis (S2). The two pivot axes are inclined by 45 relative to each other. A workpiece (23) held by the workpiece gripper (43) has a workpiece longitudinal axis (W) that extends in a first position (I) of the workpiece gripper (43) at a right angle with respect to the pivot axis (S1). In a second position (II) of the workpiece gripper (43), the workpiece longitudinal axis (W) is oriented parallel to the first pivot axis (S1). The workpiece longitudinal axis (W) of the workpiece (23) held by the workpiece gripper (43) is inclined by 45 relative to the second pivot axis (S2).