A system for stacking fuel cells for a fuel cell stack includes a component part storage region to store the fuel cells, a finished product storage region to store a completed fuel cell stack transferred by an automated guided vehicle, and a plurality of stacking regions disposed between the component part storage region and the finished product storage region, where one side of each stacking region corresponding to the finished product storage region is formed as an entry and exit for the automated guided vehicle for the fuel cell stack, a stacking unit is disposed at each of remaining sides of the stacking region, and the stacking region is supplied with the fuel cells from the component part storage region by the automated guided vehicle to sequentially stack the fuel cells to manufacture the fuel cell stack.

A cell component de-stacking device for vertically de-stacking separated cell components, including at least one vertical de-stacker with a vertical magazine for accommodating a plurality of the cell components in a vertical arrangement and with a lifting and lowering device for lifting and lowering the cell components in the vertical magazine and for de-stacking separated cell components in the vertical direction, and a delivery device for delivering separated cell components at a filling station to the vertical de-stacker. The vertical de-stacker) is configured for filling the vertical magazine at the filling station by individually accommodating the cell components and moving them by means of the lifting and lowering device, and for being moved between the filling station and the stacking station, and for individually dispensing the cell components in the vertical direction at the stacking station by means of a downward movement.

The present invention relates to a method and a system that has the advantage of being able to carry out different tasks of a conventional production line in a small space and with simple, low-cost elements, since product packages received by means of two packing lines are grouped and deposited so as to form various arrangements, depending on the container being handled at each particular moment. At the same time, the system is capable of receiving platforms or dollies loaded with empty containers that are to be stacked on another platform or dolly while being simultaneously and continuously filled. In addition, the system has the versatility of being able to handle platforms and dollies for mainly two different types of container, which can be accommodated in different configurations, using the same device without modification.

A system is provided comprising a carton conveyor and a bypass carton accumulator adjacent to, and interfaced with, the carton conveyor. The bypass carton accumulator may comprise: a carton pick apparatus comprising a carton pick head; at least one stop device comprising a stopper movable between a first and a second position; and a storage apparatus. When in the first position, the stopper does not interfere with the flow of cartons along the conveyor and when in the second position, the stopper engages with a carton to stop a flow of cartons along the conveyor. The carton pick apparatus may be configured to pick up via the carton pick head a set of cartons from a pick-up zone of the carton conveyor after the stopper has moved to its second position and place the set of cartons in the storage apparatus.

To increase the degree of automation in the manufacture of profiles, a tray for the interim storage, the handling and the transport of profiles is proposed, comprising: a frame, and at least two carriers which are secured parallel to one another on the frame, in order to retain and/or mount respective profiles on the carriers, wherein a stop is provided, said stop being provided at one end of the carriers in the longitudinal extent thereof and/or at one end of the frame, in order to be used as a reference point for the position of the profiles. Moreover, corresponding magazines and a transport device and a processing device are proposed.

A transfer device and a control device for controlling the transfer device are provided. The control device is configured to execute setting control to set a storing position, in a container, of each of a plurality of articles to be stored in the container, storage control to control the transfer device so as to store each of the articles at the storing position, and replacement control to replace one of a first holding portion and a second holding portion attached to the attachment portion with the other one. The setting control is control to set the storing position in accordance with an order of transferring the plurality of articles so as to sequentially place the articles from a reference position that is set at a position adjacent to a side wall portion.

A transfer device and a control device for controlling the transfer device are provided. The control device is configured to execute setting control to set a storing position, in a container, of each of a plurality of articles to be stored in the container, storage control to control the transfer device so as to store each of the articles at the storing position, and replacement control to replace one of a first holding portion and a second holding portion attached to the attachment portion with the other one. The setting control is control to set the storing position in accordance with an order of transferring the plurality of articles so as to sequentially place the articles from a reference position that is set at a position adjacent to a side wall portion.

A system of inventory management is described. It includes at least one container adapted to hold inventory items. A conveyor system is adapted to move the containers to and from pick cells. Each pick cell contains an array of processing locations designed to receive containers and an inventory movement tool such as a robotic arm designed to interact with containers received by the pick cell. The pick cells include at least one buffer shelf for processing items.

A system of inventory management is described. It includes at least one container adapted to hold inventory items. A conveyor system is adapted to move the containers to and from pick cells. Each pick cell contains an array of processing locations designed to receive containers and an inventory movement tool such as a robotic arm designed to interact with containers received by the pick cell. The pick cells include at least one buffer shelf for processing items.

A control unit executes first loading control is determined that a loaded article is not present above a loading surface region based on captured image information and second loading control if it is determined that it is uncertain whether the loaded article is not present above the loading surface region based on the captured image information. The first loading control causing a holding unit to release a target article when the target article is directly above the loading surface region and the lower surface of the target article is higher than the upper surface of the loading surface region by a first specified distance, and the second loading control causing the holding unit to release the target article when the target article is directly above the loading surface region and the lower surface of the target article is higher, by a second specified distance, than a specified height.