A tool-holding arm includes a plurality of links and a tool coupling that removably secures a tool to the tool-holding arm. A first fluid spring provides a gravity-counteracting force to the tool-holding arm. A locking mechanism selectively locks the first fluid spring. An adjustment mechanism selectively adjusts an amount of the gravity-counteracting force provided by the first fluid spring.

A tool-holding arm includes a plurality of links and a tool coupling that removably secures a tool to the tool-holding arm. A first fluid spring provides a gravity-counteracting force to the tool-holding arm. A locking mechanism selectively locks the first fluid spring. An adjustment mechanism selectively adjusts an amount of the gravity-counteracting force provided by the first fluid spring.

A method for emptying the pockets of a transport device in the form of a suspension conveyor, the transport device including one or more trolleys which are movably mounted on a trolley track and on each of which a pocket hanging downwards for receiving goods is arranged, the pocket formed by at least one flexible material web that is planar when open and that is fastened at both ends to the trolley, forming a loop hanging downwards. The material web is releasably fastened by at least one end to the trolley. The method includes: advancing a closed pocket, opening the pocket by releasing the fastening of the at least one end of the material web to the trolley, emptying the goods from the opened pocket, closing the pocket by fastening the at least one end of the material web to the trolley, and transporting away the emptied and closed pocket.

A method of constructing a conveyor system includes decommissioning an existing conveyor system by removing electrification or a powered chain from a conveyor rail. Carriers of the existing conveyor system are removed from the rail. An automated conveyor carrier (ACC) is installed onto the rail so that a drive wheel of a self-driving trolley of the ACC is put into contact with the rail. A battery is installed on the ACC. Electrical connection is established from the battery to the self-driving trolley.

A roller track includes a base, parallel guides, roller support bars placed into their respective guides, and a plurality of rollers removably disposed between the roller support bars. The roller support bars preferably are removably secured to the base via the respective guides which are affixed to the base. The base also can be provided with connecting elements sidewalls thereof such that a plurality of bases of roller tracks can be connected laterally to accommodate any width of shelf or display planogram. Thus, the roller tracks can be used either separately roller tracks or as a continuous mat (i.e. a plurality of roller tracks affixed to adjacent roller tracks). Additionally, dividers can be removably affixed to each roller track via securing members comprising an upper body portion formed via a living hinge and at least one lower connector that removably connects the securing member to the roller track.

A conveyor system includes a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path. An automated conveyor carrier (ACC) is supported by the rail and drivable along the rail by an on-board motor in a self-driving trolley of the ACC, the motor powering a drive wheel. The rail defines a first section and a second section separate from the first section. The conveyor system is adapted to provide a first amount of traction for the ACC on the rail in the first section and a second amount of traction, greater than the first amount of traction, in the second section.

Provided are a roll body extractor that extracts roll bodies from reels and store the roll bodies in cases having radio tags, respectively, and a storage warehouse that includes a plurality of storage positions for storing the cases storing the roll bodies. Furthermore, provided are a reading unit that acquires component information, an identification information generator that generates identification information for identifying a component, a writing unit that writes the component information and the identification information in the radio tag, and a contactless reader that reads the identification information written in the radio tag. Further, the component information written in the radio tag and the identification information are stored in association with each other, and storage position information generated by specifying the storage position and the identification information read by the contactless reader are stored in association with each other.

A method for filling the pockets of a transport device in the form of a suspension conveyor that includes one or more trolleys which are movably mounted on a trolley track in a trolley track direction and on each of which a pocket hanging downwards for receiving transported goods is arranged, the pocket being formed by at least one flexible material web that is planar when open and that is fastened at both ends to the trolley, forming a carrying loop or transport loop hanging downwards. The material web is releasably fastened by at least one end to the trolley. The method further includes the steps: a) advancing a closed pocket, b) opening the pocket by releasing the fastening of the at least one end of the material web to the trolley, c) filling the opened pocket with goods to be transported closing the pocket by fastening the at least one end of the material web to the trolley, and e) transporting away the filled and closed pocket.

Apparatus for moving articles and sorting them between one or more destination stations (S1, S2, S3), comprising at least one hooking member (11), configured to accommodate hanging, or hooked, hooking means (15) bearing the articles to be sorted, and on which one or more hooking sectors (17; 17a, 17b, 17c) are defined, and a movement member (12), configured to move the articles. The apparatus also comprises a sorting device (13; 13a, 13b, 13c), configured to selectively assume at least two operating conditions in a manner that is coordinated with the movement of the hooking sectors (17; 17a, 17b, 17c).

A method of operating a conveyor system includes providing a fixed, non-powered first rail supporting first and second trolleys of a first carrier, at least one of which is self-driving. The first and second trolley are conveyed in line along the first rail with a load bar therebetween. The first carrier defines a length measured along the first rail and a width measured transverse. The first carrier is conveyed to a branch point where a second rail branches from the first rail. The second trolley is conveyed along the second the rail to turn the first carrier so that it is conveyed with the load bar traversing between the first and second rails. The width is substantially less than the length such that the turning of the first carrier reduces an occupancy of the first carrier along the first rail.