A flexible, multi-product, multi-technology, expandable facility for manufacturing products, such as biologicals, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals, and manufacturing processes using elements of such a facility.

A plant including: an assembly line along which a plurality of pallets are circulated in a closed loop, divided into a first section, where the pallets are loaded in a plurality of first stations with mechanical parts to be assembled, and into a second section, where the pallets advance along a plurality of second stations; a conveyor arranged at least partially parallel to and above the second section, along which a plurality of balance supports provided with bodies run; a coupling station, arranged immediately upstream of the second section, where the pallets are integrally coupled to the balance supports; and a decoupling station, where the pallets are separated from the balance supports; each pallet having selectively engageable and releasable fastening means for a balance support and elastic means able to receive the balance support resting thereon.

An insulating glass unit (IGU) assembly line apparatus capable of interleaving double and triple pane IGUs in accordance with an IGU production schedule. Visual indicators or prompts instruct operators at the assembly line in configuring a sequence of IGUs. Triple pane IGUs are assembled with minimal contamination of a center glass lite. A non-contact Bernoulli pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to an assembly station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled.