An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a base structure of a carrier on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels mounted to at least two motors to provide at least two wheel assemblies, the at least two wheel assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

Devices and systems for aerial accumulation and transportation with high durability, high load capacity, high resistance, high flexibility and high modularity for applications in industries requiring the transportation and accumulation of parts, objects, products, materials, and others via an aerial rail are disclosed and described.

A transport apparatus includes a transport rail extending along a predetermined path, a transport vehicle configured to be movable along the transport rail to transport a material, and a brake unit mounted on the transport vehicle to be adjacent to the transport rail and configured to apply an eddy current braking force to the transport vehicle.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

An apparatus for moving and sorting articles between a plurality of destination stations including at least one hooking member, configured to accommodate hanging, or hooking by a hanger, the articles to be sorted, and on which there are defined a plurality of hooking sectors which follow each other in succession on the hooking member, wherein each hooking sector is associated to a specific destination station to which the articles hanging in the hooking sector are sorted. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of markers, each associated with a respective hooking sector to visually communicate to an operator the destination station associated with that hooking sector and a sorting device to sort the articles towards their specific destination station.

An automated material handling system (AMHS) and a method of operating the AMHS are disclosed. In one aspect, the AMHS includes a network of rails and a vehicle configured to hold a sample carrier that stores one or more samples, wherein the vehicle is configured to move within the FAB via the network of rails. The AMHS also includes a turn table connected to the network of rails and configured to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to a surface of the turn table. The AMHS further includes a hash rail connected to and overlapping the turn table. The hash rail is configured to rotate about the axis with the turn table.

An automated material handling system (AMHS) and a method of operating the AMHS are disclosed. In one aspect, the AMHS includes a network of rails and a vehicle configured to hold a sample carrier that stores one or more samples, wherein the vehicle is configured to move within the FAB via the network of rails. The AMHS also includes a turn table connected to the network of rails and configured to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to a surface of the turn table. The AMHS further includes a hash rail connected to and overlapping the turn table. The hash rail is configured to rotate about the axis with the turn table.

An apparatus may move a carriage along a rail. The apparatus may include a frame and one or more sets of teeth. A shuttle may translate with respect to the frame. The shuttle may engage with the carriage to translate the carriage in a first direction. The teeth may extend into a carriage recess of the frame. The teeth may allow the carriage to translate within the carriage recess in the first direction. The teeth may inhibit the translation of the carriage within the carriage recess in a second direction.

The present invention discloses an overhead rail and trolley apparatus and method. The apparatus provides an overhead rail having one or more tracks. A wheeled trolley having a wheel or wheels travels upon the tracks. A stop unit on the rail is positioned to selectively halt the trolley. There is a cutout section on the rail and an insert that is attached to the rail at the cutout. The trolley wheels engage the upper surface of the insert when the trolley is halted by the stop unit. A plating on the insert increases the hardness of the insert upper surface. The insert helps prevent and/or at least lessens wear of apparatus when the trolley is halted by the stop unit.