A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.

An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor mounted engaged with a lifting mechanism onboard the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.

An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor mounted engaged with a lifting mechanism onboard the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic each item being delivered by each vehicle. The system may also include vehicles having edge-detection assemblies for detecting items being loaded onto or discharged from the vehicles.

A skate wheel conveyor system includes a pair of frame sides of a frame assembly. A plurality of preassembled rollers is received between the pair of frame members. Each of the rollers includes a plurality of wheels interposed between a plurality of spacers and a shaft receiving the plurality of wheels and the plurality of spacers. A quick assembly system retains the rollers between the pair of frame members and minimizing deflections of the preassembled rollers.

A skate wheel conveyor system includes a pair of frame sides of a frame assembly. A plurality of preassembled rollers is received between the pair of frame members. Each of the rollers includes a plurality of wheels interposed between a plurality of spacers and a shaft receiving the plurality of wheels and the plurality of spacers. A quick assembly system retains the rollers between the pair of frame members and minimizing deflections of the preassembled rollers.

A dynamic storage device includes a storage area, a power carrying and moving device, a carrier group, a carrier detection device, a power transmission device, a gate, a gate detection device, a temporary storage area and a temporary storage area detection device. The storage device further includes a central control system for commanding, controlling, instructing and managing the aforementioned components and managing the information returned from each component. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is used to implement the dynamic storage device and the dynamic access management method. The RFID tag is labelled to the carrier instead of the object, and the targets managed by the storage device and dynamic access management method are the carrier and carrier group. Each carrier forming the carrier group records the detailed object information contained in the carrier by the RFID tag, so as to achieve the effects of managing the object.

A turning driving device includes a directional motor, and a wheel hub motor module and a driving device disposed above and below the directional motor, respectively. The directional motor includes a rotation shaft, and the wheel hub motor module includes a fixing frame, and a roller rotatable about a horizontal fixed axle. The fixing frame is mounted with the fixed axle, and the rotation shaft is combined with a bottom of the fixing frame. The driving device includes a control module electrically connected to the directional motor and the wheel hub motor module. When the control module outputs and transmits a control signal to the directional motor and the wheel hub motor module, the rotation shaft drives the fixing frame to horizontally turn to a preset angular position, and the roller is driven to vertically rotate to drive the article to move toward a predetermined direction.

A turning driving device includes a directional motor, and a wheel hub motor module and a driving device disposed above and below the directional motor, respectively. The directional motor includes a rotation shaft, and the wheel hub motor module includes a fixing frame, and a roller rotatable about a horizontal fixed axle. The fixing frame is mounted with the fixed axle, and the rotation shaft is combined with a bottom of the fixing frame. The driving device includes a control module electrically connected to the directional motor and the wheel hub motor module. When the control module outputs and transmits a control signal to the directional motor and the wheel hub motor module, the rotation shaft drives the fixing frame to horizontally turn to a preset angular position, and the roller is driven to vertically rotate to drive the article to move toward a predetermined direction.

Various embodiments are directed to a diverter apparatus and method of using the same. In various embodiments, the diverter apparatus is configured to selectively direct an exemplary object traveling along a conveyor travel path to one of a plurality of adjacent conveyor locations. In various embodiments, the diverter apparatus may comprise a diverter conveyor surface, a cam follower, and a cam comprising a rotational range of motion about a cam shaft axis, the cam being physically engaged with the cam follower. Various embodiments are directed to a diverter apparatus configured to utilize a plurality of forces generated by the rotational motion of the cam to facilitate the transition of the directional configuration of the diverter conveyor surface from the first directional configuration to the second directional configuration, and, subsequently, from the second directional configuration back to the first directional configuration, again using the rotational motion of the cam.