A camera for detecting an object in a detection zone is provided that has an image sensor having a plurality of light reception elements for the generation of image data from received light from the detection zone), a reception optics having a focus adjustment unit for setting a focal position, with an angle of incidence of the received light on the image sensor changing on a change of the focal position, and a control and evaluation unit that is configured to set the focal position for a sharp recording of image data of the object, A sensitivity change of the capturing of the image data caused by the respective angle of incidence of the received light is compensated.

A load planning platform may generate, according to one or more loading rules, a preliminary packing solution that simulates placing unpacked items, in a set of items, into a container. The load planning platform may generate a set of packing solutions by applying one or more available moves to the preliminary packing solution. The load planning platform may select a final packing solution from the set of packing solutions based on one or more optimization criteria associated with the container and the set of items. The load planning platform may provide access to a three-dimensional rendering of the final packing solution that differentiates each item in the set of items based on a sequence in which the set of items are to be unloaded from the container.

A load planning platform may generate, according to one or more loading rules, a preliminary packing solution that simulates placing unpacked items, in a set of items, into a container. The load planning platform may generate a set of packing solutions by applying one or more available moves to the preliminary packing solution. The load planning platform may select a final packing solution from the set of packing solutions based on one or more optimization criteria associated with the container and the set of items. The load planning platform may provide access to a three-dimensional rendering of the final packing solution that differentiates each item in the set of items based on a sequence in which the set of items are to be unloaded from the container.

An intensive quenching (IQ) apparatus and method of quenching heated parts is provided. The IQ apparatus includes a chute for placing parts into a tank including liquid quenchant. The parts fall through the quenchant in the chute and are received by a conveyor belt. The parts are then transported on the conveyor through an inner channel of a conduit. An agitation rate of the quenchant in the inner channel is increased by an agitator.

An intensive quenching (IQ) apparatus and method of quenching heated parts is provided. The IQ apparatus includes a chute for placing parts into a tank including liquid quenchant. The parts fall through the quenchant in the chute and are received by a conveyor belt. The parts are then transported on the conveyor through an inner channel of a conduit. An agitation rate of the quenchant in the inner channel is increased by an agitator.

A dynamic movement analytics system is disclosed that includes a programmable motion device including an end-effector, and a perception transfer system for receiving an object from the end-effector and for moving the object toward any of a plurality of destination containers. The perception transfer system includes at least one perception system for providing perception data regarding any of weight, shape, pose authority, position authority or identity information regarding the object as it is moved toward the any of the plurality of destination containers.

A carrier belt for loading materials includes a carrier body, a protective film on a mounting surface of the carrier body, and at least one dividing strip sandwiched between the protective film and the carrier body, thereby spacing protective film from the carrier body to form a gap. The mounting surface comprises a plurality of loading areas to carry the materials and at least one non-loading area. The at least one dividing strip is arranged on the on the non-loading area, a height of the gap is greater than a thickness of each of the materials. A carrier roll is also provided.

A carrier belt for loading materials includes a carrier body, a protective film on a mounting surface of the carrier body, and at least one dividing strip sandwiched between the protective film and the carrier body, thereby spacing protective film from the carrier body to form a gap. The mounting surface comprises a plurality of loading areas to carry the materials and at least one non-loading area. The at least one dividing strip is arranged on the on the non-loading area, a height of the gap is greater than a thickness of each of the materials. A carrier roll is also provided.

A spiral conveyor for positively driving a conveyor belt along a helical path. The spiral conveyor includes a rotating cylindrical tower with parallel drive members extending from the bottom to the top of the tower on its periphery. Each drive member includes an outwardly protruding ridge that varies in height from the bottom to the top of the tower. The variations in height facilitate the belt's entry onto and exit from the tower and robust, positive driving engagement with the inside edge of the belt along the majority of its path along the tower.

A spiral conveyor for positively driving a conveyor belt along a helical path. The spiral conveyor includes a rotating cylindrical tower with parallel drive members extending from the bottom to the top of the tower on its periphery. Each drive member includes an outwardly protruding ridge that varies in height from the bottom to the top of the tower. The variations in height facilitate the belt's entry onto and exit from the tower and robust, positive driving engagement with the inside edge of the belt along the majority of its path along the tower.