A substrate-floatation-type laser processing apparatus and a method for measuring a floating height, capable of improving performance of laser processing are provided. A substrate-floatation-type laser processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a stage configured to float and convey a substrate, and a floating-height measurement apparatus configured to measure a floating height H of the substrate. Note that a distance between the floating-height measurement apparatus and the substrate can be automatically adjusted according to the measured floating height H. The floating height H of the substrate is measured by applying laser light to the substrate and the stage. The distance between the floating-height measurement apparatus and the substrate is adjusted by using a feedback mechanism in which the measured floating height of the substrate is used as an input.

A substrate-floatation-type laser processing apparatus and a method for measuring a floating height, capable of improving performance of laser processing are provided. A substrate-floatation-type laser processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a stage configured to float and convey a substrate, and a floating-height measurement apparatus configured to measure a floating height H of the substrate. Note that a distance between the floating-height measurement apparatus and the substrate can be automatically adjusted according to the measured floating height H. The floating height H of the substrate is measured by applying laser light to the substrate and the stage. The distance between the floating-height measurement apparatus and the substrate is adjusted by using a feedback mechanism in which the measured floating height of the substrate is used as an input.

A method of operating a conveyor system includes providing a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path, the rail supporting first and second consecutive automated conveyor carriers (ACC), each of which includes a motor-powered self-driving trolley. First and second loads are suspended from the first and second ACCs. The first and second ACCs are driven independently along the rail by executing instructions from independent on-board controllers of the first and second ACCs, wherein a first spacing between the first and second ACCs is maintained through a first section of the rail. The first ACC is accelerated away from the second ACC to increase the spacing from the first spacing to a second spacing for navigating a second section of the rail, the second section being a curved section.

A product management system (100) includes —a continuous first track (104), including a lug queuing section (108), a lug engagement section (110), and a product engagement section (112), each section being configured and adapted to effectuate specific lug movement steps, —a continuous chain (116) partially following the track configured and adapted to actuate lugs (106) about at least a portion of the track, —a series of lugs (106) moveably disposed along the track (104) configured for moving a product along the product engagement section of the track, —a star wheel (120) disposed at the lug engagement section (110) of the track (104) configured for metering lugs (106) to engage the chain (116) from the queuing section (108) of the track (104) and to control a variable pitch between each of the lugs along the transferring chain, —and a magnetism source (122) configured to direct the lugs (106) to the queuing section (108), and to the end of the queuing section (108).

A product management system (100) includes —a continuous first track (104), including a lug queuing section (108), a lug engagement section (110), and a product engagement section (112), each section being configured and adapted to effectuate specific lug movement steps, —a continuous chain (116) partially following the track configured and adapted to actuate lugs (106) about at least a portion of the track, —a series of lugs (106) moveably disposed along the track (104) configured for moving a product along the product engagement section of the track, —a star wheel (120) disposed at the lug engagement section (110) of the track (104) configured for metering lugs (106) to engage the chain (116) from the queuing section (108) of the track (104) and to control a variable pitch between each of the lugs along the transferring chain, —and a magnetism source (122) configured to direct the lugs (106) to the queuing section (108), and to the end of the queuing section (108).

An assembly for use with a power and free conveyor comprises a track member adapted to be slidingly received by a receiver portion of a power and free conveyor power track. The track member is slidingly moveable from a first position to a second position such that, when in the first position, the proximal end is retained within the receiver portion and the distal end is proximate to a connection portion. When in the second position, the proximal end is retained within the receiver portion and there is a gap between the distal end and the connection portion. A power and free conveyor comprising the assembly is also provided. A method of servicing a power and free conveyor comprising a sliding track member is also provided.

An assembly for use with a power and free conveyor comprises a track member adapted to be slidingly received by a receiver portion of a power and free conveyor power track. The track member is slidingly moveable from a first position to a second position such that, when in the first position, the proximal end is retained within the receiver portion and the distal end is proximate to a connection portion. When in the second position, the proximal end is retained within the receiver portion and there is a gap between the distal end and the connection portion. A power and free conveyor comprising the assembly is also provided. A method of servicing a power and free conveyor comprising a sliding track member is also provided.

A packaging transport device has a support unit (10) including a first support surface (12), which defines a first track section (11), and at least one second support surface (14), which defines a second track section (13) and is tilted relative to the first support surface (12) around a tilt axis (16) running in a transport direction (15), the packaging transport device further including a driving member (17) and drivers (18), which are connected with the driving member (17), and are supported movably around the tilt axis (16), wherein the driving member (17) is implemented by a belt.

The invention relates to a method for conveying in translation, in a transport zone, glass containers (2) held in a suspended position between two slide rails on which slides a counter-ring (7) arranged on each container which has a ring surface (8) defining the opening of the container, the method consisting of ensuring the movement in translation of the containers (2) by a bearing surface (18a) of at least one belt (18) driven in translation and exerting mechanical pressure on each ring surface (8) of the containers (2) to create a bond by adherence between each ring surface (8) of the containers and the bearing surface (18a) of the belt.

An automatic cart transport system. A track located in a factory working floor provides a trackway for an endless flexible conveyor chain. A plurality of chain units including a first chain portion having vertical rollers and a second chain portion having horizontal rollers are flexibly coupled, and the chain is advanced along the trackway by a drive motor. The chain units support thereabove, but within the track, a coupling plate having therein an aperture for accepting and capturing a chain connection shaft which is detachably connected to a cart. The cart is automatically towed along a defined pathway on the working floor of a factory by the chain, when connected to the coupling plate on the endless flexible conveyor chain.