Implementations of an automated round tube loading machine are provided. In some implementations, the automated round tube loading machine comprises a tube pickup mechanism, a tube stacking mechanism, and a tube loading mechanism. In some implementations, the automated round tube loading machine may further comprise a front side conveyor, a back side conveyor, and/or a computer system. In some implementations, a method of operation of the automated round tube loading machine comprises the machine receiving, picking up, moving, dropping off, stacking, and loading a plurality of round tubes into a box.

A tray sealing machine comprises a gripper device including first and second tray grippers that operate together to take up trays provided by a feed unit and transport them to a sealing station that is downstream in a production direction. A speed of the first and second tray grippers in the production direction when respectively performing a closing motion from a respective initial position toward a respective closing position can be accelerated such that the speed of the first and second tray grippers in the production direction relative to a belt speed of the feed unit during a predetermined first time interval is slower than the belt speed, and during a subsequent predetermined second time interval until the respective closing position has been reached is greater than the belt speed, so that gripper fingers on the first and second tray grippers immerse into respective position windows located between the trays.

A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.

A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.

An apparatus (1) for the clocked longitudinal transport of workpieces (11) between processing stations in a transfer press. The apparatus has, at least on one side, a first (2) and a second (3) longitudinally movable control element as a control group (2, 3), wherein two control elements (2, 3) are mounted to be movable relative to each other solely in the longitudinal direction, and the control elements (2, 3) are driven via a common shaft (58). The first control element is a gripper rod (2) for the longitudinal transport of workpieces (11) between the processing stations, and gripper elements (4), offset in the longitudinal direction by the distance between the processing stations, are mounted in the gripper rod (2) and can be moved solely in the transversal direction. The second control element is a thrust rod (3) which forcibly controls the transversal movement of the at least two gripper elements (4).

An apparatus (1) for the clocked longitudinal transport of workpieces (11) between processing stations in a transfer press. The apparatus has, at least on one side, a first (2) and a second (3) longitudinally movable control element as a control group (2, 3), wherein two control elements (2, 3) are mounted to be movable relative to each other solely in the longitudinal direction, and the control elements (2, 3) are driven via a common shaft (58). The first control element is a gripper rod (2) for the longitudinal transport of workpieces (11) between the processing stations, and gripper elements (4), offset in the longitudinal direction by the distance between the processing stations, are mounted in the gripper rod (2) and can be moved solely in the transversal direction. The second control element is a thrust rod (3) which forcibly controls the transversal movement of the at least two gripper elements (4).

A conveying apparatus, comprising a drive conveying sub-apparatus. The drive conveying sub-apparatus comprises a first movable supporting film (81), a second movable supporting film (82), a first fixed supporting film (71), and a drive conveying mechanism. The first movable supporting film (81) and the second movable supporting film (82) are respectively located at both sides of the first fixed supporting film (71). The first movable supporting film (81) and the second movable supporting film (82) are both slidably connected with the drive conveying mechanism, so that the drive conveying mechanism drives the first movable supporting film (81) and the second movable supporting film (82) to move up and down and move forward and backward. The first movable supporting film (81), the second movable supporting film (82), and the first fixed supporting film (71) are all provided with grooves having sizes matched with the size of an object to be conveyed. The conveying apparatus can quickly and accurately convey the object to a next station.

A conveying apparatus, comprising a drive conveying sub-apparatus. The drive conveying sub-apparatus comprises a first movable supporting film (81), a second movable supporting film (82), a first fixed supporting film (71), and a drive conveying mechanism. The first movable supporting film (81) and the second movable supporting film (82) are respectively located at both sides of the first fixed supporting film (71). The first movable supporting film (81) and the second movable supporting film (82) are both slidably connected with the drive conveying mechanism, so that the drive conveying mechanism drives the first movable supporting film (81) and the second movable supporting film (82) to move up and down and move forward and backward. The first movable supporting film (81), the second movable supporting film (82), and the first fixed supporting film (71) are all provided with grooves having sizes matched with the size of an object to be conveyed. The conveying apparatus can quickly and accurately convey the object to a next station.

Articulating modular robotic trim tool system incorporating end of arm tooling with a trim die operably mounted to the ends of a plurality of robots using a specifically designed die holder. A bank of robots with trim dies operably attached to them are in operation in a production cell. A walking beam carries each extrusion that is going to be trimmed. Once the extrusion moves into position, the robots then move the trim dies onto the extrusion to complete the trim operation.

Articulating modular robotic trim tool system incorporating end of arm tooling with a trim die operably mounted to the ends of a plurality of robots using a specifically designed die holder. A bank of robots with trim dies operably attached to them are in operation in a production cell. A walking beam carries each extrusion that is going to be trimmed. Once the extrusion moves into position, the robots then move the trim dies onto the extrusion to complete the trim operation.