A method for transferring an object from a first rotor to a second rotor in a linear transport system is provided in a transfer region between a first drive unit and a second drive unit. The rotors move along the drive units due to a magnetic field generated by respective coil units, and the object is initially attached to the first rotor with the aid of a first connection. The method includes synchronizing movements of the first and second rotor so that the first and second rotor move with coordinated trajectories in the transfer region, forming a second connection between the object and the second rotor in the transfer region, and releasing the first connection. The first connection is created with the aid of a first retaining element, and the second connection is created with the aid of a second retaining element.

A method for transferring an object from a first rotor to a second rotor in a linear transport system is provided in a transfer region between a first drive unit and a second drive unit. The rotors move along the drive units due to a magnetic field generated by respective coil units, and the object is initially attached to the first rotor with the aid of a first connection. The method includes synchronizing movements of the first and second rotor so that the first and second rotor move with coordinated trajectories in the transfer region, forming a second connection between the object and the second rotor in the transfer region, and releasing the first connection. The first connection is created with the aid of a first retaining element, and the second connection is created with the aid of a second retaining element.

A system for storing and transporting storage containers includes an automated storage and retrieval grid including vertical members defining multiple storage columns for storing storage containers on top of each other in vertical stacks. The vertical members are interconnected at their upper ends by a container handling vehicle rail system arranged to guide at least one container handling vehicle being configured to raise storage containers from, and lower storage containers into, the storage columns, and to transport the storage containers above the storage columns. The container handling vehicle rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged in a first horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the first horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the first horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent container handling vehicle grid cells. Each container handling vehicle grid cell includes a container handling vehicle grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails. A transfer column is adapted for transport of a storage container between the container handling vehicle and a delivery space is situated at a lower end of the transfer column. A delivery system includes a first delivery rail system having at least one set of parallel rails arranged in a second horizontal plane guiding at least one delivery vehicle thereon. The delivery vehicle is adapted to receive and/or deliver a storage container at a storage container delivery location arranged below the delivery space of the transfer column and to move between the storage container delivery location and a second location, the first delivery rail system covers at least an area extending from the storage container delivery location to the second location. A vehicle lift device is for transfer of the at least one delivery vehicle between a first lift stop position adjacent the second location in the second horizontal plane and a second lift stop position adjacent a third location arranged in a third horizontal plane being at a different vertical level than the second horizontal plane.

A system for storing and transporting storage containers includes an automated storage and retrieval grid including vertical members defining multiple storage columns for storing storage containers on top of each other in vertical stacks. The vertical members are interconnected at their upper ends by a container handling vehicle rail system arranged to guide at least one container handling vehicle being configured to raise storage containers from, and lower storage containers into, the storage columns, and to transport the storage containers above the storage columns. The container handling vehicle rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged in a first horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the first horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the first horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent container handling vehicle grid cells. Each container handling vehicle grid cell includes a container handling vehicle grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails. A transfer column is adapted for transport of a storage container between the container handling vehicle and a delivery space is situated at a lower end of the transfer column. A delivery system includes a first delivery rail system having at least one set of parallel rails arranged in a second horizontal plane guiding at least one delivery vehicle thereon. The delivery vehicle is adapted to receive and/or deliver a storage container at a storage container delivery location arranged below the delivery space of the transfer column and to move between the storage container delivery location and a second location, the first delivery rail system covers at least an area extending from the storage container delivery location to the second location. A vehicle lift device is for transfer of the at least one delivery vehicle between a first lift stop position adjacent the second location in the second horizontal plane and a second lift stop position adjacent a third location arranged in a third horizontal plane being at a different vertical level than the second horizontal plane.

A method and apparatus for loading substrates in an inspection station is disclosed herein. In one embodiment a loading module is disclosed that includes a loading station for two or more substrate cassettes, a first lane comprising a first conveyor that is substantially aligned with one of the two or more substrate cassettes and a conveyor system, a second lane comprising a second conveyor that is substantially aligned with another of the two or more substrate cassettes and positioned in a spaced-apart relation relative to the first lane, and a lateral transfer module positioned between the first lane and the second lane that is adapted to move substrates from the second lane to the first lane.

A method and apparatus for loading substrates in an inspection station is disclosed herein. In one embodiment a loading module is disclosed that includes a loading station for two or more substrate cassettes, a first lane comprising a first conveyor that is substantially aligned with one of the two or more substrate cassettes and a conveyor system, a second lane comprising a second conveyor that is substantially aligned with another of the two or more substrate cassettes and positioned in a spaced-apart relation relative to the first lane, and a lateral transfer module positioned between the first lane and the second lane that is adapted to move substrates from the second lane to the first lane.

In a picking facility, if both a first picking operation and a second picking operation are performed based on order information, a third container is transported from a housing portion to a second picking portion, a fourth container is transported from the housing portion to the second picking portion, after the second picking operation has been performed, the fourth container in which a target article has been housed by the second picking operation is transported as a second container to a first picking portion, a first container is transported from the housing portion to the first picking portion, and, after the first picking operation has been performed, the second container in which the target articles have been housed by the first picking operation and the second picking operation is transported to a shipping portion.

In a picking facility, if both a first picking operation and a second picking operation are performed based on order information, a third container is transported from a housing portion to a second picking portion, a fourth container is transported from the housing portion to the second picking portion, after the second picking operation has been performed, the fourth container in which a target article has been housed by the second picking operation is transported as a second container to a first picking portion, a first container is transported from the housing portion to the first picking portion, and, after the first picking operation has been performed, the second container in which the target articles have been housed by the first picking operation and the second picking operation is transported to a shipping portion.

A remotely operated delivery vehicle for transport of a storage container between an automated storage and retrieval grid configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers, and a second location for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator, the remotely operated delivery vehicle comprising: rolling devices configured to move the remotely operated delivery vehicle in a horizontal plane along tracks of a delivery rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails arranged in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, rolling device motors for driving the rolling devices, and a power source configured to provide propulsion power to the rolling device motors. The remotely operated delivery vehicle further comprises a container carrier configured to receive the storage container from above and onto or at least partly into the container carrier so that contents of the storage container are accessible by the at least one of the robotic operator and the human operator.

A remotely operated delivery vehicle for transport of a storage container between an automated storage and retrieval grid configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers, and a second location for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator, the remotely operated delivery vehicle comprising: rolling devices configured to move the remotely operated delivery vehicle in a horizontal plane along tracks of a delivery rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails arranged in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, rolling device motors for driving the rolling devices, and a power source configured to provide propulsion power to the rolling device motors. The remotely operated delivery vehicle further comprises a container carrier configured to receive the storage container from above and onto or at least partly into the container carrier so that contents of the storage container are accessible by the at least one of the robotic operator and the human operator.