A conveyor system includes a rail that supports multiple carts that move along a track of the conveyor system. A plurality of sensors is operably connected to the rail and configured to measure vibrations of the rail as the carts move along the track. One or more sensors are operably connected to the cart and configured to take measurements of the cart as the cart moves along the track. A central controller collects data from sensors, and a processor analyzes the data to determine whether the data is within a predetermined range that corresponds to normal operation of the conveyor system. A method of operating the conveyor system includes moving the multiple carts along the rail and collecting data from the sensors. The data is analyzed to determine if it is within a predetermined range.

Examples of non-invasive inspection of a mechanical system are described. In an example implementation, a first operational data from a detector mounted on an item being handled by a mechanical system is retrieved. The detector may include one or more sensors, and the first operational data is indicative of a current operational condition of the mechanical system. The first operational data can be compared with a corresponding historical first operational data and an error in the current operational condition of the mechanical system is determined based on the comparison. In response to the identification of the error, a notification is generated to perform a non-invasive inspection of the mechanical system.

A transport and manipulation system has an activity area in which a provisioning device is arranged which includes takeover and handover stations. The activity area includes a working area in which static workstations for manually executing processing orders are arranged, and a travel area, in which autonomous transport vehicles can move. Each transport vehicle is configured for automatically taking over a load carrier at the takeover station according to a transport order received, transporting it to a workstation and dispensing it there, or taking it over at the workstation, transporting it to the handover station and dispensing it there. The travel area includes first and second travel sections defining therein first and second travel speeds, respectively. The second travel speed is higher than the first travel speed. The second travel section is bounded against the first travel section, wherein transport vehicles can pass the boundary at a passing zone.

A safety system for an automated storage and picking system is described. The storage system includes load handling devices operating above a series of stacked containers located within a framework, the top of which includes tracks on which the load handling devices operate. The safety system includes a transmitter located in close proximity to the storage system and a receiver located on each of the load handling devices. The transmitter can continually transmit a signal that is detected by the receivers on the load handling devices. In the event of an emergency or a breach of the storage system, the transmission of the signal is cut. Once the receiver no longer receives the signal from the transmitter, power to each load handling device drive is cut to render the storage system safe.

Conveyor safety guard modules that are configured to be inserted between adjacent rollers in motor driven roller conveyor systems and shield drive bands or belts coupled between the adjacent rollers so as to protect workers from having their work gloves, loose hair, loose clothing, etc. becoming entangled in the drive bands or belts and causing injury.

A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

A rack storage system includes storage racks forming unit load storage locations arranged next to one another on storage planes on top of one another. The racks include either exclusively outer storage racks or outer and inner storage racks and are installed stationarily on a bottom plate. One or multiple rack aisles are between the racks in an x-direction. Automated storage and retrieval units transport unit loads and building walls are mounted on the outer racks via a support structure and form wall elements. The support structure includes profiled support elements affixed, by spacers, to the outer rack. The wall elements are mounted on the support elements, each being affixed, by respectively one spacer, to the outer rack in separate mounting regions (37) provided separate from one another. An adjuster per spacer adjusts a horizontal distance between a profiled support element and the outer rack. One fixer per spacer fixes the adjusted distance.

A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.

--A method for repairing a picking device, wherein the picking device comprises a rack to store goods; a storage retrieval system (AS/RS) configured for storing goods in specific locations of the rack and/or configured for retrieving goods located in a specific location of the warehouse; and a control unit designed to control movements of the storage retrieval system (AS/RS) and/or movements of components of the storage retrieval system (AS/RS), wherein the picking device includes a place of maintenance, wherein the controller is operative to move the storage retrieval system (AS/RS) to the maintenance station and/or the controller is operative to move the storage retrieval system (AS/RS) away from the maintenance station, the method comprising: moving a first storage retrieval system (AS/RS) to the maintenance station, removing the first storage retrieval system (AS/RS) from the picking device at the maintenance station, inserting a second storage retrieval system (AS/RS) into the picking device at the maintenance station, and moving the storage retrieval system (AS/RS) away from the maintenance station.

A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in a grid framework structure having first and second sets of parallel rails or tracks. The load handling device includes: a body mounted on first and second sets of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. A direction-change assembly is arranged to raise or lower the first set of wheels and or lower or raise the second set of wheels with respect to the body to engage and disengage the wheels with the tracks. The direction-change assembly includes a linkage-set having a series of members arranged between a traveller and a fixed brace, wherein the traveller is arranged to move under an applied force to cause the wheels to raise or lower.