A chain drive unit (4, 5, 6) for reducing chain vibrations comprising a chain wheel unit (43) with at least two sprockets (431, 432) that are arranged parallel on a common rotation axle, at least two parallel chains (51, 52) engaging these sprockets (431, 432). At least one damping element (6) connecting two adjoining chains (51, 52). The circumferential orientation of two adjoining sprockets (431, 432) differs by a partial pitch (pP) and the damping element (6) comprises a first fixation (61) on its one free end for the lateral fixation to the first chain (51), a second fixation (62) on its opposite free end for the lateral fixation to the second chain (52) and a force transmission unit (63, 8, 9) arranged between the first and the second fixation transmitting an applied force from the first fixation (61) to the second fixation (62) and vice versa.

A chain drive unit (4, 5, 6) for reducing chain vibrations comprising a chain wheel unit (43) with at least two sprockets (431, 432) that are arranged parallel on a common rotation axle, at least two parallel chains (51, 52) engaging these sprockets (431, 432). At least one damping element (6) connecting two adjoining chains (51, 52). The circumferential orientation of two adjoining sprockets (431, 432) differs by a partial pitch (pP) and the damping element (6) comprises a first fixation (61) on its one free end for the lateral fixation to the first chain (51), a second fixation (62) on its opposite free end for the lateral fixation to the second chain (52) and a force transmission unit (63, 8, 9) arranged between the first and the second fixation transmitting an applied force from the first fixation (61) to the second fixation (62) and vice versa.

An unpacking system (26) for use in an apparatus (10) for producing three-dimensional work pieces by irradiating layers of a raw material powder with electromagnetic or particle radiation comprises a supporting structure (28) which is configured to support a building chamber arrangement (25). The building chamber arrangement (25) comprises a building chamber (18) accommodating a carrier (16), the carrier (16) being configured to receive a three-dimensional work piece (11) produced from a raw material powder by an additive layering process. A lowering mechanism (30) of the unpacking system (26) is configured to apply a driving force to the building chamber (18) so as to lower the building chamber (18) relative to the carrier (16) until a three-dimensional work piece (11) received on the carrier (16) can be removed from the carrier (16).

An unpacking system (26) for use in an apparatus (10) for producing three-dimensional work pieces by irradiating layers of a raw material powder with electromagnetic or particle radiation comprises a supporting structure (28) which is configured to support a building chamber arrangement (25). The building chamber arrangement (25) comprises a building chamber (18) accommodating a carrier (16), the carrier (16) being configured to receive a three-dimensional work piece (11) produced from a raw material powder by an additive layering process. A lowering mechanism (30) of the unpacking system (26) is configured to apply a driving force to the building chamber (18) so as to lower the building chamber (18) relative to the carrier (16) until a three-dimensional work piece (11) received on the carrier (16) can be removed from the carrier (16).

A safety barrier for a loading dock lift that includes a lift platform that can be raised and lowered. The safety barrier includes a sleeve attached to the lift platform extending along a vertical axis. The sleeve includes guides to define open and closed positions of said gate and said shaft includes a pin that interacts with the guides to produce rotation of said gate between open and closed positions. Consequently each embodiment gate automatically closes due to gravity whenever the lift is raised off the ground and thereby assures that that gates are locked in position when the lift platform has been raised a short distance.

A safety barrier for a loading dock lift that includes a lift platform that can be raised and lowered. The safety barrier includes a sleeve attached to the lift platform extending along a vertical axis. The sleeve includes guides to define open and closed positions of said gate and said shaft includes a pin that interacts with the guides to produce rotation of said gate between open and closed positions. Consequently each embodiment gate automatically closes due to gravity whenever the lift is raised off the ground and thereby assures that that gates are locked in position when the lift platform has been raised a short distance.

A system for overturning tanks, in particular tanks of kneading machines, includes a vertical supporting structure, an overturning unit, which is mobile along the structure between a lowered position and a raised position and can turn about an axis transverse to the vertical direction, and a system for driving the movement of said unit between said lowered position and said raised position. A further actuation system is provided for governing the movement of rotation of said unit independently of said movement between said lowered position and said raised position.

A system for overturning tanks, in particular tanks of kneading machines, includes a vertical supporting structure, an overturning unit, which is mobile along the structure between a lowered position and a raised position and can turn about an axis transverse to the vertical direction, and a system for driving the movement of said unit between said lowered position and said raised position. A further actuation system is provided for governing the movement of rotation of said unit independently of said movement between said lowered position and said raised position.

A material handling system for lifting and dumping material into a container. Material handling systems for lifting and dumping material into a container are described herein which, in some embodiments, comprise at least one horizontal rail connected to the container, at least one vertical track slidably mounted to the horizontal rail, the vertical track defining a generally vertically extending lower portion and a curved upper portion transitioning into the generally vertically extending lower portion, a holder, the holder being connected to the vertical track in a manner permitting movement between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, and a motive power device operable to raise and lower the container along the vertical track between the uppermost position and the lowermost position, wherein the holder is rotated greater than about 90 degrees in the uppermost position relative to the lowermost position.

A material handling system for lifting and dumping material into a container. Material handling systems for lifting and dumping material into a container are described herein which, in some embodiments, comprise at least one horizontal rail connected to the container, at least one vertical track slidably mounted to the horizontal rail, the vertical track defining a generally vertically extending lower portion and a curved upper portion transitioning into the generally vertically extending lower portion, a holder, the holder being connected to the vertical track in a manner permitting movement between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, and a motive power device operable to raise and lower the container along the vertical track between the uppermost position and the lowermost position, wherein the holder is rotated greater than about 90 degrees in the uppermost position relative to the lowermost position.