A small object cassette processing station for depositing small objects into selected cells of a small object cassette. The station comprises a bulk small object bin structured and operable to retain a bulk quantity of small objects of a selected type. The station additionally comprises a small object counting and parsing subsystem configured to parse a plurality of groups of small objects received from the bulk quantity of the small objects retained in the bulk small object bin. Each group of small objects comprises a number of small objects by a central control system. The station further comprise a small object distribution subsystem configured to receive each parsed group of small objects and deposit each parsed group of small objects into one of a plurality of small object cells of a small object cassette as stipulated by the central control system.

The invention relates to a system for sorting veneer sheets. The system comprises: an assembly section; a reject section; a feeding section arranged between the assembly section and the reject section; at least one detection device configured to scan a top surface of a topmost veneer sheet of a stack of veneer sheets to provide a plurality of successive scan lines images; at least two parallel transfer devices; and a control system. The control system is configured to provide a surface scan image from the plurality of successive scan lines images, determine one or more properties of the veneer sheet based on the surface scan image, and to control the at least two transfer devices to: move from an avoidance position to a pick-up position determined based on the surface scan image; pick up the topmost veneer sheet of the stack of veneer sheets; and transfer the picked-up veneer sheet to the assembly section in response to detecting that each of the determined one or more properties of the veneer sheet meets a respective predetermined criterion, or otherwise transfer the picked-up veneer sheet to the reject section. The invention relates also to a method for sorting veneer sheets.

The invention relates to a system for sorting veneer sheets. The system comprises: an assembly section; a reject section; a feeding section arranged between the assembly section and the reject section; at least one detection device configured to scan a top surface of a topmost veneer sheet of a stack of veneer sheets to provide a plurality of successive scan lines images; at least two parallel transfer devices; and a control system. The control system is configured to provide a surface scan image from the plurality of successive scan lines images, determine one or more properties of the veneer sheet based on the surface scan image, and to control the at least two transfer devices to: move from an avoidance position to a pick-up position determined based on the surface scan image; pick up the topmost veneer sheet of the stack of veneer sheets; and transfer the picked-up veneer sheet to the assembly section in response to detecting that each of the determined one or more properties of the veneer sheet meets a respective predetermined criterion, or otherwise transfer the picked-up veneer sheet to the reject section. The invention relates also to a method for sorting veneer sheets.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic each item being delivered by each vehicle. The system may also include vehicles having edge-detection assemblies for detecting items being loaded onto or discharged from the vehicles.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic each item being delivered by each vehicle. The system may also include vehicles having edge-detection assemblies for detecting items being loaded onto or discharged from the vehicles.

Computer-implemented methods for validating a real-time condition of a landing field using aircraft data. One method comprises identifying a plurality of segments of the runway based on a configurable parameter; receiving input data of at least one of a reported runway condition code and a reported braking action of a recently landed aircraft; receiving actual data of an actual runway deceleration profile from the recently landed aircraft for each identified segment of the runway; creating expected data of an expected runway deceleration profile based on the received input data and the received actual data; comparing the received actual data with the created expected data to validate and/or reassess the input data; and transmitting the validated and/or reassessed data to at least one of other approaching aircraft and an airport controller.

Can conveyors using various stator coil configurations to spread, gap, align, lane, reject, singulate, and rotate aluminum cans as they are propelled along the length of the conveyor. The electrically conductive cans acting as rotors form linear-induction motors (LIMs) with the stators to move the cans.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic each item being delivered by each vehicle. The system may also include vehicles having an assembly for detecting items being loaded onto or discharged from the vehicles.

Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating and sorting a plurality of individual articles from a pile of laundry articles into two or more sorted loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting and separating system includes a stationary surface configured to receive thereon at a first location the pile of laundry articles. A plurality of actuatable grippers are disposed at spaced apart positions adjacent the stationary surface and comprise a first actuatable gripper configured to grasp, hoist, and deposit at a second location at least one of the plurality of individual articles within reach of a second actuatable gripper. A terminal gripper comprising at least one of the second actuatable gripper and another actuatable gripper is configured to release an individual article into one of the two or more sorted loads. At least one controller is in operable communication with the grippers.

Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating and sorting a plurality of individual articles from a pile of laundry articles into two or more sorted loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting and separating system includes a stationary surface configured to receive thereon at a first location the pile of laundry articles. A plurality of actuatable grippers are disposed at spaced apart positions adjacent the stationary surface and comprise a first actuatable gripper configured to grasp, hoist, and deposit at a second location at least one of the plurality of individual articles within reach of a second actuatable gripper. A terminal gripper comprising at least one of the second actuatable gripper and another actuatable gripper is configured to release an individual article into one of the two or more sorted loads. At least one controller is in operable communication with the grippers.