A grouping station for grouping pallets includes an inbound conveyor, which is a gravity conveyor. The grouping station includes a fixed-height pairing conveyor and a grouping conveyor with three height positions for different grouping functions.

In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method for transporting cargo using smart palettes includes determining receipt of a first cargo onto a platform of a first smart palette at a first distribution hub. The method includes generating one or more signals that control a loading of the first smart palette and the first cargo onto a trailer located at the first distribution hub. The method includes determining a coordination with one or more second smart palettes associated with the trailer to determine a first position inside the trailer for the first smart palette and the first cargo. The method includes generating one or more signals that position the first smart palette and the first cargo at the first position inside the trailer.

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein may include an end-of-arm tool for moving payloads or pallet stacks from one location to another, comprising a mast system comprising a mast, a plurality of mast gussets, and a mast plate; a frame; a clamp system comprising a plurality of clamp plates and a plurality of ball screws; and a vacuum system comprising a vacuum plate and one or more vacuum cups. Further, one or more specific embodiments disclosed herein may include a method of moving materials using an end-of-arm tool comprising aligning the end-of-arm tool over a payload, wherein the end-of-arm tool comprises an undercarriage in a retracted position, a plurality of clamp plates in an extended position, and one or more vacuum cups; lowering the end-of-arm tool towards the payload; engaging the payload with the one or more vacuum cups; engaging the payload with the plurality of clamp plates; and raising the payload into the interior of the end-of-arm tool.

A pallet is housed while being supported from below by a pair of shelf-side support surfaces. The shelf-side support surfaces extend in a second direction and are separate from each other in a first direction by a predetermined separation distance. A pallet inspection device includes a first lift member, a second lift member, a raising and lowering mechanism, and an inspection unit. The first lift member has a first support surface. The second lift member has a second support surface. The first support surface and the second support surface extend in a width direction and are separate from each other in a transportation direction by a predetermined setting distance. The setting distance corresponds to the separation distance between the pair of shelf-side support surfaces. The inspection unit inspects the pallet for bending while the first support surface and the second support surface are at a projecting position.

Several embodiments of turntable systems for loaded pallets are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first ramp leads up to the turntable and a second ramp leads down from the turntable on the opposite side. In other embodiments, at least two turntables are positioned adjacent one another, optionally with a bridge surface connecting them so that a pallet lift can be driven from one turntable to the other to place one pallet on one turntable and another pallet on the other turntable according to a method disclosed herein. A validation system without a turntable includes a plurality of cameras about a periphery of a platform weight sensor.

A method includes: obtaining a task definition for a mobile robot, the task definition including (i) a position on an item support carried by the mobile robot, and (ii) an identifier of an item to be placed at the position to form a unit load with the item support; controlling the mobile robot carrying the item support to travel to a pick location for receiving the item from a picker; controlling an output device to render an indication of the position for the picker at the pick location; responsive to placement of the item at the position by the picker, controlling the mobile robot to travel to a handling location.

A configurable belt conveyor for manufacturing comprising first belt and an adaptable border adjacent to the belt. The adaptable border having a first configuration in which a first width of the belt is available for supporting a pallet on the conveyor belt, and a second configuration in which a portion of the belt is covered by the adaptable border, such that the second width of the belt is sized for supporting a printed circuit board (PCB). In one embodiment, the configurable belt conveyor may be configured to form a dual stream conveyor.

A plurality of workpieces include a plurality of first workpieces of a first workpiece group to be loaded onto a first loaded member according to a first loading sequence and a plurality of second workpieces of a second workpiece group to be loaded onto a second loaded member according to a second loading sequence. On a conveying device, workpieces are arranged at ransom with respect to respective arrangement sequences of the first workpiece group and the second workpiece group and the classifications of the first workpiece group and the second workpiece group. On a conveying device, workpieces of the first workpiece group are sequentially arranged based on the first loading sequence and workpieces of the second workpiece group are sequentially arranged based on the second loading sequence. At the same time, the workpieces of the first workpiece group and the second workpiece group are arranged together.

A storage system comprises one or more automated guided vehicles, one or more centralized supervisory systems, one or more parts container storage spaces disposed within a defined two dimensional space comprising one or more addressable parts container spaces and parts bins which comprise a part identifier and which are configured to fit at least partially within the parts container storage space. The automated guided vehicles comprise a controllable autonomous parts container base and one or more position sensors operatively in communication with a controller and operative to determine a coordinate location of the automated guided vehicle within a defined two dimensional space in real time without relying on a map stored in the controller.

A technique for detecting the completion of work of attaching a workpiece to a pallet is provided. A pallet transport system includes: a transport device for transporting a pallet to which a workpiece can be attached; a pallet housing unit for housing the pallet, a workstation in which a worker is to conduct work of attaching the workpiece to the pallet transported from the pallet housing unit; a machine tool for machining the workpiece attached to the pallet in the workstation; and a control device for controlling the transport device. The control device acquires an indicator indicating progress of the attachment work in the workstation, determines whether or not the attachment work has been completed based on the indicator, and when it is determined that the attachment work has been completed, transports the pallet located in the workstation to the pallet housing unit or the machine tool.