An automated conveyor carrier includes a first trolley and a second trolley. The first trolley includes an on-board motor and at least one drive wheel driven from the on-board motor and configured for engagement with a conveyor rail. An on-board power source is configured to selectively power the on-board motor to drive the at least one drive wheel. The second trolley includes at least one wheel configured for engagement with the rail. A load bar connects the first trolley and the second trolley. The on-board power source is supported by the load bar between the first and second trolleys.

Embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor with the workpieces oriented transverse to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors configured to convey workpieces toward a lugged conveyor. The first and second endless conveyors of each pair are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction and aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array can form a continuous or discontinuous transport surface. Some pairs of endless conveyors in the array may overlap one or more other pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array may include two or more endless conveyors that are independently driven at different speeds and/or in different directions to de-skew a workpiece.

A transport device and a transport method for transporting a fragile object, in particular a semiconductor wafer, a glass panel, a solar module, etc., are provided. The transport device comprises at least two coils configured to drive the object along a predetermined movement path, and a control unit configured to control a movement of the object along the predetermined movement path. The control unit is further configured to base the control of the movement of the object on at least a third order setpoint profile. The control unit is also configured to generate the third order setpoint profile for at least two coils in a synchronized manner.

An air conveyance system and method for distributing and accumulating containers and moving containers along a distribution line generally has a horizontal planar surface perforated with a plurality of angular air holes, a blower fan, an airtight body, and an airflow controller. The blower moves air through the plurality of angular holes to create a cushion of air atop the horizontal planar surface powerful enough to float containers. The cushion of air is directional and can move, hold, and direct containers across the plane at various speeds.

An apparatus and method for transferring a discrete substrate. A transfer apparatus may include a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate and the bottom plate may include a first inboard supply port and a first outboard supply port and may define a passageway. The discrete substrate may enter the passageway at a first velocity and exit the passageway at a final velocity. The final velocity may be greater than the first velocity. A first inboard control valve and a first outboard control valve may be activated, and each valve may operate on a valve frequency that defines an on-period and an off-period for each cycle. Each cycle may be controlled by a controller. A visual detection device may track the discrete substrate and communicate with the controller. The discrete substrate may be adjusted as it advances in a machine direction.

Embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor with the workpieces oriented transverse to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors configured to convey workpieces toward a lugged conveyor. The first and second endless conveyors of each pair are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction and aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array can form a continuous or discontinuous transport surface. Some pairs of endless conveyors in the array may overlap one or more other pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array may include two or more endless conveyors that are independently driven at different speeds and/or in different directions to de-skew a workpiece.

Systems and methods are disclosed for wheel wear monitoring systems for shuttles powered by linear synchronous motors. An example system may include a first rail segment that forms a first side of the track, the first rail segment having a first aperture, a second rail segment that forms a second side of the track, the second rail segment having a second aperture, and a first camera disposed adjacent to the first aperture. The system may include a second camera disposed adjacent to the second aperture, and a controller configured to determine a first set of images of a first wheel of the shuttle using the first camera, determine a second set of images of a second wheel of the shuttle using the second camera, and determine a wear status of the first wheel based at least in part on the first set of images.

According to one embodiment, a conveying apparatus includes: a conveyor configured to convey a conveyed item at a predetermined speed; a first gap detector provided midway in the conveyor, the first gap detector being configured to detect a first preceding gap between the conveyed item and a preceding conveyed item that is conveyed immediately before the conveyed item, and a following gap between the conveyed item and a following conveyed item that is conveyed immediately behind the conveyed item; at least two speed adjusters provided midway in the conveyor downstream from the first gap detector, the speed adjusters being configured to adjust a conveying speed of the conveyed item.

The present invention includes a housing, multiple conveyors, and a driving system. The conveyors are provided for a working object to be moved on the conveyors. The driving system has a horizontal moving portion and a vertical moving portion. As the horizontal moving portion moves from the second position toward the first position, when a first detector detects a rear edge of the working object, a controller is able to stop the horizontal moving portion and to set an actual pushing position. Then, it can reset that the horizontal only can move between the actual pushing position and the second position for shortening a moving time and a moving distance of the horizontal moving portion. So, this invention can shorten the horizontal moving time of the horizontal moving portion. It can shorten the vertical moving time. Plus, it can increase the total processing efficiency.

The present invention includes a housing, multiple conveyors, and a driving system. The conveyors are provided for a working object to be moved on the conveyors. The driving system has a horizontal moving portion and a vertical moving portion. As the horizontal moving portion moves from the second position toward the first position, when a first detector detects a rear edge of the working object, a controller is able to stop the horizontal moving portion and to set an actual pushing position. Then, it can reset that the horizontal only can move between the actual pushing position and the second position for shortening a moving time and a moving distance of the horizontal moving portion. So, this invention can shorten the horizontal moving time of the horizontal moving portion. It can shorten the vertical moving time. Plus, it can increase the total processing efficiency.