A link conveyor for an assembly machine and methods for chordal compensation in a link conveyor, may include a first upper chordal compensation cam in the upper rail assembly at the first end of the frame to deflect the chain by a first upper variable deflection amount; a first lower chordal compensation cam in the lower rail assembly at the first end of the frame to deflect the chain by a first lower variable deflection amount; and configuring the first upper variable deflection amount and the first lower variable deflection amount to reduce deviation between a first velocity of the chain at the first end of the frame and a second velocity of the chain at the second end of the frame.

A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.

A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.

Modular conveyor chain, comprising a number of successive, mutually hingedly connected modules. The modules each comprise a link portion made of sheet metal that has a body part that forms a conveying surface. The body part is provided with a centrally located coupling piece on one side thereof, and a pair of interspaced coupling pieces on an opposite side thereof that include an interspace in between. The coupling pieces of successive modules cooperate to form a hinge assembly because the centrally located coupling piece of a link portion is received in the interspace between the interspaced coupling pieces of a link portion of a successive module, and because a hinge pin extends through aligned receiving spaces of the cooperating coupling pieces. The modular conveyor chain further includes a plastic bearing element received between the centrally located coupling piece and the hinge pin. The hinge pin has a substantially constant cross section, and a central portion of the hinge pin is provided with a bearing element that has a closed cross section and extends along the hinge pin at the location of the central coupling element only. Opposing ends of the hinge pins are each provided with an end cap that includes a mantle portion that extends along the hinge pin at the location of an interspaced coupling piece only, and a radially inwardly extending flange portion that cooperates with an end face of the hinge pin.

Modular conveyor chain, comprising a number of successive, mutually hingedly connected modules. The modules each comprise a link portion made of sheet metal that has a body part that forms a conveying surface. The body part is provided with a centrally located coupling piece on one side thereof, and a pair of interspaced coupling pieces on an opposite side thereof that include an interspace in between. The coupling pieces of successive modules cooperate to form a hinge assembly because the centrally located coupling piece of a link portion is received in the interspace between the interspaced coupling pieces of a link portion of a successive module, and because a hinge pin extends through aligned receiving spaces of the cooperating coupling pieces. The modular conveyor chain further includes a plastic bearing element received between the centrally located coupling piece and the hinge pin. The hinge pin has a substantially constant cross section, and a central portion of the hinge pin is provided with a bearing element that has a closed cross section and extends along the hinge pin at the location of the central coupling element only. Opposing ends of the hinge pins are each provided with an end cap that includes a mantle portion that extends along the hinge pin at the location of an interspaced coupling piece only, and a radially inwardly extending flange portion that cooperates with an end face of the hinge pin.

A two-axis modular belt comprising two orthogonal belt loops intersecting at a union on a carryway. The belt is constructed of rectangular belt modules arranged in rows and columns. The modules are interconnected by hinge elements that allow columns of an advancing belt loop to translate relative to the rows of the other stationary belt loop.

A two-axis modular belt comprising two orthogonal belt loops intersecting at a union on a carryway. The belt is constructed of rectangular belt modules arranged in rows and columns. The modules are interconnected by hinge elements that allow columns of an advancing belt loop to translate relative to the rows of the other stationary belt loop.

A link for connecting supporting members used in conveyor belts, each supporting member being provided with a straight rod and the conveyor belt having a motion transmission member, includes a substantially U-shaped main body configured to be removably anchored to a respective straight rod. The main body is made of a metallic material and has a closed front portion and an open back portion provided with a pair of mutually facing end sections. At least one of the end sections is covered with a polymeric material and joined therewith in a permanent manner, a portion of the outer surface of the polymeric material covering the end section being adapted to selectively interact with the motion transmission member. A supporting member for a conveyor belt, and a method of making a connection link for supporting members of conveyor belts.

A link for connecting supporting members used in conveyor belts, each supporting member being provided with a straight rod and the conveyor belt having a motion transmission member, includes a substantially U-shaped main body configured to be removably anchored to a respective straight rod. The main body is made of a metallic material and has a closed front portion and an open back portion provided with a pair of mutually facing end sections. At least one of the end sections is covered with a polymeric material and joined therewith in a permanent manner, a portion of the outer surface of the polymeric material covering the end section being adapted to selectively interact with the motion transmission member. A supporting member for a conveyor belt, and a method of making a connection link for supporting members of conveyor belts.

A net chain driving structure includes a conveying net chain. The conveying net chain includes a plurality of chain links successively inserted in a conveying direction, a plurality of lugs spaced apart from each other are arranged on two sides of the chain links, an end portion of the lug is an arcuate face, a meshing groove is disposed on the chain link, the meshing groove is spliced by an open slot provided on a back side of the chain link and the lugs on the adjacent chain links, a gear in transmission meshing with the meshing groove is disposed on each end of the conveying net chain, a tangent plane tangential to the arcuate face is disposed on the arcuate face of the lug, and transmission contact toothed surfaces of the tangent plane and the gear are attached to each other in parallel during meshing transmission.