An improved container transportation and filling system and method is provided. The system can deliver cartridges and other containers, such as tubes, in a horizontal orientation. The containers can have a closed bottom end and an open top end. A screw conveyor(s) is used to engage the containers and urge them forward and into rotation around the axis of the screw conveyor, from horizontal to vertical. A guide engages an end of the containers. The guide acts as a camming surface and guides the end of the container downward as it is advanced by the screw conveyor, to orient the container vertically for filling, capping and sealing. A second mirror image downstream screw conveyor and guide can reorient the container from vertical to horizontal.

An improved container transportation and filling system and method is provided. The system can deliver cartridges and other containers, such as tubes, in a horizontal orientation. The containers can have a closed bottom end and an open top end. A screw conveyor(s) is used to engage the containers and urge them forward and into rotation around the axis of the screw conveyor, from horizontal to vertical. A guide engages an end of the containers. The guide acts as a camming surface and guides the end of the container downward as it is advanced by the screw conveyor, to orient the container vertically for filling, capping and sealing. A second mirror image downstream screw conveyor and guide can reorient the container from vertical to horizontal.

A system for dismantling a pallet includes a feed system configured to convey the pallet along a direction of travel. The feed system has a measuring station and a staging area. The measuring station is configured to obtain dimensions of the pallet. A saw is configured to dismantle the pallet. A manipulator includes a robotic arm. The manipulator is configured to move the pallet from the staging area to the saw for dismantling.

A system for dismantling a pallet includes a feed system configured to convey the pallet along a direction of travel. The feed system has a measuring station and a staging area. The measuring station is configured to obtain dimensions of the pallet. A saw is configured to dismantle the pallet. A manipulator includes a robotic arm. The manipulator is configured to move the pallet from the staging area to the saw for dismantling.

According to the present embodiment, a picking system includes a control device configured to control a suction device and a moving device, wherein when it is determined that a transport target article needs to be moved to a transport target position with a front side and back side of the transport target article turned over, the control device causes a suction unit to suction the transport target article, the moving device to transport the transport target article to a position above the transport target position, a turning-over section to set the suction hand to an orientation in which the transport target article is positioned above the suction unit and a direction substantially orthogonal to the suction surface is inclined with respect to the gravity direction.

According to the present embodiment, a picking system includes a control device configured to control a suction device and a moving device, wherein when it is determined that a transport target article needs to be moved to a transport target position with a front side and back side of the transport target article turned over, the control device causes a suction unit to suction the transport target article, the moving device to transport the transport target article to a position above the transport target position, a turning-over section to set the suction hand to an orientation in which the transport target article is positioned above the suction unit and a direction substantially orthogonal to the suction surface is inclined with respect to the gravity direction.

A board turner assembly may include an endless chain, first and second groups of turning arms pivotably coupled with the endless chain and disposed along opposite sides thereof, an upper guide with an inclined surface, an actuator selectively operable to move the upper guide between a resting position and an extended position, and one or more endless belts. The turning arms may be spaced apart at regular intervals that are offset on one side of the chain relative to the other. The groups of turning arms may be operated in an alternating fashion to turn selected boards to a desired orientation (e.g., wane side up). Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

A board turner assembly may include an endless chain, first and second groups of turning arms pivotably coupled with the endless chain and disposed along opposite sides thereof, an upper guide with an inclined surface, an actuator selectively operable to move the upper guide between a resting position and an extended position, and one or more endless belts. The turning arms may be spaced apart at regular intervals that are offset on one side of the chain relative to the other. The groups of turning arms may be operated in an alternating fashion to turn selected boards to a desired orientation (e.g., wane side up). Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

A movement of the upstream workpiece to the first transfer position by the first mover and a movement of the downstream workpiece to the second transfer position by the second mover are performed in synchronization. A feed of the upstream workpiece from the first transfer position to the second transfer position by the first feeder and a feed of the downstream workpiece from the second transfer position to the third transfer position by the second feeder are performed in synchronization. A movement of the upstream workpiece from the second transfer position to the inversion position by the second mover and a movement of the downstream workpiece from the third transfer position to the second imaging position by the third mover are performed in synchronization.

A movement of the upstream workpiece to the first transfer position by the first mover and a movement of the downstream workpiece to the second transfer position by the second mover are performed in synchronization. A feed of the upstream workpiece from the first transfer position to the second transfer position by the first feeder and a feed of the downstream workpiece from the second transfer position to the third transfer position by the second feeder are performed in synchronization. A movement of the upstream workpiece from the second transfer position to the inversion position by the second mover and a movement of the downstream workpiece from the third transfer position to the second imaging position by the third mover are performed in synchronization.