The invention relates to a method for positioning an empty garment hanger in an individual mounting position, comprising the steps of: picking up an empty garment hanger at a loading station with a gripping tool, reading a data signal identifying a garment that is to be hung on the garment hanger, moving the empty garment hanger to a mounting station, adjusting the position of the garment hanger in dependency of the data signal, and holding the garment hanger in the individual mounting position. The advantage of the invention is that the position where a garment is applied on a garment hanger can be adapted to the length of the operator, type of hanger and type of garment, where the position can be adjusted individually for each mounting cycle.

A method is provided for measuring optical characteristics of a glass sheet as the glass sheet is conveyed in a system for fabricating glass sheets including one or more processing stations and one or more conveyors for conveying the glass sheet during processing. The method comprises providing a background screen including contrasting elements arranged in a pre-defined pattern and a camera for acquiring an image of the background screen; acquiring data associated with a shape of a glass sheet travelling on a conveyor upstream from the background screen; removing the glass sheet from the conveyor; and positioning the glass sheet between the camera and the screen and thereafter acquiring an image of the background screen; re-positioning the glass sheet for continued movement of the glass sheet on the conveyor; and performing one or more processing operations using the acquired image data to analyze the optical characteristics of the glass sheet.

A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.

A system for aligning items, which includes a packaging box transfer device to transfer a packaging box accommodating items therein, a fixing device to fix, at a withdrawal position where the items are taken out of the packaging box, the packaging box transferred by the packaging box transfer device with its top open, a withdrawal device to move to a space in which the items are accommodated in the packaging box so as to suck and take out the items, an item transfer device to transfer the items taken out by the withdrawal device with the items placed on the item transfer device, a sensor mounted on the withdrawal device to detect directions of the items taken out by the withdrawal device, and a rotating device to rotate the items taken out by the withdrawal device with the items placed on the rotating device.

Actuating an air conveyor device is disclosed, including: causing an airflow to be generated by an airflow generator of an air conveyor device, wherein the airflow generator is configured to cause the airflow to enter an intake port of the air conveyor device and exit from an outlet port of the air conveyor device in response to receiving air at an air input port of the air conveyor device; causing a target object to be captured by the air conveyor device using the airflow; activating a positioning actuator mechanism to position the air conveyor device; and causing the target object to be ejected from the air conveyor device.

Embodiments provide for systems and methods related to kiosks for personalizing a packaged article. The kiosks may also be used for storage, inventory management, retrieval, packaging, and/or personalization of packaged articles. The kiosks discussed herein differ from non-kiosk personalization systems, such as personalization systems installed on a factory or warehouse floor, in that the kiosks are self-contained personalization systems. In some embodiments, the kiosks are portable and can be moved between different sites or events. This portability allows the kiosks to personalize packaged articles for concerts, festivals, conventions, trade shows, and the like.

Embodiments provide for systems and methods related to kiosks for personalizing a packaged article. The kiosks may also be used for storage, inventory management, retrieval, packaging, and/or personalization of packaged articles. The kiosks discussed herein differ from non-kiosk personalization systems, such as personalization systems installed on a factory or warehouse floor, in that the kiosks are self-contained personalization systems. In some embodiments, the kiosks are portable and can be moved between different sites or events. This portability allows the kiosks to personalize packaged articles for concerts, festivals, conventions, trade shows, and the like.

An apparatus for transferring a substrate is provided. A unit for transferring a substrate, includes a support structure, a first hand to place the substrate, a second hand stacked with the first hand and placing the substrate, a first guide rail guiding movement of a first support rod to support the first hand in the support structure, a second guide rail guiding movement of a second support rod in the support structure to support the second hand, and a pressure reducing member reducing pressure of an exhaust fluid passage provided in the support structure. The exhaust fluid passage includes a first fluid passage communicating with the first guide rail, a second fluid passage communicating with the second guide rail, and a third fluid passage formed by combining the first fluid passage with the second fluid passage. The pressure reducing member reduces pressure of the third fluid passage.

Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for automated item singulation. The system includes a singulation station in which a plurality of different type items may be transitioned onto a singulation table. The singulation table activates and the movement of the singulation table causes the items to de-shingle, separate in distance with respect to one another and migrate along the singulation table toward a pick conveyor. As the de-shingled and singulated items arrive on the pick conveyor they are detected and individually picked by a robotic unit and transitioned from the singulation station.

An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, wherein each of the remotely controllable carriers is adapted to support and transport an object processing bin.