Methods and systems for determination of warpage in a workpiece supported by a non-contact support platform, including a surface with a plurality of pressure ports and a plurality of fluid evacuation ports on the surface, a supply system with a pressure supply connected to the plurality of pressure ports on the surface and configured to supply pressure at a substantially constant level and cause a fluid to flow out of the plurality of pressure ports, so as to support a workpiece by fluid-bearing formed under the workpiece, and at least one flowmeter, coupled to a controller and configured to measure the flowrate at the surface, wherein the workpiece is determined to be warped when the measured flowrate is outside a predefined flowrate range.

A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.

A magnetic levitation system for contactlessly holding and moving a carrier in a vacuum chamber, including a base defining a transportation track, a carrier movable above the base along the transportation track, and at least one magnetic bearing for generating a magnetic levitation force between the base and the carrier. The at least one magnetic bearing includes a first magnet unit arranged at the base and a second magnet unit arranged at the carrier. The magnetic levitation system further includes a magnetic side stabilization device for stabilizing the carrier in a lateral direction, the magnetic side stabilization device comprising a stabilization magnet unit arranged at the base, wherein at least one of the first magnet unit and the first stabilization magnet unit is arranged in a housing space of the base, the housing space being separated from an inner volume of the vacuum chamber by a separation wall.

A plate advancement mechanism is configured to cooperate with a stack of plates consisting of alternating first and second roofing plates with alternately positioned indexing notches along an indexing edge of the plates. An indexer including at least one indexing tab that projects beneath the indexing edge of the plates reciprocates parallel to the indexing edge of the roofing plates between a first feed position and a second feed position. The indexer first feed position aligns the indexing tab with the indexing notch of the first plates and the indexer second feed position aligns said indexing tab with the indexing notch of the second plates. The indexer first feed position and said second feed position are coordinated with shuttle movement to release the lowermost roofing plate from the stack onto the shuttle by aligning the indexing tab (or tabs) with the indexing notch (or notches) of the lowermost plate

Present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device. More specifically, but without limitation present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device that orients tie plates in a desired orientation for subsequent feeding, including an optional handheld magnetic device for manual assisted manipulation of the tie plates.

An end cap assembly for a conveyor roll includes an end cap configured to fit over an end of the conveyor roll, and the end cap has an opening. The end cap assembly further includes a spring member configured to be positioned between the end of the conveyor roll and the end cap, and a fastener that is insertable into the opening of the end cap. The fastener is configured to cooperate with the spring member to apply a retention force to assist in retaining the end cap on the conveyor roll.

A carousel for transporting articles includes: a body rotated by a motor around a main axis, a stationary cam around the main axis and a plurality of transfer units mounted on the body to rotate around the main axis. Each unit includes a transfer element having a radially external portion to retain or release an article. The element is pivoted on the body around an auxiliary axis radial to the main axis and is coupled to the body to move along the auxiliary axis. The element is coupled to the stationary cam to rotate around the auxiliary axis. A pair of auxiliary cams is coupled to the element and integral with the body and auxiliary cam-followers are interposed between the element and the auxiliary cam to move on the auxiliary cams during rotation of the element around the auxiliary axis and move the element along the auxiliary axis.

The invention provides a stand system for arranging panels, having at least two stands and at least one coupling element for coupling the at least two stands, the stands and the coupling element produced from plastic, the stands comprising: substantially an L-shape having a sole for placing a stand on a floor and a rear surface, and a back surface and a support surface for together supporting the panels, the coupling element having: a coupling element length for coupling two stands substantially parallel and a length distance apart; a first end with a first coupling part; an opposite second end with a second coupling part,
and the stands further having a coupling part receiving part for in cooperation with at least one selected from the first and second coupling part for holding coupled stands substantially parallel and preventing shearing of coupled stands.

A glass processing apparatus to convey a glass sheet along a conveyance path can include a plurality of air bars spaced apart from each other along a first direction extending perpendicular to a central axis. Each air bar can include a surface with a plurality of fluid outlet ports. The glass processing apparatus can include a plurality of plates, and at least one of the plurality of plates can be positioned between ones of the plurality of air bars. Each plate can include a surface with a plurality of fluid inlet ports. The plurality of air bars and the plurality of plates can be symmetrically arranged relative to the central axis. Methods of processing a glass sheet can include emitting fluid from the plurality of fluid outlet ports of each of the plurality of air bars, thereby providing a cushion of fluid.

A process and apparatus for handling a rigid sheet is disclosed. The process comprises engaging opposing faces of a sheet at its periphery with engagement means providing a second engagement means, movable relative to the first and engaging the sheet with the second engagement means, The sheet is then moved relative to the second engagement means whilst the sheet is engaged with the first engagement means and is then clamped. The sheet is then moved to a desired orientation or location whilst maintaining the first and second engagement means in fixed relative position. The process is useful in handling glass sheeting and in the production of multiple glazed units and on an insulating glass production line.