Implementations of an automated round tube loading machine are provided. In some implementations, the automated round tube loading machine comprises a tube pickup mechanism, a tube stacking mechanism, and a tube loading mechanism. In some implementations, the automated round tube loading machine may further comprise a front side conveyor, a back side conveyor, and/or a computer system.

In some implementations, a method of operation of the automated round tube loading machine comprises the machine receiving, picking up, moving, dropping off, stacking, and loading a plurality of round tubes into a box.

The object of the application is a channel hopper (1, 1) for rod-like articles (4) wherein the flow of the rod-like articles (4) through the channels (2) of the hopper takes place in the form of a mass flow under the influence of gravity, comprising: at least two channels (2) for storage of rod-like articles (4), the channel being provided with an inlet (2A) and an outlet (2B) for rod-like articles and with side walls (8, 9), whereas the channel (2) is situated between limiting regions (6), and the limiting region (6) comprises a limiting element (7, 11) having a lateral surface which limits the space of the channel (2), and movable supporting elements adapted to change their configuration from open configuration to closed configuration and vice versa, whereas in the open configuration the flow of rod-like articles (4) through the channels (2) is enabled.

A stackable storage rack, which includes a base with multiple sockets for connecting a respective pair of vertical support members in a manner that permits multiple storage racks to be stacked on-site with their respective vertical support members attached and in a standard shipping container without their respective vertical support members attached. The storage rack also maximizes the storage capacity in a standard shipping container when it is loaded in a standard shipping container with its vertical support members attached.

An apparatus that forms bundles of glass articles includes a glass article infeed station including an infeed conveyor that continuously transports individual glass articles to a layer separating conveyor. The layer separating conveyor includes a conveyor belt that forms a layer of side-by-side glass articles. A robotic lift assembly is configured to place the layer of side-by-side glass articles together on a layer separation insert. The layer separation insert has side-by-side slots that each receive a single glass article of the layer of side-by-side glass articles.

Apparatus for handling bars (31), in particular metal bars, including a loading unit (22) provided with transporter elements (25) to transfer a series of bars (31) toward a selector unit (34); the selector unit (34) includes a gripping device (35) configured to remove one or more bars (31) from the transporter elements (25) of the loading unit (22) and to release them toward a subsequent collection station (43) and also includes sensors (41) configured to automatically detect at least the number of bars (31) removed and released by the gripping device (35) toward the collection station (43).

A stackable storage rack, which includes a base with multiple sockets for connecting a respective pair of vertical support members in a manner that permits multiple storage racks to be stacked on-site with their respective vertical support members attached and in a standard shipping container without their respective vertical support members attached. The storage rack also maximizes the storage capacity in a standard shipping container when it is loaded in a standard shipping container with its vertical support members attached.

A cable stacker comprising a belt conveyor (21) for conveying the cable along a conveying direction, a discharge device for dropping a cable into a collection tub (241), and a guide element (50) for damping a meandering movement of the cable that is to be put down.

A cable stacker (20) having a first belt conveyor (21) for conveying the cable along a conveying direction X, the first belt conveyor (21) being designed to receive a belt, and the first belt conveyor (21) having a conveyor path with an input path portion and an output path portion. A main frame (23) is provided on which the first belt conveyor (21) is arranged, a counter barrier (40a) being provided for guiding the cable. In the region of the input path portion, the first belt conveyor (21) has a first drop barrier (31a) for preventing uncontrolled slipping of the cable from the conveyor path (22), the first drop barrier (31a) being movable relative to the counter barrier (40a) at least into an active position.

An apparatus for transferring and/or stacking products, the apparatus including a frame, a bar conveyor associated with the frame, the bar conveyor having a plurality of flight bars that are independently driven by a plurality of independent drivetrains, a lifting device having a lifting plate, the lifting device being located within the bar conveyor, and at least one pusher.

A method for transferring and/or stacking products, the method including providing a first plurality of products as a first unit, pushing the first unit onto a lifting plate, lowering the plate, providing a second plurality of products as a second unit, pushing the second unit onto the top of the first unit to create a stack.