A system for performing measurements in storage containers for storing items includes a framework structure. The storage containers are stored in an automated storage system. The framework structure forms a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing the storage containers. The grid structure forms vertical storage columns each having a horizontal area defined by the size of an access opening to the vertical storage columns between rails of a rail system. The rail system is arranged on top of the framework structure. The rail system provides available routes for container handling vehicles handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the storage columns. Each vehicle includes a vehicle controller communicating with a central computer system controlling the operation of the storage system. A container handling platform of a container handling vehicle includes measuring equipment configured to perform measurements in containers and includes a communication unit configured to communicate measurement data to a computer system.

The vibration feeder has a drive unit (4) comprising a vibration drive (10), a carrier arrangement (5) comprising a feeding element for the material to be conveyed and a control (26) for the vibration drive (10), wherein an acceleration sensor (27) is arranged on the drive unit (10), which when the vibration feeder (25) is operating, detects the actual acceleration of the drive unit (4), and wherein the control (26) is configured to use the actual acceleration signal of the acceleration sensor (26) for generating a regulating variable for the vibration drive (10) such that the carrier arrangement (5) vibrates essentially within its resonance frequency (f.sub.res). This makes it possible, during operation, to detect the acceleration of a drive unit (4) of the vibration feeder (25) and to generate therefrom a regulating variable for a vibration drive (10) such that a carrier arrangement (5) of the vibration feeder (25) vibrates closer to its resonance frequency (f.sub.res) or is brought back again to the same. In addition the inventive control (28) may be used to also regulate the amplitude of the carrier arrangement (4) and the associated mass flow {dot over (m)} to a required value.

Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which selectively changes the orientation of the tie plates being ejected, if needed. An actuator is used to flip the tie plate as it falls from an ejection location of the dispenser.

A method and device for treating containers with at least two container treatment machines, between which a transport device for transporting the containers is arranged, where the transport device is divided into several transport sections, where the flow of containers is changed from containers of type A to containers of type B, where a separating device is activated once the first transport section has run empty of containers of type A, where containers of the type B are transported into the first transport section and backed up at the separating device, while containers of type A are transported from the second transport section to the second container treatment machine, and where the separating device is deactivated once the second transport section has run empty of containers of the type A, so that the containers of type B are transported through the second transport section to the second container treatment machine.

The invention relates to a method for managing a module for sorting units, which involves arranging said units loose in a reservoir; sorting said units according to a specific orientation into a batch inserted into a housing, by lifting from said reservoir towards an exit at an elevation speed; expelling said batch of sorted units from said outlet towards an entrance of a supply column, said expelled units passing through a circulation area situated between said exit and said entrance. The method comprising, at said circulation area, detecting the number of units expelled in each batch; accelerating or decelerating the elevation speed depending on said number of units detected. The invention also concerns a corresponding management device.

A cargo aisle drive system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a drive track; and a drive car configured for motorized translation along a length of the drive track, the drive car including a first plate, a second plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the first plate pivotally disposed on the upper surface of the second plate, a drive assembly connected to the lower surface of the second plate, and a first strain gauge sensor configured to detect a pivotal movement between the first plate and the second plate of the drive car.

A conveyor component incorporating at least one sensor, a component identifier, and a transmitter, as well as a system/method for monitoring conveyor components. Each sensor is integrally formed in said conveyor component and is adapted to sense at least one characteristic of said conveyor component to produce sensor data representative of said sensed characteristic. An identification device is adapted to provide unique identification data for the respective conveyor component. The transmitter is adapted to transmit said sensor and identification data to a central server wherein said data is processed to generate status data in relation to the conveyor component indicative of any maintenance required to be performed on said conveyor component. The system/method for monitoring includes at least one sensor, a central server, and a user interface. Each sensor is adapted to sense at least one characteristic of a respective conveyor component and produce sensor data representative of said sensed characteristic. The central server is adapted to receive said sensor data from each sensor, process said sensed data to generate status data in relation to each conveyor component. The user interface is adapted to receive said status data from said central server and provide maintenance information to a user indicative of any maintenance required to be performed on said conveyor component.

A system for controlling a flow of articles includes a conveyor driven in a direction to convey articles in the direction. A plurality of lanes are disposed along a portion of the conveyor. Each lane accepts a row of articles along the conveyor direction. A plurality of sensors count the articles in each lane. A plurality of actuators control the flow rates of the articles by comparing and adjusting the flow rates in respective lanes.

An air seeder assembly that has a tank for containing commodity, a meter assembly coupled to the tank and configured to selectively distribute commodity there through, a first conduit coupled to the meter assembly to direct commodity provided to the first conduit from the meter assembly to a tool assembly, a diverter that selectively diverts commodity to the first conduit, and a sensor coupled to the diverter to identify when commodity is passing thereby.

A system and method for estimating aspects of target objects and/or associated task implementations is disclosed.