A loading system for loading and unloading cargo compartments of trucks includes chain conveyors positioned parallel or substantially parallel to one another and such that standard pallets can be moved back and forth on the chain conveyors in a conveying direction. An autonomous conveyor vehicle is provided as a component of the loading system, and the chain conveyors are positioned at a height above a floor so that the conveyor vehicle with vertically movable pallet fork assemblies can be positioned below the chain conveyors.

A loading system for loading and unloading cargo compartments of trucks includes chain conveyors positioned parallel or substantially parallel to one another and such that standard pallets can be moved back and forth on the chain conveyors in a conveying direction. An autonomous conveyor vehicle is provided as a component of the loading system, and the chain conveyors are positioned at a height above a floor so that the conveyor vehicle with vertically movable pallet fork assemblies can be positioned below the chain conveyors.

A veneer cutting and sorting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a revolvable knife blade having a cutting edge and a revolvable knife edge receiver having a cutting edge receiving surface. The knife blade cuts a veneer sheet as peeled from a peeler block by a veneer lathe at a previously detected boundary between defective veneer portion and product veneer sheet on the cutting edge receiving surface then revolving at the same peripheral speed as the cutting edge of the knife blade. Cut-off defective portion is allowed to drop off by its own weight.

A veneer cutting and sorting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a revolvable knife blade having a cutting edge and a revolvable knife edge receiver having a cutting edge receiving surface. The knife blade cuts a veneer sheet as peeled from a peeler block by a veneer lathe at a previously detected boundary between defective veneer portion and product veneer sheet on the cutting edge receiving surface then revolving at the same peripheral speed as the cutting edge of the knife blade. Cut-off defective portion is allowed to drop off by its own weight.

Described is a component (1) for powering robots, automation systems and the like which comprises, on a frame (2), a series of belts (3, 4) for conveying objects (9) designed to be gripped by a robot. The conveyor belts (3, 4) constitute a closed path and have a first belt (3) and at least a second belt (4) positioned in such a way that the objects (9) pass from the first belt (3) to the second belt (4) cyclically and continuously.

Described is a component (1) for powering robots, automation systems and the like which comprises, on a frame (2), a series of belts (3, 4) for conveying objects (9) designed to be gripped by a robot. The conveyor belts (3, 4) constitute a closed path and have a first belt (3) and at least a second belt (4) positioned in such a way that the objects (9) pass from the first belt (3) to the second belt (4) cyclically and continuously.

A raised belt transfer unit may comprise a first angled support and a second angled support, a drive roller rotatably mounted to the first angled support and the second angled support, a plurality of driven rollers rotatably mounted to the first angled support and the second angled support, and a drive connecter in communication with the drive roller and a driven roller. The drive roller may be positioned adjacent a lower end of the first support and adjacent a lower end of the second support. The drive roller may be adapted to be coupled to a conveyor belt of a telescopic conveyor.

A raised belt transfer unit may comprise a first angled support and a second angled support, a drive roller rotatably mounted to the first angled support and the second angled support, a plurality of driven rollers rotatably mounted to the first angled support and the second angled support, and a drive connecter in communication with the drive roller and a driven roller. The drive roller may be positioned adjacent a lower end of the first support and adjacent a lower end of the second support. The drive roller may be adapted to be coupled to a conveyor belt of a telescopic conveyor.

A grouping station for grouping pallets includes an inbound conveyor, which is a gravity conveyor. The grouping station includes a fixed-height pairing conveyor and a grouping conveyor with three height positions for different grouping functions.

A grouping station for grouping pallets includes an inbound conveyor, which is a gravity conveyor. The grouping station includes a fixed-height pairing conveyor and a grouping conveyor with three height positions for different grouping functions.