A device for transporting parts through an apparatus for wet-chemical treatment includes a transporter including at least one runner for supporting the transporter for movement along a track in a first direction (x). At least part of the transporter is located next to the runners, seen in a second direction (y) transverse to the first direction (x). This part extends from a level below the runners to a level above the runners in a third direction (z) transverse to the first and second directions (x,y). The device further includes a container for accommodating the parts and a frame at least indirectly connecting the container to the transporter to allow the transporter to carry the container below the runners. The container is liquid-pervious between the axial ends to allow liquid to flood the interior when the container is immersed in the liquid.

An apparatus for surface treatment of articles comprises a plurality of trays (4) each carrying one or more piece-holding spindles (3). A primary transport assembly (19) removably engages the trays (4) to transfer them according to a step-by-step motion between a plurality of stopping locations (A . . . J) distributed along the movement path (P), along which respective work stations (12, 13, 14, 15) operate. At least one additional transport assembly (31a, 31b) withdraws each tray (4) from the primary transport assembly (19) at one of said stopping locations (A . . . J), for moving it at one of said work stations (12, 13, 14, 15), and engaging it again with the primary transport assembly (19).

A plant for immersion treatment of vehicle bodies may include at least one skid configured to support a body; at least one process liquid tank; a line configured to convey the at least one skid above the at least one tank; and/or a device configured to overturn and immerse, inside the at least one tank, the body on the at least one skid positioned over the at least one tank using the conveyor line. The at least one skid may include a base part and a support part. The support part may be supported rotatably on the base part using a rotatable shaft with axis arranged transverse to a direction of movement of the at least one skid on the conveyor line, so that the support part is rotatable between a first upper position and a second position for immersing the body in the at least one tank.

A conveying system for a dip-coating system has at least one conveying unit that can be moved parallel to a conveying direction, in which workpieces to be treated can be conveyed through the dip-coating system, along a dip-coating tank of the dip-coating system, with which unit at least one workpiece to be treated can be moved in the conveying direction and at the same time can be dipped in a dipping bath contained in the dip-coating tank. The conveying system has at least one runway that can be disposed laterally beside the dip-coating tank, wherein the conveying unit has a powered vehicle of at least double-tracked and steerable construction, which is disposed with the ability to travel on the runway for conveying of the workpiece.

A device for interconnecting a first line (1 a) and a second line (1 b) of an overhead conveying system for conveying parts to be treated through a processing apparatus by means of at least one product carrier (7) comprising a transporter (19) and a part depending downwards from the transporter (19), in use, the transporter (19) comprising at least one runner (36,37) supported on at least one track (10a,b) comprises a main support structure (47). The device further comprises a movable support structure (48), at least indirectly supported by and movable relative to the main support structure (47) between at least a first position and a second position. The movable support structure (48) comprises at least one track segment (50a,b) for supporting at least one runner (36,37) of a transporter (19) in a support direction (z). Each track segment (50a,b) is alignable with a respective track (10a,b) of the first line (1a) in the first position and with a respective track (10a,b) of the second line (1 b) in the second position such that an end of the track segment (50a,b) adjoins an end of the aligned track (10a,b) to allow a runner (36,37) to cross over between the aligned track (10a,b) and track segment (50a,b). The movement between the first position and the second position comprises a rotation about an axis (54) parallel to the support direction (z) and a translation with at least a component in axial direction. The at least one track segments (50a,b) comprise at least two track segments (50a,b), spaced apart in lateral direction. The movable support structure (48) defines a space for receiving at least part of a product carrier (7). The space is open at a top between the spaced-apart track segments (50a,b) and at opposite ends in longitudinal direction.

A finishing system includes a frame that includes a bath station configured to communicate with an electrode. A hoist supported by the frame is movable into register with the bath station to establish electrical communication between the hoist and a current generated by a power source. The current drives deposition of a coating onto a load carried by the hoist. A drive assembly of the system is supported by the hoist and is operable to rotate a sprocket. The drive assembly includes a rotary conductor electrically coupled to the sprocket and configured to come into electrical communication with the frame. An electrically conductive lifting chain is operable through rotation of the sprocket to lower the load into the bath station. The frame communicates current from the power source to the rotary conductor, and the lifting chain communicates current from the rotary conductor to the load.

In order to provide a conveyor device for conveying workpieces which is of simple construction and offers flexible possibilities of use, it is proposed that the conveyor device comprise at least one carriage for receiving and conveying the workpieces, and a guide device for guiding the at least one carriage, wherein the guide device comprises a guide element on which the at least one carriage is guided in a sliding manner.

A plant for treatment of bodyworks may include: at least one trolley configured to support a bodywork to be treated; a conveying line configured to transport the at least one trolley along the plant; a first system configured to move the at least one trolley along the conveying line; a second system configured to move the at least one trolley along the conveying line; and sensors configured to detect angular position of a toothed traction wheel and approaching movement of the at least one trolley toward the toothed traction wheel. The at least one trolley may include a traction rack extending in a direction of movement of the at least one trolley along the conveying line in at least one zone of the plant. The toothed traction wheel may be configured to engage the traction rack upon passage of the at least one trolley into the at least one zone.

A plant for immersion treatment of vehicle bodies may include: at least one skid configured to support a body; at least one process liquid tank; and/or a conveyor line configured to convey the at least one skid above the at least one process liquid tank. The at least one skid may include base and support parts. The support part may be supported on the base part using a rotatable shaft, so that the support part is rotatable between a first position, in which the body is not immersed in the at least one process liquid tank, and a second position for immersing the body in the at least one process liquid tank. The at least one skid may include a toothed wheel connected to the rotatable shaft for controlled rotation. The at least one skid may include a controllable locking/unlocking device configured to lock/unlock free rotation of the rotatable shaft.

A finishing system includes a workpiece carrier configured to hold a workpiece, and a plurality of work stations arranged in a row along an axis defining a process line, each of the plurality of work stations configured to receive the workpiece and treat the workpiece. A hoist runway, including fixed and movable rail sections, extends along the plurality of work stations of the process line. A hoist is movable along the hoist runway to traverse the plurality of work stations, the hoist coupled to the workpiece carrier to raise and lower the workpiece carrier and to move the workpiece carrier along the process line. A side transfer mechanism moves the movable rail section, with the hoist situated thereon, in a direction transverse to the axis so that the hoist is movable out of the process line.