The problem of potentially damaging a pallet layer that is gripped by clamps of a depalletizing tool is solved i) by detecting the real position of the layer using a pad on the tool that is movable with the clamps towards the pallet layer and whose detected stopping position determines the real position of the layer, and ii) while the layer is gripped by the clamp, by inserting under the layer curtains; the pressure on the layer by the clamps being adapted to the ease to go underneath the layer.

The present disclosure relates to a distribution station for serving an unmanned logistics distribution vehicle and distribution method. The distribution station includes: a building having a vehicle parking space for parking an unmanned logistics distribution vehicle at least including an unmanned logistics distribution aircraft and an unmanned logistics distribution ground vehicle; a cargo conveying and loading device disposed within the building, for automatically conveying and loading a cargo to be distributed to an allocated unmanned logistics distribution vehicle parked in the vehicle parking space; and a cargo dispatching device for allocating a corresponding unmanned logistics distribution vehicle to the cargo to be distributed, and providing the unmanned logistics distribution vehicle with guidance information to guide distribution of the unmanned logistics distribution vehicle, so that the unmanned logistics distribution vehicle automatically distributes the cargo to be distributed according to the guidance information.

The problem of potentially damaging a pallet layer that is gripped by clamps of a depalletizing tool is solved i) by detecting the real position of the layer using a pad on the tool that is movable with the clamps towards the pallet layer and whose detected stopping position determines the real position of the layer, and ii) while the layer is gripped by the clamp, by inserting under the layer curtains; the pressure on the layer by the clamps being adapted to the ease to go underneath the layer.

The invention relates to a supply installation (22) for a site (10) for producing rubber products from rubber blocks of rubber mixtures of predetermined weight and volume, characterized in that the supply installation includes: an input station where the supply installation performs a process of entry of empty bins (B.sub.V) for receiving, during a picking process, rubber blocks identified to satisfy a rubber product production campaign; a discharge station where the supply installation performs a process of discharging full bins (B.sub.P) containing the picked rubber blocks; a supply means that manages the transport of the empty bins and the full bins to the supply installation; and a picking station that performs a process of picking the rubber blocks grouped in a container according to the status of the current rubber product production campaign.

In a method for conveying laden or unladen load carriers, the load carriers are conveyed by a first conveying system and a second conveying system which differ from one another in conveying terms. At least one load carrier is picked up and conveyed, at least temporarily, by in each case one conveying device of the first conveying system independently of the second conveying system. The second conveying system at least temporarily conveys a conveying device or an assembly which is formed by a conveying device and at least one load carrier brought together with the latter. A unit for this purpose is also specified.

Shuttle robots (107) are used that are suitable for moving trolleys (106, 106′) under the control of a monitoring and control unit (190) for handling objects so as to move them from a collection point (110) to a palletizing station (151) remote from the collection point, the shuttle robots being autonomously movable and being suitable for hitching to and unhitching from the trolleys, the monitoring and control unit controls the shuttle robots so that they move the objects on trolleys from the collection point to a buffer storage zone (141) where the articles on the trolleys are grouped together into batches of articles for palletizing, and the monitoring and control unit controls the shuttle robots so that they take the objects on trolleys grouped together in batches from the buffer storage zone and move them in sequence to the palletizing station.

A system, method, and apparatus for palletizing cargo on a rack for shipment are provided. The system generally includes a tiered rack having a base tier, a support framework extending from the base tier, and a second tier adjustably attached to the support framework. The system may further include a plurality of lower frame support members positioned longitudinally across the bottom of the base tier, and a plurality of pneumatically actuated rollers spaced to cooperatively engage the plurality of lower frame support members, the rollers being selectively extendable from a plurality of raised tracks positioned longitudinally along a floor of the railcar, where the rollers are configured to pneumatically extend past an upper surface of the track when actuated and allow for linear motion thereover.

Disclosed herein is an automated cross-dock management system configured to optimize moves on a cross-dock. The automated cross-dock management system uses inbound manifest data to calculate ordered move instructions for all inbound movable platforms, inbound modular decks, and inbound freight. The ordered move instructions can be assigned to be carried out by manual conveyance vehicles or by automated guided vehicles based upon a plurality of criteria. The automated cross-dock management system is also able to detect damaged freight on the cross-dock using a combination of streams from video cameras.

Shuttle robots (107) are used that are suitable for moving trolleys (106, 106′) under the control of a monitoring and control unit (190) for handling objects so as to move them from a collection point (110) to a palletizing station (151) remote from the collection point, the shuttle robots being autonomously movable and being suitable for hitching to and unhitching from the trolleys, the monitoring and control unit controls the shuttle robots so that they move the objects on trolleys from the collection point to a buffer storage zone (141) where the articles on the trolleys are grouped together into batches of articles for palletizing, and the monitoring and control unit controls the shuttle robots so that they take the objects on trolleys grouped together in batches from the buffer storage zone and move them in sequence to the palletizing station.

Systems and methods of distributing freight between freight containers are provided. In one aspect, the method includes receiving loading/unloading openings of three freight containers at three openings in a moveable cross-dock having a plurality of surface road wheels, a body defining an interior storage area, and at least three openings in the body through which freight may be moved into and out of the interior storage area. Freight is redistributed between the first freight container, the second freight container, and the third freight container via the at least three openings in the body of the moveable cross-dock.