This conveyance system (190) comprises: a main control device (150) that receives a conveyance request for a workpiece (W) from a plurality of processing machines (1A, 1B); and a conveyance device (100) that conveys the workpiece (W) between a storage shelf (2) and the plurality of processing machines (1A, 1B). The main control device (150) transmits a standby signal indicating whether or not a plurality of conveyance requests are held in the main control device (150). A local control device (70) of the conveyance device (100) moves a carriage (10) with a first travel control parameter when the standby signal indicates that the plurality of conveyance requests are held in the main control device (150), and moves the carriage (10) with a second travel control parameter when the standby signal indicates that the plurality of conveyance requests are not held in the main control device.

A method for operating a packaging line of a packaging installation, wherein the packaging line includes at least one packaging machine having an infeed conveyor belt, wherein the packaging line further includes at least one transport belt which is disposed upstream of the infeed conveyor belt, wherein the method includes the steps of: i) defining and/or determining a current machine performance of the at least one packaging machine; ii) determining an output request for the at least one transport belt; and iii) defining and setting a transport speed of the at least one transport belt, wherein the transport speed is defined as a function of the determined output request.

A processing line includes a conveyor for conveying product from upstream processing equipment to downstream processing equipment. Data structures stored in a memory of a controller comprise a backlog set point for product to be processe. A product sensor for the conveyor is enabled to generate signals representative of a number of the products moving on the conveyor from the upstream processing equipment past the sensor to the downstream processing equipment. A conveyor speed sensor for the conveyor is enabled to generate signals representative of a speed of the conveyor. A backlog measurement for the conveyor based upon the product sensor signals and the conveyor speed sensor signals is determined. The backlog measurement is compared to the backlog set point to determine a difference in backlog. The controller is enabled to generate signals for controlling the processing line based upon the difference in backlog.

In a first step of a method for bundling conveying streams on a material handling element including a number of incoming conveyor segments, at least one coupling to an outgoing conveyor segment, on which the incoming conveyor segments converge, and a number of holding devices for holding a conveying stream on the incoming conveyor segments, target arrival times, at which the objects arrive as planned at a destination, are calculated for the conveyed objects. A conveyed object is released at a release time which substantially corresponds to the target arrival time minus the target pass-through time required for the conveyed object to be transported as planned from a current position to the destination. A material handling element carries out the method.

Asynchronous conveyor networks serving as inter-process transport mechanisms eliminate transport capacity constraints of vehicle-based systems in integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing environments. Demand variability may be buffered without the use of off-line-storage such as stockers. The variability in wait times for transport service is also eliminated. Overall factory cycle times are thus reduced while manufacturing capacity is simultaneously increased. An autonomous conveyor network automated materials handling system combines clean frictionless conveyor principles with a unique network layout to fulfill the logistics requirements of IC manufacturing environments. Mechanical conveyor-to-tool interfaces, also referred to as equipment delivery interfaces (EDi's), bridge the conveyor network to individual tools. An operating software module integrates the functionality of the conveyor network and EDi's. The result is a full capability factory logistics system.

Asynchronous conveyor networks serving as inter-process transport mechanisms eliminate transport capacity constraints of vehicle-based systems in integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing environments. Demand variability may be buffered without the use of off-line-storage such as stockers. The variability in wait times for transport service is also eliminated. Overall factory cycle times are thus reduced while manufacturing capacity is simultaneously increased. An autonomous conveyor network automated materials handling system combines clean frictionless conveyor principles with a unique network layout to fulfill the logistics requirements of IC manufacturing environments. Mechanical conveyor-to-tool interfaces, also referred to as equipment delivery interfaces (EDi's), bridge the conveyor network to individual tools. An operating software module integrates the functionality of the conveyor network and EDi's. The result is a full capability factory logistics system.

The invention relates to a method for bundling conveying streams on a materials handling element (Ka . . . Kz, K1 . . . K34) comprising a number of incoming conveyor segments (1a, 1b), at least one coupling (2) to an outgoing conveyor segment (3), on which the incoming conveyor segments (1a, 1b) converge, and a number of holding devices (4a, 4b) for holding a conveying stream on the incoming conveyor segments (1a, 1b). In a first step of the method, target arrival times (TA1 . . . TA3, TB1, TC1 . . . TC3), at which the objects arrive as planned at a destination (23a . . . 23c), are calculated for the conveyed objects (17). A conveyed object (17) is released at a release time which substantially corresponds to the target arrival time (TA1 . . . TA3, TB1, TC1 . . . TC3) minus the target pass-through time (t1, t2, t6) required for the conveyed object (17) to be transported as planned from a current position to the destination (23a . . . 23c). The invention further relates to a materials handling element (Ka . . . Kz, K1 . . . K34) for carrying out said method.