Patent ID: 8127687
Filing Date: 2012-03-06
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A material handling system, comprising: a first track assembly including a first plurality of independent drive systems sequentially transporting a forward trolley along a first path; a second track assembly including a second plurality of independent drive systems sequentially transporting a trailing trolley along a second path while the first plurality of independent drive systems sequentially transport the forward trolley along the first path, the second path being parallel to the first path; a carrier supporting an article and having a first end pivotably supported by the forward trolley and a second end pivotably supported by the trailing trolley; a manufacturing module including a pair of end frames supporting at least one central beam defining a mid-frame that suspends a pair of parallel composite beams, wherein one of the composite beams defines a portion of the first track assembly, and the other of the composite beams defines a portion of the second track assembly, the manufacturing module further including a pair of said first and second independent drive systems; and a control system including a microprocessor in communication with each of the first and second independent drive systems for coordinating movement of the forward trolley and the trailing trolley on the pair of composite beams.