Transport device and method for transporting objects from work station to work station of a production system and production system for the manufacturing of products with a transport device of this type

Transport device for transporting objects from work station to work station of a production facility, comprising an object carrier, on which a plurality of object carrier elements for placing down one or more objects are arranged, the object carrier being rotatable about its central axis in successive cycles, and the object carrier elements being able to be transported from work station to work station on a circular movement path, and

• a drive unit for driving the object carrier,
• wherein
• at least one object carrier element of the plurality of object carrier elements is arranged on the object carrier so as to be displaceable relative to the object carrier in the direction of the movement path on which the object carrier elements can be transported from work station to work station,
• the at least one object carrier element is assigned at least one dog element which can move between an active state, in which relative movement between the at least one object carrier element and object carrier is prevented, and an inactive state, in which relative movement between the at least one object carrier element and object carrier is permitted,
• the at least one object carrier element is assigned at least one stationary retaining element that can move between an active state, in which the object carrier element is held in place, and an inactive state, in which the at least one object carrier element is released,
• a first actuator unit that actuates the at least one dog element and the at least one stationary retaining element and a control unit for the first actuator unit are provided, the control unit is configured such that, in some cycles of the successive cycles, the at least one dog element assumes an active state and the at least one retaining element assumes an inactive state such that the at least one object carrier element is carried along by the object carrier and moved from work station to work station, and, in some cycles of the successive cycles, the at least one dog element assumes an inactive state and the at least one retaining element assumes an active state such that the at least one object carrier element remains at a work station, and
• one or more second actuator units are arranged on the at least one object carrier element or on the plurality of object carrier elements, which units can move together with the at least one object carrier element or the plurality of object carrier elements.