Rotary indexing table and method for transporting objects

A 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 are arranged for placing down one or more objects, the object carrier being able to move in successive cycles such that the object carrier elements are transportable on a movement path from work station to work station, and
• a drive unit for driving the object carrier,
• wherein
• at least one object carrier element of the plurality of object carrier elements on the object carrier is arranged to be displaceable relative to the object carrier in the direction of the movement path on which the object carrier elements are transportable from work station to work station,
• the at least object carrier element is assigned a dog element that that is capable of moving together with the object carrier and capable of moving between an active state, in which relative movement between the at least one object carrier element and the object carrier is prevented, and an inactive state, in which relative movement between the at least one object carrier element and the object carrier is permitted, and
• the at least one object carrier element is assigned a stationary retaining element that is movable between an active state, in which the at least one object carrier element is held in place, and an inactive state, in which the at least one object carrier element is released,
• an actuation unit that actuates the dog element and the stationary retaining element is provided and a control unit for the actuation unit is provided, the control unit is configured such that, in some cycles of the successive cycles, the dog element assumes an active state and the stationary 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 said work station to work station, and, in some cycles of the successive cycles, the dog element assumes an inactive state and the stationary retaining element assumes an active state such that the at least one object carrier element remains at a work station.