Workpiece carrier system and friction conveyor

A friction conveyor system, comprising:

• a friction conveyer having a plurality of drive elements;
• and
• a workpiece carrier system comprising:
• a displacement element having a friction surface in contact with the plurality of drive elements transmitting drive forces to the friction surface;
• a carrier element for receiving a workpiece and connected with the displacement element;
• and
• a plurality of support rollers that roll on a support element for absorbing at least a part of a weight of the workpiece, the plurality of support rollers contact the support element at a support plane, the plurality of support rollers each being connected with the carrier element and independent of the displacement element, the plurality of support rollers each being pivotable about a pivot axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the support plane,
• wherein the friction conveyor has a curve and wherein the workpiece carrier system can rotate the carrier element 90 degrees along the curve.