Multi-mode and multi-pitch conveyor system

A conveyor system comprising:

• an infeed station comprising:
• a singulator provided to hold pallets received from an infeed conveyor and release them from the infeed section;
• a track section in communication with the infeed station, the track section comprising:
• a plurality of moving elements configured to engage with pallets from the infeed section;
• a track comprising a drive system;
• a plurality of workstations provided along the track, each workstation being a predetermined pitch from each other workstation, wherein at least some of the pitches are different among workstations, and each workstation having a predetermined cycle time, wherein at least some of the cycle times are different among workstations, such that the plurality of workstations comprise at least one workstation with multiple pallet locations;
• and
• a control system controlling the drive system and configured to independently control the moving elements for movement along the track to and from the workstation;
• an outfeed station configured to receive pallets from the track section and feed the pallets to an outfeed conveyor, which is in communication with the track section, for additional processing;
• and
• wherein the control system, drive system and moving elements are configured to advance each pallet independent of the plurality of pallets through the workstations based on the pitches and the cycle times of the workstations.

A conveyor system comprising:

• an infeed station comprising:
• a singulator provided to hold pallets received from an infeed conveyor and release them from the infeed section;
• a track section in communication with the infeed station, the track section comprising:
• a plurality of moving elements configured to engage with pallets from the infeed section:
• a track;
• a workstation;
• a control system configured to independently control the moving elements for movement along the track to and from the workstation;
• an outfeed station configured to receive pallets from the track section and feed the pallets to an outfeed conveyor, which is in communication with the track section, for additional processing;
• wherein the track comprises a magnetic drive system;
• and
• wherein the moving element portion comprises:
• a frame provided to the moving element;
• a movable pin provided to the frame that is biased toward the engagement position, and
• the workstation portion comprises:
• a movable mechanism provided at the workstation that, when advanced, is configured to operate against the bias to retract the movable pin for disengagement with the pallet, and, when retracted, allows the movable pin to engage with the pallet.

A conveyor system comprising:

• a track section comprising a control system, a drive system that is controlled by the control system, a plurality of moving elements that are driven by the drive system, and a pallet support apparatus;
• and
• a plurality of pallets that are configured to engage with the moving elements and move on the pallet support apparatus;
• and
• a plurality of workstations provided along the track section, each workstation at a predetermined pitch from each other workstation, wherein at least some of the pitches are different among workstations,
• wherein the control system, drive system and moving elements are configured such that each pallet of the plurality of pallets is independently advanced through the workstations based on the pitches of the workstations;
• wherein the moving elements are supported on the track section by an upper runner and a lower runner and the upper runner is angled to provide pressure holding the moving elements between the upper runner and the lower runner.