Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container. The system further comprises a transport plane to carry the container carriers and a number of electro-magnetic actuators being stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier.

Abstract: A stick for a linkage assembly of an implement system includes a stick body and a stick joint assembly. The stick body defines a neutral axis and includes a pair of sidewalls in lateral spaced relationship to each other, a top portion extending between the pair of sidewalls, and a bottom portion extending between the pair of sidewalls, which define an interior cavity. The stick joint assembly includes a stick joint tube and a stick joint reinforcement plate. The stick joint tube extends between and is connected to the sidewalls. The stick joint reinforcement plate is connected to one of the pair of sidewalls and includes a pair of arms extending from a central portion. The ends of the first and second arms of are disposed along the neutral axis of the stick body.

Abstract: A compact excavator includes: a swing post which is attached to a upperstructure and which can swing in a left/right direction, a working device which is attached to the swing post and which includes a boom cylinder, a counterweight, and hydraulic hoses which extend upwards between opposite side plates of the swing post, and through which pressure oil for driving the boom cylinder of the working device is guided. The compact excavator further includes a guide plate which is provided in the swing post, and which guides the hydraulic hoses downwards while restricting the hydraulic hoses from moving to approach a handrail when the hydraulic hoses attempt to expand toward the handrail due to driving of the working device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing system with a magnetic conduit configuration to improve the movement of a substrate carrier within the system. The configuration specifically provides for safe, secure movement of a carrier between multiple levels of a substrate processing system by using magnetic conduits to redirect magnetic forces created by a linear motor, permitting the linear motor to be positioned outside of the system and in a location that will not interfere with the movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including a frame, a first arm coupled to the frame at a shoulder axis having a first upper arm, a first forearm and at least one substrate holder serially and rotatably coupled to each other, a second arm coupled to the frame at the shoulder axis where shoulder axes of rotation of the arms are substantially coincident, the second arm having a second upper arm, a second forearm and at least one substrate holder serially and rotatably coupled to each other, and a drive section connected to the frame and coupled to the arms, the drive section being configured to independently extend and rotate each arm where an axis of extension of the first arm is angled relative to an axis of extension of the second arm substantially at each angular position of at least one of the first arm or the second arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an end effector including: blade members for holding substrates, each configured to hold the substrate, and configured such that each interval between the blade members can be changed; a blade support unit configured to support the blade members, the blade support unit being configured to be driven integrally with the blade members by the robot; and blade drive means configured to change the interval between the blade members by moving at least one of the blade members relative to another blade member.

Abstract: A substrate aligner providing minimal substrate transporter extend and retract motions to quickly align substrate without back side damage while increasing the throughput of substrate processing. In one embodiment, the aligner having an inverted chuck connected to a frame with a substrate transfer system capable of transferring substrate from chuck to transporter without rotationally repositioning substrate. The inverted chuck eliminates aligner obstruction of substrate fiducials and along with the transfer system, allows transporter to remain within the frame during alignment. In another embodiment, the aligner has a rotatable sensor head connected to a frame and a substrate support with transparent rest pads for supporting the substrate during alignment so transporter can remain within the frame during alignment. Substrate alignment is performed independent of fiducial placement on support pads.

Abstract: The reversible bucket attachment system for a skid steer includes a mounting plate that is configured to attach to a skid steer or any vehicle. The mounting plate includes an armature that extends rearwardly, and includes a pivoting point on a distal end. The pivoting point enables a bucket to attach thereto. Moreover, the bucket is able to pivot with respect to the armature via the pivoting point. The bucket is able to rotate from a generally parallel orientation with respect to the armature to an obtuse orientation. The bucket is further defined with an inner surface and an outer surface. The mounting plate is configured to attach to the skid steer or vehicle in one of two positions.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus is presented having a transport chamber defining substantially linear substrate transport paths, a linear array of substrate holding modules, each communicably connected to the chamber. The substrate transport has at least one transporter capable of holding and moving the substrate on more than one substantially linear substrate transport paths. The transport chamber having different transport tubes at least one of which is sealable at both ends of the transport tube and configured to hold an isolated atmosphere different from that of the transport tubes, each of the different transport tubes having one of the substrate transport paths located therein different from another of the transport paths located in another of the transport tubes, and being communicably connected to each other, where at least one of the transport tubes is configured to provide uninterrupted transit of the substrate transport through the transport tubes.

Abstract: A vehicle shuttle car operable to travel in linear and lateral directions includes a low profile cart including a steerable front section and a rear section, the front section operable to turn left and right relative to the rear section. The rear section is operable to raise and support at least one tire of a vehicle off the ground.

Abstract: An end effector of a wafer transfer system includes synchronously movable blades operable to hold and release wafers. The end effector comprises an end effector housing including a first blade mount coupled to a first blade, a second blade mount coupled to a second blade, and an actuator operable to move the blade mounts on respective linear rails. The actuator includes a longitudinally movable piston coupled to the respective blade mounts by respective actuator links. The actuator links are pivotally coupled to the longitudinally movable piston at respective first ends thereof and to the first and second blade mounts at respective second ends thereof wherein moving the piston towards a retracted position causes the blades to synchronously move laterally towards each other and moving the piston towards the retracted position causes the blades to synchronously move laterally away from each other so as to hold or release a wafer.

Abstract: An object is to transmit an operation of a first parallel link to a second parallel link through a plurality of rotatably supported arms, to prevent the second parallel link from meandering or rolling so that a wafer can be transported smoothly. Arms (61 to 63) of a transmission arm unit (6) are provided for transmitting an operation of a first parallel link (4) to a second parallel link (5). An operation of the first parallel link (4) is transmitted to the second parallel link (5) so that an angle between an arm (53) and an arm (52) in the second parallel link(5) always coincides with an angle between an arm (41) and an arm (42) in the first parallel arm unit (4).

Abstract: A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator having a latching member for retaining a rear pin of the attachment and a blocking member for retaining the front pin of the attachment. A hydraulic actuator and spring are provided for holding the latching and blocking members in their closed states. In the event of a failure of the actuator, the spring, the latching member and the blocking member together hold the front and rear pins in their respective recesses to allow continued operation of the coupler, while allowing the pins to move with respect to the coupler to create a rattling movement that can indicate to the operator that a failure has occurred.

Abstract: Robot apparatus, substrate transport systems, and methods are described. The robot apparatus and systems are adapted to efficiently put or pick substrates at a destination by rotating a boom linkage to a position adjacent to the destination and then actuating robot assemblies to put or pick the substrates at the destination. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A loader module of a substrate processing system includes a transportation arm configured to move towards a wafer accommodated in a carrier and receive the wafer, and a control unit configured to confirm a delivery position of the wafer based on an upward movement amount of an end effector of the transportation arm, and a contact sound generated when the end effector comes in contact with the wafer. The control unit confirms the delivery position of the wafer based on an average height of the end effector when the contact sound of each pad of the end effector comes in contact with the wafer to generate a contact sound a plurality of times.

Abstract: A system of shuttle cars for transporting a vehicle in an automated parking facility. Each shuttle car includes an x-shuttle that supports two z-shuttles. The z-shuttles move from the x-shuttle and under the vehicle for transport. The z-shuttles locate and engage the front and rear tires of a vehicle to lift the vehicle from the floor. Once the z-shuttles have engage the vehicle tires, the z-shuttles return to the x-shuttle so that the x-shuttle can transport the vehicle (and the z-shuttles) to and from the appropriate parking space.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wafer transfer robot having a robot blade that can be used to handle substrates that are patterned on both sides without causing warpage of the substrates. In some embodiments, the wafer transfer robot has a robot blade coupled to a transfer arm that varies a position of the robot blade. The robot blade has a wafer reception area that receives a substrate. Two or more spatially distinct contact points are located at positions along a perimeter of the wafer reception area that provide support to opposing edges of the substrate. The two or more contact points are separated by a cavity in the robot blade. The cavity mitigates contact between a backside of the substrate and the robot blade, while providing support to opposing sides of the substrate to prevent warpage of the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate processing system including a load port module configured to hold at least one substrate container for storing and transporting substrates, a substrate processing chamber, an isolatable transfer chamber capable of holding an isolated atmosphere therein configured to couple the substrate processing chamber and the load port module, and a substrate transport mounted at least partially within the transfer chamber having a drive section fixed to the transfer chamber and having a SCARA arm configured to support at least one substrate, the SCARA arm being configured to transport the at least one substrate between the at least one substrate container and the processing chamber with but one touch of the at least one substrate, wherein the SCARA arm comprises a first arm link, a second arm link, and at least one end effector serially pivotally coupled to each other, where the first and second arm links have unequal lengths.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a suction unit capable of sucking an object and a transfer unit moving the suction unit. The suction unit includes a base member; a plurality of nozzles provided for a plurality of types of objects; a housing room formation unit attached to the base member, forming a housing room for housing the other end portion side of the plurality of nozzles, and including a sealing unit facing air outlets; a negative pressure generation unit generating negative pressure inside the housing room; and a drive unit driving the plurality of nozzles such that the air outlet of a nozzle selected from the plurality of nozzles in accordance with a type of the object is separated from the sealing unit, and the air outlet of a non-selected nozzle is bumped against the sealing unit to be sealed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transportation method and a transportation device of a liquid crystal panel. The method includes (1) providing a transportation device, wherein the transportation device comprises a device body, linear rails mounted to the device body, a plurality of forks mounted in sequence to the linear rails, and servo motors mounted to the device body, the servo motors being coupled to the plurality of forks to drive the plurality of forks to slide along the linear rails; (2) adjusting spacing distance between the plurality of forks according to the size of a liquid crystal panel to be transported; (3) operating the transportation device to move the forks to a location under the liquid crystal panel to be transported in order to have the liquid crystal panel positioned on the plurality of forks; and (4) operating the transportation device to transport the liquid crystal panel to a designated site.