Abstract: A device (10) for manipulating a wound coil (18) includes a mechanism for grabbing a wound coil (18), a first pair of opposed fingers (12), and a second pair of opposed fingers (14). The first pair of opposed fingers (12) oppositely engage a start lead (20) of the wound coil (18) and move along an arc from a first position where the start lead (20) is tangential to the inner circumference of the wound coil (18) to a second position where the start lead (20) is chordal to the inner circumference of the wound coil (18). The second pair of opposed fingers (14) oppositely engage a finish lead (22) of the wound coil (18) and move along an arc from a first position where the finish lead (22) is tangential to the outer circumference of the wound coil (18) to a second position where the finish lead (22) is chordal to the outer circumference of the wound coil (18).

Abstract: The present invention provides a workstation for processing a flexible membrane (16). A frame (14) defines an opening (24) adapted to receive and support the flexible membrane (16). A platform (12) supports and heats the flexible membrane (16) during processing. The platform (12) includes a membrane-support surface (20) and a frame-support surface (18) about the membrane-support surface (20) for engaging the lower surface (38) during processing. The frame-support surface (18) is axially spaced apart from the membrane-support surface (20) such that engagement with the membrane-support surface (20) causes disengagement of the flexible membrane (16) from frame (14). The platform (12) further includes vacuum means (22) for urging the flexible membrane (16) against the membrane-support surface (20) and heating means for heating the platform (12). This heats the flexible membrane (16) resting on the membrane-support surface (20) and also heats the frame (14) resting on the frame-support surface (18).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method therefor for automated and/or robotic assembly, the apparatus including a vacuum nozzle (201) capable of aspirating and securing a component (202, 204). A spring (312) mechanically coupled to the vacuum nozzle (201) provides a compression force thereto in a direction of a placing operation (214, 216). A controllable actuator (108, 314) is mechanically coupled to the spring (312) for adjusting the compression force that the spring (312) can apply to the vacuum nozzle (201) for adjusting a placing force that is applied to the component (202, 204) in the direction of the placing operation (214, 216).