Means To Convey A Palleted Load Back And Forth Between An Initial Location And The Work Station Patents (Class 198/346.1)
  • Patent number: 11802820
    Abstract: A method includes: obtaining relevant information of the bone marrow smear; generating a global image; generating a to-be-digitized region, an amount of nucleated cells to be collected, and an amount of megakaryocytes to be classified; digitally labeling the bone marrow smear; scanning the to-be-digitized region by low magnification, labeling and identifying a target observation object; generating a switched image of the scanned region; scanning megakaryocytes by low magnification, and labeling and identifying the scanned megakaryocytes, the amount of the scanned megakaryocytes being the same as the amount of megakaryocytes to be classified; generating images of the scanned megakaryocytes; scanning nucleated cells by oil mirror scanning, and labeling and identifying the scanned nucleated cells, the amount of the scanned nucleated cells being the same as the amount of nucleated cells to be collected; generating images of the scanned nucleated cells; and generating a digital smear of the bone marrow smear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Hangzhou Zhiwei Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qiang Li, Ju Lu, Shun Li, Yongtao Liu, Jiajia Hu
  • Patent number: 11351639
    Abstract: A working system includes a first work station and a second work station. The first work station includes a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit, a first positioning unit, and a first work unit that carries out a predetermined work for a workpiece positioned on the first conveying unit. The second work station includes a third conveying unit, a fourth conveying unit, a second positioning unit, and a second work unit that carries out a predetermined work for the workpiece positioned on the fourth conveying unit. The third conveying unit is connected to a downstream portion of the first conveying unit, and the fourth conveying unit is connected to a downstream portion of the second conveying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuyoshi Tachibana
  • Patent number: 11230446
    Abstract: A container stacking storage system loading trolley that includes a chassis and a height-adjustable container seat that includes a receiving region with a container contact surface, wherein a lifting device that operates in a lifting direction is arranged between the chassis and the container seat. The container stacking storage system operates in an economical manner, whereby a bearing arrangement is arranged between the container seat and the chassis, which bearing arrangement enables a movement of the container seat transversely to the lifting direction relative to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: JUNGHEINRICH AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Timm Morawietz, Jörg Cavelius, Michael Becker
  • Patent number: 11203090
    Abstract: An automatic manufacturing station (3) and a manufacturing process for workpieces (2), in particular for vehicle body parts, has a manufacturing area (4) with a plurality of program-controlled manufacturing robots (9). The workpieces (2) are externally fed to the manufacturing station (3) on production load carriers (8). The manufacturing station (3) also has a plurality of work stations (10, 11, 12, 13). A station-bound transport device (15) transports the production load carriers (8) within the manufacturing station (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: KUKA SYSTEMS GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Thorwarth
  • Patent number: 10882151
    Abstract: An automatic pallet changer 2 includes: a pallet housing unit 11 having a plurality of pallet placement portions; and a pallet transfer unit 12 configured to transfer a pallet P that is at a required pallet placement portion and has an un-machined workpiece W attached thereto to a standby station S2 and configured to transfer a pallet P that is at the standby station S2 and has a machined workpiece W attached thereto to a required pallet placement portion. The pallet housing unit 11 includes: main housing portions 13a to 13f that have a plurality of rows of pallet placement portions, each having a plurality of stages, and are disposed to face the machine tool body 1; and three rows of secondary housing portions 14 that have one stage of pallet placement portions and are disposed above the machine tool body 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: OKUMA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10877056
    Abstract: A loading device for loading a reagent rotor of an analytical instrument with reagent vessels is disclosed. The loading device comprises a tray to receive reagent vessels. The tray moves within a first plane at least between a loading position, at which the tray is loadable with the reagent vessels, and an unloading position, at which the reagent vessels are unloadable from the tray. The loading device also comprises a transporting device for transporting the reagent vessels from the tray to the reagent rotor of the analytical instrument. The tray is formed such that the transporting device is linearly moveable within a second plane from the unloading position of the tray to the reagent rotor and/or from the reagent rotor to the unloading position of the tray. The first plane and the second plane are different from one another. The tray is formed as a circular ring segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan Sattler
  • Patent number: 10829320
    Abstract: Conveyor system for the conveying of goods items, with at least one transport container for accommodating a goods item and a controlled, drivable and movable, driverless transport unit for accommodating and conveying a transport container; where the transport unit comprises a discharge device for unloading a goods item, situated on the accommodated transport container, from the transport container and a retaining mechanism for establishing a detachable connection between the transport container and the transport unit, by means of which the transport container is to be held on the transport unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Werner
  • Patent number: 10792553
    Abstract: A shuffling machine has a central accommodating compartment, a left accommodating compartment, a right accommodating compartment, and a card dispensing space. A translation plate is disposed in the card dispensing space. A driving mechanism is connected to the translation plate. The translation plate is coupled with a card dispensing device for dispensing playing cards. The card dispensing device includes a fixed seat plate and a dispensing block. The fixed seat limits a vertical displacement of the dispensing block within a predetermined distance. Left and right sides of an underside of the dispensing to block have beveled edges. An underside of the fixed seat has an upper magnetic member. A top of the dispensing block has a lower magnetic member. The upper magnetic member and the lower magnetic member are arranged with their like poles to repel each other so that the fixed seat can repel the dispensing block downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BINGOTIMES DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuo-Lung Tseng
  • Patent number: 10618742
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a conveyor system comprising a plurality of work piece carriers, each presenting a machine readable and writable tag and being adapted for supporting at least one work piece during transportation. The system further comprises distribution highway conveyors each in the form of an endless conveyor adapted for transporting and circulating the work piece carriers, flow balancing conveyors and operation unit conveyors. Control of the system is achieved by autonomous switch control devices arranged at each intersection between conveyors to control the flow of the work piece carriers at the respective intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: EWAB Engineering AB
    Inventor: Mats Wahrén
  • Patent number: 10576664
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling an installation for handling hollow bodies, which includes: a plurality of treatment units; a transfer system; and a covering including a frame that defines casings and door leaves each mounted on a casing; a control unit. Also included are steps of: detection by the control unit of the stopping of a treatment unit; detection by the control unit of the closed position of door leaves located in the vicinity of an interface between the detected treatment unit that is stopped and the transfer system; and if these door leaves are detected in closed position, ordering by the control unit of the locking of these door leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Christophe Maran, Laurent Danel, Sebastien Moulin, Fabian Petit
  • Patent number: 10562142
    Abstract: A pallet changing apparatus which adopts a table 4 that is able to move back and forth in relation to a turning shaft 1 and has a oscillating portion 41 for placing workpieces W, W? by way of pallets P, P? so as to oscillate freely by a rising portion 42 at the leading end of the table, and a bridging extending portion 31 which bridges a supporting portion of pallet P or P? in a pallet changing arm 3 with both sides of the turning shaft 1 forming a shape of covering across the upper side of the rising portion 42 at a stage of the table 4 transferring pallet P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Matsuura Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Kato, Takashi Tameto, Kyusuke Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 10553397
    Abstract: A method of assigning faults to a processing chamber is described. Some embodiments include applying a radio frequency (RF) signal to a processing chamber to stimulate resonance in the chamber, measuring resonances of the applied RF signal in the chamber, extracting a fingerprint from the measured resonances, comparing the extracted fingerprint to a library of fingerprints, assigning a similarity index to combinations of the extracted fingerprint with at least one fingerprint in the fingerprint library, comparing each similarity index to a threshold, and if the similarity is greater than a threshold, then assigning a fault to the processing chamber using the library fingerprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sathyendra K. Ghantasala, Vijayakumar C. Venugopal, Hyun-Ho Doh
  • Patent number: 10500686
    Abstract: A dental milling machine has idle receptacles arranged in a storage chamber for storing a plurality of blanks. The blanks each are placed without frame as a frameless blank in the idle receptacles. A transfer device with a transport arm is arranged in the storage chamber. A work chamber adjoins the storage chamber. A transfer opening is arranged between work chamber and storage chamber. The transport arm grips a frameless blank stored in the storage chamber and moves it through the transfer opening into the work chamber. A workpiece holder arranged in the work chamber receives the frameless blank from the transport arm. The workpiece holder grips the frameless blank by a receiving rim of the frameless blank. The workpiece holder, for milling the frameless blank in the work chamber by a milling tool, holds by a clamping action the frameless blank at the receiving rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: vhf camfucture Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Florian Schüle, Matthias Breil
  • Patent number: 10497594
    Abstract: A conveyance system includes a travel rail; and a plurality of vehicles each having a travel part configured to travel on the travel rail in a first direction and a second direction and a transfer part including a holder configured to hold the carrier and an elevator configured to elevate and lower the holder, in which the travel rail is disposed such that each of the vehicles is accessible to a first stop position in which the transfer part is arranged immediately above each of the transfer ports of a first processing device group performing processing of a certain process and such that the vehicle is accessible to a second stop position in which the transfer part is arranged immediately above each of the transfer ports of a second processing device group performing processing of a process different from the certain process from the first stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10343854
    Abstract: A pallet device which can prevent a hook fixed to a pallet from interfering with a workpiece or a tool for a machine tool. The pallet device includes a pallet including a pallet main body which clamps a workpiece, and a replacement hook movably provided in the pallet main body, the replacement hook being movable between a projection position at which the replacement hook projects outside the pallet main body and a retraction position to which the replacement hook is retracted from the projection position to the pallet main body, and a jig to and from which the pallet is attached and detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Kunihiro, Naoki Akagawa
  • Patent number: 10287099
    Abstract: A system and method for reconditioning railcar side frames including an overhead conveyer system, a railcar side frame holder, where the side frame is secured in the side frame holder, where the side frame holder is movably engaged with the overhead conveyer. The side frame and side frame holder are moved along the conveyer to a plurality of stations to perform operations such as welding and grinding. The side frame holder enables the side frame to be rotated 360 degrees while secured in the side frame holder. The side frame holder includes a fixed side arm, a movable side arm, and a pair of frame guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: TTX Company
    Inventors: Ronald G. Adams, Sayeedur Rahman, Michael Lazaro
  • Patent number: 10170351
    Abstract: In one embodiment a transferring apparatus comprises a rail connected to a frame, a travelling part including a wheel that travels along the rail and a loading part for loading an object, and a particle collection receptacle provided at a side of the rail and configured to collect particles generated due to friction between the wheel and the rail when the wheel travels along the rail. A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device using the transferring apparatus includes moving the travelling part to the object, picking up the object with the loading part thereby loading the object on the loading part, using the travelling part to move the object to a chamber, and forming a semiconductor device using the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Gu Chang, Sang-Hui Lee
  • Patent number: 10119982
    Abstract: A transport carrier for a laboratory cargo distribution system with a transport plane is disclosed. The transport carrier can be rotationally moved in an easily controllable manner on the transport plane. A laboratory cargo distribution system with a transport plane comprising such a transport carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory cargo distribution system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Baer
  • Patent number: 10071864
    Abstract: A pallet carrying apparatus includes: a first pallet rail; a second pallet rail provided parallel to the first pallet rail; a first pallet feeding mechanism including a first endless belt on which convex portions and concave portions each extending in a belt width direction are formed; a second pallet feeding mechanism including a second endless belt on which convex portions and concave portions each extending in a belt width direction are formed; and a pallet moving mechanism configured to move a pallet. The first and second endless belt are provided in the vertical direction. Concavo-convex portions included in the pallet engage with the convex portions and the concave portions of the first and second endless belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NITTOKU ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirobumi Saito
  • Patent number: 10012565
    Abstract: The invention discloses a motor running test line, comprising a plurality of motor placing plates, a rack and a plurality of station frames; the rack is provided with an inlet end, and the station frame is provided with an outlet end; the rack is provided with a rack slide rail which makes it possible for motor placing plates to slide thereon, each station frame is provided with a station frame slide rail which makes it possible for motor placing plates to slide thereon, and one end of each station frame is communicated to the rack slide rail, respectively; each station frame is provided with a plurality of stations, each station is equipped with a set of motor running test equipment, and the motor running test equipment comprises an equipment body, a running switch and a motor wiring terminal; and the equipment body is equipped with a timing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG LINIX MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhubing Sun, Liangliang Ren, Ronghua Jin
  • Patent number: 9851422
    Abstract: A shim coil arrangement is provided for a magnetic resonance tomography system. The shim coil arrangement includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of spacers, and at least one shim coil. The plurality of spacers are arranged on the printed circuit board. The at least one shim coil is arranged on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Lothar Schön, Stefan Stocker, Axel vom Endt
  • Patent number: 9678488
    Abstract: A system and method for performing build verification of equipment systems after being installed in a partially constructed vehicle portion. After installing one or more of prerequisite equipment systems during a current build stage of a vehicle build plan, the installed equipment systems are tested during the current build stage to determine whether the installed equipment systems are electrically connected correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jon J. Dhondt, Michael B. McAvoy, Terrance L. Thomas, Mark S. Shander, Alberto Ferrer, Steven M. Walstrom
  • Patent number: 9669506
    Abstract: A machine tool has a multiplicity of stationary tool spindles that are optionally displaceable from a retracted rest position into an extended working position are positioned at various positions in a frame-like stand which defines and comprises machining space, and has a workpiece manipulator by way of which a workpiece support is movable multi-axially in translation and preferably also in rotation. In order to create advantageous loading conditions, it proposed that a loading door is associated with at least one of the leg walls defining the machining space, and that a workpiece support holder, which is equipped with a coupling for the workpiece support, is arranged on at least one, preferably on both, loading door panel fronts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Anger Machining GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Maerzinger, Albert Zeilinger
  • Patent number: 9616539
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a tool spindle which can be positioned in 3 axes and a pivot bridge pivotable about an A axis with a round table for mounting a workpiece pallet supporting a workpiece. Furthermore, in front of the pivot bridge, a mount is provided for a processed workpiece or workpiece to be processed located on a workpiece pallet. Between the mount and the pivot bridge a pallet changer is provided which can only perform a vertical displacement movement and a pivot movement about a vertical axis. Workpiece pallets are picked up and put down only during the vertical displacement movement of the pallet changer, or possibly by pivoting the pivot bridge about the A axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: LICON MT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Winfried Benz, Frank Gessner, Thomas Weinbuch, Gerald Stengele
  • Patent number: 9581983
    Abstract: An automated guided cart (AGC) that is configured to travel along a cart path according to generally non-precision movements is implemented to support a build process requiring precise positioning of vehicle build devices. In an example of a method of use, a vehicle build device for the build process is engaged with the AGC. When the AGC travels proximate a build operation area, the AGC can be secured in a dimensionally fixed position, with the result that both the AGC and a vehicle build device engaged with the AGC are located in precise positions. Based on the precise location of the vehicle build device, the vehicle build device can be interfaced with robots or other automated equipment according to preprogrammed and/or precise movements to carry out a build process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: COMAU LLC
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, William J. Maybee
  • Patent number: 9527176
    Abstract: A rotary table is rotated by a machining load. A drive motor tries to return the rotary table to a positioned target position, and increases output torque. When the output torque reaches upper limit torque Tmax or when output torque which is equal to or greater than permissible torque Tp continues for predetermined time ?T, a target position which is sent to a drive motor is changed, thereby promoting reduction in output torque. If the output torque becomes smaller than permissible torque Tp, the target position is changed to bring position deviation of the drive motor equal to 0, and the position deviation is swiftly returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitsugu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9492900
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a condition of assembly of an aircraft. A current state of assembly of the aircraft is identified. Parts present in the aircraft for the current state of assembly of the aircraft are identified. The parts present in the aircraft for the current state of assembly of the aircraft are displayed in a graphical user interface on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher J. Senesac, David Joseph Kasik
  • Patent number: 9446472
    Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to integrating cutting or marking operation parameters and motion parameters. A controller is provided that manages both process related control and motion related controls rather than having separate controllers with respective connectivity. The controller provides integrated process related control and motion related control which directly controls a cutting or marking operation with improved dynamics while minimizing connectivity and data communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jackie Winn, Mark Osowski
  • Patent number: 9394110
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying articles, in which at least one endless drive train forms a load-bearing strand and a return strand and specifies a conveying direction. A guide device for the at least one endless drive train includes a first deflecting element and at least one second deflecting element, over which the at least one endless drive train circulates. The at least one endless drive train carries along a plurality of supporting members which are arranged and configured such that they interact with supporting structures to which at least one article can be fastened. Furthermore, the at least one endless drive train carries along a plurality of coupling members which are arranged and configured such that they interact with standardized holding components of vehicle bodies. Also, a surface treatment plant having such a conveying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: EISENMANN AG
    Inventor: Joerg Robbin
  • Patent number: 9387560
    Abstract: An operation apparatus of this invention includes a main pallet and a sub pallet detachable from the main pallet, and can convey a work and a part. The operation apparatus includes a lifting mechanism disconnecting, from the main pallet, the work placed on the main pallet and lift/lower the work; a moving mechanism detaching, from the main pallet, the sub pallet attached to the main pallet and lift/lower the sub pallet; a rotation mechanism holding the work lifted to a work operation region by the lifting mechanism; and an operation unit extracting the part from the sub pallet lifted to a part preparation region by the moving mechanism and assembling the part to the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bungo Matsumoto, Yuichi Ichihara, Hiroyuki Kuratani
  • Patent number: 9327968
    Abstract: A work hardening treatment which decreases the Young's modulus, and an age hardening treatment which recovers or increases the Young's modulus decreased by the work hardening treatment are performed to form a vibrating portion, thereby attaining a vibrating element advantageous in downsizing while ensuring desired fatigue characteristics and vibration characteristics. This downsizes, for example, an actuator device, an optical scanning device, a video projection apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: CANON DENSHI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naruki Suzuki, Katsumi Arai, Takayuki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9214372
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a processing unit, a substrate loading unit, a substrate unloading unit, and a carrying unit. A carrying device has a constitution in which a suction portion suctioning and holding a substrate is rotatable about an arm portion provided in a base portion and the substrate is rotated in the state where the substrate is held by a holding portion. A coating device has a constitution in which a liquid material is ejected from a nozzle to both surfaces of the substrate rotating in an upright state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: TOKYO OHKA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sahoda, Futoshi Shimai, Akihiko Sato
  • Patent number: 9187268
    Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The system comprises a plurality 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 containing a sample. The system also comprises a transport device. The transport device comprises a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers and a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier placed on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier. The transport device also comprises a control device to control the movement of the container carriers on top of the transport plane by driving the electro-magnetic actuators. The control device controls the movement such that more than two container carriers are movable simultaneously and independently from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Denninger, Michael Heise, Hans Schneider
  • Patent number: 9123013
    Abstract: A container conveying carriage includes a supporting section which supports a container, a container transfer device which transfers the container, and an item supply device which supplies an item stored in the container. The carriage can travel along a traveling path. Also, the container transfer device transfers the container between the supporting section and a container transfer point outside the carriage. Moreover, the item supply device takes out the item from the container and supplies the item to an item supply point outside the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Gotou
  • Patent number: 8978218
    Abstract: A pallet changing device (40) for changing pallets on a machine tool comprises a changing device (15) including connecting elements (26, 28) for releasably connecting the pallet changing device (40) to pallets (7, 8), a rotational drive (19) for rotating the changing device (15) in a working plane (18), and a lifting device (20) for raising and lowering the changing device (15) and thus the working plane (18) within a workspace (21). The rotational drive (19) is arranged outside the workspace (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: DECKEL MAHO Pfronten GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Moder, Robert Jung
  • Publication number: 20150053529
    Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system that makes it possible to give a higher priority to machining of a workpiece that is a super-urgent item is provided. When a pallet to which a workpiece, which is a super-urgent item, is attached is loaded on a loading station, a second controller gives a command to a conveyor to convey a pallet to which a workpiece, which is a normal item, is attached and which is located at a standby position of a pallet changer to a pallet storage room. Then, the second controller controls the conveyor to convey the pallet to which the workpiece, which is the super-urgent item, is attached and which is loaded on the loading station to the standby position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhiro MASEKI, Kazuhiro Tsujimura, Masanori Ando, Takaaki Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20150034453
    Abstract: A device for handling workpieces at a workpiece support defining a workpiece support plane includes a bearing structure extending with a main plane of the bearing structure parallel to the workpiece support plane. The bearing structure has bearing structure segments arranged next to one another parallel to the main plane, and the bearing structure segments define a planar extent of the bearing structure in the main plane. The device includes a guide device for the bearing structure segments, and the bearing structure segments are guided on the guide device such that the bearing structure segments can be positioned parallel to the main plane of the bearing structure. The device also includes retaining elements provided with the bearing structure segments, and the retaining elements are configured to be positioned on a workpiece and to be handled to fix the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Marcus Busch, Philip Drechsler
  • Patent number: 8944730
    Abstract: Assembly and method for machining an object with a milling machine. The object needing machining on various sides so as to require clamping. It is proposed to mechanize this time-consuming operation. To this end a further clamp is attached to a conversion or turning station which may clamp the already partially machined object with an already partially machined side thereof. The mutual positioning of the clamp in which the object is located and the clamp wherein the object is transferred, is precisely defined and by the linear movement of the clamps in relation to each other, the object may be transferred. The additional clamp is configured to receive the object to be machined in precisely the desired position, without damage. Subsequently, a further clamp is again put into the milling machine with the aid of a robot so that other sides of the object can be further subjected to a milling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: PEX Rent B.V.
    Inventor: Abraham Gijsbert De Koning
  • Patent number: 8887893
    Abstract: A work system according to embodiments includes a robot and work stations. The robot performs a predetermined work on a workpiece as a work target. The work stations are places where the predetermined work is performed on the workpiece. The robot performs conveying of the workpiece between the work stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Ryosuke Tsutsumi, Hiroaki Murakami, Yoshihisa Nagano
  • Patent number: 8839944
    Abstract: A sample processing apparatus which has a transporting device; a sample processing device, the transporting device has a first transport path; a second transport path; a rack moving mechanism for moving the sample rack from the first transport path to the second transport path; a guide member, movable in vertical directions, for allowing the sample rack to move from the first transport path to the second transport path when the guide member is at a predetermined position, and for preventing the sample rack being transported on the first transport path or the second transport path from deviating from the transport path when the guide member is above the predetermined position; and a drive source for moving the guide member in vertical directions. Also, a sample transporting device, and a sample rack transporting method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Takai
  • Patent number: 8833540
    Abstract: A pallet changing system which utilizes the moving function itself of a machine head at a machining center for conveying a pallet and a configuration of a machining center equipping the system, combines a machine head 2 for machining a workpiece with a pallet changing unit 1 having a pallet changing arm 11 which can be rotated by a motor 13 and then allowed to move, by which a pallet 3 is conveyed, and the new pallet 3 for changing is changed with the existing pallet 3 gripped by a pallet clamping device 4 by turning the pallet changing arm 11, and a machining center which equips the above system and also machines a workpiece by using the machine head 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Matsuura Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Amaya, Toshihiko Kato, Masaki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8819905
    Abstract: The present invention provides a machining center that efficiently machines a long workpiece using two pallets. A machining center 1 includes a saddle 30 that moves in a Y axis direction on a bed 10, and a table unit 50 moves in an X axis direction on the saddle 30. At a right end and a left end of the front surface of the bed 10, setup stations 110 and 120 are respectively disposed. While a spindle head 80 is machining a workpiece W2 with one pallet 140 placed on the table unit 50, a workpiece W1 can be set up onto the other pallet 130. A long workpiece can also be machined on the two pallets 130 and 140 placed on the table unit 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Nakano, Yoshiaki Sawada, Koichi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8813941
    Abstract: In some aspects, a workpiece processing installation includes an operating area, an operating pallet able to be moved along a transport direction between a position within the operating area and a position outside the operating area, the operating pallet being configured to support a workpiece, and a pallet support that is configured to be transferred from a first position, in which the pallet support defines a storage area for the storage of the operating pallet outside the operating area, to a second position in which the pallet support protrudes away from the operating area in the transport direction to a lesser extent than it does in the first position. Transferring the pallet support from the first position to the second position includes moving at least a portion of the pallet support towards the operating area which results in the storage area defined by the pallet support becoming smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Kettner-Reich, Tobias Meck, Martin Petera
  • Patent number: 8807318
    Abstract: A multi-generational carrier platform is configured to carry substrate carriers of different sizes depending on processing needs. Multiple carrier adaptors are provided on one side of a support plate, and substrate carriers can be distributed among the carrier adaptors to mount a maximum number of substrates under the constraint of non-overlap of the substrates and the substrate carriers. The multi-generational carrier platform can be configured to provide rotation to each substrate carrier mounted thereupon, and is compatible with chemical mechanical planarization processes that require rotation of substrates against an abrasive surface. The multi-generational carrier platform facilitates maximum utilization of a processing area provided by a tool configured to process substrates of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael F. Lofaro
  • Patent number: 8794427
    Abstract: A multi-generational carrier platform is configured to carry substrate carriers of different sizes depending on processing needs. Multiple carrier adaptors are provided on one side of a support plate, and substrate carriers can be distributed among the carrier adaptors to mount a maximum number of substrates under the constraint of non-overlap of the substrates and the substrate carriers. The multi-generational carrier platform can be configured to provide rotation to each substrate carrier mounted thereupon, and is compatible with chemical mechanical planarization processes that require rotation of substrates against an abrasive surface. The multi-generational carrier platform facilitates maximum utilization of a processing area provided by a tool configured to process substrates of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael F. Lofaro
  • Patent number: 8763782
    Abstract: A device for production of tubes, includes a plurality of mandrel assemblies, each comprising multiple mandrels on which the tubes can be produced in steps at a plurality of work stations, wherein the mandrel assemblies can be transported from work station to work station using transport means. The mandrels of at least one of the mandrel assemblies are distributed into a first and at least a second mandrel group, and in at least one of the work stations the first mandrel group can be moved from a processing position associated with the work station, in which the work station can interact with the first mandrel group to a park position associated with the work station, and the second mandrel group can be moved from a park position associated with the work station to a processing position associated with the work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: KMK Lizence Ltd.
    Inventor: Julius Laubli
  • Patent number: 8745831
    Abstract: A pallet changer includes: a machining-side linear guide rail 25 provided on a machining table 8 and extending in a Y-axis direction perpendicular to an X-axis direction (predetermined direction); preparation-side linear guide rails 26, 27 provided on workpiece preparation parts 9, 10 respectively, extending in the Y-axis direction, and coaxial with the machining-side linear guide rail 25; and linear guides 28 provided on respective pallets P1, P2 and slidably engageable with the machining-side and preparation-side linear guide rails 25 to 27, wherein, in changing the machining-side pallet P1 on the machining table 8 and the standby-side pallet P2 on the workpiece preparation part 10, the machining-side pallet P1 and the standby-side pallet P2 are moved in the Y-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Watanabe, Yoshinori Sakashita, Yoshihiro Yamada, Tomoyoshi Matsuyama
  • Publication number: 20140151186
    Abstract: A rotary pallet device for delivering a pallet to an automated machine, such as a CNC vertical machining center. A pallet is mounted to a retractable slide. The retractable slide is movably mounted with respect to a rotatable platform. An operator or worker accesses one or more stations, each with a rotatable door that at least partially houses a receiver for a pallet and/or a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Paul Cayley, SR., Timothy J. Hilger
  • Patent number: 8733221
    Abstract: A groove machining apparatus for an insulating spacer includes a cutting blade that is removably fixed to a rotation shaft rotatable around a horizontal axis and movable in a right-left direction and in an up-down direction and mounts for a cassette that are fixed in a loading/unloading position opposing an entrance through which the cassette can be loaded/unloaded and in a working position 180 degrees apart from the loading/unloading position and facing the cutting blade, respectively, on a rotary table. The apparatus includes positioning devices that are respectively located in the vicinity of the mounts to position and fix the cassette to the mounts, and a clamping device that corresponds to the cassette in the working position and presses opposing edges in a front-back direction of a plurality of insulating spacers aligned on the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kogyo Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8684162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for weighing containers (2) supplied along a conveying line (L). The device comprises: first weighing means (MP1) arranged on a first side (L1) of a stretch (T) of the conveying line (L) of containers (2) in a proximal position thereto; second weighing means (MP2) arranged at a side of the stretch (T) of the conveying line (L) of containers (2) in a distal position thereto; a supporting member (8) activatable between a first position (P1) in which it is arranged at the stretch (T) of the conveying line (L) for receiving the containers (2), a second position (P2) in which it engages with the first weighing means (MP1), and a third position (P3) in which it engages with the second weighing means (MP2); and first guide means (9) activatable between a guide configuration (C1), in which they are arranged at the stretch (T) in order to guide the containers (2) along the conveying line (L), and a disengaged position (C2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: IMA Life S.r.l.
    Inventor: Luigi Cavina