Abstract: In an embodiment, a robotic arm includes: a base; at least one link secured to the base; a gripper secured to the at least one link, wherein: the gripper comprises a finger, the gripper is configured to secure a wafer while the at least one link is in motion, and the gripper is configured to release the wafer while the at least one link is stopped, a sensor disposed on the finger, the sensor configured to collect sensor data characterizing the robotic arm's interaction with a semiconductor processing chamber while the wafer is secured using the finger.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrochemically processing a semiconductor substrate includes a processing chamber of the type that is sealable to a peripheral portion of a semiconductor substrate so as to define a covered processing volume. The semiconductor substrate is supported by a substrate support. A magnetic arrangement is disposed outside of the processing chamber and produces a magnetic field. The magnetic field is changed using a controller for controlling the magnetic arrangement. An agitator is disposed within the processing chamber. The agitator comprises a magnetically responsive element which is responsive to changes in the magnetic field of the magnetic arrangement so as to provide a reciprocating motion to the agitator.

Abstract: A device for picking up, transporting and sorting electronic components in particular integrated circuits includes at least one loading device, one transport device, and one unloading device. The transport device has at least one transport wheel which is rotatable around a rotation axis and which has a peripheral face. The transport device also has at least one pick-up module which is arranged at the peripheral face and is suitable for accommodating components. In addition, the transport device is provided with a pressure source which is connected to the pick-up module. The pick-up module has at least one pick-up space for one individual component which extends along the peripheral face and can be moved between an initial position and an end position. The pressure source enables a prescribed pressure to be exerted at the pick-up space by means of which the component can be retained at the pick-up space or can be ejected from the pick-up space.

Abstract: A gripper grasps irregular and deformable work pieces so as to lift and hold packaged, processed, or raw, and manipulate the work pieces for the purpose of material handling, assembly, packaging, and other robotic and automated manipulative functions. A vacuum is induced at multiple points through a flexible gripping hood to provide lifting force to, and facilitate rapid movement of, work pieces. An array of lighting devices and a double ring array of segmented mirrors provide uniform illumination to ensure accurate positioning of the gripping hood with respect to the work piece to be manipulated.

Abstract: According to a method and a device for heating a strip-shaped carrier in an oven, a carrier is passed through the oven in a direction of conveyance. The carrier is supported by a heatable plate, which together with the carrier is moved through the oven stepwise with a predetermined step size from a starting position to an end position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for rapid transfer of a work object in both the horizontal and vertical directions using a robot unit (10) having a gripping mechanism (12) preferably from one workstation (3) to another (4), the work piece (2) weighing between one kilo and forty kilos and the transfer in the horizontal direction being at least one meter but less than ten meters and at least partially being effected along an essentially horizontally extending beam unit (20), and the gripping mechanism (12) being arranged in such a way that, at least in one end situation (E1) along the beam (20), it can collect and/or deliver a work object (2) in a position (E2) situated beyond the end situation (E1) along the said horizontal beam (20), which robot unit is controlled by means of a control unit (50) and is driven by means of a belt member (24) and at least two motors (26, 27) comprising rotor units connected to drive wheels (26A, 27A) for the said belt member (24), the said motors (26, 27) being immovab

Abstract: In order to provide a method of carrying out working steps in at least one work station on miniaturised modules which are held by a module carrier provided with a holding device, whereby the method enables a plurality of processing steps to be carried out on a module, it is proposed that the module be moved by one of the module carriers to a plurality of work stations for carrying out the working steps and that it be precisely positioned for carrying out one of the working steps by means of a relative movement between the module carrier and the currently relevant one of the plurality of workstations, and in that the positioning of the module relative to the module carrier be maintained for carrying out the working steps.

Abstract: A micro device using assembly system for feeding, programming, and placing micro devices on circuit boards includes a robotic handling system capable of picking up and placing the micro devices on the circuit boards on a conveyor system. A control system controls the conveyor system and the robotic handling system. An input feeder provides the micro devices and a programming system is capable of programming a plurality of micro devices in sockets which are in line parallel with the input feeder. The input feeder responds to communication with the control system to feed the unprogrammed micro devices while the programming system programs the micro devices and communicates to the control system. The robotic handling system responds to communication of the programming system with the control system to pickup and places the programmed micro devices on the circuit boards at high speed.

Abstract: A conveying device has: a moving member provided so as to be movable; a rotating member rotatably supported at the moving member; and a holding member rotatably supported at the rotating member, and able to hold a sheet. In a state in which the holding member is holding the sheet, the holding member conveys the sheet by at least one of movement of the moving member, rotation of the rotating member with respect to the moving member, and rotation of the holding member with respect to the rotating member.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting a printing plate in a platemaking system includes: a carriage riding on a track and one or more low friction substantially horizontal planar support surfaces provided as a high wear laminate, positioned above the carriage and the track, for supporting the printing plate on the non-emulsion side without the use of rollers, belts, bearings or air cushioning. The carriage includes one or more engagement mechanisms for engaging a bottom, non-emulsion side of the printing plate, and the track includes an air cylinder. The engagement mechanisms can be, for example, suctions cups which engage the plate by a vacuum, suction cups which engage the plate by pressure and adhesion, other adhesive devices, or a mechanical gripper for gripping the plate. The track or linear actuating system is preferably an air cylinder. Alternatively the linear actuating system could include a belt and pulleys, a chain and gears, or a threaded lead screw.

Abstract: A bonding machine chip-transferring station, with a multi-axial positioning mechanism and a suction-needle module mounted and positionable thereon, with a housing, a suction needle connected to a vacuum conduit, and a suction-needle conveyance unit, including a drive motor, a belt transmission coupled thereto, and a suction-needle reversal means driven by the transmission, wherein the suction-needle reversal means includes a suction-needle holder seated on an axle and a pulley nonrotatably connected to the axle, where the suction-needle holder includes a guide block on which is mounted a suction-needle carriage movable only in the Z direction, supports the suction needle, and bears a carrier bolt oriented parallel to the axle, and an actuator fork nonrotatably connected to the pulley, via the axle, with which is engaged the carrier bolt extending from the suction-needle carriage and by means of which the suction-needle carriage is driven and constrained exclusively in the ±Z directions.

Abstract: A bonding machine chip-transferring station, with a multi-axial positioning mechanism and a suction-needle module mounted and positionable thereon, with a housing, a suction needle connected to a vacuum conduit, and a suction-needle conveyance unit, including a drive motor, a belt transmission coupled thereto, and a suction-needle reversal means driven by the transmission, wherein the suction-needle reversal means includes a suction-needle holder seated on an axle and a pulley nonrotatably connected to the axle, where the suction-needle holder includes a guide block on which is mounted a suction-needle carriage movable only in the Z direction, supports the suction needle, and bears a carrier bolt oriented parallel to the axle, and an actuator fork nonrotatably connected to the pulley, via the axle, with which is engaged the carrier bolt extending from the suction-needle carriage and by means of which the suction-needle carriage is driven and constrained exclusively in the ±Z directions.

Abstract: A shuttle apparatus for transferring sample carriers comprising a shuttle table having a mating section, the mating section allowing a sample carrier to be transferred between the shuttle table and a mating support structure. The shuttle table can optionally further comprise a mating section having a void section.

Abstract: An articulated-arm transport system, provided in particular for the automation of press lines and large-component transfer presses, is distinguished by a design which permits components or workpieces to be inserted or removed even when there is a small clearance between an upper and lower tool.

Abstract: An apparatus loads and unloads workpieces. The apparatus includes at least one essentially horizontally movable element, at least one essentially vertically movable element and at least one element for receiving workpieces. The horizontally movable element has at least one drive unit and has at least two belts communicating with the one or more drive units and the one or more elements for receiving the workpieces.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a first co-ordinate frame of a robot and effector in a second frame of reference of a sensor when the sensor is substantially rigidly attached to the robot and effector, including the steps of measuring first positions of a plurality of first light sources relative to the sensor, with the first positions corresponding to a first absolute position of the robot and effector, moving the robot and effector, measuring second positions of the plurality of first light sources, which second positions correspond to the desired second absolute position of the robot and effector and the sensor, repeating the measurement of and movement from the first to second positions so as to provide at least two sets of measurements of first and second positions corresponding to at least two movements, each of which at least two movements is a known, unique transform, combining the at least two sets of measurements of first and second positions so as to calibrate the first co-ordinate frame in the second fra

Abstract: A plate member carrier is constructed to include a suction device adapted to suck and transfer the workpiece, a first four-bar linkage adapted to keep the suction device in horizontal, a second four-bar linkage adapted to prohibit the suction device from transverse displacement, and a cam adapted to control vertical movement of the suction device subject to a simple harmonic motion curve.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for use in a die feeder used in automated assembly machines and includes, among other aspects and features, a novel nest for holding a die against a vacuum port and releasing same without an independently controlled vacuum source. The invention also includes a novel elevator mechanism, employed to lift the nest to a pick location and means for positioning and aligning the nest for precision travel and pick location placement.

Abstract: A device for collection, translation and supply of cardboard blanks (5) from a collection store (2) to a receipt conveyor comprises two rotary elements (10a and 10b) and one or more gripper units (100, 200). Each of the said gripper units (100,200) comprises: a second shaft (114) which is supported such as to rotate idly by the said two rotary units (10a, 10b), and is oscillated by command relative to its own axis (114x) by means of first oscillator means (117, 119) which are activated by means of a first stationary cam (10); a third shaft (123) which is supported such as to rotate idly by means of two or more arms (121a, 121b) and is oscillated by command relative to its own axis (123x) by means of second oscillator means (125, 126, 127, 130, 132) which are activated by means of a second stationary cam (20); one or more gripper means (137a, 137b etc) which are supported by the said third shaft (123).

Abstract: A rotary blow molding machine comprising a rotatable wheel, a plurality of mold assemblies mounted on the wheel in circumferentially spaced apart relation, each of said mold assemblies being openable to expose a finished workpiece as the mold assembly moves through a workpiece discharge station. A take-out assembly removes a finished workpiece from a mold assembly as the mold assembly moves through said discharge station, the take-out assembly including a first transfer mechanism mounted adjacent said discharge station and including a first pick-up unit for grasping a finished workpiece and moving it in a substantially linear direction upwardly away from said wheel to a transfer station. A second rotary transfer mechanism is mounted at the transfer station for receiving a workpiece from the first pick-up unit and moving the workpiece to an exit station as the first pick-up unit returns to the discharge station to pick up another finished workpiece from the wheel.

Abstract: A transport and position system, particularly for the workpiece transfer, has a lever mechanism between its driving motors and its output to carry out a step-up. The lever mechanism takes over the guiding as well as the driving of the carrier device which therefore forms the output of the lever mechanism. As a result of the step-up, high accelerations and decelerations can be achieved at the carrier device. Thereby, the mass inertia of linear guides for the bearing of levers and mass inertias of drives moved along play a substantially reduced role. While a high positioning precision can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit board carrier including a carrier sliding between a conveyor and a holder disposed at the lower part of a main machine. The carrier includes a sliding rail disposed at the top of a main machine above the conveyor and the holder; a sliding base being on the sliding rail by means of a sliding recess thereof; a sliding rod disposed above the sliding base and being vertically spaced to the sliding rail; a sliding seat being slid on the sliding rod by means of a sliding piece and having a shaft post at the top thereof; a pivot sleeve pivoted on the shaft post of the sliding seat by means of a bearing thereof and having a connection groove; a turning arm, one end of which is connected to the connection groove of the pivot sleeve while the other end thereof is connected to a motor and a driving axle of a reduction machine; and a suction unit installed under the sliding base.

Abstract: A transfer system, particularly for the transfer of workpieces in multi-station presses (1), consists of several transfer modules (14 to 19), which each have a workpiece holding device (28) which is carried by at least one lever mechanism (23). Each lever mechanism transmits the adjusting movement of two mutually independent drives (39, 44) to the workpiece holding device (28). One of the drives (39, 44) is disposed in a stationary manner, and the other is moved by the drive disposed in a stationary manner. This basic principle opens up many design possibilities.

Abstract: A positioning system (31, 32, 33, 34 35, 36), particularly for transporting and positioning workpieces, has a drive and force generating transmission device (47) by means of which a carrier device (41) can be moved and positioned. At least one force generating device (70) is connected to the drive and force transmission device (47), which force generating device (70) feeds into the drive and transmission system of the drive and force transmission device (47), an additional force used for compensating the weight of the drive and force transmission device and its moved parts and possibly of a workpiece, to the extent that this force manifests itself at the drives of the drive and force transmission device (47).

Abstract: A retrieval system for rapidly removing articles from a plastic molding machine or other manufacturing process includes two pairs of lightweight non-metallic telescoping retrieval tubes arranged for telescoping motion into and out of an open mold. Each pair of telescoping retrieval tubes is coupled to a pair of slidable bearing tubes. A movable one of each pair of retrieval and bearing tubes is driven in concert by a low inertia cable or other drive system. A fixed one of each of each pair of retrieval and bearing tubes includes longitudinal strips of plastic bearing material.

Abstract: The rotary conveyor of the present invention has a simple structure and is capable of preventing an electric cable and an air tube from twisting and cutting. In the rotary conveyor, a rotating section can rotate in the both directions. A number N (an integer three or more) of movable stations are provided to the rotating section with regular angular separations (an angle &thgr;1). The movable stations respectively machine work pieces. The number N of fixed stations are provided on the base section and located at positions corresponding on the movable stations. The fixed stations respectively machine the work pieces with the movable stations. The rotating section is intermittently turned the angle &thgr;1 a prescribed number (N−1) of times, in one direction, from an initial position of the rotating section, then the rotating section is continuously turned, in the other direction, until reaching the initial position.