Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for applying force to an object or workpiece. The invention has a first stationary magnet and second moveable magnet within a housing member. The magnets are arranged such that the magnets repel one another with a force related to the spacing between the magnets. The housing member is coupled to a modifying member, e.g., a motorized grinder or sharpener, with the object or workpiece disposed between the second magnet and the modifying member such that the second magnet forces the object or workpiece against the modifying element. The magnets can be electromagnets. In a preferred aspect, the object is a rotary razor head commonly used in electric razors and the invention sharpens the rotary razor head. In this aspect, the modifying member is a rotating grinding disc and anti-rotation elements prevent the razor head and magnets from rotating with the grinding element. The razor head is forced into the grinding element by the magnetic force formed by the two magnets.

Abstract: The invention is an improved membrane press, and method of elevating a workpiece above the supporting surface of a work base. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece, and a foil-pressing frame positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying the laminating foil to the workpiece. The improvement in the membrane press includes a plurality of workpiece-lifting pedestals residing substantially beneath the supporting surface of the work base. A piston is located beneath each pedestal, and responds to the placement of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base. The piston imparts an upward force on certain ones of the pedestals residing adjacent to and beneath the workpiece to raise the pedestals and workpiece upwardly above the supporting surface of the work base. The raised pedestals permit the top surface, corners, and peripheral borders of the elevated workpiece to be laminated.

Abstract: A sheet sticker apparatus includes a pair of bases for supporting sheets, at least one of which has an adhesive thereon. One of the bases can be overlaid on the other. The apparatus also includes a positioning device for correctly positioning the sheets on the respective bases; an attraction device for at least one of the bases for attracting the sheet positioned by the positioning device; and an aligning device for aligning the bases relative to each other when the bases are overlaid with each other.

Abstract: The invention is an improved membrane press, and method of elevating a workpiece above the supporting surface of a work base. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece, and a foil-pressing frame positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying the laminating foil to the workpiece. The improvement in the membrane press includes a plurality of workpiece-lifting pedestals residing substantially beneath the supporting surface of the work base. A piston is located beneath each pedestal, and responds to the placement of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base. The piston imparts an upward force on certain ones of the pedestals residing adjacent to and beneath the workpiece to raise the pedestals and workpiece upwardly above the supporting surface of the work base. The raised pedestals permit the top surface, corners, and peripheral borders of the elevated workpiece to be laminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for making tenons and mortises includes a table with a first opening in the top surface thereof. The top surface is disposed for receiving a sliding base assembly for a cutting device having a second opening therein. A work-piece holding assembly is detachably connected to a front portion of the table. The table and sliding base assembly cooperate to define the movement of the sliding base assembly in relation to said first opening. The work-piece holding assembly is positionable at preselected angles and varying vertical positions in relation to the top surface of the table.

Abstract: An automatic machine for performing framing operations on a power pole. The machine is controlled by a programmable logic control and interchangeable programs are provided to control the operation of the machine according to a pole frame specification. Poles to be framed are received on a primary conveyor. The poles are sequentially scanned for length and position and are transferred in sequence to a longitudinal feed station where the poles are oriented on a first set of supports. An end of the pole is clamped to a movable carriage to maintain the pole orientation. The pole is fed through a movable rotatable tool ring either by movement of the pole clamp carriage or movement of the tool ring. The tool ring supports tooling to perform the framing operation on the pole. The programmable logic control coordinates the movement of the pole clamp carriage, the movement of the tool ring and the rotation of the tool ring to position the tools in the proper relation to the pole.

Abstract: The present invention is an assembly/positioning system and method of use for application in the insertion or placement of tolerance dimensioned first process elements in tolerance dimensioned holes in or with respect to surfaces of second process elements. The system safely, precisely, repeatably and consistently compensates for tolerances in dimensions of process elements assembled therein, and for internal assembly/positioning system element tolerances which result from system stresses or temperature effects etc. during use. The assembly/positioning system also allows positioning process elements for processing and can include process element processing means internally. The assembly/positioning system utilizes mechanical or hydraulic toggle, insertion and tolerance compensation means in conjunction with mechanical transfer means to allow use with any combination of relatively large toleranced process elements.

Abstract: A drill press assembly including a spindle supported by a column and base, a work table and an adjustable fence assembly. The adjustable fence assembly includes clamping means permitting the fence to be adjustably mounted on the column of the drill press. The fence includes a vertically oriented planar surface. Clamping means permit the planar surface to be adjusted in an infinite number of vertical and horizontal positions thereby to facilitate positioning of a workpiece for precise drilling operations. A V-block may be mounted to the fence to facilitate drilling into the end of a cylindrical workpiece.

Abstract: A fixture for use in non-encapsulated cross-sectioning of a sample adapted to permit adjustment of the angle of cross-sectioning having a mounting block with front and bottom surfaces and a recess extending through the front and bottom surfaces. An elongate saddle having first and second end portions is pivotably mounted in the recess on the mounting block. A resilient member is disposed between the mounting block and the second end portion of the elongate saddle for applying a yieldable force between the mounting block and the second end portion. A set screw is threaded into the mounting block and engages the first end portion of the elongate saddle for adjusting the position of the first end portion of the elongate saddle with respect to the mounting block. A sample holder is mounted on the elongate saddle for holding the sample.

Abstract: A micro-welder for optical fibers includes a stand having a central support surrounded by two lateral supports or beams. The beams are suitable for moving under drive from a bending movement about respective X-axes. The stand also supports a device for securing optical fibers on the beams and a device for accurately guiding the fibers on the central support. A low accuracy first displacement device is adapted to displace the beams to bring the fibers into end-to-end contact with each other by relative translation movement along their longitudinal Z-axis which is orthogonal to the X-axes. A high accuracy second displacement device is adapted for moving the beams to drive the fibers with accurate relative translation movements along the Z-axis. Two welding electrodes are provided and an optical device which includes a microscope for observing the ends of said optical fibers.

Abstract: A work holding apparatus for table power tools mounts to a rip fence or other member parallel to the direction feed by a track carrying a clamping frame against which the stock is clamped so that an operator can smoothly and precisely feed the stock into the cutting element of the power tool.

Abstract: A device for shaping an optionally pressing curved components, such as curved beams of glued laminated girders, is provided which, in a modular type of construction, comprises at least two clamping devices on a base, which are movable. Each clamping device has, as a foundation, a slide that is movable along guides which, for example, are movable with rollers along a pair of rails as guides. In the central part of the slide, a rotary table is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the slide, on which at least two adjustable clamping elements, symmetrical to the axis of rotation, are provided. To adjust these clamping elements, which can be formed by tighteners, an adjusting device is placed centered on the slide. With this adjusting device, the tighteners are moved toward, and away from, each other symmetrically relative to the axis of rotation in their opposite arrangement. A manual control or a computer-aided control can be used to control the device.

Abstract: A clamp device drive apparatus for driving a clamp device engaged with a T-shaped groove slidably between a clamping position and an unclamping position, comprises a push-pull chain connected to a clamp device, a vertical housing for containing the chain, guide members for turning a running course of the chain, a sprocket engaged with the chain, and a cylinder drive type motor for driving the sprocket to rotate, and the motor is constituted to drive the sprocket with a double acting fluid cylinder or a pair of single acting fluid cylinder, through ball screw mechanism for converting driving force into driving torque.

Abstract: A first cam is fixedly provided on a base plate and a position-adjustable second cam is disposed apart from the first cam. A block movable by a driver is disposed between the first and second cams. While abutting against the first cam, the movable block is held at a fixed first position, and while abutting against the second cam, it is held at a second position defined by the second cam. The second position is preset, as desired, by adjusting the translational and rotational positions of the second cam and the movable block is switched by the driver between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A tool holder assembly for use with a workpiece feed mechanism and machining mechanism for forming a new surface on a workpiece is described. The workpiece feed mechanism has slot surfaces extending defining an opening which includes bearing surfaces. The tool holder assembly comprises a removable support including a plate adapted to be received in the slot. The plate has surfaces defining a socket and has shoulder surfaces adapted to engage the bearing surfaces. The tool holder assembly includes a tool receptacle which is adapted to receive the workpiece. At least one detent is provided which includes detent surfaces adapted to engage the socket in the plate. The detents are mounted on the workpiece feed mechanism for movement between a locking position where the detent surfaces of the detent are engaged with the socket, and a release position where the detent surfaces of the detent are spaced from the socket to afford sliding movement of the support within the slot.

Abstract: A machine for shaping the panels, rails and stiles used to construct raised panel doors. A motor driven arbor shaft carries three different cutters which bevel the panel edges, groove the edges of the rails and stiles and shape the ends of the rails complementally to the grooved edges of the stiles. Adjustable fences guide the workpieces through the cutters along strips which rest on the table and are of various thicknesses to accommodate cutters of different sizes. A carriage travels in a guided manner along the fence used for the cutting of the ends of the rails and is equipped with a quick release clamp for securing the rails in position as their ends are fed through the cutter.

Abstract: A mechanism for moving a table structure having a table as a part thereof in the lengthwise and crosswise direction and turning movement of the table, the mechanism having a support base, support bearing structure on the support base for supporting the table structure for movement in the lengthwise and crosswise direction and turning movement of the table, two mutually orthogonal pairs of parallel guide faces adapted to be mounted on the table structure, guide members on opposite sides of the table structure and engaged with the guide faces for controlling the movement of the table structure in the lengthwise and crosswise direction and turning movement of the table, and a moving device connected to at least some of the guide members for moving appropriate ones of the guide members for causing movement of the table structure along the other of the guide members in the lengthwise and crosswise direction of the table and in turning movement of the table.

Abstract: A woodworking apparatus includes a conventional table saw having a table and a projecting circular saw blade. A stock moving apparatus is associated with the saw table to move a piece of stock material into engagement with the saw blade. The stock moving apparatus includes a pair of longitudinal support members with a forward and rearward plate extending therebetween. The stock material is removably and selectively rotatably mounted between the forward and rearward plates. A guide is provided on the saw table to guide the stock moving apparatus in a straight line across the saw table. A pattern apparatus is provided to impart a particular shape in the stock material when the stock material is passed over the saw blade. The pattern apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart profile boards upon which the stock moving apparatus is supported during its passage over the saw table.

Abstract: A blocking mechanism comprises a similified rotary dial mechanism and a l clamp which automatically depressurizes a molten alloy tank in response to a release of the lens clamp pressure. A lens seat is provided with a raised resilient pad to accommodate the recessed portion of a bifocal lens. The application of final lens clamping pressure cannot occur until the lens clamp contacts the lens in order to assure that an operator's finger cannot become accidentally pinched.

Abstract: A series of separate analog electrical signals are received at a real time rate and converted to digital equivalents. The converted signals are stored in a digital memory from which the signals are released serially at a rate slower than the real time rate at which the signals are received. The signals released from storage are directed to a signal analyzer, preferably after being converted from digital to analog format, for processing to determine prescribed parameters of the original analog electrical signals.

Abstract: For holding a plurality of different, in shape, workpiece, a holding unit comprises a laminated body with a number of thin identical shaped elongate plates which have one ends forming a workpiece supporting surface, a vibrator unit for moving the elongate plates so as to vary the shape of the workpiece supporting surface to create a new one, and a bias mechanism for clamping the laminated body, so the newly created shape of the workpiece supporting surface is maintained.

Abstract: Table equipment which comprises a frame, a table that can fix an object and move relative to the frame, a table guide for guiding the movable table on the frame, in a line inclined to the horizontal plane, a power source for driving the table along the table guide, a power drive connection for drivingly connected the driving power source with the table, and a force applying member applying to the table a force which counterbalances the gravity at the table and the object mounted thereon, the force applying member having a counterweight smaller than the total weight of the movable table and the mounted object.

Abstract: Compound press suitable to autonomously perform all operations necessary to mold pieces, including mechanisms to feed the pieces to be molded, and molding of same and to discharge the molded pieces.

Abstract: A butt-end wood holding system for a tenoning-and-mortising apparatus. The butt-end wood holding system comprising a pivotal guide member which engages the butt-end of a work-piece. The pivotal guide member is rotatably linked to the relatively fixed base of the mortising-and-tenoning spindle so that rotation of a concentric and rotatable support ring of the guide member, located about the spindle support, results in a parallel horizontal translation of the pivoting guide member. The butt-end wood guide member support being separately linked to the relatively fixed mortising-and-tenoning spindle support.

Abstract: An indexing and locating component to be used with a fixture for precision machining of parts. The component includes a housing that is positioned on the upper surface of the fixture and which contains a bevel gear arrangement which moves a locating pin arrangement in a predetermined vertical direction to provide a precise locating support point for a workpiece. The gear arrangement may be operated at a position remote from the component.

Abstract: In a plate processing machine such as punch press provided with a workpiece moving/positioning device (49) including a carriage base (53) movable in the longitudinal Y-axis) direction of the machine and a carriage (69) movable in the lateral (X-axis) direction of the machine, a carriage drive unit of an X-axis motor (79) and a reduction gear (77) for moving the carriage is disposed near a middle portion of the carriage base to balance the workpiece moving/positioning device, so that workpiece processing precision can be improved. Further, the width of a caterpillar table (82) fixed to the carriage base between two movable tables (81) also fixed to the carriage base is reduced to prevent vibration of the caterpillar table, so that scratches under the surface of a workpiece can be reduced.

Abstract: The turn tilt table is preferably mounted on a self propelled mobile vehicle for carrying a test article such as a military vehicle weighing up to 70 tons. The mobile vehicle is driven to a plurality of test sites at which radar beams or the like are directed against the test article for determining vehicle radar signatures or the like. During testing, the turn tilt table may be tilted anywhere between a horizontal position and 45.degree. from the horizontal; and may be pivoted 360.degree. about an axis normal to the plane of the turn tilt table to any of a plurality of positions within 360.degree.. If vehicles are being tested, a ramp is connectable to the table to allow the vehicle to be driven onto or off the table.

Abstract: An adjusting device for fastening a die to the clamping face of a press ram having a T-groove communicating with the clamping face, comprises a flexible but longitudinally non-stretchable traction member which is either movably mounted or fixed to the press ram and which extends in the T-groove. A tenon block is operatively connected to the traction member and carries an insert tightener. A drive motor drives the traction member so as to move the tenon block and its insert tightener in the T-groove so that the insert tightener can engage a clamping edge of a die or upper tool for holding the die or upper tool against the clamping face of the press ram.

Abstract: A ceramic substrate is held in position, while being processed, by vacuum. The substrate is positioned on an intermediate plate and held down by a vacuum. The intermediate plate is supported on an air bearing while being moved into correct location on a support member, after which the intermediate plate is held in position by a vacuum. The locating of the intermediate plate can be caused to move into position during movement of the support member to a processing position. Typical processing is the screen printing of circuits and other features.

Abstract: An electrode plate arranging jig according to the invention which allows to arrange electrode plates with high precision and facilitates the work of constructing an array of electrode plates, characterized in that a member with a plurality of grooves cut at pitches at which the electrodes are arranged has a structure of two superimposed members (11, 12) deviatable from each other in the direction in which the plurality of grooves are arranged, and has grooves (13, 14) having a width which has enough leeway compared to the thickness of the electrode plates.

Abstract: A movable table system comprises a base horizontally mounted on a foundation with an intermediate base engaged with the base through first guides so as to be movable reciprocatively in one linear direction. A movable table is engaged with the intermediate base through second guides similar to the first guides so as to be movable reciprocatively in the same linear direction. A direct-acting type drive is interposed between the movable table and the intermediate base for providing relative movement between the table and the intermediate base. Preferably, the base is mounted on the foundation through vibration absorbers.

Abstract: A welding bench has a base plate supporting a substantially vertical outer casing with a rectangular or square cross-section. Supported in the outer casing is an inner casing projecting out of the outer casing and vertically movable by means of a variable length device. Supported at the upper part of the inner casing and swingable in a horizontal plane is a supporting structure for a bench top. The bench top is by means of a horizontal joint swingably connected to the supporting structure thus permitting swinging of the bench top in relation to the supporting structure and location of the bench top in freely selected, inclined positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the automatic mechanical centering and simultaneous clamping of elongate round bodies of various diameter. It consists of two collet chunks arranged at an axial distance from each other in the plane of symmetry of which lies the centering axis. The two chunk arms of each collet chunk include collet jaws each of which is provided with one slide element and one grip element. The effective flanks of the grip elements are concavely curved such that they in each case engage the circumference of the round bodies when the round bodies, sliding along the effective flanks on the slide elements, have been raised by the latter until their longitudinal axes coincide with the centering axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fine-adjusting device made of a metal plate (30,40), in which slots, arranged in pairs and ending at both ends in holes, form at least a bar parallelogram (30-33; 40-43) with play-free flexible hinges (34-37, 44-47) as pivots, each bar parallelogram being provided with a fixed bar (30;40), a shifting bar (33;43) parallel to this fixed bar and two pivoting bars (31,32; 41,42).

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning an article, for example an optical fiber, relative to a datum, for example a Vee groove, another fiber, or a light source, includes means for manipulating the article in two intersecting directions. The manipulating means comprises a part fixed relative to the datum and a first arm coupled to the fixed part by a hinge. A second arm is coupled by a second hinge to the first arm at a position adjacent the first hinge. Adjacent its proximal end, the second arm carries a mount for the fiber. The arrangement is such that pivoting of the first arm displaces the mount in one of the intersecting directions. Pivoting of the second arm displaces the mount in the other of the intersecting directions. Preferably, the fixed part, hinges and arms are integral with one another, substantially eliminating play and backlash. The apparatus affords precise manipulation of articles such as single-mode optical fibers prior to and during fusion splicing.

Abstract: A wheel manipulator for engaging and retaining the hub of a wheel thereto, having a base frame with a vertical column, a carriage slidably mounted on the column and adapted to be vertically adjustably positioned thereon, a turret rotatably mounted on the carriage and a retainer for securing the wheel to the turret for manipulation of the wheel on the base frame.

Abstract: An automatic sheet metal machining center has a frame, a work table attached immobile to it, a first carriage movable with regard to the frame, a second carriage attached to the first carriage and movable in a direction perpendicular to the path of the first carriage, and a stop pin in the frame. The stop pin is immobile in the directions of the paths of the carriages and is movable to upper and lower positions in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the work table. The position of a work piece, after having been placed on the work table, is determined in relation to the direction of the path of the second carriage, which has clamps for grasping the workpiece. The clamps are movable in the direction of the path of the second carriage and lockable thereto. According to a preprepared program, the respective positions of the clamps, with regard to the second carriage for grasping the workpiece, are automatically recognized and locked onto the second carriage with the aid of the stop pin.

Abstract: Precise and fastenerless connection of a fixture to rotatable headstock and tailstock positioners is provided by a slidably engageable ball and socket arrangement located on the headstock positioner and on one end of the fixture, and by a tapered roller located at the opposite end of the fixture which is cradled between two grooved rollers located on the tailstock positioner. The ball and socket centers the headstock end of the fixture on the rotational axis of the headstock positioner while the tapered roller and grooved rollers locate the fixture linearly as well as centrally. The overall fixture support arrangement permits misalignment of the headstock and tailstock positioners without binding of the fixture. A second slidably engageable connecting device at the headstock end assures precise rotaton of the fixture in unison with the headstock positioner.

Abstract: For controlling the selective lateral tilting of the conveying trays of a sorter conveyor there is provided, on each tray support, a crosswise oriented cylinder, which by a protruding radial arm, is turnable between a "normal" position and a "tilt" postion in response to the radial arm engaging with an actuated guiding track associated with the stationary conveyor chassis. The tray has a lever engaging with an oblique cam track in the surface of the cylinder, whereby the tray is tilted by the turning of the cylinder. The cam track has non-oblique end portions, which lock the tray in both its horizontal and fully tilted position, without a separate lock being required. The cylinder may be split in two individually turnable halves selectively operable to tilt the tray to either side.

Abstract: An electrical connector pickup station for long electrical connectors, comprises an escapement assembly for receiving connectors from a gravity feed magazine and which is mounted above a base plate so as to be inclined in a vertical plane. A connector locating assembly, also mounted on the base plate, is pivotable and translatable between a first inclined position in alignment with the escapement assembly to receive a connector therefrom, and a second horizontal position in which the connector can be picked up from the locating assembly by the jaws of a robot or pick-and-place machine. A device is provided for securing the connector in the locating assembly during its movement.

Abstract: A hold down system for use with a generally planar printed circuit (PC) board includes at least one clamp which engages the circuit board and securely maintains it flat upon a circuit board transport mechanism to facilitate the insertion of electronic components upon the board by automatic positioning and insertion apparatus. The movable hold down clamp includes an elongated, generally vertically oriented housing which is positioned beneath the PC board and transport mechanism and is displaced upward above the PC board for engaging the board and pulling it downward upon the transport mechanism as the PC boards are displaced therealong.

Abstract: A moveable clamp and an improved method of fabricating insulated glass is disclosed according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. The clamp includes first and second clamping rollers which are rotatably mounted to the first ends of first and second arms. The arms are pivotally mounted together by a third arm having a first end attached to the first arm and having a second end pivotally secured to the second arm. The second ends of the first and second arms are biased apart by a spring for creating a clamping force between the first and second clamping rollers. A first guide wheel is rotatably mounted to the first arm for rolling on the outside surface of the glass sheet to prevent the clamp from tipping with respect to the stacked glass sheets. A second guide wheel is rotatably mounted to the first arm for rolling on the edges of the stacked glass sheets for preventing the clamp from moving away from the perimeter of the stacked glass sheets.

Abstract: A fluid-powered rotary table formed of a base and a rotary housing which sealingly cooperates therewith along a planar surface. A toroid-shaped annular cavity is formed between the base and the rotary housing which are rotatable relative to one another along a central axis perpendicular to the plane and the toroid-shaped annular cavity. The annular cavity is divided into two fluid-tight annular segments by a stationery block affixed to the base and projecting into the cavity and a rotary block affixed to the rotary housing and projecting into said cavity. By admitting or removing fluid from each of the annular cavity segments the rotary housing may be moved relative to the base.

Abstract: The spindle can be rotated by way of a set wheel, and thus displaced within the spindle guide. At the end of this displacement, the spindle butts against one of the set screws of a turret stop provided on the rest plate. The spindle can be locked to the respective set screw by way of a swing extension. The spindle may be hollow to pass therethrough a tool and finely adjust the set screw already locked to the spindle.

Abstract: A programmable assembly system for performing any of a variety of operations for different batch assemblies wherein at least some of the batches have different end points is obtained by using a limited capability, high reliable, high speed pick and place robot 30 mounted on a machine base 10 which has the capability of shifting its table 14 in any of three perpendicular directions so that any style changeover between batches the machine base is operated in a program manner to set up for a different batch operation.

Abstract: In a device for locating and locking a work holding pallet on a machine tool fixture, the fixture comprises guides for supporting and guiding the sliding movement of the work holding pallet during their engagement, and a mobile central plug for engaging in a cavity in the work holding pallet. The fixture is provided with mobile means for pressing against the work holding pallet in order to move it with rotary motion about the plug, and abutment and stop structure is provided for the work holding pallet in order to arrest that rotation.

Abstract: Device for supporting and rotating a part (1) of large dimensions about its horizontal axis, comprising a frame (5) carrying a plurality of pairs of rollers (6 and 7) including at least one pair (6) of driving rollers, a cylindrical support (4) receiving the part (1) in its interior and adapted to be positioned on the rollers (6 and 7) in such a manner as to be driven in a rotational movement about its horizontal axis when the driving rollers (6) are themselves given a rotational movement. Stop elements (13 and 13') prevent rotational movement of the driving rollers (6) in the event of incorrect positioning of the cylindrical support (4) on the frame (5). The device has particular application in the manufacture of boilermaking equipment.

Abstract: The work clamps of a punch press are mounted in laterally spaced relation on a carriage which may be shifted to cause the clamps to re-position a workpiece relative to the punch. To enable automatic adjustment of the lateral position of the clamps on the carriage, each clamp is adapted to be selectively and automatically locked to or released from the carriage. When released from the carriage, each clamp is adapted to be automatically held in a stationary position so that the carriage may be shifted relative to the clamp to permit re-positioning of the clamp along the carriage.

Abstract: This invention is directed to electromagnetic alignment apparatus, which is particularly adapted, among other possible uses, for use in aligning the wafers in a microlithography system, said apparatus comprising in combination a first magnetic circuit having a plurality of elements including a first magnet; a second magnetic circuit having a plurality of elements including a second magnet; the second magnetic circuit being disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the first magnetic circuit; a movable structural component adapted for mounting an object thereon; one element of each magnetic circuit being fixedly attached to the movable structural component; first and second current carrying coil assemblies mounted in the first magnetic circuit; the second coil assembly being disposed at an angle with respect to the first coil assembly; third and fourth current carrying coil assemblies mounted in the second magnetic circuit; the fourth coil assembly being disposed at an angle with respect to the third coi

Abstract: This invention is directed to electromagnetic alignment apparatus, which is particularly adapted, among many other possible uses, for use in aligning the wafers in a microlithography system, said apparatus comprising in combination three or more spaced magnets, three or more coil assemblies mounted to pass through the magnetic fields of the magnets respectively, means for controlling the flow of current through the coil assemblies respectively, said coil assemblies being joined together to form a structure movable with respect to the magnets and adapted to carry an object thereon, the coil assemblies being wound with respect to each other so that by controlling the supply of current to the coils the structure can be moved selectively in three degrees of freedom.