Abstract: Cable manager 30 is positioned between the distal end of a robot arm 16 and the robot end effector 18. Elongated cable carrier 44 positioned in a circular cable track 34 extends in an arc about the axis of connection 17 between the robot arm and the end effector. One end 56 of the cable carrier moves with the robot arm and the other end 54 moves with the end effector. The cable carrier forms a U-shape 60 between its ends so that the movements of the ends of the cable carrier result in the U-shape accommodating the change in distance between the ends of the utility line and the cable carrier. Utility lines 62 are gathered in one or more cables that extend through the cable carrier to provide the end effector with the controls necessary for its operation.

Abstract: A seed handling tool includes a handle connected to a working body. The working body includes a working surface, which further includes a plurality of seed retention points. A seed retention source is provided to allow the seed handling tool to pick up and retain seeds at the seed retention points. In some embodiments, the seeds may also be released from the seed retention points. A method for retaining a plurality of seeds by the seed handling tool includes moving the seed handling tool to a position where the working surface is adjacent to a plurality of seeds, and picking up and retaining seeds at a plurality of seed retention points fixed at the working surface. In some embodiments, the method may also include releasing the plurality of seeds from the seed retention points.

Abstract: A holding device for lifting and/or moving an article including at least one substantially planar outer surface is designed for mounting on an implement carrier, which includes a carrier part. The holding device can be mounted on, and released from, the implement carrier. At least one holding unit can come into contact with the article and can grip the article by surface contact between the at least one holding unit and one outer surface of the article to be lifted and/or moved. The carrier part includes at least one backstop against which the article can rest when the article is to be released from the at least one holding unit while the at least one holding unit is movably mounted to the carrier part. The holding device also includes at least one actuator for moving the at least one holding unit relative to the at least one backstop.

Abstract: There is provided a gripper system for stacked packaged goods. An exemplary gripper system comprises a first gripper unit for gripping a package by a front surface of the package. The exemplary gripper system further comprises a second gripper unit for gripping the package by a second surface that is at a right angle to the front surface, the second gripper unit having a drive device associated therewith, the second gripper unit being adapted to be moved out of a starting position in which the second gripper unit and the drive device as seen from the gripping side of the first gripper unit, are arranged behind the first gripper unit, into a gripping position in which the first gripper unit is positioned for gripping the package by its front surface and the second gripper unit is positioned for gripping the package by its second surface.

Abstract: An areal gripper for targeted picking-up, handling and putting down of objects. The areal gripper includes a foil element and air-tight frame. The foil element includes an elastically deformable, air-permeably perforated first layer, with a first outer surface and first inner surface, and an elastically deformable, air-impermeable second layer with a second outer surface and a second inner surface, wherein the first and the second inner surface facing each other, are connected to one another and spaced from one another through individually arranged, elastically deformable spacers formed between the first and second inner surface. The air-tight frame laterally surrounds the foil element, which is connected to the circumferential edges of the first and the second layer in a circumferentially air-tight manner, wherein the foil element or the frame includes at least one connection for a pressure supply, by means of which in the intermediate spaces an underpressure can be created.

Abstract: A vacuum suction nozzle operable to reduce or eliminate electronic component blow off and electrostatic damage is disclosed. The vacuum suction nozzle comprises a ceramic body with a first surface at a side opposite to a second surface of the ceramic body. The ceramic body causes static electricity generated on the vacuum suction nozzle to be dissipated to an electronic component mounting device. Dissipation of the static electricity reduces or eliminates electrostatic damage to the electronic component and electrostatic repulsion induced blow off during suction by the vacuum suction nozzle.

Abstract: Various endeffector designs are disclosed for handling semiconductor wafers. For instance, an endeffector for handling wafers at a relatively low temperature is disclosed along with an endeffector for handling wafers at a relatively high temperature. Both endeffectors include uniquely designed support members that are configured to only contact a wafer at the wafer's edge. The endeffectors may also include a wafer detection system. The endeffector for handling wafers at relatively low temperatures may also include a pushing device that is used not only to position a wafer but to hold a wafer on the endeffector during acceleration or deceleration of the endeffector caused by a robot arm attached to the endeffector. As designed, the endeffectors may have a very slim profile making the endeffectors easily maneuverable.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a wafer includes a base, and a gas-penetration layer. The gas-penetration layer and a portion of the base directly underlying the gas-penetration layer form a gas passage therebetween. The gas passage is configured to be sealed by the wafer placed directly over the gas-penetration layer. The apparatus further includes a valve connected to the gas passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-contact transport apparatus. The non-contact transport apparatus includes a housing, and a plate which is fitted into a circular recess formed at a central portion in a lower surface of the housing. The housing is formed into a shape corresponding to the shape of a workpiece to be transported, for example, into an octagonal shape. In the plate, a plurality of nozzles are arranged radially at equal angular intervals. The nozzles include first nozzle grooves and second nozzle grooves having cross sectional areas that are determined in proportion to distances between a principal side of the housing and the nozzle and between an oblique side of the housing and the nozzle for making the flow rates of the pressure fluid through the first nozzle groove and the second nozzle groove different.

Abstract: An air retriever, such as a bellows (24) is used in an end effector (18) for lifting work products (22) in prearranged configurations, and delivery to a container (20) in a predetermined pattern. An air flow control valve (50) is positioned in each bellows (24) for individually controlling the flow of air through each bellows so that the bellows in a pick zone may draw air for picking up work products while air flow is not applied to the other bellows out of the pick zone.