Abstract: A vacuum-operated vehicle glass handling system includes a plurality of suction cups movably disposed on a frame. A powered vacuum source is fluidly connected to the plurality of suction cups for providing a vacuum at each of the plurality of suction cups. A powered vacuum source includes a pair of vacuum pumps both fluidly connected to the plurality of suction cups for redundantly providing the vacuum to the plurality of suction cups. A power source is selectively electrically connected to the powered vacuum source. A pair of vacuum actuators is on the frame for selectively electrically connecting the power source to the powered vacuum source so the powered vacuum source can provide the vacuum at the plurality of suction cups. The power source is electrically connected to the powered vacuum source upon actuation of one or both of the pair of vacuum actuators. A pair of release actuators is on the frame for selectively releasing the vacuum provided at the plurality of suction cups.

Abstract: A method for the non-destructive removal of fixed window elements (1) from vehicles uses a cutting wire (15) that is threaded through the adhesive bonding a window element to a vehicle and that is placed in a loop around the perimeter of the window element. A first end (15A) of the cutting wire is attached to a first wire wind-up element (16) of a single tool (3) and a second end (15D) of the cutting wire is attached to a second wire wind-up element (17) of the single tool. The first and second ends of the wire are then pulled with the first and second wire wind-up element until the wire cuts through the adhesive around the entire perimeter of the side window element.

Abstract: An end of arm tool has a mounting bracket mounting the end of arm tool to the robot arm for movement therewith and has a plurality of operating mechanisms mounted to the mounting bracket, a plurality of gripping devices each operatively connected to a respective operating mechanism and movable along a path, and a plurality of individual motors each operatively connected to a respective gripping device for moving the respective gripping device along its respective path. At least one programmable controller for operating the motors is provided to adjust the positions of the gripping devices along their respective paths to one of a plurality of predetermined positions established by the controller for gripping the article and to position the end of arm tool adjacent the article so that at least one of the gripping devices grips the article.

Abstract: Curved and Angular Panel Arm is an arm attachment for use with vacuum lifts that has a hinged section and a pivoting vacuum head mount. To use the preferred embodiment of Curved and Angular Panel Arm, a user attaches the arm to a vacuum lift unit using an attaching mechanism. The hinged section is then adjusted and locked into place to accommodate irregularly shaped objects using the hinge pin and clip or other locking mechanism. Finally, the vacuum pads of the pivoting vacuum head mount are placed on a designated panel or object and the vacuum lift unit is turned on, enabling the vacuum pads on the vacuum head mount to attach to the irregularly shaped panel or object.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure transmission assembly for mounting to a robotic device having a rotatable end effector. The pressure transmission assembly includes a housing and a flexible pressure transmission member. The housing includes an input port and an output port. The flexible transmission member is coupled between the input port and the output port of the housing. The flexible transmission member is wound within the housing between the input port and the output port and is configured to receive a pressure signal at the input port and to transmit the pressure signal to the end effector through the output port.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a moving device has a frame and a plurality of operational members mounted for movement on the frame. The effector also has an actuation mechanism directly connected to a first operational member and is operable to move the first operational member from a first position to a second position, and from the second position to the first position. A linking apparatus is provided for linking the first operational member to a second operational member. The actuation mechanism moves the first operational member from the first position to the second position, and results in the second operational member being moved by the linking apparatus from a third position to a fourth position. The operational members can be pick up members for picking up items at one pitch and releasing them at a second pitch.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for handling and moving a layer of articles, such as cased products. The system and apparatus comprise a hood enclosure having four side panels, and four interconnected corner member. The side walls and corner members interoperate to form an adjustable enclosure to pick the layer of articles. A vacuum generate is utilized to evacuate air from the hood enclosure to assist in lifting the layer of articles. The hood enclosure may utilize an array of vacuum cups to assist in the lifting of articles into the hood enclosure. The method is directed towards utilizing the hood layer end effector to move and hand articles.

Abstract: A transfer device of a handler for testing semiconductor devices is provided in which a pitch between each of a plurality of picker heads may be adjusted without replacing a cam plate. The transfer device may include a base part, a plurality of picker heads movably mounted on the base part, and a cam plate movably mounted on the base part and having a plurality of inclined cam grooves formed therein. Each picker head is connected to a corresponding cam groove by a connection part extending therebetween, with an end of each connection part movably coupled to its respective cam groove. A driving unit reciprocates the cam plate so that, as the ends of the connection parts move within the cam grooves, a position of the picker heads may be varied.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for manufacturing a gripping means for fixing of a detail intended to be handled by aid of a robot arm on a robot and said gripping means comprises an optional number of suction cup provided arms (2) having vacuum channels (8) integrated in a collecting channel (7). Said gripping means (1) is manufactured by freeforming in a solid material unit having integrated vacuum channels (8), which are assembled in an integrated collecting channel (7) in the centre (3) of the gripping means (1) and which in turn is assembled to a connecting channel (9) integrated to said collecting channel (7), in the outer end of which a vacuum nipple (5) is connectable in providing a gripping means, which is directly adapted to its function and as to its material is optimized to the lowest weight.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a moving device has a frame and a plurality of operational members mounted for movement on the frame. The effector also has an actuation mechanism directly connected to a first operational member and is operable to move the first operational member from a first position to a second position, and from the second position to the first position. A linking apparatus is provided for linking the first operational member to a second operational member. The actuation mechanism moves the first operational member from the first position to the second position, and results in the second operational member being moved by the linking apparatus from a third position to a fourth position. The operational members can be pick up members for picking up items at one pitch and releasing them at a second pitch.

Abstract: A material handling system includes a support assembly, a cup assembly comprising a cup and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a post extending from the cup, and a mounting collar movably attached to the post and adjustably attached to a support arm of the support assembly. The mounting assembly may include a level indicating element for indicating an orientation of the mounting assembly. The mounting collar is adjustable relative to the support arm to establish a first or level orientation of the mounting assembly. The level indicating element provides an indication when the mounting assembly is generally at the first or level orientation, and the mounting collar is securable relative to the support arm when the mounting assembly is in the first or level orientation.

Abstract: Provided are a work transfer device and a method of transferring work which are capable of safely transferring work without letting the work to fall even when poor adhesion of a frame occurs due to troubles. By providing an adsorption part which adsorbs a frame, and a plurality of frame clamps which move to near a bottom surface of the frame when the frame has been adsorbed and transferred by the adsorption part, and which retract from near the bottom surface of the frame when the transfer of the frame has been finished and the adsorption of the frame has been finished.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate carrying apparatus capable of surely carrying a substrate with electronic parts mounted thereon, at low costs without causing the electronic parts to fall off the substrate, and without damaging the substrate. A substrate carrying apparatus has an arm body capable of vertical and horizontal movement. The arm body is provided with a plurality of substrate suction pads capable of sticking to the upper surface of the glass substrate by suction to hold the glass substrate, and a plurality of electronic part suction pads disposed above the electronic parts so as to correspond to the electronic parts, respectively. The electronic part suction pads are capable of sticking to the upper surfaces of the electronic parts by suction to hold the electronic parts. The suction pads are connected to a suction device by suction lines.

Abstract: A high-speed linear pick-and-place for increasing the speed of transfer of semiconductor electronic devices with accommodation for automated inspection or test. The invention includes two or more linear pick-and-place assemblies, each having two or more independently positionable pick-and-place nozzles. These assemblies are aligned such that the 4 or more nozzles can all pick and place to common shared locations. The 4 or more nozzles are operated so that they can pass by each other on their return stroke, except that nozzles sharing a rail cannot pass each other.

Abstract: In a multi-axis articulated arm robot for transferring workpieces, there is a robot base, on which a movement unit is able to be pivoted about a first axis, which is vertical in an operational state. The movement unit has a pivoting part adjacent to the base, an articulated arm constituted by a top arm and a bottom arm, such top arm being connected for pivoting at one end about a horizontal second axis with the pivoting part at the other end is connected with the adjacent end of the bottom arm for pivoting about a horizontal third axis, a rotary member arranged at the bottom arm's end opposite to the top arm, such rotary member being able to be rotated about a fourth axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottom arm, a pivoting member connected with the rotary member for pivoting about a fifth axis extending athwart the fourth axis, and a supporting part rotatingly connected with the pivoting member, such supporting part extending athwart the fifth axis.

Abstract: An air-powered vacuum tool for handling multiple workpieces includes vacuum ports formed in a vacuum manifold body and associated air-powered vacuum generators operatively connected with the vacuum manifold body such that each of the vacuum ports is provided with vacuum. Groups of pickup orifices associated with the vacuum ports engage multiple workpieces. Each of the pickup orifices is operatively connected with at least one of the vacuum ports.

Abstract: A vacuum controlled fixture is provided for positioning columns on sites of an electronic substrate. The fixture includes an internal chamber having spaced apart first and second surfaces extending beneath its principal face. A regular array of column receiving holes extends from the principal face through the first surface of the chamber, and a plurality of vacuum ducts extend from ports in the second surface of the chamber to a vacuum source to evacuate the internal chamber. The ports in the second face of the chamber are laterally offset from the receiving holes in the first face of the chamber to allow seating of the interior ends of the columns on coplanar portions of the rear surface. The ports are preferably centered, equidistant from the closest adjacent receiving holes, thereby providing centering of the columns by means of a vacuum driven air flow around the latter.

Abstract: A material handling device includes a vacuum cup pivotally attached to a receiving collar and pivotable to engage a surface of an object to be picked up by the material handling system. The receiving collar includes a support post and a mounting collar that is movable along the support post. The mounting collar is attachable to a support assembly that is movable to move the device toward and into engagement with the object. The mounting collar may move along the post after the respective cup engages the object and while the cups of other devices of the system are moved further toward and into engagement with the object. The material handling device may include an object sensor at a generally central region of the vacuum cup. The material handling device thus is configured to engage objects having uneven surfaces and having varying surface levels from one object to the next.

Abstract: A distance and orientation adjustable suction device includes two suction cups and a controlling mechanism connected between the suction cups. Each suction cup has a rotatable mounting block. The controlling mechanism includes a main body forming a knuckle joint with the mounting block of one suction cup and defines a channel movably receiving a rack that threadingly engages a internally-threaded cylinder that forms a knuckle with the mounting block of the other suction cup. Thus, the suction cups are each rotatable about two axes with respect to the main body and are linear movable with respect to each other. Further, the threading engagement between the cylinder and the rack allows for minute adjustment between linear distance between the suction cups.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus serve to secure a gripper tool detachably to a movable crossbar of a transfer press. The gripper tool has two saddles, with spacing between them, which are brought into engagement with two bearings mounted on the crossbar and locked in a defined engagement position. To attain faster, simpler assembly, the gripper tool is introduced in an inclined position relative to the crossbar, by at least one protrusion of rounded longitudinal section or tapering in wedgelike fashion, on the first saddle, into a correspondingly rounded or V-shaped narrowing recess in the first bearing. The second saddle is then pivoted toward the crossbar. In the process, wedge faces on the second saddle and on the second bearing press the protrusion axially against the wall of the recess by the force of gravity. In the end position, the second saddle is locked to the second bearing.

Abstract: An air suction passage (4A, 4B) is provided with a pick and place confirming sensor (1) comprising a gas flow sensor. The pick and place confirming sensor (1) measures the flow rate of air sucked in from an air suction port (33) of a pick and place nozzle (2). The presence or absence of a part lifted to the pick and place nozzle (2) is detected on the basis of the measurement result.

Abstract: An end effector (10) for an industrial robot has the ability to pick up plural objects, selectively rotate same and adjusts the spacing between the plural objects as the products are being carried by the robot to a desired deposit location. This functionality is achieved by locating a rotary actuator (16) at the end (8) of a robot arm and providing a lazy tong linkage assembly (60) to which plural product graspers (62) are affixed where the lazy tong assembly is carried by a rotatable platform (18) of the rotary actuator. The rotary actuator, the lazy tong assembly and the product graspers are preferably pneumatically actuated.

Abstract: Egg lifting apparatus are provided that include a vacuum housing having first and second passageways, a venturi assembly in fluid communication with the first and second passageways, and a flexible cup secured to the vacuum housing, wherein the flexible cup has an interior that is in fluid communication with the vacuum housing second passageway. The venturi assembly produces subatmospheric pressure within the second passageway upon the flow of air through the first passageway. The flexible cup is configured to engage and retain an egg in seated relation therewith when subatmospheric pressure is provided within the flexible cup interior via the vacuum housing second passageway.

Abstract: A servo adjustable gripper device for gripping and transporting at least two objects such as boxes includes a frame and at least two gripper assemblies connected with carriages slidably connected with the frame. The gripper device further includes a robotic arm which controls further movement and placement of the boxes on a pallet. The position of the gripper assemblies on the frame is adjustable to provide equal lifting force for a variety of differently sized boxes or for different numbers of boxes.

Abstract: A general purpose hand for a multiaxis manipulator which includes a suction holder. The suction holder includes: a suction pad to be sucked onto the handled object; an axially movable rod member supporting the suction pad as rotatable; a resilient member for pressing the suction pad toward the handled object; a first locking mechanism for locking axial movement of the rod member; and a second locking mechanism for locking rotation of the suction pad. The suction holder is slidably mounted on the frame member carried by the multiaxis manipulator.

Abstract: Egg lifting apparatus are provided that include a vacuum housing having first and second passageways, a venturi assembly in fluid communication with the first and second passageways, and a flexible cup secured to the vacuum housing, wherein the flexible cup has an interior that is in fluid communication with the vacuum housing second passageway. The venturi assembly produces subatmospheric pressure within the second passageway upon the flow of air through the first passageway. The flexible cup is configured to engage and retain an egg in seated relation therewith when subatmospheric pressure is provided within the flexible cup interior via the vacuum housing second passageway.

Abstract: An level-adjusting apparatus for an attachment according to this invention comprises a fixed frame attached to a sub frame that is movable horizontally; a cylinder assembly, which is mounted on one side of the fixed frame, having a suction cup on its lower end; a flexible screw shaft disposed in the cylinder assembly so as to be connected with the suction cup; and an actuator that drives the flexible screw shaft to move vertically so that the cylinder assembly contracts and elongates. Accordingly, the vertical position of the suction cup can be adjusted in accordance with the shape of a work piece.

Abstract: In a spring-action suction head for separating sheets from a sheet stack, a first suction chamber, which can be subjected to vacuum is provided for lifting the sheet. The first suction chamber is surrounded coaxially by a second suction chamber, which can be subjected to vacuum, for holding and lowering the spring-action suction head in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A contact activated vacuum assisted suction cup assembly comprising: 1) a cylindrical bellowed or corrugated cup defining a plurality of interconnected bellows or corrugations of alternating, coaxial large and small diameter areas, hereinafter “bellows”, and having; A) an open contact end; and B) a valve end including a valve seat; 2) a valve stem having first and second extremities; 3) a valve plate intermediate the open contact end and the valve end in one of the large diameter areas attached to the first extremity; and 4) a valve stop attached to the valve stem at the second extremity that can engage the valve seat in the closed position. A picking device comprising a vacuum plenum having a plurality of the previously described contact activated vacuum assisted suction cup assemblies mounted therein in plenum apertures that engage a peripheral flange about the valve end is also described.

Abstract: A vacuum pick-up device includes a vacuum supply valve mounted to a distribution manifold to which a plurality of suction cups is attached. The vacuum supply valve is operational to control the vacuum pressure supplied to the suction cups of the device. The vacuum pick-up device further includes a detection device that controls the vacuum supply valve by detecting the selective presence of an object.

Abstract: This gripper is designed to transport all types of materials, metal, cardboard, glass, plastic, wood in all types of industries. It is comprised of several types of profile sections, made of aluminum, for example, as well as several types of mechanical pieces made of a light metal alloy, which, by their shapes, can be mounted quickly and transport pieces of all shapes. This gripper consists of a central core and profile sections fitted to be affixed perpendicularly onto this central core, mechanisms to affix these profile sections at the desired position, and ball and socket bearings mounted to the ends of these profile sections. Air chokes are affixed to the ends of the ball joints, which make possible an angular clearance of the air chokes.

Abstract: An end effector for a robot is used to unpack flattened stackable items from a container using a fixed sized vacuum plenum and simple adjustable gripping elements. The gripping elements comprise a pair of adjustable, smooth blades. In addition, the end effector includes mechanisms for retaining and transporting the container.

Abstract: A workpiece loading apparatus has a large number of selectively targetable suction grips (4) provided in a divided suction grip array (17, 18) which suction is subdivided into individually addressable, mutually intersecting columns (1) and rows (2). All suction grips (4) are associated with dedicated control pistons (5) all of which can be moved into an idle position or an operating position upon the release of a lock latch (16). Each control piston (5) is assigned to the point of intersection (3) of a particular column (1) and row (2) and is selectably held in its idle position or locked in an operating position. The idle positions can be sequentially unlocked row by row (2) and the operating positions of the control pistons (5) can be addressed by columns (1) and then locked by rows (2). Once all rows (2) have been set, the suction grips (4) can be activated into the pick-up mode or deactivated by the control pistons (5).

Abstract: A strut used to support various specifications of glasshouse construction including a plurality of arms articulated to a fixture disk to support abutted glass blocks. Each arm includes a primary rod, an extended rod and a suction base to allow adjustment of angles of the arm for adjusting the angles, and additional extended rod may be articulated for extra length of the arm to cope with individual construction of the glasshouse.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling layers of palletized goods is described, comprising a vertically displaceable lift head with a mainly horizontal suction face which is substantially adjusted in size for a pallet, for example an EU pallet. The head has a large number of downward open suction chambers arranged for being moved downward against the upper side of an upper layer of individually or groupwise packed goods on a pallet. Individual valves are connected with a vacuum source preferably integrated in the lift head, with individual valves between the suction chambers and the vacuum source being ball valves with spherical valve bodies interacting with round valve openings with preferably spherical valve seats. The valve openings are arranged for being automatically actuated to shut off the ball valves if an associated suction chamber is not blocked downwardly by contacting the upper side of the goods at the uppermost pallet layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suction device with telescopic evacuating pipes which includes a cantilever, a plurality of glide pieces, a pipe-collecting piece and a plurality of telescopic evacuating pipes. The cantilever is provided with a glide groove at both sides thereof. The glide pieces are movable along the glide groove of the cantilever and are positioned by fastening knobs. Each of the glide pieces has a vacuum sucker 132 at the bottom thereof. A first connector is arranged at one side of the glide pieces and used to connect through the internal piping with the vacuum sucker. The pipe-collecting piece is installed at the inner end of the cantilever and is used to join second connectors in connection with a vacuum generator through hosepipes. One end of the telescopic evacuating pipe is fastened at the outer end of the pipe-collecting piece while the other end is connected to the first connector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing an unvulcanized tire tread from a storage device (14) includes the step of inverting the tread (12) and transporting it to a roller conveyor in a single step. The tread (12) is picked up by a vacuum bar (80) fitted with a series of suction cups (76). Individual suction cups (76) can be selectively supplied with vacuum depending on the length of the tread (12). After the suction cups (76) have engaged the tread, the tread is raised from the storage device (14), inverted through 180 degrees, and then set onto a special slotted roller conveyor (130). The slotted roller conveyor (130) has a center slot (142) to receive the vacuum bar (80) as it passes therethrough. Side slots (144,146) in the conveyor receive arms (90,92) attached to the vacuum bar (80).

Abstract: A vacuum pick-up device includes a vacuum supply valve mounted to a distribution manifold to which a plurality of suction cups is attached. The vacuum supply valve is operational to control the vacuum pressure supplied to the suction cups of the device. The vacuum pick-up device further includes a detection device that controls the vacuum supply valve by detecting the selective presence of an object.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for use with a stack having plates and sheets alternating. Sheets are removed by being reliably suction adhered with a sucker. The sheet feeder includes a suction device, and the sucker and device are mounted at a supporting portion. In order to allow suction adhering of the plates and sheets alternately stacked in a magazine, the suction device is operated when the sucker is brought into contact with the sheet, and the sheet is raised separately from the plate. Thereafter, the sheet is suction adhered to the sucker by suction. This makes it possible to prevent the sucker from suction adhering to the plate together with the sheet, and only the sheet is reliably removed from the stack.

Abstract: An end arm manipulator includes a base, an arm pivotably mounted to the base and a workpiece interfacing member coupled to the arm. In another aspect of the present invention, multiple arms are coupled to the base and are movable independent of each other. In still another aspect of the present invention, generally spherical balls are adjustably mounted between a clamping member and a cavity of the base.

Abstract: A positioning means for objects and more particularly for pneumatic handling devices, has positioning means for positioning in at least one direction in space. The positioner means (33) engage a holding device (17, 30 and 34) for the object (10 and 11) to be positioned which by way of a pneumatic setting member arrangement (23) is connected with the holding device (17, 30 and 34), the direction of setting of the setting member arrangement (23) matching the or one of the directions of movement of the positioner means (33). The setting member arrangement (23) for precision positioning comprises at least one contracting member, which has a contracting hose (26) extending between two head pieces (24 and 25) and performing a longitudinal contraction on being subjected to an internal pressure.

Abstract: A general purpose hand for a multiaxis manipulator which includes a suction holder. The suction holder includes: a suction pad to be sucked onto the handled object; an axially movable rod member supporting the suction pad as rotatable; a resilient member for pressing the suction pad toward the handled object; a first locking mechanism for locking axial movement of the rod member; and a second locking mechanism for locking rotation of the suction pad. The suction holder is slidably mounted on the frame member carried by the multiaxis manipulator.

Abstract: When a nozzle is selected, a piston rod (46) of a nozzle selecting cylinder (45) positioned at a lower end position unfailingly forms a gap (A) with an upper end of a nozzle elevating shaft (55) so that the piston rod of the cylinder (45) is not brought into contact with the nozzle elevating shaft at the time of nozzle selecting. Only when an elevating member (58) is lowered by a drive by an elevation drive motor (56), the piston rod (46) is brought into contact with the nozzle elevating shaft (55).

Abstract: A gripping device, adapted to be mounted on a robot arm, includes a central beam (1) having high characteristics of inertia in flexure and in torsion, and at least one arm (11-27) secured removably to the beam and adapted to support a member for positioning, holding or gripping a piece of automobile body work.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum grip system (10) for gripping at least one object (11a). The vacuum grip system (10) has a base unit (18) and at least two suction units (19, 20) affixed thereto, disposed at right angles to one another, and each having at least one suction gripper (21, 22). At least one of the suction units (19, 20) grasps the object or objects (11a) to be gripped from above, and at least one of the suction units (19,20) grasps the object or objects (11a) from one side. In order to provide The vacuum grip system (10) having maximum flexibility, it is proposed to affix the suction units (19, 20) to the base unit (18) such that, in order to grip the object (11a), the distance between the upper suction unit (19) and the lateral suction unit (20) may be varied. It is further proposed that the vacuum grip system (10) have a mechanical undergripper (25) upon which the gripped object (11a) may be laid.

Abstract: A handling device is proposed, in particular for handling boards and foils, with a number of suction grippers located in a plane. A suction plate (10) is provided which is made of a porous material or sintered material and a suction pressure can be applied to said suction plate, where said suction plate is equipped with openings (19) permitting passage of the suction grippers (18). In addition, positioning means (23) are provided so that in a first position setting, the suction grippers (18) extend past the suction surface (15) of the suction plate (10) and so that in a second position setting, the suction grippers (18) are set back into the openings (19) in such a manner that they no longer extend past the suction surface (15) of the suction plate (10).

Abstract: A parts suction head having a non-contact sealing head is disclosed. The head includes: a moving block having first air passages on its upper surface and having a first hollow unit in a longitudinal direction; a spacer having second air passage connected to the first air passage for air flow, and having a second hollow unit in a longitudinal direction; a rotation shaft being inserted into the second hollow unit of the spacer at interval and having third air passage connected to the second air passage for air flow, and having a third hollow unit in a longitudinal direction; and flanges for sealing up an interval between the spacer and the rotation shaft. The rotation shaft is installed in the moving block in a non-contact type by using the spacer to prevent the non-linear frictional force.

Abstract: A workpiece loading apparatus has a large number of selectively targetable suction grips (4) provided in a divided suction grip array (17, 18) which suction is subdivided into individually addressable, mutually intersecting columns (1) and rows (2). All suction grips (4) are associated with dedicated control pistons (5) all of which can be moved into an idle position or an operating position upon the release of a lock latch (16). Each control piston (5) is assigned to the point of intersection (3) of a particular column (1) and row (2) and is selectably held in its idle position or locked in an operating position. The idle positions can be sequentially unlocked row by row (2) and the operating positions of the control pistons (5) can be addressed by columns (1) and then locked by rows (2). Once all rows (2) have been set, the suction grips (4) can be activated into the pick-up mode or deactivated by the control pistons (5).

Abstract: This gripper is designed to transport all types of materials, metal, cardboard, glass, plastic, wood in all types of industries. It is comprised of several types of profile sections, made of aluminum, for example, as well as several types of mechanical pieces made of a light metal alloy, which, by their shapes, can be mounted quickly and transport pieces of all shapes. This gripper consists of a central core and profile sections fitted to be affixed perpendicularly onto this central core, mechanisms to affix these profile sections at the desired position, and ball and socket bearings mounted to the ends of these profile sections. Air chokes are affixed to the ends of the ball joints, which make possible an angular clearance of the air chokes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripper system which can be secured to a hand of a robot and has at least two mutually independent gripper elements; each gripper element is provided with at least one force sensor for ascertaining a force in a predetermined direction. With this gripper system, it is possible to grasp components more reliably.