Abstract: An apparatus for transferring and securing a substrate is shown. A pressure source is provided that is adapted to provide positive and negative pressure. A vacuum chuck is provided having a top side with a plurality of vacuum chuck portals formed therein. Each vacuum chuck portal is in fluid communication with the pressure source. The substrate is secured to the top side of the vacuum chuck when the pressure source provides negative pressure to the vacuum chuck portals. An intermediate member that selectively cooperates with the vacuum chuck to support and transfer the substrate between the vacuum chuck and the intermediate member is provided. The intermediate member has a plurality of receiving spaces and a plurality of transfer members. The receiving spaces and transfer members are adjacent to one another in an alternating pattern, and each transfer member has a top side with a plurality of transfer member portals formed therein.

Abstract: A method of controlling the management of annular anchoring structures in a process and a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels, includes: a) feeding pairs of first annular anchoring structures from a first storage region to a bead-forming machine; b) loading a plurality of second annular anchoring structures into a second storage region; c) carrying the second annular anchoring structures from the second storage region to the first storage region; and d) feeding pairs of second annular anchoring structures from the first storage region to the bead-forming machine. The method includes the sequential cyclic repetition of the above actions.

Abstract: A system for processing security or identification objects, comprising a transfer device which is receives and re-delivers at least one security or identification object. The system includes processing, control, inventory or receiving modules which are arranged on an enclosure having an at least partially closed periphery. The periphery of the enclosures surrounds the space in which the transfer device moves the security or identification objects so that the space in which the security or identification objects are moved and a space surrounding the enclosure are spatially separated from each other. The periphery of the enclosure includes openings through which the transfer device receives the security or identification objects from the surrounding space and delivers same to the surrounding space and through which the supply and/or discharge of the security or identification objects to/from the modules takes place.

Abstract: Techniques for handling media arrays are disclosed. The techniques may be realized as a system for handling a plurality of substrates. The system may comprise a plurality of row elements for supporting the plurality of substrates, wherein the plurality of row elements may be operable to change configuration of the substrates from open configuration to a high-density configuration, where a distance between adjacent substrates in the open configuration may be greater than a distance between the adjacent substrates in the high-density configuration.

Abstract: A handler includes a supply shuttle plate on which a device is placed and cooled, and a transfer robot configured to transfer the device placed on the supply shuttle plate from the supply shuttle plate. The transfer robot includes an adsorbing portion configured to adsorb the device placed on the supply shuttle plate thereon, a vertical movement arm configured to move the adsorbing portion away from the supply shuttle plate, an arm box configured to accommodate the adsorbing portion together with the device in a state of being kept away from the supply shuttle plate, and a dry air supply unit configured to supply dry gas into the arm box.

Abstract: The invention is an operating device including an apparatus suited to move a support with an alternating motion around an axis. The apparatus includes one or more permanent magnets arranged along a section of a circumference that is concentric with the axis and a winding controlled by a control unit. The invention also concerns a machine for checking and inspecting containers.

Abstract: A handler includes a device holding portion, which holds an uninspected device and loads the device in a measuring socket on a device tester, having a suction means for sucking the device by a very weak pushing force at the time of sucking the device from an uninspection tray and for loading the device in a measuring socket and also having a clamper capable of outputting a pushing force which can be changed at the time of the measurement contact. The device holding portion includes a position correcting mechanism for making a device position correction executed by an image recognizing and position correcting means.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism includes: a drive pulley which is provided on a drive shaft and has external teeth with a predetermined pitch width; a driven pulley which is provided on a driven shaft and has external teeth with the pitch width; and a belt having internal teeth with the pitch width which engage with the external teeth of the drive pulley and the driven pulley. Further, the belt includes sub-belts having a periodic variation characteristic in which the pitch width varies periodically, and the sub-belts are arranged in a state where phases of the periodic variation characteristic thereof are shifted from each other.

Abstract: An example multi-dimensional component building system includes a first chamber having at least one base, a second chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the first chamber through a first door, and a third chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the second chamber through a second door. The second chamber is fluidly sealed from the first chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The second chamber includes a directed heat source, a build-up material and is configured to receive the at least one base if the fluid parameters of the first chamber and second chamber are approximately equal. The third chamber is fluidly sealed from the second chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The third chamber is configured to receive the at least one base, having a formed component disposed thereon, if the second door is in an open position.

Abstract: A sample rack handling unit comprising an onload section for loading sample racks holding a sample container is presented. The onload section comprises an onload edge and a receiving area with an onload rail longitudinally on the receiving area parallel to the onload edge. The onload rail engages a recess on the rack bottom such that the rack longitudinally slides on the receiving area along the onload rail when the rack is engaged. The onload rail has a base portion and a protrusion extending from the base portion. The protrusion faces the onload edge and the base portion comprises an inclined onload rail side opposite the onload edge such that the recess engages the onload rail when the rack is loaded on the receiving area from the onload edge transversely to the onload rail and the recess disengages the onload rail by sliding the rack towards the onload edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for automated handling, positioning and orienting of an ear of corn includes apparatuses and systems for altering a portion of an ear of corn. Optionally included are one or more stations for automatically processing, testing, sampling and preparing the ear of corn for processing, testing or sampling and an automated transport means automatically moving ears of corn from station to station using alterations made to the ear of corn.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for laser-cutting sheet steel (1), wherein a sheet steel (1) is gradually inserted in a defined position into the cutting area (2) of a laser cutter in a direction of advance V in order to machine it. The sheet steel (1) is machined by laser cutting in a machinable area corresponding to the length of the cutting area (2), in the entire machinable area or only in a section thereof. The machined part (8) and the non-machined part (8) of the sheet steel may also only overlap in some sections (10). An automatic discharge device is also provided. The manufactured parts and the remaining grid are likewise cut from the sheet steel (1) by laser cutting. The method can be repeated in several machining steps until the sheet steel (1) is completely machined, the results of the preceding machining step being taken into consideration for the subsequent machining step. The invention allows to optimally utilize the sheet steel (1) even when using smaller laser cutters.

Abstract: An automated materials handling system comprises a plurality of overhead hoist buffers (OHBs) for receiving a plurality of semiconductor wafer carriers. Each OHB is assigned to a respective one of a plurality of categories. Each wafer carrier is associated with one or more of the plurality of categories. Each respective category is associated with at least one of a plurality of event trigger types. An overhead transport (OHT) if provided for transporting each of the plurality of wafer carriers to a respective one of the OHBs in response to a respective trigger event. Each trigger event has one of the plurality of event trigger types. Each wafer carrier is stored in a respective one of the plurality of OHBs assigned to a respective one of the categories associated with the respective event trigger type of the trigger event causing that wafer carrier to be transported and stored.

Abstract: A wood treatment method and apparatus employing a bundle support structure to support a bundle of wood during transportation and treatment of the bundle. The bundle support structure rests on a movable cart during transportation of the bundle, but is detached from the movable cart during treatment of the bundle.

Abstract: There is provided a pitch changing apparatus which can change a pitch of DUTs when the DUTs are transferred between trays by a shuttle revolving system. The pitch changing apparatus, which changes the pitch of DUTs, includes a plurality of shuttles which hold DUTs, a first guide rail which guides the plurality of shuttles, a second feeder which feeds the shuttles along the first guide rail at a first pitch, a third feeder which includes a plurality of pins receiving the shuttles from the second feeder and moves the pins along the first guide rail at a second pitch, and a controller which controls a feed rate of the second feeder and a receiving rate of the third feeder.

Abstract: A wood treatment method and apparatus that includes a laterally shiftable transportation segment adjacent a door of a wood treatment vessel. When retracted, the shiftable transportation segment accommodates the opening and/or closing of the door. When aligned, the shiftable transportation segment can support the weight of a cart that transports a bundle of wood into and/or out of the wood treatment vessel. Wood treatment systems described herein may also include a bundle adjustment system for applying an aligning force to at least a portion of the bundle during its loading and/or unloading from the wood treatment vessel.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods produce radioisotopes in instrumentation tubes of operating commercial nuclear reactors. Irradiation targets may be inserted and removed from instrumentation tubes during operation and converted to radioisotopes otherwise unavailable during operation of commercial nuclear reactors. Example apparatuses may continuously insert, remove, and store irradiation targets to be converted to useable radioisotopes or other desired materials at several different origin and termination points accessible outside an access barrier such as a containment building, drywell wall, or other access restriction preventing access to instrumentation tubes during operation of the nuclear plant.

Abstract: A wood treatment method and apparatus that includes a cart drive system for enabling the movement of at least one wood-transporting cart into and/or out of a wood treatment vessel. The wood-transporting cart can have a length greater than the maximum internal dimension of the wood treatment vessel. The cart drive system can include at least one active drive component and at least one passive drive component. The active drive component can be physically separate from the cart and permanently fixed outside the interior of the wood treatment vessel. The passive drive component can be physically coupled to the cart and operable to move with the cart as it transports the bundle of wood into and/or out of the wood treatment vessel.

Abstract: A method for handling busbars on wind power plants in which a power connection between a generator device disposed in an upper region of the wind power plant and a substation located at a base area of the wind power plant consists of a plurality of busbar subregions each comprising a certain number of mutually interconnected busbars.

Abstract: A delivering unit for a semiconductor chip provided with a solder bump may include a shuttle configured to move translationally along a direction; at least one chip supporting plate provided on the shuttle to support the semiconductor chip; a pick-up head configured to pick up the semiconductor chip from the at least one chip supporting plate; and at least one buffering member supporting the at least one chip supporting plate and relieving an impact between the pick-up head and the semiconductor chip. A semiconductor chip mounting apparatus may include a chip providing unit configured to provide semiconductor chips having one or more solder bumps; a mounting unit configured to mount the semiconductor chips on printed circuit boards in a surface mounting manner; and a chip delivering unit configured to deliver the semiconductor chips from the chip providing unit to the mounting unit.

Abstract: A media transport assembly includes a plurality of pallets arranged to circulate on an endless track through a print zone and a handling zone. In the print zone, the pallets are temporarily grouped together to support and move a print media during printing at a substantially constant velocity. In the handling zone, the pallets are spaced apart from each other as they circulate back to the print zone without supporting any print media.

Abstract: A wood treatment system that includes at least one wood treatment vessel and a bundle lift system for loading and unloading a bundle of wood from a cart used to transport the bundle into and/or out of the treatment vessel. The lift system vertically disengages the bundle of wood from the cart within the interior of the vessel, thereby allowing the cart to be removed from the vessel prior to initiating treatment. The lift system, which can be physically separate from or physically coupled to the cart, is entirely disposed within a lower portion of the interior volume of the wood treatment vessel.

Abstract: An aligner, chuck, and end effector for substrate processing are provided. The aligner includes a rotatable substrate support having a surface for supporting the substrate. The rotatable substrate support has a diameter less than a diameter of the substrate and surfaces of the rotatable substrate support are coated with a coating consisting essentially of a poly(p-xylylene) polymer. The chuck includes a flat platform that supports the substrate during processing. The chuck is larger than the substrate and may include holes though which lift pins can pass assist the loading/unloading of the substrate. The end effector includes an arm supporting a first extension and a second extension, wherein the arm, the first extension and the second extension are coated with a coating consisting essentially of a poly(p-xylylene) polymer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a structure. A part for the structure may be supported on a plurality of mobile fixtures configured to control an orientation of the part. The part for the structure may be moved using the plurality of mobile fixtures to a number of stations for performing a number of operations for manufacturing the structure using the part. The plurality of mobile fixtures may be configured to move in a coordinated manner and substantially maintain a desired orientation for the part while moving the part to a station in the number of stations. The number of operations for manufacturing the structure may be performed at the number of stations while the plurality of mobile fixtures supports the part.

Abstract: A method for combinatorially processing a substrate is provided. The method includes providing a substrate disposed on a substrate support. The substrate and the substrate support are raised against a plurality of sealing surfaces of corresponding sleeves of a plurality of flow cells of a combinatorial processing chamber. The combinatorial processing chamber is operable to concurrently process different regions of the substrate differently. A sealing pressure between the sealing surface of the sleeves and a surface of the substrate is monitored and the raising is terminated when a desired pressure is obtained. The different regions of the substrate are then processed differently.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a substrate-processing apparatus includes: first and second chambers parallel to each other; a plurality of first lift pins disposed in the first chamber, and supporting a first substrate transferred to the first chamber; a plurality of second lift pins disposed in the second chamber, and supporting a second substrate transferred into the second chamber; and a transfer robot transferring the first and second substrates into the first and second chambers. The transfer robot includes first and second blades that simultaneously elevate to transfer the first and second substrates to the upper sides of the first and second lift pins, respectively.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus includes: a sorting device receiving and transporting a rack carrying vessels and transferring vessels from the rack to predetermined vessel loading portions; and a delivery device delivering the rack to the sorting device. The sorting device includes: a rack receiving unit capable of moving reciprocally between a rack delivery position where the rack is delivered and a sorting position where the vessels are loaded into the predetermined vessel loading portions; a transfer machine transferring the vessels from the rack on the rack receiving unit to the predetermined vessel loading portions; and a transportation mechanism on which the rack delivering unit and the transfer machine are installed. The transportation mechanism is installed so as to be capable of moving in a transportation direction in which rack receiving unit moves reciprocally. The transfer machine is capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction.

Abstract: This substrate transport hand includes a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion capable of receiving a first substrate and a second substrate thereon respectively, a third receiving portion supporting the first substrate received on the first receiving portion along with the first receiving portion, and a fourth receiving portion movably provided on a hand body portion for supporting the second substrate received on the second receiving portion along with the second receiving portion when moved to a first position of the hand body portion.

Abstract: A system for handling slides having a tray moving on a carriage with seats for the slides and with a tray moving mechanism, a slide loading arm, and a slide holding frame having a slide loading arm driving motor. There are outstretched Maltese crosses on the lower side of the tray of the slide feeder and a crank is arranged in the carriage, opposite to and parallel with the crosses. The slide loading arm is arranged movably and tiltably above and a supporting plate is arranged movably and tiltably below the slide holder. The slide holding frame has a lifting means for tilting the slide loading arm and the supporting plate. The lifting means is actuated by a controller arranged on the disk of the crank.

Abstract: One embodiment of a credential manufacturing device comprises a first hopper, a first processing path, a first processing device, a substrate shuttle and a shuttle drive. The first hopper is configured to contain a plurality of card substrates and includes an output port. The first processing device is in the first processing path and is configured to perform a first process on individual card substrates in the first processing path. The substrate shuttle is positioned between the first hopper and the first processing path and is configured to receive individual card substrates from the output port of the first hopper, transport received card substrates along a shuttle path, and deliver received card substrates to the first processing path. The shuttle drive is configured to drive movement of the substrate shuttle along the shuttle path.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment a semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing tool for processing semiconductor workpieces, a container for holding at least one semiconductor workpiece therein for transport to and from the at least one processing tool and a first transport section elongated and defining a travel direction. The first transport section has parts, that interface the container, supporting and transporting the container along the travel direction to and from the at least one processing tool. The container is in substantially continuous transport at a substantially constant rate in the travel direction, when supported by the first transport section. A second transport section is connected to the at least one process tool for transporting the container to and from the at least one processing tool.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for removing vertically oriented substrates from a cassette. A lifter includes a lifter notch and a stabilizer notch for holding a substrate. The lifter notch engages and lifts the substrate along the substrate ID, while the stabilizer notch captures the substrate OD to prevent lateral movement of the substrate during lifting. In use, the cassette is tilted to bias all substrates to one side and ensure consistent spacing. The lifter moves up into the cassette until the notches are adjacent, but beneath, the ID and OD of a substrate. The lifter is moved laterally to position the notches directly below the ID and OD. Upward movement of the lifter causes the lifter notch to lift the substrate along the ID. The lifter continues upward with the substrate until the substrate clears the top of the cassette. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A turning mechanism includes a disc-shaped rotatable carriage comprising receptacles spaced around an edge, each receptacle being adapted to receive one of polarized electronic component and including an air channel; a turn channel projecting out of the edge of the carriage, the turn channel being arc and comprising an inlet communicating with one receptacle and including a first sensor, and an outlet communicating with another receptacle and including a second sensor; an auxiliary air passageway proximate to the first sensor and projecting inward out of the turn channel, the auxiliary air passageway communicating with the turn channel and comprising an air outlet; and a polarity detector disposed externally of the carriage and being proximate to the inlet, the polarity detector being adapted to detect polarity of the polarized electronic component proximate thereto.

Abstract: An automatic warehouse comprises: a support structure (2) for supporting trays (50) each provided with at least a container cell (51) exhibiting an opening (52); an operating station (3), which is provided with an access opening (4) and is predisposed for receiving at least a tray (50) such that an opening of the container cell (51) faces the access opening (4); the operating station (3) being provided with a cover (5, 6), which cover (5, 6) is mobile on command between an open position, which enables access to the container cell (51) of the tray (50) and a closed position, which prevents access to the container cell (51); a manipulator device (7) to remove and transfer at least a tray (50) from the support structure (2) to the operating station (3), and vice versa.

Abstract: A method includes generating a reticle transport job using a computing device. The reticle job identifies a selected reticle. A reticle pod available for transporting the reticle is autonomously identified using the computing device. The reticle transport job is updated suing the computing device with an identifier of the reticle pod.

Abstract: A substrate stopped at a first position is transferred toward a second position and is stopped at the second position in an accurate and stable manner. An intermediate position arrival time AT is measured while the substrate is being transferred from a substrate stop position toward a mounting work position, and a transfer status of the substrate (whether or not an unexpected factor has occurred) is assessed based on the intermediate position arrival time AT. Before the substrate reaches the second position, a deceleration pattern is controlled by altering a deceleration start timing T14 and the deceleration b in accordance with the intermediate position arrival time AT, thereby accurately stopping and positioning the substrate at the mounting work position. In this manner, under feed-forward control, the substrate can be stably transferred to the mounting work position.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing structure, a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure and a staging structure linked with the transportation structure. A control system is linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure and the transportation mechanism. A sensor mechanism is linked with the control system. The sensor mechanism provides signals indicating the position of a cup. A cup identification system having an interactive display is connected to the control system. The display has visual characteristics indicating the position and characteristics of a cup.

Abstract: A method of controlling the management of forming drums in building tyres for vehicle wheels and a plant for production of tyres for vehicle wheels, wherein the plant includes at least one building line including at least one assembly of “m” work stations, each adapted to form at least one portion of a component of the tyre; devices for feeding and picking up “n” forming drums, one at a time, to and from the building line at each time interval equal to a cycle time; transfer devices for respectively bringing and moving apart “m” distinct forming drums to and from “m” distinct work stations of the assembly, wherein each of the “m” work stations respectively receives and releases a forming drum at each time interval equal to a multiple of “m” of said cycle time, wherein “m” is greater than or equal to 2 and “n” is greater than or equal to “m”.

Abstract: There is provided a tablet filling device, which can smoothly supply vials without any stop of the device even if the vials cause a jam within a stocker. The tablet filling device is related to removing a vial 9 from a stocker 21 accommodating a large number of vials 9 according to a prescription data, dispensing tablets into the vial 9 to fill the vial, and discharging the vial 9 filled with the tablets. The stocker 21 includes: a vial removing device 24 configured to scoop the vial 9 accommodated in the stocker 21 upward to remove the vial; and a vial conveying device 23 configured to convey the vial 9 toward the vial removing device 24. When a jam of the vial 9 occurs, the vial conveying device 23 is reversely driven.

Abstract: A system for retaining a film on a single-piece frame includes a frame having a shape with a center open area larger than the film, the frame comprising a plurality of fingers on the frame extending into the open area, and a barb positioned on an end of each of the plurality of fingers, wherein the barbs retain the film. The system also includes an end effecter comprising a first and second plurality of vacuum line openings, wherein the end effecter holds onto the film with the first plurality of vacuum line openings and holds onto the frame with the second plurality of vacuum line openings, wherein the end effecter picks up the film with the first plurality of vacuum line openings and presses the film onto the frame, wherein pressing the film onto the frame will retain the film on the barbs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding joining elements to a joining tool is presented. The joining tool may be movable by a programmable handling unit, and a magazine for receiving at least one joining element may be mounted on the joining tool. The magazine may be moved to a filling station that has a tubular section with an outlet opening. An inlet opening of the magazine may be oriented in relation to the outlet opening. At least one joining element may be conveyed to the tubular section so that it passes through the tubular section, the outlet opening, the inlet opening, and into the magazine. During the orienting, the magazine may be oriented in relation to the outlet opening such that the magazine is spaced apart from the filling station during the conveying of the at least one joining element.

Abstract: A substrate transport system includes a substrate cart inside a chamber and a linearly driven shuttle outside the chamber configured to levitate the substrate cart into a non contact, spaced relationship with respect to outwardly opposing sides of an interior wall of the chamber and to linearly drive the substrate cart within the chamber.

Abstract: A storage device test system includes a test slot configured to receive at least two storage devices for testing, the at least two storage devices being in a same plane.

Abstract: A substrate laminating apparatus which sticks substrates together in vacuum with high accuracy. The apparatus includes a first chamber into which two substrates are carried; a second chamber in which substrates are stuck together; and a third chamber which delivers a substrate laminate. The pressure level in the first chamber and the third chamber is varied from atmospheric to medium vacuum under control and that in the second chamber is varied from medium vacuum to high vacuum under control. In the second chamber, electrostatic adsorption means which can move up and down picks up an upper substrate and holds it on an upper table.

Abstract: A system for managing the entry of a wafer carrier into a stocker in a semiconductor manufacturing operation is disclosed. The system comprises a stocker that accepts wafer carriers via one or more input ports. The present invention provides a means for detecting the presence of a wafer carrier at the input port, means for identifying the type of the wafer carrier, and means for executing an action sequence if the stocker is not compatible with those wafer carriers. Upon detecting an erroneous condition, an action sequence is executed which may include prevention entry of the wafer carrier, and notifying an operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated semiconductor-processing apparatus including: an integrated semiconductor-processing body which has a first space for storing a plurality of FOUPs containing a plurality of wafers, and a second space in which a processing device is installed to process the wafers stored in the first space; a load port module installed in the first space of the integrated semiconductor-processing body to open the FOUPs to enable extraction of wafers from the FOUPs; and a transfer device which extracts wafers from the FOUPs and transfers the wafers to the processing device in the second space.

Abstract: A substrate processing system and substrate transferring method is capable of improving substrate-transferring efficiency by transferring a substrate bi-directionally through a substrate transferring device between two rows of processing chambers, and transferring the substrate to a precise position by rotating the substrate transferring device. The processing system includes a transfer chamber, a bi-directional substrate transferring device; and processing chambers which apply a semiconductor-manufacturing process to the substrate. The processing chambers are linearly arranged along two confronting rows, and the transfer chamber is between the two rows of processing chambers.

Abstract: Devices and methods for mounting and aligning transport rails to a processing chamber of a substrate processing system are described. An alignment feature is built-in to the transport rail and a corresponding alignment feature is added to the valves separating processing chambers. The alignment feature may be a pin-groove arrangement.

Abstract: A foreign matter detection unit detects an entry of an unexpected foreign matter that is other than the substrates by light transmitting optical sensors 7 having light projecting portions 7a and light receiving portions 7b at opening sections 3a, 3b formed in cover members 2 through which the substrates pass. By executing an emergency stop processing, when the entry of the foreign matter is detected at one of the opening sections, to stop the electronic component mounting apparatus that is adjacent to the opening section at which the entry of the foreign matter is detected, safety of the machine operators is properly ensured in check and confirmation works conducted at the time of machine troubles etc even in an electronic component assembling line in which the small-sized thin unit apparatuses are combined.

Abstract: Disclosed is an object feeder system configured for arrangement in a three dimensional scanner, the system comprising: an object feeder scanning plate assembly comprising a number of tracks, wherein each track adapted to hold at least one object holder, wherein said tracks are configured to extend within the plate assembly from a parking area towards a scanning area, and where each object holder is configured for retaining an object to be scanned in the scanner for obtaining a three dimensional representation of the object, and wherein the object feeder system further comprises means for moving the at least one object holder in the at least one track.