Abstract: A component supply device is configured to feed a component having a through hole to a target position. The component supply includes: a rod including at its distal end a holding portion to be inserted into the through hole; an actuator; a valve mounted on the rod; and a fixing portion by which the valve that advances with the rod passes. The rod includes a gas outlet located in an outer periphery of the holding portion and configured to blow gas rearward, and a gas passage extending inside the rod and configured to send gas supplied from a gas source to the gas outlet. The valve includes a push switch configured to be switched between an advanced attitude and a withdrawn attitude, and a biasing unit configured to bias the push switch to the withdrawn attitude. The fixing portion includes a pressing wall portion facing the push switch.

Abstract: A case opening apparatus is disclosed. In some implementations, the case opening apparatus may include a suction portion including a first suction portion configured to suction an upper portion of a case of a battery cell being in a folded state and a second suction portion configured to suction a lower portion of the case, and a rotation driving portion configured to open the inside of the case by rotating the first suction portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods used to pick and stack product for transport are disclosed. The systems and methods include a robotic end of arm stacking tool coupled to a robotic arm and including a product support. The product support includes fingers that pivot about an axis to allow spatulas coupled to the fingers to slide under and support the product when the product is picked from a product orienting member and stacked in a product transport member. An actuator can be activated to maintain the product support in a product support state and deactivated to release the product into the product transport member.

Abstract: A robot gripper for moving wafer carriers and packing materials and a method of operating the same are provided. The robot gripper includes two opposing clamp assemblies. The two clamp assemblies are configured to move close to or away from each other. Each of the clamp assemblies includes a movable support pin at a bottom of the clamp assembly.

Abstract: A technique advantageous to stably holding a reading apparatus relative to a printing apparatus is provided. A printing system includes a recording apparatus and a reading apparatus. The recording apparatus includes a housing that incorporates a printing unit that performs printing on a recording medium. The housing includes a front surface portion having a discharge port for discharging the recording medium on which printing is performed, a back surface portion facing the front surface portion, and a side surface portion connecting the front surface portion with the back surface portion. The printing system includes a holding unit connected to the housing at least at one end, and holding the reading apparatus above the housing. The holding unit includes a first fixing member for fixing to the back surface portion, and a second fixing member for fixing to the side surface portion.

Abstract: In embodiments, a holding device includes a suction pad, a first link, a second link, a base, and a tube member. The first link supports the suction pad so that the suction pad can rotate around a first rotation axis. The second link supports the first link so that the first link can rotate around a second rotation axis. The base supports the second link so that the second link can rotate around a third rotation axis. The tube member communicates the suction pad with the base and can be bent. The second rotation axis and the third rotation axis are not parallel to each other.

Abstract: A medicine sorting device includes: a discrimination part for discriminating a type of a medicine based on an image captured by a first camera; and a conveyance/sorting unit for sorting, by each type, a plurality of types of medicines accommodated in a mixed state in a first accommodating part based on a discrimination result of the discrimination part, and storing the medicines in a second accommodating part.

Abstract: A holding head is provided for a vacuum holding device for handling a plate-shaped workpiece about an axis. An arrangement of operating elements on a base body of the holding head includes at least three operating elements connected as actuating elements in a double actuation circuit for releasing the plate-shaped workpiece. Two of the actuating elements are arranged on sides of the arrangement opposite to one another with respect to the position of the axis and the third actuating element is designed ring-shaped and surrounds the axis circumferentially.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein relate to an item manipulation system including a control system and a robotic arm coupled to the control system. The item manipulation system includes an end effector communicatively coupled to the control system and defines a first end and a second end. The first end of the end effector is rotatably engaged to the robotic arm. The item manipulation system also includes a gripper unit attached to the second end of the end effector. The gripper unit is configured to grip the item. The gripper unit includes at least one flexible suction cup and at least one rigid gripper. Each of the flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper engage a surface of the item based on vacuum suction force generated through the at least one flexible suction cup or the at least one rigid gripper.

Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A feeding rod is configured to insert a shaft-shaped component having a circular flange and a shaft portion into a receiving hole. A central axis of the shaft portion is disposed in an inclined state with respect to a central axis of the receiving hole due to the inclined disposition of the feeding rod. A surface of the flange is in close contact with a tip surface of the feeding rod due to an attraction force of a magnet of the feeding rod. A positioning protrusion receives an outer peripheral portion of the flange and sets a relative position between the feeding rod and the shaft-shaped component. A most advanced stop position of the feeding rod is a position where a tip portion of the shaft portion has entered the receiving hole, and the attraction force of the magnet is configured to be eliminated at the stop position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gripping head (15) for insert sheets (11) for inserting between rows of folding boxes (3) in a receptacle (2), characterized in that it comprises: at least one first aspiration element (17a, 17b) designed to grasp an insert sheet (11), at least one second aspiration element (18a, 18b) designed to grasp an insert sheet (11), at least one linear element (19a, 19b) on which at least the first aspiration element (17a, 17b) is mounted and able to slide, a controllable actuating mechanism (20), designed to displace at least the first aspiration element (17a, 17b) by sliding on the at least one linear element (19a, 19b) into a position of grasping in which the at least one first aspiration element (17a, 17b) and the at least one second aspiration element (18a, 18b) are positioned at a spacing from each other in order to grasp an insert sheet (11).

Abstract: A vacuum powered pickup tool with mechanically moveable discrete nozzles allows for selective activation of the nozzles through the mechanical movement of the nozzles relative to a vacuum manifold. The movement of a nozzle from an inactive position where an inlet port of the nozzle is fluidly decoupled with the vacuum manifold to an active position where the inlet port is fluidly coupled with the vacuum manifold allows for independent activation of discrete nozzles of the pickup tool. Aspects also contemplate varying an associate manifold through movement of the manifolds accessible to the inlet port of the nozzle when in the active position.

Abstract: An automatic plug mounting system for a vehicle body is disclosed to automatically mount plugs into exhaust holes in the vehicle body being transferred along a transfer line. The automatic plug mounting system includes: a handling robot which operates along a teaching path set to correspond to the exhaust holes; and a plug mounting tool which is installed at an arm of the handling robot and, when a cylinder is actuated, places the plugs into the correct positions at the exhaust holes while at least one of the plugs is restrained.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a EUV cleaner system and process for cleaning a EUV carrier. The euv cleaner system comprises separate dirty and cleaned environments, separate cleaning chambers for different components of the double container carrier, gripper arms for picking and placing different components using a same robot handler, gripper arms for picking and placing different components using a same robot handler, gripper arms for holding different components at different locations, horizontal spin cleaning and drying for outer container, hot water and hot air (70 C) cleaning process, vertical nozzles and rasterizing megasonic nozzles for cleaning inner container with hot air nozzles for drying, separate vacuum decontamination chambers for outgassing different components, for example, one for inner and one for outer container with high vacuum (e.g.

Abstract: An end effector for a robotic arm is disclosed. The end effector includes a grasping apparatus having a gripping member and an appendage extending from the gripping member forming a channel between the griping member and the appendage. The channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an article, such as a latch for a container, to be manipulated by the end effector.

Abstract: A carrier element for use in a packaging device is provided wherein the carrier element is connectable with at least one transport device of the packaging device. The carrier element comprises at least one receiving surface for receiving at least one package. The receiving surface comprises at least one suction opening for fixing the package by suction. The carrier element further comprises at least one pressure reservoir connected to the suction opening. The carrier element further comprises at least one pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside the pressure reservoir. A packaging device for packaging at least one product into at least one package is also disclosed. The packaging device comprises at least one carrier element and at least one transport device, wherein the carrier element is connected to the transport device.

Abstract: A robotic grommet installer includes a robotic arm and an installation unit. The installation unit includes a rotary grommet holder rotatively coupled to the robotic arm and an installer coupled to the robotic arm. The rotary grommet holder includes a plurality of grommet chambers spaced circumferentially about a rotational axis of the rotary grommet holder. Each grommet chamber of the plurality of grommet chambers is configured to hold a plurality of grommets. The installer is configured to retrieve a grommet from the rotary grommet holder, wherein the rotary grommet holder is configured to rotate to align the installer with an available grommet positioned within one of the plurality of grommet chambers.

Abstract: An end-of-arm tool includes concentric rings of suction cups. The pneumatic actuators control the extension of suction cups, and are actuated in rings. Each suction cup is longitudinally retractable in response to a force applied to an item and has a compliant suction cup. Each ring has a vacuum control. Each ring can have its own compliance.

Abstract: A method and a machine tool for processing workpieces is described, comprising a workpiece movement device and a workpiece support that supports both a workpiece during a processing operation and a workpiece remainder produced from the workpiece during the processing operation, wherein the workpiece support comprises a first support portion and an additional support portion, wherein the first support portion comprises a loading-side support portion arranged in a loading region of the machine tool, wherein the additional support portion is arranged to move relative to the loading-side support portion between the loading region and an unloading region of the machine tool, wherein the unloading region is offset in a horizontal direction from the loading region, wherein the loading-side support portion is arranged to move in a vertical direction between a loading level and a bypass level located above or below the loading level.

Abstract: A vacuum powered pickup tool with mechanically moveable discrete nozzles allows for selective activation of the nozzles through the mechanical movement of the nozzles relative to a vacuum manifold. The movement of a nozzle from an inactive position where an inlet port of the nozzle is fluidly decoupled with the vacuum manifold to an active position where the inlet port is fluidly coupled with the vacuum manifold allows for independent activation of discrete nozzles of the pickup tool. Aspects also contemplate varying an associate manifold through movement of the manifolds accessible to the inlet port of the nozzle when in the active position.

Abstract: A method for bonding a contact surface of a first substrate to a contact surface of a second substrate comprising of the steps of: positioning the first substrate on a first receiving surface of a first receiving apparatus and positioning the second substrate on a second receiving surface of a second receiving apparatus; establishing contact of the contact surfaces at a bond initiation site; and bonding the first substrate to the second substrate along a bonding wave which is travelling from the bond initiation site to the side edges of the substrates, wherein the first substrate and/or the second substrate is/are deformed for alignment of the contact surfaces.

Abstract: A tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator is provided performing robotic-like movements when acquiring a payload. The manipulator design can be adapted for use in-space, lunar or other planetary installations as it is readily configurable for acquiring and precisely manipulating a payload in both a zero-g environment and in an environment with a gravity field. The manipulator includes a plurality of link arms, a hinge connecting adjacent link arms together to allow the adjacent link arms to rotate relative to each other and a cable actuation and tensioning system provided between adjacent link arms. The cable actuation and tensioning system includes a spreader arm and a plurality of driven and non-driven elements attached to the link arms and the spreader arm. At least one cable is routed around the driven and non-driven elements for actuating the hinge.

Abstract: A method of assembling a detail to a flexible member includes positioning the detail against a plurality of reader pogos, and axially displacing the plurality of reader pogos to substantially conform to a detail contour. The method additionally includes recording reader pogo position data representing the detail contour, clamping a flexible member against a plurality of positioning pogos, and axially displacing the plurality of positioning pogos complementary to the reader pogo position data. In addition, the method includes deflecting, using the positioning pogos, the flexible member into a contour corresponding to the reader pogo position data, and assembling the detail to the flexible member.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a EUV cleaner system and process for cleaning a EUV carrier. The euv cleaner system comprises separate dirty and cleaned environments, separate cleaning chambers for different components of the double container carrier, gripper arms for picking and placing different components using a same robot handler, gripper arms for holding different components at different locations, horizontal spin cleaning and drying for outer container, hot water and hot air (70 C) cleaning process, vertical nozzles and rasterizing megasonic nozzles for cleaning inner container with hot air nozzles for drying, separate vacuum decontamination chambers for outgassing different components, for example, one for inner and one for outer container with high vacuum (e.g., <10?6 Torr) with purge gas, heaters and RGA sensors inside the vacuum chamber, purge gas assembling station, and purge gas loading and unloading station.

Abstract: A dual robotic sorting apparatus for identifying and sorting a product with at least two different sorting mechanisms is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the dual robotic sorting apparatus illuminates and images the product using at least one light source and imaging device, analyzes the image, and activates a specific sorting mechanism of a robotic arm to sort the product; wherein the dual sorting mechanism is a vacuum pickup tool, that picks up and places products in another location, and vacuum transport tool, that utilizes a suction tube to transport products to another location. Additionally, a plurality of robotic sorting apparatuses may be utilized. In the preferred embodiment of the dual robotic sorter, the CPU is capable of determining the most efficient method and type of pickup for each product identified for sorting.

Abstract: An end effector for the packaging industry comprises has a frame, a bridge on top of the frame, a rack and pinion assembly, actuation rods, carrier assemblies, and vacuum ports. The rack and pinion assembly is configured to be operatively connected to a robot's rotatable shaft, and to the actuation rods. The actuation rods are fixedly connected to one or more of the carrier assemblies. As the robot's shaft rotates, the rack and pinion assembly is actuated, which actuates the actuation rods, which causes the carrier assemblies fixedly connected to the actuation rods to move longitudinally along the frame. Each carrier assembly includes a carrier block and at least one pick-up member. Each carrier block has at least one arm with a grabber to cooperate with an adjacent arm with grabbers of an adjacent carrier block(s) of the same subgroup.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for use with a moving device is disclosed. The moving device can be a mechanical device such as a robot. The gripper assembly includes a platform and an elongate arm extending from the platform. The elongate arm is in the form of least one elongate member. Each elongate member has a body which has a proximal end and an opposed distal end. A gripping mechanism is rotatably supported relative to the arm, and includes a holder having a pivoting arm pivotably joined to the body in the region of the distal end of the body. An actuator is in operable communication with the pivoting arm to impart pivotable movement to the pivoting arm and rotational movement to said gripping mechanism about a horizontal axis upon actuation of the actuator. The gripper assembly may have a center of mass substantially aligned with a vertical rotation axis of the gripper assembly.

Abstract: A method of orienting a selected item from a stack of similar items, the method comprising the steps of separating, engaging and orienting. The separating step separates the selected item from the stack using a first attraction force of a transport apparatus. The engaging step engages the selected item with a second attraction force from the transport apparatus. The second attraction force being greater than the first attraction force. The orienting step orients the selected item relative to the transport apparatus as the transport apparatus is en route to a destination location.

Abstract: A device for vacuum-lifting workpieces includes a driving assembly, a rotating table, a plurality of suction assemblies mounted on the rotating table spaced from each other, and a vacuum pump. Each suction assembly includes a suction cup. An airflow guiding part is configured to align each suction cup with a vacuum when the suction cup is positioned above a picking station. The driving assembly makes the suction cups communicate with the airflow guiding part in succession. Each suction assembly is capable of picking a different type of workpiece, therefore the suction device can take the place of a plurality of individual manipulators.

Abstract: In a component mounting device (1) which has a first mounting lane (L1) and a second mounting lane (L2) and which is structured so as to be able to select either an independence mounting mode or an alternation mounting mode, when device type changing operation is performed with change of the type of boards which are the mounted objects, if a tape feeder float detecting sensor (17) that is provided in proximity of an opening (19) through which a part of the body or the foreign object enters in the component supplying part is, detects a part of the body such as a finger (26) of the operator or the foreign object, operation of the component mounting mechanism which belong to the mounting lane opposite to the mounting lane to which the component supplying part, in which the optical sensor is provided, belongs is stopped.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a suction unit capable of sucking an object and a transfer unit moving the suction unit. The suction unit includes a base member; a plurality of nozzles provided for a plurality of types of objects; a housing room formation unit attached to the base member, forming a housing room for housing the other end portion side of the plurality of nozzles, and including a sealing unit facing air outlets; a negative pressure generation unit generating negative pressure inside the housing room; and a drive unit driving the plurality of nozzles such that the air outlet of a nozzle selected from the plurality of nozzles in accordance with a type of the object is separated from the sealing unit, and the air outlet of a non-selected nozzle is bumped against the sealing unit to be sealed.

Abstract: A rotary end effector for use for the high speed handling of workpieces, such as solar cells, is disclosed. The rotary end effector is capable of infinite rotation. The rotary end effector has a gripper bracket, capable of supporting a plurality of grippers, arranged in any configuration, such as a 4×1 linear array. Each gripper is in communication with a suction system, wherein, in some embodiments, each gripper can be selectively enabled and disabled. Provisions are also made to allow electrical components, such as proximity sensors, to be mounted on the rotating gripper bracket. In another embodiment, an end effector with multiple surfaces, each with a plurality of grippers, is used.

Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An adsorbent in a board conveying hand includes: a pad for adsorbing a board in contact with the board; and an elastic member interposed between the fork and the pad and provided with an adsorption passage for allowing an adsorbing fluid to pass between the fork and the pad, wherein a part of the elastic member is deformed, thus arbitrarily varying a projection amount of the pad from the fork.

Abstract: A system for remote object handling including a public safety vehicle having a front portion. An articulated arm has a first end and a second end distinct from the first end, the arm being coupled to the front portion at the first end, and has at least one pivot disposed between the first end and the second end. A gripping element is removably coupled to the second end, wherein the gripping element is one of a pincer device, a hand device having at least three fingers or a shovel. A video camera is also coupled to the second end. An arm control is disposed within the vehicle and is operable to control the operation of the arm, the manipulator and the video camera, and a video interface is coupled to the video camera which is operable to display output from the video camera.

Abstract: There is provided a component mounting apparatus, which includes: a nozzle which sucks a component; a nozzle supporting member, on which the nozzle is installed, which moves in a vertical direction with respect to an upper surface of a substrate on which the component sucked at the nozzle is mounted; an optical system which captures an image of a leading edge portion of the nozzle where the component is sucked in a component mounting operation, from a side direction, such that an optical axis of the optical system is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a sucking surface of the nozzle; and an analyzer which analyzes the image of the leading edge portion to determine whether a sucking state of the component sucked by the nozzle is normal or abnormal.

Abstract: In a component mounting device (1) which includes a first mounting lane (L1) and a second mounting lane (L2) and for which an independence mounting mode and an alternation mounting mode are selectable, a first limited movable area (R1A) and a first limited movable area (R1B) in which the movements in the horizontal direction of a first mounting head (13A) and a second mounting head (13B) of the mounting lanes are permitted in the independence mounting mode, are set as areas different from second limited movable areas in the alternation mounting mode, to prevent the mounting head of the mounting lane which is continuously operating from entering into the area of the mounting lanes for which the device type changing operation is being performed.

Abstract: When performing the device type changing operation with the change of the board type to undergo mounting, the component mounting device, which has a first mounting lane and a second mounting lane and which is structured so as to be able to select either an independent mounting mode or an alternate mounting mode, moves a mounting head of the mounting lane to and thereafter positions and fixes to a previously-set predetermined withdraw position [P] where entry of a portion of a body of an operator by way of an opening (19) formed in a protective cover (18a) can be prevented and where safety of the operator is not impaired even if a mounting head of a mounting lane on the other side has undergone collision.

Abstract: A reconfigurable end-effector attachable to a robotic arm, includes a master boom, a first branch assembly and a second branch assembly, a dual articulation mechanism. The dual articulation mechanism includes a first clutch attached to the first branch assembly and is configured to articulate the first branch assembly relative to the second branch assembly. The dual articulation mechanism further includes a second clutch attached to the master boom, the second branch assembly and the first clutch and is configured to simultaneously articulate the first and second branch assemblies relative to the master boom. The first and second branch assemblies each have limbs connected to branches supporting a plurality of tool modules. Each tool module includes an end element configurable to interact with a workpiece.

Abstract: A robot tool for setting plugs (18) in industrial production has a robot attachment region (2) for attaching the robot tool (1) to an industrial robot. To further simplify or automate the setting of plugs in industrial production, in particular of motor vehicles, the robot tool (1) has a pushrod (42) that can be moved back and forth and with which a plug (18) can be picked up and advanced.

Abstract: A workpiece transporting apparatus includes a hand, a rotating portion for rotatably holding the hand, an arm provided in the hand and having one end provided at the rotating portion, and a holding portion provided in the hand and provided to another end of the arm for holding a workpiece, in which a center portion of the holding portion is disposed with a predetermined interval from an axial line extended from a rotational center of the rotating portion toward another end of the arm.

Abstract: A method of automatically mounting a sheet from a cutting table onto a spacer frame of an insulating glass unit begins with identifying a position and orientation of a specified sheet on the cutting table and moving a robotic sheet pickup apparatus to a corresponding position to that identified for the sheet. An edge of the specified sheet is lifted off of the table, beginning with mechanical suction that brings a corner of the sheet to within proximity of a primary vacuum suction of the pickup apparatus. In particular, the pickup apparatus may have a substantially planar platen with a set of channels coupled to a vacuum source. Once the sheet is fully picked up by vacuum suction, the sheet is laid upon a top surface of a tilt table, which can be simply the platen inverted. The table (or platen) is tilted to bring a corner of the sheet to abut against physical fences. Once the position and orientation of the sheet is so known, the sheet is oriented to correspond to a frame, and attached thereto.

Abstract: A robot system includes a suction hand and a multi-articular robot. The suction hand is configured to hold a flexible sheet workpiece. The multi-articular robot includes an arm to which the suction hand is mounted. The multi-articular robot is configured to press the suction hand against the flexible sheet workpiece and make the suction hand suck the flexible sheet workpiece, and is configured to move the arm of the multi-articular robot while turning the suction hand relative to a surface on which the flexible sheet workpiece is placed in advance, so as to remove the flexible sheet workpiece from the surface and hold the flexible sheet workpiece.

Abstract: A work aligning system capable of easily altering the kind of works to be aligned. The work aligning system (1) comprises a storage device (10) in which nuts (11) are stored, a take-out base (30) on which the nuts (11) are placed, and a robot (20) for grasping and taking out the nuts from the take-out base (30) and aligning the nuts. An electromagnet (53) is provided at the tip end of the robot arm (23) of the robot (20). The storage device (10) is equipped with a plurality of buckets (131-134) in which nuts (11) of different kinds are stored, and a feed screw mechanism (14) for moving one bucket selected from the plurality of buckets (131-134) to a position near the take-out base (30). The take-out base (30) is equipped with a part (31) on which the nuts (11) are placed and a drive device (32) for discharging the nuts (11) on the part (31) to one bucket selected from the plurality of buckets (131-134).

Abstract: A card feeding system that feeds cards from a stack to a conveyor system beneath product being carried. A card feed path arranged between a feed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor includes a fixed feed pinch roll and a pivot arm with a pivoting pinch roll and a pair of delivery rolls. A card stack receiving platform is located beneath a picker arm. An elevator is provided for raising the platform with the card stack. The picker arm has suction cups, and is pivotable from a card pick-up position to a feed position in which the card is positioned between the pivoting and fixed pinch rolls. A controller actuates the elevator, the picker arm, the pivot arm, the fixed and delivery pinch rolls to deliver single ones of the cards as product to be placed on the card transitions from the feed conveyor to the outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: For the purpose of transferring a tube in a tube filling machine between a staging location and a set-down location, the tube at the staging location is gripped at its lateral surface by a holding device and transported by a transfer device to the set-down location where it is set down while simultaneously being rotated about its longitudinal axis or about an axis parallel thereto during transport. Such a transfer device has a multiple-member articulated arm, which has at least one 1st arm member that is mounted to pivot about a rotary axis and directly or indirectly pivotably supports at least one holding member. The holding member carries at least one holding device by means of which the tube can be picked up and which can be pivoted about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube or that coincides therewith.

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 rotary end effector for use for the high speed handling of workpieces, such as solar cells, is disclosed. The rotary end effector is capable of infinite rotation. The rotary end effector has a gripper bracket, capable of supporting a plurality of grippers, arranged in any configuration, such as a 4×1 linear array. Each gripper is in communication with a suction system, wherein, in some embodiments, each gripper can be selectively enabled and disabled. Provisions are also made to allow electrical components, such as proximity sensors, to be mounted on the rotating gripper bracket. In another embodiment, an end effector with multiple surfaces, each with a plurality of grippers, is used.

Abstract: A system for layup of a solar cell string on a substrate includes a robotic arm having a pickbar attached to a free end thereof. The pickbar has an elongated body with a plurality of vacuum grippers spaced along the body each for gripping an individual solar cell of the solar cell string. A vacuum source applies a vacuum through the vacuum grippers to grip the solar cells and a controller connected to the robotic arm positioned the solar cell string gripped by the pickbar on a substrate. A pair of sensor assemblies mounted on the pickbar generates signals representing positions of portions of the solar cell string and features of the substrate. The controller responds to the signals for positioning the gripped solar cell string relative to the substrate.