Abstract: A picking system for the automated picking of articles, comprising a detection station for detecting the position of an article to be picked on a supplying conveyor, and an articulated arm gripper for picking up the article from the storage loading implement from the supplying conveyor and for depositing the article in the order loading implement on a discharge conveyor. The articulated arm gripper comprises an essentially upright longitudinal arm and an articulated arm which can be bent about an angle of articulation and on which a gripping device for gripping the article is provided. The articulated arm gripper is designed for picking up the at least one article to be picked from a storage loading implement which is transported on the supplying conveyor. The longitudinal arm of the articulated arm gripper is at least twice as long as the articulated arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for centering workpieces of different sizes, particularly wafers, featuring a single plane centering guide. The guide features a plate having a cutout region with a first arcuate cutout within which a portion of a circumference of a first circular workpiece is nestable and a second arcuate cutout adjacent to and deeper than the first arcuate cutout and centered along the cutout region within which a portion of a circumference of a smaller second circular workpiece is nestable. The arcuate cutouts and nested workpiece have centers of curvature along a common centerline that are collinear with a linear path. The workpiece delivery device horizontally moveable along the linear path, delivers a workpiece to the nesting position thereby centering the workpiece relative to the first or second arcuate cutout. From the centered position, the workpiece delivery device may deliver the workpiece to a predetermined position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring a micro device from a carrier substrate are disclosed. In an embodiment, a micro pick up array mount includes a pivot platform to allow a micro pick up array to automatically align with a carrier substrate. Deflection of the pivot platform may be detected to control further movement of the micro pick up array.

Abstract: A component supply apparatus capable of aligning components of various shapes, which are supplied in bulk, within a short period of time with general means. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional vision sensor measuring a depth map, a bulk component box, a robot picking up a component from the bulk component box, a temporary placing table onto which components are rolled, a two-dimensional vision sensor measuring a profile of the components, a robot group picking up the component rolled on the temporary placing table, and changing a position and orientation of the component into a position and orientation that involve an error of a certain level or less with respect to a position and orientation that are specified in advance, while changing the position and orientation of the component, and a control device controlling those portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses for processing an object just as semiconductor chips and dies. The first embodiment comprises two or more pick and place heads (FIG. 1) which operate sequentially (ie leap frog) to pick components from a first location to a second. The second embodiment (FIG. 8) comprises a flipping head combined with a pick and place heads where an object is picked up by the flipping head, turned over and then presented to a pick and place head for relocation to an output.

Abstract: A rail transportation means used in bottled preparation manufacturing process is provided with a rail and a slide block slidably mounted on the rail. On the slide block are provided a first movable guideway, a second movable guideway, a position-switch device and a material loading-and-unloading mechanism. The rail transportation means is capable of automatically transporting feeding trays to and forth between the filling area and other relative equipments involved in the manufacturing process, such as the lyophilizer and the sealing device, without requiring manual intervention, thus allowing the bottled preparation manufacturing process to be carried out in a dust-free and sterile environment, increasing product yield and production efficiency.

Abstract: A workpiece conveying robot includes a base unit, a moving unit configured to move with respect to the base unit, a driving mechanism that drives the moving unit, and a detection unit. The moving unit includes a hand on which a workpiece is to be placed. The detection unit serves to detect information about the workpiece. Specifically, the detection unit includes a sensor provided at the hand, a base unit-side terminal provided at the base unit, and a moving unit-side terminal provided at the moving unit and electrically connected to the sensor. The base unit-side terminal and the moving unit-side terminal are brought into contact with each other when the moving unit is at a predetermined position.

Abstract: Equipment for transferring biological products containers from an interface support to a transport device and vice-versa for biological containers, positioned at different heights. The equipment including a frame to which a holding device for biological products containers is connected vertically mobile with respect to the frame and provided with fingers suitable to hold, transfer and release a container for biological products. The frame is integer with a sliding device along a bar fixed to an inclinable body. The inclinable body being in its turn rotatingly connected to a sustaining body, and a regulation device for the inclination of the inclinable body, and consequently of the bar, with respect to the sustaining body being present in function of the difference of height existing between the interfacing support and the transport device for biological products containers.

Abstract: A rotary positioning apparatus includes a fixing base, a rotation mechanism, two driving modules and a carrier. The rotation mechanism is disposed on the fixing base, the first driving module is disposed on the fixing base and coupled to the rotation mechanism to drive the rotation mechanism rotating around a first rotation axis relatively to the fixing base. The carrier has plural accommodating slots on a circular-arc surface thereof and is pivoted to the rotation mechanism through a second rotation axis passing through the curvature center of the circular-arc surface and perpendicular to the first rotation axis, on which the curvature center is located. The second driving module is disposed on the rotation mechanism and coupled to the carrier to drive the carrier rotating around the second rotation axis relatively to the rotation mechanism. An automatic pick-and-place system and an operation method using the rotary positioning apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A “sticky boom” system facilitates physical control of foreign objects, such as those in a zero-gravity environment. The electroadhesive system includes an electrostatic adhesion pad that electrostatically and detachably adheres to a separate foreign object, as well as a boom coupled to the pad. The pad includes electrode(s) adapted to produce an electrostatic force between the pad and the object that maintains the position of the pad relative to the object. The boom provides control for positioning the pad relative to the object and also for movement of the pad and object combination when they are electrostatically adhered together. A sensing component detects when the pad is adhered to the foreign object, and a control mechanism coupled to the boom allows for control of the pad and object at a remote distance. Multiple foreign objects can be adhered simultaneously. Control can include location and/or rotational movement or deceleration of objects.

Abstract: A compliant micro device transfer head and head array are disclosed. In an embodiment a micro device transfer head includes a spring arm having integrated electrode leads that is deflectable into a space between a base substrate and the spring arm.

Abstract: In a device for transferring vehicle wheels, an individual vehicle wheel can be gripped by a gripping module having at least one gripping unit which is supported by a frame structure and includes multiple pressing elements that can be pressed against one or more mating surfaces of an individual vehicle wheel. A first gripping module and a second gripping module are mounted on a common rigid support structure which can be rotated about a main axis of rotation by a rotating mechanism. Furthermore, the pressing elements move with a movement component running parallel to the main axis of rotation.

Abstract: A modular tire spraying system includes a downdraft spray booth for receiving a tire, a fluid delivery system disposed in the spray booth, a robot for transporting the tire to the spray booth, and a platform on which each of the spray booth, the fluid delivery system, and the robot is disposed. The fluid delivery system includes at least one spray gun for delivering a coating to the tire.

Abstract: Described herein are a robotic distribution apparatus, system and method. The robotic distribution system may include a Package Delivery Kiosk (PDK), associated frontend and backend package delivery management systems, a package inventory management system. The PDK includes a Robotic Package Lifting Assembly which may be configured to remember the location of packages and slots and provide for automated retrieval and placement of the packages. In an embodiment, a package retrieving apparatus includes a track, a base slidably interconnected with the track, and a vertical support interconnected with the base. The apparatus includes a package picker module oriented on the vertical support to vertically move on the vertical support. The package picker module including a conveyer belt oriented in a plane parallel to the ground and first and second grippers oriented parallel to the conveyer belt to surround and grip an object beyond the surface of the conveyer belt.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a gantry module, having an end effector, for moving workpieces from a conveyor system to a working area, such as a swap module. The swap module removes a matrix of processed workpieces from a load lock and place a matrix of unprocessed workpieces in its place. The processed workpieces are then moved by the gantry module back to the conveyor. Due to the speed of operation, the end effector may build up excessive electrostatic charge. To remove this built up charge, grounded electrically-conductive brushes are strategically positioned so that, as the end effector moves during normal operation, it comes in contact with these brushes. This removes this built up charge on the end effector, without affecting throughput. In another embodiment, the end effector moves over the brushes while the swap module is moving matrix to and from the load lock.

Abstract: The disc device includes a picker which conveys, in a horizontal direction, a magazine tray in which a plurality of discs are stored, a lifter which pushes out the plurality of discs from the magazine tray, and a carrier which shifts in a vertical direction, which retains in a stacked manner the plurality of discs pushed out by the lifter, and which supplies the discs to a plurality of disc drives, respectively. The lifter is flexibly mounted such that the lifter shifts relative to the picker in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A holding member can be made to move up and down with long strokes by means of short vertical strokes so that the overall arrangement can be downsized and lightweight. Additionally, the holding member can be held to a constant attitude and the overall arrangement can be simplified to reduce the cost. A swing arm is adapted to be swung between the metal mold of a resin molding machine and the outside of the resin molding machine by means of a rotary shaft rotating in response to a vertical motion of an elevating body relative to a vertical frame and, at the same time, a fitting member is adapted to be driven to rotate in response to the swinging motion of the swing arm in order to control the attitude of a vertical arm so as to make its axial line aligned with the vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus 200 for delivering semiconductor components 212 to a substrate 206a; 206b; 500a; 500b; 500c during semiconductor package manufacturing. The apparatus 200 comprises a platform 216 and a plurality of delivery modules 202a, 202b affixed to the platform 216. Each of the plurality of delivery modules 202a, 202b has a support device 204a; 204b for supporting the substrate 206a; 206b; 500a; 500b; 500c, as well as a delivery device 208a; 208b for delivering the semiconductor components 212 to the substrate 206a; 206b; 500a; 500b; 500c. In particular, heights of the support devices 204a, 204 are mutually leveled for conveying the substrate 206a; 206b; 500a; 500b; 500c between the plurality of delivery modules 202a, 202b.

Abstract: There is provided a device and method for arranging a vial, which can efficiently arrange a plurality of vials in the same arrangement place. A device for arranging a vial includes an arm member 150 for sandwiching one vial 1 and a carrying means 58 for carrying the vial 1 sandwiched by the arm member 150 to a vial arranging section 202. A layout of the vials 1 in the vial arranging section 202 can be set according to the number (n) of the vials 1 carried into the same vial arranging section 202. The carrying means 58 can advance and retract the arm member 150 in at least two or more directions in the vial arranging section 202.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transportation method and a transportation device of a liquid crystal panel. The method includes (1) providing a transportation device, wherein the transportation device comprises a device body, linear rails mounted to the device body, a plurality of forks mounted in sequence to the linear rails, and servo motors mounted to the device body, the servo motors being coupled to the plurality of forks to drive the plurality of forks to slide along the linear rails; (2) adjusting spacing distance between the plurality of forks according to the size of a liquid crystal panel to be transported; (3) operating the transportation device to move the forks to a location under the liquid crystal panel to be transported in order to have the liquid crystal panel positioned on the plurality of forks; and (4) operating the transportation device to transport the liquid crystal panel to a designated site.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus includes a drill rig which defines a drilling rod axis, a rod magazine for a plurality of rod sections, and a transfer device for transfer of a rod section from the rod magazine and for transfer of the rod section in the drilling rod axis. The transfer device is hereby constructed to travel in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rod section in relation to the rod magazine.

Abstract: A gripper unit for transport systems for supporting and transporting articles. A gripper unit that includes a gripper head with at least two gripper arms which can be opened and closed against each other. The top of the article to be gripped and to be transported is supported in the opening formed between the gripper arms. A shifting unit is supported in a flexible manner via a fastener directly supported at the transport system. Furthermore, the gripper unit is provided with a device for interchangeable support, adjustment and spatial determination of the gripper head in a first transport direction at the gripper unit. The device provides for the vertical movement of the gripper head contrary to the gripper unit and/or contrary to the transport system, which are arranged between the gripper head and the shifting unit or between the gripper head and the transport system.

Abstract: This invention discloses a transferring apparatus for transferring a glass substrate from a cartridge in case the glass substrate disposed therein is damaged or defective. The transferring apparatus includes a chassis, and a conveying device. The conveying device includes a frame and a plurality of transferring rods arranged in a common plane and along a longitudinal direction. A first driving device disposed on the chassis and is interlinked with the conveying device. The first driving device moves the frame along the first horizontal direction such that the frame can be moved in and out from the cartridge to carry the damaged glass substrate. The driving device further drives the transferring rods to rotate centered with its own axis. By the provision of the transferring apparatus, a damaged or defective glass substrate can be properly transferred out of the cartridge without damaging adjacent glass substrate. This can be performed automatically so as to increase the efficiency, while reducing labors.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a solar wafer or cell is disclosed, which comprises: i) a rotary motor; ii) a gripper for holding the solar wafer or cell; and a rotary arm connected between the rotary motor and the gripper, the rotary arm being drivable by the rotary motor in a first rotary direction through a transfer angle for transferring the solar wafer or cell between different positions. In particular, the apparatus further comprises an angle-compensating device configured to drive the gripper through a same transfer angle as the rotary arm in a second rotary direction opposite to the first rotary direction, to ensure that an angular orientation of the solar wafer or cell remains constant during rotation of the rotary arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting single and multiple reaction vessels. At least one reaction vessel is provided and at least one tray includes at least two seats for the at least one reaction vessel, and at least one gripper. One of the reaction vessel or the tray is engaged with the gripper at a first position. The gripped element is transported to a second position wherein the gripper is released. A gripping collar is provided both on the reaction vessel and the tray for the gripper to engage. At one transport stage one of the reaction vessel or the tray is engaged with the gripper at a first position by pushing the gripper from above to engage with the gripping collar and in a second stage the transported element is disengaged from the gripper by moving the gripper sideways in relation to the center axis of the gripping collar.

Abstract: A robotic arm is for holding a molding item. The robotic arm includes a mount; a lifting mechanism mounted to the mount; a horizontal driving device; a rotating assembly mounted between the lifting mechanism and the horizontal driving device to rotate the horizontal driving device relative to the lifting mechanism; a holder for holding the molding item, the holder mounted on the horizontal driving device. The lifting mechanism cause the holder to move relative to the mount in a first direction, the horizontal driving device moves the holder relative to the mount and the lifting mechanism in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: An assembly method is capable of assembling a transfer mechanism which transfers a target and includes a pick unit for holding the target, a slide unit for sliding the pick unit and a drive unit for driving the slide unit. The assembly method includes installing a lifting mechanism for lifting the units at a ceiling portion of a transfer chamber where the transfer mechanism is accommodated; and assembling the units loaded into the transfer chamber inside the transfer chamber by using the lifting mechanism.

Abstract: Provided is a die pickup device for picking up a die from a wafer and putting the die on a substrate. The die pick device includes a pickup head for picking up the die, a handle portion and a connecting portion connected between the pickup head and the handle portion. The handle portion is substantially ring-shaped and defines a central opening. An end of the connecting portion connected to the pickup head faces toward a center of the central opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manipulation device for manipulating and/or processing a workpiece, comprising a first motion unit (12a) for generating a linear motion (B1) of a first component (22a) and a second motion unit (12b) for generating a linear motion (B2) of a second component (22b). The motion units (12a, 12b) are arranged relative to each other such such that the motions (B1, B2) that can be generated by the motion units (12a, 12b) are aligned parallel to each other, wherein the first component (22a) is connected via a first hinge joint (24a, 26a) and the second component (22b) is connected via a second hinge joint (24b, 26b) to a fastening element (29, 29?) that is suitable for receiving a workpiece and/or a tool. The first hinge joint comprises a first guide arm that is coupled to the first component by means of a revolute joint, and the second hinge joint comprises a second guide arm (26b) that is coupled to the second component by means of a revolute joint.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer system has a plurality of joints having a bearing and a primary and secondary transformer coil, wherein power provided to the primary transformer coil and secondary transformer coil of each joint produces mutual inductance between the primary and secondary transformer coil of the respective joint. A first pair of arms are rotatably coupled to a blade by a first pair of the joints, wherein the primary transformer coil of each of the first pair of joints is operably coupled to the first pair of arms, and the secondary transformer coil of each of the first pair of joints is operably coupled to the blade and an electrode beneath a dielectric workpiece retaining surface of the blade. The electrode is contactlessly energized through the transformer coils of the joint and the blade can chuck and de-chuck a workpiece by reversing current directions and by voltage adjustment.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a wafer conveyance method and a wafer conveyance system that are able to quickly transfer a wafer without losing positional accuracy. [Solving Means] Using an electrostatic chuck mechanism in the holding of a wafer (W) by the holding surface (210) of a conveyance robot, the wafer (W) is transferred from a supporting surface (303) to the holding surface (210) in the state where an electrostatic attraction force is generated at the holding surface (210). As a result, since it is possible to hold the wafer by means of the electrostatic attraction force starting immediately after the wafer (W) has been transferred to the holding surface (210), it is possible to rapidly execute a wafer (W) conveying operation and thus it is possible to reduce the conveying time of the wafer between processing chambers.

Abstract: A device having a holder for holding a container such as a bottle of a size and with a second other holder for holding a container such as a bottle of another size. In addition, a method for loading a device with containers such as bottles, whereby the containers of one size are placed in a first holder and the containers of another size are placed in a second other holder to allow easy adjustment to a different size of container without requiring any time-consuming retooling work.

Abstract: A device used for capturing micro-particles, which comprises a pressure regulator, a micro-jet nozzle, and a hydraulic device for providing injection liquid for the micro-jet nozzle; wherein the micro-jet nozzle is provided with an annular jet hole, the annular jet hole having a bottom end, a top end, an inner diameter, an entrance port located at the top end, and an injection port located at the bottom end, the output of the pressure regulator is connected to the entrance port of the micro-jet nozzle. Compared with the prior art, in the present invention, the liquid is taken as the medium, a kind of upward support on the micro-particles and a flow-around lift force perpendicular to the jet direction are generated by the micro-jet nozzle with the annular jet hole, which jointly act on the micro-particles, so as to achieve the micro-particle capture.

Abstract: An adapter for mechanically coupling a laser processing device to an object. The adapter has a central region which can be moved into the beam path of the laser processing device and a peripheral region located outside the central region. The beam path extends up to the object along an optical axis. The adapter is fixable to the laser processing device on the one hand and provided so as to contact the object with its central region on the other hand. A fixture is provided at the peripheral region that allows the adapter to be releasably fixed to a receiving part of the laser processing device such that, upon application of a determined pulling force along the optical axis, the The fixture is removable from the receiving part.

Abstract: There is described apparatus and methods for transporting and processing substrates including wafers as to efficiently produce at reasonable costs improved throughput as compared to systems in use today. A linear transport chamber includes linear tracks and robot arms riding on the linear tracks to linearly transfer substrates along the sides of processing chambers for feeding substrates into a controlled atmosphere through a load lock and then along a transport chamber as a way of reaching processing chambers. A four-axis robot arm is disclosed, capable of linear translation, rotation and articulation, and z-motion.

Abstract: A device for detecting metal elements in slab form such as metal plates or sheets, includes an emission coil powered by suitable control elements and generating a magnetic field, a reception coil placed so as to enable generation via induction of a voltage across the terminals of the coil under the action of the magnetic field, and elements for processing and evaluating the voltage signal delivered by the at least one reception coil, enabling delivery of an information signal indicating the absence or presence of one or more metal elements near the coils. The emission coil (3) and the reception coil (5) are both mounted in a housing or a sensor head having an active detection face having an associated detection region, and are positioned at a defined inclination one relative to the other and relative to the face.

Abstract: An equipment is described for transferring biological products containers from an interface support to a transport device and vice-versa for biological containers, positioned at different heights, comprising a frame to which a holding device for biological products containers is connected vertically mobile with respect to said frame and provided with fingers suitable to hold, transfer and release a container for biological products. Said frame is integer with sliding means along a bar fixed to an inclinable body, said inclinable body being in its turn rotatingly connected to a sustaining body, and regulation means for the inclination of said inclinable body, and consequently of said bar, with respect to said sustaining body being present in function of the difference of height existing between said interfacing support and said transport device for biological products containers.

Abstract: A loader for a substrate storage container defines a buffer space in which the substrate storage container is temporarily stored between a transfer facility and a semiconductor production facility of a semiconductor production line. The loader includes a load port configured to store the substrate storage container, a buffer port configured to store the substrate storage container, a transfer robot to transfer the substrate storage container within the loader, and a dual entrance sensing device on the transfer robot to determine if the substrate storage container is loaded on the load port and to determine if the substrate storage container is loaded on the buffer port.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a pick head configured to transfer sample containers to and from a sample group holder, at least one sensor connected to the pick head and configured to detect at least one predetermined feature of the sample group holder, and a controller configured to receive a detection signal from the at least one sensor corresponding to detection of the at least one predetermined feature, determine a change in a predetermined characteristic of the sample group holder based on a detected position of the at least one predetermined feature, and determine a location of one or more samples in the sample group holder to allow for the transfer of the one or more sample containers to and from the sample group holder based on the edge detection signal.

Abstract: By a transport robot having a hand provided with stationary clamp members and a movable clamp member which pinches a to-be-transported object S between the movable clamp member and the stationary clamp members, after transporting the to-be-transported object-S in a horizontal posture to a transport destination, the hand is lowered in a state in which the movable clamp member is receded to an unclamped position, thereby transferring the to-be-transported object onto a plurality of supporting pins which are disposed at the transport destination. In the method mentioned above, an arrangement is made that, even if the stationary clamp members give rise to dents due to wear, the to-be-transported object is arranged to be transferred onto the supporting pins without problems.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus has a vertical guide rod, on which a vertical carriage slides, which is integrated with a horizontal carriage, both of which support a transfer bar and gripping members that are responsible for the automatic handling of stamped parts in process. The transfer apparatus has a shaft limiter, below which there is a right angle lever with a stop, and a horizontal guide rod where the horizontal carriage slides. The transfer apparatus has a drive lever to drive a connecting rod which is connected to the right angle lever and has an adjustable stop toward a fixed stop, which limits the travel of the horizontal carriage in the Y-axis direction. The transfer apparatus in question has a continuous operating cycle and is controlled by a central processing unit.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring component panes from a component pane storage station to a vacuum table assembly are disclosed. The system includes a number of component pane handlers, for instance two handlers, and a pick and place mechanism or arm. The handler transfers the component panes from the station to the mechanism. The system includes an alignment module configured to facilitate spatial alignment of the component pane while the component pane is coupled to the handler. The module can be carried by the mechanism. Spatial alignment of the component pane can be substantially completed before transfer of the component pane from the handler to the mechanism. The mechanism includes a set of vacuum elements or pads that enables pick up of the component pane from the handler as well as release and pick up of the component pane at the vacuum table assembly.

Abstract: A conveying device includes an extensible link mechanism having a plurality of arms receiving power from a drive source, a mounting section for mounting a substrate, connected to an operation tip section of the link mechanism through third left and right arms. A downstream-side pressing mechanism making contact with and pressing a side portion of the substrate toward the link mechanism in accordance with the operation of the link mechanism is provided in an area of the mounting section on the downstream side in the direction of substrate conveyance. An upstream-side pressing mechanism making contact with and pressing the side portion of the substrate in the direction of substrate conveyance in accordance with the operation of the link mechanism is provided in an area of the mounting section on the upstream side in the direction of substrate conveyance.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer robot system including a machine tool provided with a workpiece support section and a robot capable of transferring a workpiece relative to the workpiece support section of the machine tool. The machine tool includes a cover surrounding at least the workpiece support section. The cover includes a first side wall provided with a first opening usable for a workpiece transferring task of the robot.

Abstract: A surface mounting apparatus includes a conveyer supporting a printed wiring board being moved in a transportation direction, and a board transfer device that lowers a pair of tab members to positions spaced apart upstream and downstream of the printed wiring board and moves the tab members in the transportation direction. The board transfer device includes an interval changing device to change an interval between a pair of the tab members and a sensor to detect the position of the printed wiring board, an interference determination means to determine the absence or presence of the printed wiring board at the positions to which both the tab members are to be lowered according to the position of the printed wiring board detected by the sensor and interval setting means to move the tab members by driving the interval changing device according to a detection result of the interference determination means.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for use with a moving device. 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: The invention relates to a device for transferring panel material in a production line, particularly for producing glass panels, solar cells, or flat glass, but also sheet metal parts or panel materials for producing furniture, plastic panels, etc. The device comprises a first arm (1) that can be driven about a first rotary axis (1A), at least one second arm (2) that can be driven about a second rotary axis (2A) mounted on the first arm (1), wherein the second rotary axis (2A) is parallel to the first rotary axis (1A), and a manipulation device (3) disposed on at least the second arm (2) that can selectively grip and release the panel material.

Abstract: An article transfer device includes a placement support portion that is provided to a base platform and includes a pair of divided placement support portions for separately receiving and supporting both side portions, in the article lateral direction, of the bottom surface of an article, and a pair of clamp portions that can be projected and retracted along an article transfer direction with respect to the placement support portion and can be moved toward and away from each other by a clamp actuator between gripping positions and releasing positions that are spaced apart wider. The pair of divided placement support portions can be moved toward and away from each other within a movable range defined in the article lateral direction by a placement support portion actuator and to face each other in close proximity when located in approach limit positions of the movable range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carriage assembly having a housing, having a cam disc and having a carriage which is guided in a linearly movable fashion, with the cam disc and carriage being operatively connected to one another. In order to specify a carriage assembly which is of the smallest possible construction, the invention proposes that a cam disc is arranged orthogonally with respect to a rear side of the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing an item from a conveyor system are provided. In some aspects, an escapement assembly includes a sensor system configured to detect a target item of a plurality of items on a feed conveyor of a conveyor system. The feed conveyor is configured to facilitate transport of the plurality of items to a first location. The escapement assembly also includes an escape conveyor configured to couple to a body of the conveyor system such that at least a portion of the escape conveyor is above the feed conveyor. The escapement assembly also includes a delivery assembly configured to pick the target item from the feed conveyor and to place the target item onto the escape conveyor. The escape conveyor is configured to facilitate transport of the target item to a second location different from the first location.