Abstract: A component suction method including feeding components accommodated in component storage spaces of a tape base to a predetermined position, lowering a nozzle capable of sucking the components supplied to the predetermined position, stopping the nozzle at a predetermined distance from an upper surface of the tape base, pushing an undersurface of the component up when the nozzle is at a bottom dead center position or a position adjacent to the center, vacuum-sucking the component by the nozzle at the bottom dead center position or at the position adjacent to the center, and moving the component sucked by the nozzle to a predetermined position of a board after the vacuum-sucking.

Abstract: A method adapted to transfer a sample container such as a capped sample tube is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes gripping a sample tube body with a first gripper pair and a cap with a second gripper pair of a gripper apparatus. In another aspect, a seating member may contact the cap to aid in the positioning of the sample container. Apparatus and systems for carrying out the method are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A holding apparatus, a conveying apparatus, and a rotation-transmitting apparatus are provided that are capable of stably holding an object while suppressing an influence of a change in shape of the object and a fluctuation of a holding form. A conveying apparatus according to one form of the present invention includes a hand and a holding body provided on the hand. The holding body includes a holding member that includes a holding surface that comes into close contact with a holding object, the holding member being capable of holding a conveying object on the holding surface, and a viscoelastic member that is formed of a viscoelastic material and bonds the hand to the holding member. By the viscoelastic member being elastically deformed and the entire surface of the holding member being brought into close contact with the holding object, the conveying apparatus is capable of holding the conveying object on the hand.

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: The present embodiments are directed towards the transfer, retrieval and storage of flexible materials. In one embodiment, a system is provided that generally includes a hose retrieval system having a first hose gripper assembly. The first hose gripper assembly includes a pair of first grippers configured to move between a first open position and a first closed position in opposite crosswise directions relative to a longitudinal axis of a hose. Each first gripper includes a first L-shaped structure, and the first L-shaped structures are configured to overlap one another to define a first bending gap in the first closed position.

Abstract: A retractable assembly for introducing an insertable device into a container through a container opening, comprising: a linear guide, which is releasably mountable on the container via a holder; and, guided along the linear guide, a slider, on which an articulated head is so seated, that it has at least two degrees of freedom perpendicular to the linear guide, wherein the insertable device is at least axially guided in the articulated head in the mounted state.

Abstract: Methods correcting wafer position error are provided. The methods involve measuring wafer position error on a robot, e.g. a dual side-by-side end effector robot, during transfer to an intermediate station. This measurement data is then used by a second robot to perform wafer pick moves from the intermediate station with corrections to center the wafer. Wafer position correction may be performed at only one location during the transfer process. Also provided are systems and apparatuses for transferring wafers using an intermediate station.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a tooling device which for connecting to a manipulator. The device includes a base unit and at least two manipulator modules each with a first and a second end. At least one degree of freedom in movement is provided between both ends of each manipulator module. The first end is connected with the base unit and a tool interface is provided at the second end. The tool interfaces are each moveable independently of the other relative to the base unit. At least one manipulator module is linearly moveable on its first end relative to the base unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manipulation device (3) for manipulating a workpiece (4) on a bending press (2), comprising multiple successive moving elements (17), in particular articulated arms (18), connected to one another via articulated joints (19), wherein one moving element (22) has a rotary head (23) which is rotatable about a rotational axis (24) which at least approximately coincides with a center axis (25) of the moving element (22), and comprising a gripping device (27) connected thereto having a gripping zone (34), formed by one or more gripping elements (32), by means of which the workpiece (4) may be held.

Abstract: A method for depositing real items into real containers, wherein the real items are transported along a picking line and are deposited into spaces in the real containers using robots. Placement of the items is predetermined by a controller. The controller provides for the real items and the real containers to be previously associated with one another by virtue of graphical symbols for items being placed into at least one graphical symbol for a container on a screen that is connected to the controller. The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to easily and quickly fill a container with an assortment of items in the desired manner using real robot movements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transporting a sheaf of notes from a storage location to a dispensing outlet. The system comprises a conveyor apparatus, a carrier within which the sheaf is transported through the conveyor apparatus, and an extractor for removing the sheaf from the carrier. The carrier comprises a resiliently biased gripper for gripping the sheaf with a first gripping force. The extractor comprises an extraction gripping device configured to grip the sheaf with a second gripping force, which is greater than the first gripping force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology for holding an object to be reliably conveyed for the sake of high speed conveyance not only in a low temperature environment but also in a high temperature environment, and for reducing dust while conveying the object to be conveyed. A conveying device includes a link mechanism, which can expand and contract, has a plurality of arms to which power from a drive source is transmitted, and a mounting section which is connected to an operating tip section of the link mechanism through a drive link section and on which a substrate is mounted. The mounting section has latch sections for making contact with and latching side portions of the substrate. The drive link sections of the link mechanism are provided with cam mechanism-based pressing means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading drums into a drum container, in which a function of gripping a lid of the drum container is added to a gripper used when a drum filled with radioactive waste is loaded into the drum container, thereby considerably reducing loading time of the drums, risk of dropping the drum, and preventing a radiation exposure risk. The apparatus includes a drum feeder transferring a drum, a drum container into which the drums transferred through the drum feeder are sequentially loaded, a support frame on which a lid of the drum container is placed when the drums are being loaded, and a crane having a gripper that selectively grips and transfers the drum or the drum container lid. The gripper includes radial gripper arms, an arm hydraulic unit reciprocating the gripper arms, jaws on inner sides of the gripper arms and gripping an outer surface of the drum, and latches for latching the drum container lid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for speed optimizing a robot which is configured to carry out a plurality of product transfer procedures which follow one another and in which products are transferred from a pick-up region into a placement region, wherein at least one first transfer procedure is repeatedly carried out at which a first kind of product is picked up at a first predetermined pick-up location of the pick-up region and is placed down at a first predetermined placement location of the placement region, in which method an upper limit for the permitted kinematic load on the robot is defined and the speed at which the first transfer procedure is carried out is increased, starting from a starting speed at which the resulting kinematic load on the robot is in any case below the defined upper limit, during a teaching phase on every repetition of the first transfer procedure up to an ideal working speed at which the resulting kinematic load corresponds at least approximately to the defined upper limit.

Abstract: A winder for winding a web to produce a rolled product is provided. The winder includes a web transport apparatus that is used for conveying the web. Also included in one exemplary embodiment is a plurality of independent winding modules. The winding modules are independently positioned to independently engage the web as the web is conveyed by the web transport apparatus. The winding modules may be configured to wind the web to form a rolled product by center winding, surface winding, and combinations of center and surface winding. The winding modules are structurally and operationally independent of one another where if one module is disabled, another may still operate to produce the rolled product without shutting down the winder.

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: A geometric end effector system for use on a robot. The system includes a platform and a frame secured to the platform. At least one base is arranged at a predetermined position on the frame. The system also has an anchor mount secured to the base and a component connected to an end of the anchor mount by a collar assembly. A key is arranged between the component and the anchor mount.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a load maneuvering system that includes a pair of runway rails, a bridge that is movable on the runway rails and that includes a single bridge rail, a carriage that is movable on the single bridge rail, and a manipulator supported by the carriage. The bridge rail is configured to support the assembly of the carriage and manipulator when a load is carried by the manipulator and a resultant moment is imposed on the bridge rail. The moment may be imposed in a direction about the bridge axis, in a direction about the runway axis, or a combination of the two. By providing a single bridge rail with an enclosed member as part of (or the entirety of) the bridge rail, the overall system is lighter and requires less power for movement of the bridge on the runway rails, and requires less power to move the carriage on the bridge. Additionally, the assembly is simplified relative to some load maneuvering systems of the prior art thereby making it less expensive to manufacture.

Abstract: An end effector blade (201) is provided which has a region (203) defined thereon for receiving an article. The end effector blade is also equipped with a plurality of tabs (213) disposed about the periphery of said region. Each tab moves from a first position when no article is present in the region, to a second position when an article is disposed in the region, and each tab pressingly engages the article when it is in the second position.

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. Besides, the gripper unit includes a shifting unit. The 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: 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: An apparatus for transferring products for ice-cream parlors comprises a pick-up device (2) provided with a grippers (3) for gripping an orderly row of products (100), the pick-up device (2) being movable between a position for loading and unloading the products (100), a sensor element (4) for generating a signal (PS) indicating the presence or absence of products in the row of products (100), a plurality of housing elements (5), each for receiving a product (100), a positioning device (6) acting on the housing elements (5) for positioning them in the unloading position so that they receive the products (100) released by the grippers (3), a retaining device (7) acting on the housing elements (5) and associated with a sensor element (4) and with the positioning device (6) for transferring a housing element (5) to the positioning device (6) depending on the signal (PS) generated by the sensor element (4).

Abstract: In one aspect, detecting a splice connection along a component carrier tape extending from a component carrier tape feeder in a feeder slot on a pick-and-place machine having a pickup head is accomplished by scanning a section of a component carrier tape with a sensor, the sensor attached to the pick-and-place machine and positioned above or below a path of the component carrier tape, and detecting a splice connection with the sensor, the sensor generating a signal in response to detecting the splice connection such that the detection of the splice connection indicates the component carrier tape splice and such that the sensor is mounted such that relative position of the sensor with respect to the component carrier tape path is not affected by removal of the component carrier tape feeder slot or movement of the pickup head.

Abstract: In order to separate rod-shaped bodies from a bundle of bodies, the surface of an uppermost body in the bundle is determined in a separation apparatus by a sensor, which body is then seized laterally of the sensor by a first gripper and is vertically lifted, whereupon a further gripper engages under said body, laterally of the first gripper unit. The further gripper is then moved to the other end region of the body, with the body being lifted out of the bundle. Next, said body is moved to a deposition location by both grippers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated method for positioning eggs on a tray that comprises the automated detection of the presence/absence of eggs in the cells of a tray, and the picking-up of eggs from a supply and the placement thereof in the empty cells of a tray. The invention also relates to a system or positioning eggs on a stabilizing tray, the tray including evenly distributed cells in which the eggs are placed, one or more cells being likely not to contain eggs, this information being stored in an information processing unit, wherein said system includes a means in the form of a robot having an egg pick-up head that are driven by the information processing unit in order to pick up eggs from a supply tray and to place them in the empty cells of the stabilizing tray.

Abstract: In a transfer system, transport beams are displaced in three types of motions, i.e. toward each other, along a longitudinal extension thereof for advancement, and up and down. Two of these types of motions are triggered by a double-function motor. Such a double-function motor includes a shaft, which simultaneously rotates and displaces back and forth in linear fashion along the longitudinal extension thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) comprising a base body (2) and a thread (4), comprising an at least partially circumferential securing ring (6) which extends essentially radially outwards relative to the base body (2) of the container (1), wherein the circumferential securing ring (6) is arranged between the thread (4) and the base body (2) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container (1) and is spaced apart from the thread (4) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container (1). According to the invention, the container (1) comprises an at least partially circumferential groove (10) between the thread (4) and the circumferential securing ring (6), wherein this groove (10) has a smaller external cross-section than the securing ring (6) and a smaller external cross-section than the thread (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a plurality of electronic components includes a row of pick heads operative to pick up the electronic components simultaneously from a first location and to place them at a second location. Additionally, there is a driving mechanism operative to drive the pick heads to move relative to one another in directions which are parallel to a length of the row of pick heads whereby to adjust a pitch width of the pick heads.

Abstract: Device for turning over electronic components, comprising a turntable (1) for driving the electronic components to be turned over in succession between the following stationary locations: a location (A) for loading them onto the turntable; a start of turning over location (B); an end of turning over location (C); and a location (D) for unloading the turntable. A turning-over device (2) actuated by a fixed rotating motor (21), not linked to said turntable, allows the electronic components to be turned over between the start of turning over position and the end of turning over position.

Abstract: An assembly system includes an electronic component, a gripper, and a socket. The electronic component has sides and a top face, the top face has a top-face peripheral area and a top-face central area. The gripper has a gripper head, the gripper head being movable to an open and closed position. The gripper head has an extension configured to contact opposing sides of the electronic component when the gripper head is in the closed position, and a surface configured to contact the top-face peripheral area of the electronic component when the gripper head is in the closed position. The socket has a top peripheral surface. An insertion depth guide is associated with the gripper head and has a depth guide with a bottom surface configured to contact the top peripheral surface of the socket. A method for assembly is also included.

Abstract: Device for conveying and removing glass waste, of the type which is associable to a sealing station of glass vials in a machine for filling the vials, operating in a chamber in which there is a controlled atmosphere. The glass waste are unloaded by gripping means, provided in the sealing station, in a hopper located laterally of said sealing station and conveyed, by means of conveyor organs, to a collection container of such waste, which is positioned in a different environment from the controlled-atmosphere one.

Abstract: A part mounting apparatus of the invention comprises: a pickup head having a pickup tool for picking up a part; a pickup head supporting unit for supporting the pickup head; a pickup head supporting arm having one end portion where the pickup head is disposed and an other end portion rotatably mounted to the pickup head supporting unit; a pickup head inverting unit for vertically inverting the pickup head with respect to the pickup head supporting unit; and a pickup tool rotating unit for rotating the pickup tool about a rotational axis of the pickup tool, wherein the pickup tool rotating unit includes driving force generating unit and driving force transmitting unit for transmitting a driving force of the driving force generating unit as a rotational force of the pickup tool, and the driving force generating unit is disposed on the pickup head supporting unit.

Abstract: A parallel gripper for handling multiwell plates in an automated analysis system, moves individual multiwell plates between a plate storage array unit (i.e., plate hotel) and an imaging station. More particularly, the gripper has two parallel plate-gripping arms that move in equal, but opposite linear directions and are controlled using a stepper motor. Each of the arms has a shelf that provides support for the corresponding side edge of a multiwell plate.

Abstract: A device for treating and/or handling articles (10), especially molds in the production of chocolate articles, comprises a gripper (6) that is arranged on arms (3.1-3.5) which can be displaced along a rail (1) on carriages (2.1-2.4). At least three arms (3.1 to 3.4) are connected to the gripper (6), every arm having its own joint (6, 7, 29) on the gripper (6) which joint is independent of the other arm.

Abstract: A robot apparatus according to the invention is configured to hand over a workpiece by rotating by a prescribed angle a finger including a holding means for holding the workpiece. The robot apparatus includes: a drive shaft including a first finger and a second finger spaced from each other. The first finger includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending from its rotation center with a prescribed angle therebetween so as to be distanced from each other. The second finger includes a third arm portion and a fourth arm portion extending from its rotation center with a prescribed angle therebetween so as to be distanced from each other. The second arm portion and the fourth arm portion are distanced from each other when the first arm portion and the third arm portion overlap in the axial direction of the drive shaft. The robot apparatus can further improve productivity without incurring size increase and high cost.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for mounting semiconductor chips as flip chip on a substrate. The apparatus comprises means for supplying the semiconductor chips, a pick-and-place system with a bonding head with a chip gripper, a flipping apparatus with a gripper and two cameras. The first camera is used for determining the actual position of the semiconductor chip that is provided by the said means for mounting before the flipping apparatus receives the semiconductor chip, and it is used to determine the actual position of the flip chip received by the chip gripper of the bonding head once the flipping apparatus has transferred the semiconductor chip. The apparatus comprises an optical switch in accordance with the invention, e.g., a rotatably held mirror which is located in the field of view of the first camera. In operation, the mirror is rotated simultaneously with the gripper of the flipping apparatus, but only by half the angle.

Abstract: A method for conveying especially light objects (23, 23.1), particularly empty or full PET bottles. In the method, the object (23, 23.1) is accepted between two claws (5, 6) of claw arms (3.1, 3.2) of a griping vehicle (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) which moves along a rail (1, 1.1, 1.2).

Abstract: A composite support arm for an automated handling device includes an elongated tubular body having an outer metal layer and an inner fibrous reinforcement layer adjacent to the outer metal layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes an upper portion housing an electric motor, the electric motor having a drive shaft. A motor housing encloses the electric motor. A pivot bracket having a first end and a second end, where the first end of the pivot bracket is coupled to the drive shaft. The apparatus includes a lower portion having a top surface affixed to the second end of the pivot bracket. The lower portion includes a plurality of paddle assemblies each having support extensions extending though a bearing assembly of the lower portion. Each of the paddle assemblies has an independent drive assembly disposed between corresponding support extensions, wherein the lower portion translates between a vertical and horizontal orientation by pivoting around an axis of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.

Abstract: An exemplary manipulator includes a main body, a plurality of holding devices, and a supporting arm. The main body includes four connecting surfaces. The holding devices are connected to the connecting surfaces of the main body. The holding devices are configured to seize and release grasping members. Each of the grasping members defines four latching holes. The holding devices are capable of abutting inner surfaces of the latching holes. The supporting arm is fixed to the main body, and configured to rotate with the main body.

Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus includes a base plate with a two-pronged portion, a holding plate arranged above the base plate, a driving portion provided therebetween, a holding portion formed by a tip end of the two-pronged portion and a tip end of the holding plate, and a guide portion provided at the tip end of the two-pronged portion for guiding a part of the substrate. The driving portion includes an urging means for always urging a basal end side of the holding plate upward, an electric magnetic portion for drawing the holding plate toward the base plate, and a bearing portion arranged at on the tip end side of the base plate. The guide portion has a guide groove which comes into contact with a part of a periphery of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for buffering containers (3, 74, 140) with plants, comprising of: providing a buffer space (1) for buffering containers in a greenhouse; providing containers with plants; supplying and disposing a number of containers in a row (10-13, 107-110) in a first direction (21, 111); buffering the row of disposed containers by gripping, lifting and displacing the row through the buffer space in a second direction (39, 113) which differs from the first direction, and by setting down the row in the buffer space.

Abstract: A robot for gripping and handling one or more objects, which robot includes a stationary base with a first guide extending in a first direction, and an arm including a second guide extending in a second direction at an angle relative to the first direction, preferably perpendicularly to the first direction, which arm is connected to the base by way of the first guide in such a way that the arm is movable in the first direction. A slide is provided on the second guide and is movable in the second direction. A gripper supported by the slide, for gripping one or more objects, is movable in a third direction intersecting the plane of the first and second directions, preferably perpendicularly. A number of stationary actuators are provided on the base, for driving the arm, the slide and the gripper by means of pulling elements, for example drive belts, which are connected to the arm, the slide and the gripper respectively.

Abstract: This invention provides an electronic component mounting apparatus which can detects an electronic component held by a suction nozzle without fail after a mounting operation of electronic components on a printed board and perform various processes in a case where the electronic component is held by the suction nozzle.

Abstract: Method and system for transferring items (2) from an inlet flow or a bulk of items at a first area to a second area, from which the items are transferred in an orderly flow of items, whereby a plurality of gripping means (18) are used for transferring said items and whereby said method comprises the steps of moving at least one of said plurality of gripping means (18) towards at least part of said first area or vice versa, engaging one of said items by said at least one of said plurality of gripping means (18), moving said engaged item away from said first area, or vice versa, placing said engaged item at a selected position, and whereby said item is moved away from said second area in an orderly flow with at least one further item handled by another of said plurality of gripping means.

Abstract: A manipulator includes an end effector, a support member that supports the end effector, and a fixing member provided to the support member and made of a tube-shaped flexible film with a space therein. In the manipulator, a fluid is supplied to the space of the fixing member to inflate the fixing member so that a flexible cover for covering the end effector is fixed to the support member. Accordingly, cleanness of the end effector is restored.

Abstract: A pick and place tool including a part penetration element adapted to induce a generation of a compressive force by the part against the part penetration element, securing the part to the part penetration element. The pick and place tool secures a part at first location employing an induced compressive force by the part against a part penetration element of the pick and place tool. In one embodiment, a pick and place tool for picking a part while maintaining a selected part orientation includes a tool body and a part penetration element attached to the tool body, the part penetration element adapted to induce a compressive force by the part against the part penetration element, securing the part to the part penetration element in a selected part orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a robotic arm in one example. A workpiece holding portion is coupled to the robotic arm and is configured to selectively hold a workpiece. At least one measurement device is coupled with the workpiece holding portion and is configured to measure a property of the workpiece while being held by the workpiece holding portion. In another example, a method includes automatically measuring at least one property of the workpiece while the workpiece is moved from one location to another.

Abstract: A screwdriver is disclosed comprising a base, a carriage moveably coupled to the base, an actuator operable to move the carriage relative to the base, and a slider comprising an attached screw bit, wherein the slider is coupled to the base through the carriage and the slider is moveably coupled to the carriage such that the slider and attached screw bit move together relative to the carriage. The screwdriver further comprises a position detector operable to detect a position of the slider relative to the carriage. In one embodiment, the carriage is moved relative to the base to move the screw towards the work surface. After the screw contacts the work surface, the carriage is moved further relative to the base causing the slider to move relative to the carriage, and the movement of the slider relative to the carriage is detected using the position detector.