Abstract: An apparatus for weighing a stent includes a buffer for storing a stent support with a stent mounted thereon, a stent mounting and dismounting assembly that mounts and dismounts the stent from the stent support, a robotic arm for moving the stent support with the stent between the buffer and the stent mounting and dismounting assembly, and a scale assembly for weighing the stent. The stent mounting and dismounting assembly moves the stent into the scale assembly after the stent has been dismount from the stent support.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a plurality of moving elements in a transport system that include: tracking a position of each of the plurality of moving elements in the transport system; and selectively operating a power system provided to the transport system based on the position of each of the plurality of the moving element such that power is independently transferred to each of the plurality of moving elements. In another embodiment, the system and method include: adapting the plurality of moving elements to receive power from a drive component used to drive the plurality of moving elements along the transport system; and controlling the drive component to provide power to the plurality of moving elements, and, in particular, while the moving elements are moving.

Abstract: A wet bench system comprising a plurality of sequentially aligned containers. A first rail positioned generally horizontally adjacent a first side of the container and a first arm having a first end moveable on the first rail. A second rail positioned generally horizontally and adjacent a second side of the container and having a second arm having a first end moveable on the second rail. The arms being capable of moving articles to be treated by chemicals in containers by movement in a back and forth leap frog fashion.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting stents can involve an inspection camera to take an image of the stent and a computer system for analyzing the image to determine the presence of any coating defects. The determination can be made by masking out a portion of the stent, identifying deviations from a strut edge, and/or highlighting features protruding from a stent external boundary defining an outer diameter. The image can be taken after a focus feedback camera determines the position of the stent.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a thermode tip including applying an energy pulse to the thermode tip. The energy pulse involves raising the temperature of the thermode tip higher than the working temperature of the thermode tip. A method for cleaning a thermode tip may include periodically performing a predetermined number of soldering cycles at a working temperature; and applying an energy pulse to the thermode tip.

Abstract: A system and method of aligning a stent with a stent support involves taking two images of the stent that has been placed on the stent support and determining from the two images whether the stent is aligned with the stent support. The stent can be rotated so that the two images are of different views of the stent. A computer can be configured to receive the images and to determine the whether the stent is aligned. A backlight can be used to take images of the stent in silhouette. A portion of the stent support can be re-positioned based on an image taken of the stent.

Abstract: A conveyor system pallet is provided, having: a pallet body; and a guiding system operatively attached to the pallet body and designed to abut against at least one side rail of a conveyor system, the guiding system including: a plurality of first directional guides; and a plurality of second directional guides oriented approximately orthogonally to the first directional guides. A further guiding system for a conveyor pallet is provided, having: a plurality of first directional guides having: a plurality of guides designed to abut against a first side rail of the conveyor system; and a plurality of guides designed to abut against a second side rail located above the first side rail of the conveyor system; and a plurality of second directional guides designed to engage an underside of the first side rail.

Abstract: A junction box comprising: a back wall and at least one side wall integrally formed as a single unit, the back wall supported by the at least one side wall, wherein the back wall and side wall define an inner cavity when the junction box is placed against a surface; and one or more pass holes formed on at least one of the back wall and side wall for providing access to the inner cavity when the junction box is placed against the surface.

Abstract: A system and method for producing molded parts with a marking component comprising: providing an insert tape comprising an insert portion configured to act as the marking component and a web portion; and molding a part around the insert tape such that the insert portion is exposed and such that the web portion acts as a carrier for the molded part in an automated process.

Abstract: A light generating system comprising: a plurality of solid state emitters (SSEs) and a stability control system for controlling the spectral stability of the SSEs. In a particular case, the stability control system may comprise: a power regulator to regulate power supplied to a sub-set of the plurality of SSEs; a constant current circuit connected to the power regulator to provide a constant current to the sub-set of SSEs; a current regulation set point connected to the constant current circuit; and a controller configured to set the regulation set point based on metrology relating to the state of the SSEs.

Abstract: A method for assembling a photovoltaic module with an integrated back box including: applying links to a back side of a photovoltaic module subassembly; forming a connection between the links and an internal bus element of the photovoltaic sub-assembly; connecting external lead wires to the links; applying a housing over the links and a portion of the lead wires; and applying potting material to fill any cavities between the back of photovoltaic module, the lead wires and the housing. A photovoltaic module with integrated back box manufactured according to this method.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism having: a drive; a shaft connected to the drive; an eccentric hub that is driven to rotate by the shaft; a fixed support structure that supports the eccentric hub such that the eccentric hub can rotate; and a moving support structure that is connected to the eccentric hub such that the moving support structure is driven substantially linearly based on rotational motion of the eccentric hub and serves to clamp an object between the moving support structure and a fixed structure adjacent to the moving support structure. A clamping system is provided having, a single drive; a shaft connected to the drive; and a plurality of clamping mechanisms.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a thermode tip including applying an energy pulse to the thermode tip. The energy pulse involves raising the temperature of the thermode tip higher than the working temperature of the thermode tip. A method for cleaning a thermode tip may include periodically performing a predetermined number of soldering cycles at a working temperature; and applying an energy pulse to the thermode tip.

Abstract: A system for coating a stent includes a device for weighing a stent, a device for aligning the stent with a stent support, a device for coating the stent, a device for drying the stent, and a device for inspecting the stent.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a thermode tip including applying an energy pulse to the thermode tip. The energy pulse involves raising the temperature of the thermode tip higher than the working temperature of the thermode tip. A method for cleaning a thermode tip may include periodically performing a predetermined number of soldering cycles at a working temperature; and applying an energy pulse to the thermode tip.

Abstract: An apparatus for weighing a stent includes a buffer for storing a stent support with a stent mounted thereon, a stent mounting and dismounting assembly that mounts and dismounts the stent from the stent support, a robotic arm for moving the stent support with the stent between the buffer and the stent mounting and dismounting assembly, and a scale assembly for weighing the stent. The stent mounting and dismounting assembly moves the stent into the scale assembly after the stent has been dismount from the stent support.

Abstract: A method for aligning a stent with a stent support includes the steps of (1) placing a stent support and a stent mounted on the stent support in a vertically position with the stent support's first support element at a lower position and the stent support's second support element at an upper position; (2) obtaining a digital image of the stent support and stent; (3) analyzing the digital image of the stent support and stent to compute the vertical position of the stent's upper end; (4) computing a desired position of the second support element based on the position of the stent's upper end; and (5) using a positioning device to move the second support element to the desired position. The movement of the second support element causes the conical sections of the first and second support elements to engage the respective ends of the stent to center the stent around a core element of the stent support and to secure the stent in a longitudinal direction of the stent support.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising: a track section comprising a control system; a drive system that is controlled by the control system; a plurality of moving elements that are driven by the drive system; a pallet support apparatus; a plurality of pallets that are configured to engage with the moving elements and move on the pallet support apparatus; and a plurality of workstations provided along the track section, each workstation at a predetermined pitch from each other workstation, wherein at least some of the pitches are different among workstations, wherein the control system, drive system and moving elements are configured such that each pallet of the plurality of pallets is independently advanced through the workstations based on the pitches of the workstations.

Abstract: A system for handling wafers comprising: at least one unload station; at least one intermediate station designed to hold the wafers at an angle; a processing station; and a transfer device configured to move the wafers between the stations. The intermediate station may be configured to receive the wafers in a back-to-back arrangement. An apparatus for handling wafers comprising: on one side, a vacuum gripper configured to grip individual wafers; and, on the other side, a gravity gripper configured to support one or more wafers when positioned beneath the wafers and lifted. A method for handling wafers, comprising: unloading wafers; transferring the wafers to an intermediate station; transferring the wafers from the intermediate station to a processing station; treating the wafers; unloading the wafers from the processing station; and reloading the wafers in a carrier, wherein the wafers are unloaded, transferred and reloaded by a transfer device.

Abstract: A laser ablation nozzle including a main pressure chamber centered on an area of a substrate to be ablated and arranged to push a stream of gas through the main pressure chamber onto the substrate. A vacuum chamber surrounds the main pressure chamber and is arranged to vacuum away the process gas and ablation debris. To attempt to address uneven pressure and flow, flow restrictors can be provided at one or both of the process gas inlet and the vacuum chamber. The vacuum flow restrictor is intended to create constriction in a channel to generate a uniform vacuum induced flow around substantially the entire circumference of the nozzle opening. Similarly, the process gas flow restrictor is intended to generate substantially uniform gas flow into the main pressure chamber.