Abstract: A compensation device configured to be positioned between a robotic arm and a robotic tool. The device may be configured to directly attach to the tool, or may be configured to be positioned away from the tool. The device generally includes a first section that connects to the robotic arm and a second section that connects to the tool. The second section is movable relative to the first section to provide for the tool to be positioned at various orientations. The second section may comply rotationally about a first axis. The second section may be movable in a second plane. In one embodiment, the second plane is perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a sewing machine, either separate from the rest of the machine or incorporated as a part thereof, greatly improves quality of sewn products, permits a multitude of stitches and increases production rates with less labor content.

Abstract: A storage stack for storing sample containers in a low temperature sample store, each storage stack includes first and second rigid lateral support flanges including a multitude of storage webs for supporting sample containers; a rigid back panel; a rigid bottom plate; and a rigid insulation cover. The insulation cover includes a handling plate and an insulation block. A number of insulation covers of all storage stacks of a storage stack array form an essentially continuous insulation layer on a storage area of the low temperature sample store. For all storage stacks, carrying elements are provided that statically connect the bottom plate of each individual storage stack with a bottom structure of the storage area, carry the entire weight of the individual storage stack and all sample containers inserted therein, and confer this entire weight to a bottom structure of the storage area of the low temperature sample store.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame configured to hold sample holders in an array, a longitudinal axis of the sample holder extending outward of an array plane; a drive section connected to the frame; at least one transfer arm rotatably connected to the drive section so that each transfer arm rotates about a rotation axis oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and includes a sample holder gripper; and at least one push member movably connected to the drive section and being distinct from the sample holder gripper and configured for linear movement along the longitudinal axis, the at least one push member being configured so that engagement with at least a bottom or top surface of the sample holder effects longitudinal translation of the sample holder for one or more of capture and release of the sample holder by the respective transfer arm in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An automated system for transporting items between variable endpoints includes a guidance system for identifying the endpoints and at least one autonomous mobile robot interacting with the guidance system for automatically moving items between the endpoints. The at least one robot is configured to (a) collect an item to be transported at a source end point, (b) travel to a destination endpoint utilizing the guidance system to locate the destination endpoint, (c) deliver the item to the destination endpoint, and (d) repeat (a) through (c) for a given set of items. The guidance system is dynamically reconfigurable to identify new endpoints.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus having a drive section and a scara arm operably connected to the drive section to move the scara arm. The scara arm has an upper arm and at least one forearm. The forearm is movably mounted to the upper arm and capable of holding a substrate thereon. The upper arm is substantially rigid and is adjustable for changing a predetermined dimension of the upper arm.

Abstract: A modular, electrified monorail system upon which at least one motorized trolley assembly may be propelled along. The system may incorporate a plurality of rail assemblies adapted to be coupled adjacent to one another to form a generally continuous track. Each rail assembly may make use of an electrified track adapted to provide an electrical signal from an electrical power source to at least one electrical conductor extending coextensively along the electrified track. A controller may be mounted on the electrified track. The controller may be configured to selectively apply and remove the electrical power from the electrified track to control propulsion of the motorized trolley assembly along the electrified track.

Abstract: A vacuum belt conveyor sequentially delivers sheet articles to a digital printer. The sheets are held in position by vacuum on the underside of the sheets through apertures in the belts and covered by the sheets. A plurality of independent plenums on the underside of the belt have chambers respectively communicating with rows of apertures extending along the belt. Vacuum is selectively applied from a manifold only to the plenum chambers that supply apertures that are covered by the sheets so that the ink from the printer will not be directed from its intended position on the sheet by vacuum from adjacent uncovered belt apertures. The sheets are fed to the conveyor in synchronism with the conveyor speed by a timed feeder so that the sheets are carried by the conveyor with a predetermined gap between the sheets and no belt apertures in the gap. A sensor counts the apertures in the belt and activates the feeder at predetermined time intervals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining a volume of liquid in a sample tube, comprising the steps of capturing an image of the sample tube, determining a first region of interest within the sample tube based upon pre-stored information concerning dimensional properties of the sample tube, scanning the first region of interest to detect the position of a meniscus indicative of an upper extent of the liquid, and using said meniscus position together with certain pre-stored properties of the sample tube to determine a volume of liquid in the tube, and outputting said volume. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: A telescoping article retrieval system for rapidly removing articles from a plastic molding machine or other manufacturing process in a way that significantly reduces the cycle time, while consistently maintaining vacuum control of the articles being handled. Two light weight double telescoping tubes are driven by a dual carriage assembly in which power is conveyed to one carriage by means of a servo, belt drive or other mechanism, allowing it to extend and retract. A second belt drive encompasses a first carriage and ties a second carriage to a fixed main beam such that linear movement of the first carriage of the dual carriage assembly a certain distance causes linear movement of the second carriage of the dual carriage assembly and also causes linear movement of the double telescoping tubes a distance equal to twice the distance that the first carriage has moved.

Abstract: A corrugated box making machine has a vacuum transfer mechanism for moving corrugated boards along a path of conveyance including stations having printing and die cutter mechanisms which operate on the boards. The printing mechanisms include a print and impression cylinder, the latter being mounted in a vacuum housing that also holds drive rolls for moving the boards along the path during which the boards are held against the rolls by vacuum in the housing. The latter is movable substantially above the print cylinder to provide convenient access for maintenance of the print cylinder or replacement of its printing plates.

Abstract: A substrate loading station including a frame forming a chamber configured to hold a controlled environment, a transfer robot connected to the frame and one or more substrate cassette holding locations each capable of having a substrate cassette holder disposed within the frame. Each of the one or more substrate cassette holding locations being configured to removably support a respective substrate cassette in a predetermined position for communication with the transfer robot to effect substrate transfer between a respective cassette and the transfer robot where the one or more substrate cassette holding locations are configured to effect the interchangeability of one or more substrate cassette holders with other substrate cassette holders for changing a substrate cassette holding capacity of the substrate loading station.

Abstract: A method of selectively eradicating plants includes generating images of multiple plants arranged in a bed using a camera mounted to a mobile chassis moving along the bed, determining respective locations of the multiple plants from the generated images, selecting from among the multiple plants one or more target plants to be eradicated, and eradicating the one or more target plants by accelerating a blade of a rotary cutter to strike the one or more target plants as the mobile chassis moves along the bed, and to decelerate the blade to avoid eradicating unselected plants as the mobile chassis moves along the bed, wherein the rotary cutter is carried by the mobile chassis and rotatable about an axis extending in the direction along which the mobile chassis is moved.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including a chamber capable of holding an isolated atmosphere and having a front and rear disposed along a longitudinal axis and a transport apparatus located in the chamber, and having twin scara arms and a drive section with a coaxial drive shaft assembly, each shaft of which being operably connected to at least one rotatable link of both scara arms to move the twin scara arms, wherein movement of one of the twin scara arms mirrors movement of another of the twin scara arms across the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A register transfer level (RTL) design is received which models a digital circuit in terms of the flow of digital signals. A power intent description is received which may include a description of power domains, identification of retention flops for each power domain, a list of isolation signals, and power switch definitions. A transformed RTL is produced accounting for functionality described in the power intent description. The transformed RTL includes flops designated as retention flops and non-retention flops. A retention flop module analyzes the flops to ensure that flops are properly designated as retention or non-retention flops. A verification module performs power aware sequential equivalence checking on various RTL and power intent descriptions to verify that RTL and power intent description outputs behave the same when accounting for power states.

Abstract: A substrate processing system including a processing section arranged to hold a processing atmosphere therein, a carrier having a shell forming an internal volume for holding at least one substrate for transport to the processing section, the shell being configured to allow the internal volume to be pumped down to a predetermined vacuum pressure that is different than an exterior atmosphere outside the substrate processing system, and a load port communicably connected to the processing section to isolate the processing atmosphere from the exterior atmosphere, the load port being configured to couple with the carrier to pump down the internal volume of the carrier and to communicably connect the carrier to the processing section, for loading the substrate into the processing section through the load port.

Abstract: A system for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis includes a data collection function that acquires time histories of selected variables for one or more of the components, a pre-processing function that calculates specified characteristics of the time histories, an analysis function for evaluating the characteristics to produce one or more hypotheses of a condition of the one or more components, and a reasoning function for determining the condition of the one or more components from the one or more hypotheses.

Abstract: A bridging chamber is constructed between adjacent substrate processing workstation systems and connected by ports constructed in the adjacent substrate processing workstation systems. Transport mechanisms are used to move the substrates into and out of the bridging chamber to bypass primary transport systems.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flipping module operable to flip a workpiece delivered by a robot in a vacuum transfer chamber (VTC) includes a gripper disposed outside a working envelope of the robot in a parked position in a vacuum environment of the VTC, and an actuator operable to move the gripper from the parked position to a receiving position, and to rotate the gripper and workpiece to thereby flip the workpiece.

Abstract: A tool changer comprising a master module and a tool module includes a rapid-connect communication bus between the master and tool modules. A unique tool identification number, along with other tool-related information, may be transmitted from the tool module to the master module within about 250 msec of the master and tool modules coupling together. The master module includes a robotic system communications network node connected to the rapid-connect communication bus, and operative to transmit data between the tool and the network via the communication bus. The need for a separate network node in the tool module is obviated, reducing cost and reducing the start-up time required to initialize such a network node upon connecting to a new tool. The rapid-connect communication bus may be a serial bus.