Abstract: A chemical trace detection system includes: a drift tube; a detector disposed within the drift tube; a voltage source to produce an electrical field in the drift tube; an ionizer to establish an ionization region adjacent to the electrical field; and a desorber including a sample holder to hold a sample in or adjacent to the ionization region and a sample heater to desorb particles of the sample held in the sample holder such that the desorbed particles are introduced directly into the ionization region from the sample holder to form ionized particles that are forced toward the detector by the electrical field. A regenerable dryer assembly for supplying dry drift gas to an ion mobility spectrometer is also provided that includes a regenerable desiccant material.

Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.

Abstract: A spatial model of a printed circuit board assembly is generated based on an input file. The spatial model is used to determine a spatial feature not directly specified in the input file. A manufacturing parameter is determined based at least in part on the determined spatial feature. A proposal to manufacture the printed circuit board assembly is generated programmatically based at least in part on the determined manufacturing parameter.

Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.

Abstract: A motor brush quick change assembly that includes brush units and electrical spring contacts. The brush units include a carrier with a housing and a brush. The electrical spring contacts are connected to an electrical device. Each of the brush units is configured to be removably attached to the electrical device to contact one of the electrical spring contacts. The brush unit thus provide for both a mechanical and electrical connection to the electrical device. The brush units are configured to prevent the need for separate electrical leads that require separate attachment and detachment to the electrical device. This design provides for straight-forward removal and replacement that can be performed by a robotic device or an operator.

Abstract: A linear actuator with an adjustable stroke length. The linear actuator includes a main rod that moves along a linear stroke length. At least one end of the stroke length is defined by a limit switch. The linear actuator includes an adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow a user to change the stroke length of the device by moving the limit switch without having to open the linear actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods to manipulate stacks of silicon wafers and rings are described. In one aspect, a robotic actuator includes a robotic end effector that further a first surface having multiple attached wafer suction cups arranged to collectively grasp a silicon wafer. The robotic end effector also includes a second surface that further includes multiple attached ring suction cups arranged to collectively grasp a ring. The second surface also includes a bulk grabber positionable to grasp a collective stack of rings. The robotic actuator also includes an axial actuator configured to rotate the robotic end effector about a flip axis, such that either the first surface or the second surface faces vertically upwards.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to attachment of bands about a garment opening. In one example, among others, a sleeve band can be attached to a garment by loading the sleeve band on a band guide, aligning an opening of a garment over the sleeve band, and attaching the band to the garment along the edge of the opening. Alignment of the edges of the opening and the sleeve band can be maintained by ply aligners during attachment. In another example, a garment holding system includes a garment holder that can receive a garment and a band positioning system includes a band guide that can receive a band. Edges of the opening of the garment and the band can be controlled and maintained with ply aligners of the band positioning system.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to attachment of bands such as, e.g., collar or neck bands, sleeve bands, wrist bands, waist bands and ankle bands, etc. to a garment opening. In one example, among others, a band can be attached to a garment by loading the band between rollers in a joining position, positioning an opening of a garment extending between control surface mandrels over the band, and attaching the band to the garment along the edge of the opening.

Abstract: A capping and de-capping apparatus (100) for capping and de-capping tubes (112) disposed in a tube holding rack (111) having a two-dimensional array of apertures (114) for holding the tubes (112). The apparatus (100) comprises a rack support (110) for supporting the tube holding rack (111), a head unit (120) adapted for carrying a cartridge (152) comprising at least one capping and de-capping gripper (122), a drive system (130) for moving the rack support (110) and the head unit (120) relatively towards and away from one another, in order to cause engagement or disengagement of the capping and de-capping gripper (122) with or from a cap (113) of at least one tube (112), and a drive system (140) for rotating the capping and de-capping gripper (122), wherein rotation in one direction causes attachment of the cap (113) to the tube (112) and rotation in the opposite direction causes detachment of the cap (113) from said tube (112).

Abstract: Mounting hardware is installed to a cryogenic storage device to accommodate an automation system for automated storage and retrieval. A guideplate at an upper surface of a cover of the cryogenic storage device is positioned such that the guideplate is aligned in a predefined relation to an access port at the upper surface. One or more mounting posts are affixed at a location as indicated by the guideplate. A vacuum is then pulled within the cover, and the mounting hardware is affixed to the at least one mounting post.

Abstract: A self-contained no-feed-roll computer controlled corrugated board or paperboard sheet feeder apparatus 200 is configured to upgrade an installed corrugated board processing machine (e.g., 10) and includes a feed table surface 210 for boards (e.g., 2) having drive wheels (222W, 224W, 226W) in an initial variable velocity zone 220 which drives the board in a first motion profile through a first vacuum zone, and a second velocity zone 230 which then drives the board in a second motion profile through a second vacuum zone Retrofittable sheet feeder 200 also includes a controller 300 configured to receive predetermined velocity signals from the host machine 10 and generate (i) a first initial variable velocity control signal for initial variable velocity zone 220 and (ii) a second velocity control signal for second velocity zone 230 in response.

Abstract: An electric-powered fail-safe actuator for use with a valve, where the actuator stores potential energy for conversion to kinetic energy to close or open the valve to the fail-safe position.

Abstract: A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.

Abstract: A substrate transport empiric arm droop mapping apparatus for a substrate transport system of a processing tool, the mapping apparatus including a frame, an interface disposed on the frame forming datum features representative of a substrate transport space in the processing tool defined by the substrate transport system, a substrate transport arm, that is articulated and has a substrate holder, mounted to the frame in a predetermined relation to at least one of the datum features, and a registration system disposed with respect to the substrate transport arm and at least one datum feature so that the registration system registers, in an arm droop distance register, empiric arm droop distance, due to arm droop changes, between a first arm position and a second arm position different than the first arm position and in which the substrate holder is moved in the transport space along at least one axis of motion.

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: A substrate transport apparatus comprising a frame, a drive section connected to the frame, and an articulated arm having at least one articulated arm link operably connected to the drive section so that the articulated arm rotates about a pivot axis relative to the frame and extends and retracts relative to the pivot axis. The articulated arm has an end effector pivotally mounted to at least one articulated arm link forming a joint between the end effector and the articulated arm link, with an arm joint pivot axis disposed so that the end effector rotates relative to at least one articulated arm link about the arm joint pivot axis. The articulated arm has a drive band transmission with drive and driven pulleys where the driven pulley is connected to the articulated wrist.

Abstract: An electrically powered and electronically controlled diaphragm ink pump apparatus (e.g., 100, 200 or 300) and method for synchronous pressurization of ink in a corrugated board sheet feeding system comprises a diaphragm pump assembly including a reciprocating electrically driven crank mechanism connected to and driving first and second diaphragms or diaphragm surfaces, each diaphragm or diaphragm surface housed within a pump housing (e.g., 140, 240 or 340) having an ink inlet and an ink outlet in fluid communication with a manifold configured for pumping liquid ink to printing sections of a corrugated paperboard finishing machine 10 and provide a smooth reciprocating action and more uniform ink flow with reduced pressure pulsations.

Abstract: A cryogenic storage system provides automated storage and retrieval of samples in a cryogenic environment, as well as automated transfer of individual samples between cryogenic environments. Stored samples are maintained under a cryogenic temperature threshold, while also enabling access to the samples. The samples are organized and tracked by scanning a barcode of each sample. Embodiments may also comprise multiple storage vaults and provide for transfer of individual samples between the storage vaults, as well as between a storage vault and a removable cryogenic storage device.