Abstract: A block transfer apparatus for transferring a block between an upstream and downstream clamps of a block delivery system. The apparatus includes: a frame pivotally mounted to a support; a clamping assembly mounted to the frame and linearly extendable relative thereto, and including a pair of gripper jaws for clamping opposing sides of the block. The apparatus receives a block in the gripper jaws in an approximate position; rotates to a drop position and releases the block allowing it to self-datum onto first and second orthogonal datum surfaces. The apparatus re-clamps the block after the drop by applying a clamping force to opposing sides of the block to register the block against a third datum surface to thereby datum the position of the block with respect to the clamping assembly; and presents the block clamped in the datumed position for transfer to the downstream clamp.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multi-turn drive assemblies, systems and methods of use thereof. The multi-turn drive assemblies enable a robot link member to have a maximum rotation of at least 360 degrees about an axis. The multi-turn drive assemblies can be incorporated into a robot arm for enabling 360 degrees rotation of one or more link members about an axis. The robot arm may be located in a transfer chamber of an electronic device processing system. Also disclosed are methods of controlling the multi-turn drive assemblies and related robots.

Abstract: A quick-change device for coupling an attachment unit to a work machine, having a securing element, which is pushed into a locking position and an unlocking position to lock or secure and unlock or release, respectively, the coupled attachment unit. To displace the securing element, a control device is present, which has a switch valve, which can be actuated hydraulically and mechanically via a button, and is designed such that the attachment unit can be locked or secured only when the button is engaged but can be unlocked or released independently of the position of the button.

Abstract: Disclosed are a dual power driving-based parallel movable shelf and an unloading apparatus thereof. The parallel movable shelf comprises: an upper transverse rod, an upper sliding block and an upper power driving apparatus being fixed on the upper transverse rod, and the upper power driving apparatus being able to control the upper sliding block to move back and forth only along the upper transverse rod; a lower transverse rod, arranged parallel to the upper transverse rod, a lower sliding block and a lower power driving apparatus being fixed on the lower transverse rod, and the lower power driving apparatus being able to control the lower sliding block to move back and forth only along the lower transverse rod; and a vertical rod, the top of the vertical rod being coupled to the upper sliding block, and the bottom of the vertical rod being coupled to the lower sliding block.

Abstract: A loading robot hand includes a first member, a second member, and a drive unit. The second member can hold an article between the first member and the second member. The drive unit moves the second member in a direction toward and away from the first member. The drive unit includes a moving base, a fluid cylinder, a pressure regulator, and a controller. The moving base is slidably movable by driving a drive source. The fluid cylinder is attached to the moving base. The pressure regulator can change operating pressure of the fluid cylinder. The controller controls the pressure regulator. A direction of expansion and contraction of the fluid cylinder is parallel to a direction of slide movement of the moving base. The second member is attached to a portion of the fluid cylinder that is movable relative to the moving base.

Abstract: Load-handling vehicle (18) comprising a chassis (2), a pivoting lifting arm (3), a device (13) for measuring the inclination angle (Y) of the arm (3), an accessory (5) which can be positioned at the end of the arm (3), and at least one actuator (61, 62) which is coupled to the chassis (2) and to the arm (3), respectively. The vehicle (I) comprises:—a device (12) for measuring the load (R) exerted by the arm (3) on the pivot pin (4) of the arm (3), —a device (71, 72) for establishing the inclination angle (a; P) of each actuator (61, 62), a device (81, 82) for measuring the load (L; C) exerted by the actuators (61, 62) on the arm (3), —a weighing system (9) which can be activated/deactivated in accordance with the inclination angle (Y) of the arm (3) and comprises a data-processing unit (10) configured, in accordance with the data (R; L; C; Y, ?; ?,) supplied and the non-loaded weight of the assembly comprising the arm (3) and accessory (5), to establish the weight of the load (18) when the vehicle is loaded.

Abstract: A cooking-container-holding unit includes a pair of upper and lower container-holding parts that sandwich an annular circumferential wall portion of a cooking container, which has a container body and the annular circumferential wall portion that is concentric with the container body and extends at least in one of an upward direction and a downward direction from a flange part, which is provided on a container outer circumferential surface; a holding drive part configured to detachably hold the cooking container in a cantilever manner with the pair of upper and lower container-holding parts; and a container displacement drive part configured to displace the cooking container. Part of at least one of the pair of upper and lower container-holding parts freely abuts against the container outer circumferential surface of the cooking container.

Abstract: A construction machine comprising a machine frame, a plurality of ground engaging units for supporting the machine frame from a ground surface, a work tool coupling, left and right boom arms pivotally supported directly or indirectly from the machine frame and pivotally connected to the work tool coupling, left and right work tool actuators mounted on the left and right boom arms, respectively, and left and right actuator linkages connecting the left and right work tool actuators, respectively, with the work tool coupling.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a vacuum transfer chamber including a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces between the top and the bottom surfaces, including a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface; a transfer robot, disposed in the vacuum transfer chamber, for transferring a substrate; a load lock module connected to the first side surface; a pipe, connected to a purge gas supply source, for supplying a purge gas into the vacuum transfer chamber; one or more gas ports provided in the top surface in the vicinity of the second side surface and connected to the pipe; and one or more exhaust ports, provided in the bottom surface in the vicinity of the first side surface, to which an exhaust pump for exhausting the purge gas supplied into the vacuum transfer chamber is connected.

Abstract: A transport apparatus including a robot drive; an arm having a first end connected to the robot drive; and at least one end effector connected to a second end of the arm. The arm includes at least three links connected in series to form the arm. The arm is configured to be moved by the robot drive to move the at least one end effector among load locks and two or more sets of opposing process modules.

Abstract: A robotic system for food preparation has a compact form factor and enables processes for dispensing food ingredients, weighing ingredients, processing ingredients, and storing and transferring ingredients in a tight space, such as within a kitchen cabinet or similar enclosure. The robotic system can also be put to use in larger commercial settings. The robotic system includes one or more gantry subsystems to translate and rotate tools relative to orthogonal axes. An ingredient storage subsystem includes multiple ingredient storage containers, each having a dispenser actuatable by an ingredient dispensing mechanism. A sensor subsystem includes a camera, a temperature sensor, or a weight sensor to detect presence or absence of objects at locations within the robotic apparatus, or to determine weight of ingredients. One or more cooking appliances have lids that can be inverted to receive and weigh dispensed ingredient(s), and transfer the ingredient(s) into the cooking appliance(s).

Abstract: A visual reference system can be used with a loading machine such as a bucket loader having a bucket that can be vertically articulated with respect to a work surface. The visual reference system can include one or more illumination devices configured to project a visual fiducial beam toward the work surface. The visual fiducial beam can create a fiducial indication of where the bucket will contact the work surface when lowered adjacent the work surface. The visual reference system can assist in operation of the loading machine by enabling an operator to visually perceive the expected contact point between the bucket and work surface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a main arm having links extending from a ground end to an effector end and allowing movement of the effector end from a first position to a second position, the links including at least a base link adapted to be pivotally connected to a base, and a spacing link pivotally mounted to a free end of the base link and extending to the effector end. A first 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the base link of the main arm. A second 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the spacing link of the main arm and an effector link at the effector end adapted to support an object. A serial interconnection is between the first 4-bar parallelogram and the second 4-bar parallelogram constraining the effector link to maintaining a constant orientation in at least two rotational degrees of freedom relative to the base.

Abstract: The disclosure describes devices, systems and methods relating to a transfer chamber for an electronic device processing system. For example, a method includes causing a robot arm to pick up a substrate. The robot arm is caused to pick up the substrate by causing a first mover to rotate or to change a first distance to a second mover. Rotation of the first mover or the change in the first distance causes the first robot arm to rotate about a shoulder axis. The robot arm is further caused to pick up the substrate by causing one of a) a second mover to rotate or b) a third mover to change a second distance to the second mover. Rotation of the second mover or the change in the second distance causes the robot arm to raise or lower.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a holding device includes: holding parts; a holding part opening/closing part that opens and closes the holding parts; a first sensor that detects a load received by the holding part; and a controller that controls an operation of the holding part. At least one of the plurality of holding parts includes a claw member displaceable along a length direction of the holding part, a second sensor that detects a displacement amount of the claw member, and a reaction force applying part that applies a reaction force corresponding to the displacement amount of the claw member to the claw member. The controller controls the operation of the holding part, based on a detection value of the second sensor when the displacement amount is equal to or less than a threshold value, and based on a detection value of the first sensor when the displacement amount exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A compliant end effector includes a robot mounting bracket and a component support member. The component support member includes a side surface and a top surface. A component clamping system includes a first clamp member operable to move toward the side surface of the component support member and a second clamp member operable to move toward the top surface of the component support member. A controller is operatively connected to the clamping system. The controller is configured to engage the first and second clamp members as the component gripping and manipulating system is in a set position and release the first clamp member and the second clamp member allowing a portion of a component held by the component clamping system to move with one or more degrees of freedom when the component gripping and manipulating system is moving to the set position.

Abstract: An automated gas supply system includes a gas cylinder transfer unit configured to transfer a cradle in which one or more gas cylinders storing a gas therein are stored; a gas cylinder inspection unit configured to check properties of the gas stored in the gas cylinder transferred from the gas cylinder transfer unit and check whether the gas leaks from the gas cylinder; a storage queue configured to receive the gas cylinder from the gas cylinder inspection unit by a mobile robot and configured to classify and store the transferred gas cylinders according to the properties of the gas stored in the gas cylinder; and a gas cabinet configured to receive the gas cylinder from the storage queue by the mobile robot and fasten a gas pipe, which is connected to a semiconductor manufacturing process line, to a gas spray nozzle, which is disposed at one side of the received gas cylinder, to supply the gas stored in the gas cylinder to the semiconductor manufacturing process line, wherein the gas cabinet includes a resid

Abstract: Autonomous modular robots and methods of use are disclosed herein. An example system includes a first assembly includes a first controller having a first processor that causes a first assembly support to translate along a first axis and align with a container placed on the first assembly support which is connected to a third assembly. The third assembly is configured to release a lid when the container has been engaged with the lid. The lid and container form a second assembly that includes a second processor and a second sensor assembly located in the lid. A transfer assembly can transfer an object into and out of the container. The first processor can determine a position and orientation of a delivery platform, planned movement and position of the second assembly, and planned operations of the transfer assembly in order to deliver a package to the delivery platform.

Abstract: A dipper of a work machine includes a body having a plurality of walls, a rear door, a bowl and a liner. The bowl may have a lattice framework. The liner may be formed from a plurality of plates, with each plate having a top surface that contacts material present in the dipper, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. Each plate may be welded to the lattice frame from the bottom surface of the plate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the efficiency of an automated material handling system (AMHS) include providing an apparatus operatively coupled to a load port of a processing apparatus, where the apparatus is configured to remove a first work-in-process from the load port and to move the first work-in-process along a first direction to displace the first work-in-progress from the load port while a second work-in-progress is transferred to the load port from an AMHS vehicle along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, and transferring the first work-in-progress to an AMHS vehicle along the second direction. The methods and systems may be used for loading and unloading wafer storage containers, such as front opening unified pods (FOUPs), in a semiconductor fabrication facility.