Abstract: An end of arm tool subassembly includes three identical linear drive mechanisms connected directly together to provide three directions of movement. Each linear drive mechanism includes a base defined by a longitudinal axis and a slide movably coupled to the base. The base has at least one mounting surface disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis and an end mounting surface disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The slide traverses in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and has a slide mounting surface thereon. One of the identical linear drive mechanisms is directly attached to the end mounting surface of the base of another linear drive mechanism to provide two of the three directions of movement.

Abstract: An end of arm tool subassembly includes three identical linear drive mechanisms connected directly together to provide three directions of movement. Each linear drive mechanism includes a base defined by a longitudinal axis and a slide movably coupled to the base. The base has at least one mounting surface disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis and an end mounting surface disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The slide traverses in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and has a slide mounting surface thereon. One of the identical linear drive mechanisms is directly attached to the end mounting surface of the base of another linear drive mechanism to provide two of the three directions of movement.

Abstract: An end of arm tool subassembly includes three identical linear drive mechanisms connected directly together to provide three directions of movement. Each linear drive mechanism includes a base defined by a longitudinal axis and a slide movably coupled to the base. The base has at least one mounting surface disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis and an end mounting surface disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The slide traverses in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and has a slide mounting surface thereon. One of the identical linear drive mechanisms is directly attached to the end mounting surface of the base of another linear drive mechanism to provide two of the three directions of movement.

Abstract: An end of arm tool subassembly includes three identical linear drive mechanisms connected directly together to provide three directions of movement. Each linear drive mechanism includes a base defined by a longitudinal axis and a slide movably coupled to the base. The base has at least one mounting surface disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis and an end mounting surface disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The slide traverses in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and has a slide mounting surface thereon. One of the identical linear drive mechanisms is directly attached to the end mounting surface of the base of another linear drive mechanism to provide two of the three directions of movement.

Abstract: A path module for a linear motor system includes a controller coupled to one or more amplifiers that are operative to control associated windings in the module. The controller receives control information via a communications link. The controller controls the amplifier based on the received control information so as to selectively energize the associated windings in the module. In one aspect, a plurality of such modules may be connected together to form a path along which one or more stages are moveable according to energization of the windings in the path.

Abstract: A wireless encoder system facilitates operation and control of a motor, such as linear motor. The system includes an encoder sensor moveable with a first part of the motor. The encoder sensor is operative to sense movement of the first part relative the second part and provide an encoder signal having an electrical characteristic indicative of the sensed movement. A transmitter, which is associated with the encoder sensor, is operative to transmit a wireless transmitter signal based on the encoder signal. A remote receiver that receives the wireless transmitter signal thus may determine position and/or movement of the first part of the motor relative to a second part of the motor.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an integrated rotary-linear actuator system that may be coupled to a network via a network interface. The integrated rotary-linear actuator system includes a control system and a rotary-linear actuator having a moveable plunger and associated coils. The coils may be energized to interact with associated magnets to effect corresponding movement of the plunger, which may include rotation and/or linear movement. The network interface facilitates receipt of control information at the control system of the integrated rotary-linear actuator system from the network. The control system may control an amplifier to energize the coils based on the control information.

Abstract: A wireless encoder system facilitates operation and control of a motor, such as linear motor. The system includes an encoder sensor moveable with a first part of the motor. The encoder sensor is operative to sense movement of the first part relative the second part and provide an encoder signal having an electrical characteristic indicative of the sensed movement. A transmitter, which is associated with the encoder sensor, is operative to transmit a wireless transmitter signal based on the encoder signal. A remote receiver that receives the wireless transmitter signal thus may determine position and/or movement of the first part of the motor relative to a second part of the motor.

Abstract: A wireless encoder system facilitates operation and control of a motor, such as linear motor. The system includes an encoder sensor moveable with a first part of the motor. The encoder sensor is operative to sense movement of the first part relative the second part and provide an encoder signal having an electrical characteristic indicative of the sensed movement. A transmitter, which is associated with the encoder sensor, is operative to transmit a wireless transmitter signal based on the encoder signal. A remote receiver that receives the wireless transmitter signal thus may determine position and/or movement of the first part of the motor relative to a second part of the motor.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an integrated rotary-linear actuator system that may be coupled to a network via a network interface. The integrated rotary-linear actuator system includes a control system and a rotary-linear actuator having a moveable plunger and associated coils. The coils may be energized to interact with associated magnets to effect corresponding movement of the plunger, which may include rotation and/or linear movement. The network interface facilitates receipt of control information at the control system of the integrated rotary-linear actuator system from the network. The control system may control an amplifier to energize the coils based on the control information.

Abstract: A movable positioning apparatus for positioning a work piece, which includes a base having linear motors attached thereto for supporting and moving a stage or work piece in a longitudinal direction relative to the base. The apparatus includes two linear encoders to measure rotation error by calculating the difference in measured positions. An alignment laser measures straightness errors. Two slides control yaw by moving in opposite directions, and the slides control straightness by moving in the same direction.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an integrated rotary-linear actuator system that may be coupled to a network via a network interface. The integrated rotary-linear actuator system includes a control system and a rotary-linear actuator having a moveable plunger and associated coils. The coils may be energized to interact with associated magnets to effect corresponding movement of the plunger, which may include rotation and/or linear movement. The network interface facilitates receipt of control information at the control system of the integrated rotary-linear actuator system from the network. The control system may control an amplifier to energize the coils based on the control information.

Abstract: A path module for a linear motor system includes a controller coupled to one or more amplifiers that are operative to control associated windings in the module. The controller receives control information via a communications link. The controller controls the amplifier based on the received control information so as to selectively energize the associated windings in the module. In one aspect, a plurality of such modules may be connected together to form a path along which one or more stages are moveable according to energization of the windings in the path.

Abstract: A path for a linear motor system includes routing system between a trunk of the path and two or more branches. The routing system is operative to couple the trunk with a selected branch to enable a stage to travel between the trunk and the selected branch. The routing system includes armature windings that may be energized to effect movement of the stage in a desired direction between the trunk and the selected branch.

Abstract: A path module for a linear motor system includes a controller coupled to one or more amplifiers that are operative to control associated windings in the module. The controller receives control information via a communications link. The controller controls the amplifier based on the received control information so as to selectively energize the associated windings in the module. In one aspect, a plurality of such modules may be connected together to form a path along which one or more stages are moveable according to energization of the windings in the path.

Abstract: A wireless encoder system facilitates operation and control of a motor, such as linear motor. The system includes an encoder sensor moveable with a first part of the motor. The encoder sensor is operative to sense movement of the first part relative the second part and provide an encoder signal having an electrical characteristic indicative of the sensed movement. A transmitter, which is associated with the encoder sensor, is operative to transmit a wireless transmitter signal based on the encoder signal. A remote receiver that receives the wireless transmitter signal thus may determine position and/or movement of the first part of the motor relative to a second part of the motor.

Abstract: A wireless encoder system facilitates operation and control of a motor, such as linear motor. The system includes an encoder sensor moveable with a first part of the motor. The encoder sensor is operative to sense movement of the first part relative the second part and provide an encoder signal having an electrical characteristic indicative of the sensed movement. A transmitter, which is associated with the encoder sensor, is operative to transmit a wireless transmitter signal based on the encoder signal. A remote receiver that receives the wireless transmitter signal thus may determine position and/or movement of the first part of the motor relative to a second part of the motor.

Abstract: A path module for a linear motor system includes a controller coupled to one or more amplifiers that are operative to control associated windings in the module. The controller receives control information via a communications link. The controller controls the amplifier based on the received control information so as to selectively energize the associated windings in the module. In one aspect, a plurality of such modules may be connected together to form a path along which one or more stages are moveable according to energization of the windings in the path.

Abstract: A path for a linear motor system includes routing system between a trunk of the path and two or more branches. The routing system is operative to couple the trunk with a selected branch to enable a stage to travel between the trunk and the selected branch. The routing system includes armature windings that may be energized to effect movement of the stage in a desired direction between the trunk and the selected branch.

Abstract: A system and method for a linear motor for driving a plurality of stages along a path are provided. The linear motor system includes a plurality of armature windings arranged to form a path, such as may be straight, curved, opened or closed. The stages include motor magnets that provide a magnet field. An encoder sensor is connected for movement with the stages so as to sense relative movement between the stages and the path. The encoder sensor further is operative to provide an encoder signal having an electrical characteristic indicative of relative movement between the stages and the path.