Abstract: An end effector for a robot arm couples to the arm at a mounting fixture. The end effector includes a first paddle head assembly, the assembly including a paddle head and a solenoid controlling extension and retraction of the paddle head away from and toward the mounting fixture. In addition, the effector includes a vacuum region positioned in the first paddle head assembly adapted to receive a disk and coupled to an extendable vacuum arm. A method for operating a dual paddle end effector includes the steps of: connecting at least a first paddle head assembly including a paddle head to a robotic arm; positioning the arm adjacent to a disk in a carrier; and providing a vacuum suction to a vacuum region in the paddle head assembly sufficient to lift the disk into the vacuum region in the paddle head assembly.

Abstract: A dynamic workcell includes a three dimensional positioning robot positioned adjacent a plurality of operation stations. A plurality of movable part fixtures located adjacent to the robot is also provided. A fixture location controller directing positioning of the part fixtures relative to the plurality of operation stations to minimize travel between an operation station and a part fixture is provided. A method for operating a workcell may include the steps of: mapping ones of a plurality of testers to the plurality of movable part fixtures; maintaining the position of each movable part fixture; determining a current location of an active part fixture relative to a mapped tester; and minimizing the distance between the mapped tester and the active part fixture.

Abstract: An end effector for a robot arm couples to the arm at a mounting fixture. The end effector includes a first paddle head assembly, the assembly including a paddle head and a solenoid controlling extension and retraction of the paddle head away from and toward the mounting fixture. In addition, the effector includes a vacuum region positioned in the first paddle head assembly adapted to receive a disk and coupled to an extendable vacuum arm. A method for operating a dual paddle end effector includes the steps of: connecting at least a first paddle head assembly including a paddle head to a robotic arm; positioning the arm adjacent to a disk in a carrier; and providing a vacuum suction to a vacuum region in the paddle head assembly sufficient to lift the disk into the vacuum region in the paddle head assembly.

Abstract: A dynamic workcell includes a three dimensional positioning robot positioned adjacent a plurality of operation stations. A plurality of movable part fixtures located adjacent to the robot is also provided. A fixture location controller directing positioning of the part fixtures relative to the plurality of operation stations to minimize travel between an operation station and a part fixture is provided. A method for operating a workcell may include the steps of: mapping ones of a plurality of testers to the plurality of movable part fixtures; maintaining the position of each movable part fixture; determining a current location of an active part fixture relative to a mapped tester; and minimizing the distance between the mapped tester and the active part fixture.