Abstract: A pick and place system is provided which is connectable to an air and an electrical power source. The system has a pick and place unit including an actuator responsive to the connection to the air power source to move to a pick-up position. The actuator moves a coupler which in turn moves a probe to compliantly move to a pick-up position. The probe is responsive to a connection to the air power source to pick up the micro device. A pneumatic valve connected to the actuator is capable of electrical actuation to connect the air power source to the actuator and a supply valve connected to the probe is capable of electrical actuation to remove the power source from the probe. Deactivation of the pneumatic valve moves the actuator and probe to a raised position. A system control, connectable to the electrical power source, is connected to the pneumatic and supply valves for selectively, electrically actuating the pneumatic and supply valves.

Abstract: A holding connector system is provided for connecting a microdevice feeder to an assembly line table having a plurality of alignment pins. A connector body having a slot provided therein engages one of the plurality of alignment pins and a table recess in the connector body holds it to the assembly line table. A threaded knob secures the connector body to the assembly line table. The microdevice feeder is provided with an alignment plate, which has fingers engaging the alignment pins to cause the microdevice feeder to be properly aligned with the assembly line table. A clamping plate on the microdevice feeder engages a portion of the connector body, which holds down the microdevice feeder.

Abstract: A microdevice reject handling system is provided for in a microdevice processing/feeder system. The feeder mechanism is immediately adjacent to the processing mechanism for receiving and moving microdevices away from the processing mechanism. It uses a conveyor which has a dead space in which microdevices cannot be placed by a robotic transport system, which moves microdevices from the processing mechanism to the feeder mechanism. The microdevice reject handling system is partially positioned in the feeder mechanism dead space for receiving rejected microdevices. It includes a reject bin with a storage portion for storing rejected microdevices beside the feeder mechanism and rests on a bracket containing an optical sensor system for determining when the storage portion is full.

Abstract: In a device processing system, an apparatus and method for retaining a device that is to be transferred to or from the apparatus at a transfer location and processed at a processing location that is spaced from the transfer location is shown and described. A first device is placed on a first chuck at the transfer location with the chuck facing a first direction. The apparatus then rotates from a first position to a second position in which the device is at the processing location and facing in a second direction which is different from the first direction. While the apparatus is in the second position, a second device may be placed on a second chuck that is now oriented in the first direction at the transfer location. When the apparatus is rotated from the second position to the first position, the first device is returned to the transfer location and the second device is moved into the processing location.

Abstract: In a device handling system, a method for calibrating the position and orientation of a destination for the placement of the device is shown and described. The device is first placed at the destination and a position arm comprising a chuck is directed to engage the device. The system registers the calibration configuration, which corresponds to the position and orientation of the chuck when engaged with the device. The system then removes the device from the destination and determines the device position, which corresponds to the position and orientation of the device with respect to the chuck. Finally, the system calculates the position and orientation of the destination based on the registered calibration configuration and the device position.

Abstract: Hydraulic hose lines between an inner rail and an adjacent outer rail of a lift truck mast are reeved within a hollow chain guideway. Opposite ends of the chain are fixed to vertical channels; one channel is mounted to the outer rail and the other, to a center support of the inner rail, with the lowermost portion of the chain looped between the channels. The distance between the chain portions seated in each channel provides an unobstructed operator viewing window. Elevating the inner rail causes the chain to progressively separate from the outer rail channel and engage the inner rail channel while lowering of the inner rail causes the chain to separate from the inner rail channel and engage the outer rail channel.

Abstract: A dual axis carriage assembly for industrial control handles includes a base yoke fixed to a support surface and a moveable yoke to which the control handle is attached. Each yoke includes a pair of coaxial spaced bearing surfaces and journal portions of one shaft of a cross shaft assembly are received in the bearing surfaces of the moveable yoke while journal portions of the other shaft are received in the bearing surfaces of the base yoke. A torsion coil spring is carried on each shaft with the spring having a pair of parallel arms which straddle the sides of a flange projecting from the yoke within which the corresponding shaft is received. A dog, fixed to the end of each shaft includes an axial leg which is positioned between the spring arms. Rotation of each shaft relative to its yoke results in displacement of one spring arm so that the spring returns the shaft to a null position. The dog also includes two radial legs which engage the yoke flange to provide rotation limit stops.

Abstract: A method for handling conventional stacks of baked goods trays for the baking industry. A platen is moved underneath side-by-side stacks of trays. The platen supports the underside of the stacks of trays and prevents lateral movement of the bottom of the stacks by guiding the platen into channels that exist in the bottom of the trays. The platen is attached to an upright which is tiltable and which extends along one side of the baked goods trays when on the platen to support the stacks along their vertical height. Tilting of the upright causes the platen to lift and the trays to tilt against the upright where they are supported underneath and along the side and thus can be moved and handled. By utilizing the split platen and the tall tiltable upright with a motorized vehicle, an economical and efficient method of handing baked goods tray stacks is possible, eliminating significant manual labor and risk of worker injury.