Abstract: A permission-engine computer system receives a request for electronic access by an equipment supplier to a manufacturing facility of a manufacturer to perform a remote support activity for equipment in the manufacturing facility. The permission-engine computer system routes the request to a plurality of predefined approvers and receives approval of the request from the plurality of predefined approvers. In response to receiving approval of the request from the plurality of predefined approvers, the permission-engine computer system signals a gateway computer system of the manufacturer that the request is approved. The gateway computer system automatically creates a connection between an electronic device in the manufacturing facility and a computer system of the equipment supplier in response to approval of the request. The connection is used for the remote support activity.

Abstract: A method is performed at a computer system of a manufacturing tool in a manufacturing facility. The method includes sending a series of frames showing data for the manufacturing tool to a client device for display. The client device is remote from the manufacturing facility. The method further includes receiving, from the client device, an indication of a user interaction with the client device and, in response to the indication, adjusting a bandwidth for one or more frames of the series of frames. Sending the series of frames includes, after receiving the indication, transmitting the one or more frames to the client device for display. The one or more frames are transmitted with the adjusted bandwidth.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores one or more programs for execution by one or more processors of a computer system communicatively coupled with a manufacturing tool through one or more networks. The one or more programs include instructions for sending a series of frames showing data for the manufacturing tool to a client device for display. The client device is remote from a manufacturing facility in which the manufacturing tool is to be disposed. The one or more programs also include instructions for adjusting a bandwidth for one or more frames of the series of frames in response to receiving, from the client device, an indication of a user interaction with the client device. The instructions for sending the series of frames include instructions for transmitting, after receiving the indication, the one or more frames with the adjusted bandwidth to the client device for display.

Abstract: A permission-engine computer system receives a request for electronic access by an equipment supplier to a manufacturing facility of a manufacturer to perform a remote support activity for equipment in the manufacturing facility. The permission-engine computer system routes the request to a plurality of predefined approvers and receives approval of the request from the plurality of predefined approvers. In response to receiving approval of the request from the plurality of predefined approvers, the permission-engine computer system signals a gateway computer system of the manufacturer that the request is approved. The gateway computer system automatically creates a connection between an electronic device in the manufacturing facility and a computer system of the equipment supplier in response to approval of the request. The connection is used for the remote support activity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method is performed at a computer system of a manufacturer. The manufacturer operates a manufacturing facility that includes equipment from an equipment supplier. In the method, a request is received for electronic access by the equipment supplier to the manufacturing facility to perform a remote support activity for the equipment. The request is routed to predefined approvers. Approval of the request is received from the predefined approvers. In response to receiving approval of the request from the predefined approvers, a connection is automatically created between an electronic device in the manufacturing facility and a computer system for the equipment supplier. The connection is used for the remote support activity. Upon completion of the remote support activity, the connection is automatically terminated.

Abstract: A method is performed at a computer system of a manufacturing tool in a manufacturing facility. The method includes sending a series of frames showing data for the manufacturing tool to a client device for display. The client device is remote from the manufacturing facility. The method further includes receiving, from the client device, an indication of a user interaction with the client device and, in response to the indication, adjusting a bandwidth for one or more frames of the series of frames. Sending the series of frames includes, after receiving the indication, transmitting the one or more frames to the client device for display. The one or more frames are transmitted with the adjusted bandwidth.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method is performed at a computer system of a manufacturer. The manufacturer operates a manufacturing facility that includes equipment from an equipment supplier. In the method, a request is received for electronic access by the equipment supplier to the manufacturing facility to perform a remote support activity for the equipment. The request is routed to predefined approvers. Approval of the request is received from the predefined approvers. In response to receiving approval of the request from the predefined approvers, a connection is automatically created between an electronic device in the manufacturing facility and a computer system for the equipment supplier. The connection is used for the remote support activity. Upon completion of the remote support activity, the connection is automatically terminated.

Abstract: A transport system for conveying articles along conveyance paths including straight, curvilinear, horizontal, vertical, inclined, and declined conveyance sections optionally physically offset from one another horizontally, vertically, or combinations thereof. The articles are conveyed between a pair of transport belts or rollers and/or by conveyance elements such as a gripper, a robotic hoist, a lift, or an elevator while being optionally supported by protrusions extending from the belts or rollers, secured via a kinematic interface, grasped by a gripper, or supported by air bearings. Multiple conveyance sections, lifts, robotic hoists, grippers, and elevators can be joined, interfaced, and/or integrated over complex paths and arrangements with one another as well as with manufacturing, processing, measurement, and sorting equipment. The articles conveyed may include semiconductor wafers, substrates for the manufacture of display devices or photovoltaics, or the like.

Abstract: Systems for transporting an article using horizontal belts are described. Transport sections include a first horizontal belt and a second horizontal belt, and the belts are separated by a distance configured for placement of the article between them. A plurality of horizontal rollers is configured to guide the belts, and a plurality of support protrusions extends from each of the belts. The protrusions are configured to support a weight of the article. Methods for conveying articles using horizontal belts are described. Methods for loading, unloading, and changing the conveyance path of articles are described.

Abstract: A transport system for conveying articles along conveyance paths including straight, curvilinear, horizontal, inclined, and declined conveyance sections optionally physically offset from one another. The articles are conveyed between a pair of horizontal belts, vertical rollers, or vertical belts while being supported by protrusions extending from the horizontal belts, vertical rollers, or vertical belts. The vertical belts are guided using a multiplicity of vertical rollers that are configurable into straight, curvilinear, and dynamically changing conveyance sections. Multiple conveyance sections can be joined end to end to transport articles over complex paths and over long distances. The articles conveyed may include semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A transport system for conveying articles along conveyance paths including straight, curvilinear, horizontal, inclined and declined conveyance sections. The articles are conveyed between a pair of vertical belts while being supported by protrusions extending from the vertical belts. The vertical belts are guided using a multiplicity of vertical rollers that are configurable into straight, curvilinear and dynamically changing conveyance sections. Multiple conveyance sections can be joined end to end to transport articles over complex paths and over long distances. The articles conveyed may include semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A transport system for conveying articles along conveyance paths including straight, curvilinear, horizontal, inclined and declined conveyance sections. The articles are conveyed between a pair of vertical belts while being supported by protrusions extending from the vertical belts. The vertical belts are guided using a multiplicity of vertical rollers that are configurable into straight, curvilinear and dynamically changing conveyance sections. Multiple conveyance sections can be joined end to end to transport articles over complex paths and over long distances. The articles conveyed may include semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: An integrated intra-bay transfer, storage and delivery system is provided for moving an article between a conveyor and a station such as a work station. The system includes a transfer assembly which includes a lift mechanism and a displacement mechanism. The transfer assembly transfers the article between the conveyor system and a buffer or storage station for storage of the article. A delivery robot transfers the article between the buffer or storage station and a work station for delivery to the station. The robot includes a vertical movement mechanism and a horizontal movement mechanism. The robot also includes an arm that is adapted to grip the article, particularly an article of a standard configuration having a mushroom-shaped handle on top. The arm engages the handle and lifts the article or transport pod from the storage station to a load port of the work station. In one embodiment, the arm includes a C-shaped adaptation that passively engages the handle from a side thereof.

Abstract: The invention describes a machine which folds blanks of cut and creased material to define folded tabs which have tongues. The tongues have flaps which are folded over onto the tongues and the thus held tabs are transported by a revolving drum and the tongues and flaps are inserted in an aperture or apertures of a holding device holding groups of containers together. The machine operates continuously and the drum is provided with pairs of plates the opening and closing of which are controlled by cams to enable the insertion of the folded blanks within the pairs of plates by an insertion knife which reciprocates radially of the drum.