Abstract: A collet mounting assembly for a die bonder comprises a collet mount having a first end attached to the die bonder and a second end opposite the first end with a cavity defined in the second end for receiving a shaft of the collet. The collet mounting assembly further comprises a fastener for securing the collet inside the cavity of the collet mount. A compression force is generated around the shaft of the collet received in the collet mount by the flexing of the fastener when it is attached to the collet mount, for securing the collet within the cavity of the collet mount.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of G-protein coupled receptor agonists for the treatment of beta-cell degeneration.

Abstract: A linear motor is provided that includes a magnetic assembly, a movable element and a coil assembly that is operative to interact with the magnetic assembly to drive the movable element along a direction. The coil assembly further includes a first coil section having a first motor force constant and a second coil section having a second motor force constant that is lower than that of the first coil section for driving the movable element along the said direction.

Abstract: A direct drive robotic manipulator is provided which includes a plurality of segments that are rotatably coupled with respect to one another. A plurality of spindles connects the segments for relative rotation therebetween, and a plurality of direct drive assemblies is further coupled to the plurality of spindles. Each direct drive assembly encloses an end of a spindle and comprises a rotor assembly to which the spindle is attached for manipulating the spindle. A positional measurement apparatus may also be included at each direct drive assembly to ascertain an angular disposition of a segment relative to an adjoining segment.

Abstract: A linear motor is provided that comprises a magnetic assembly, a movable element and a coil assembly that is operative to interact with the magnetic assembly to drive the movable element along a direction. The coil assembly further comprises a first coil section having a first motor force constant and a second coil section having a second motor force constant that is lower than that of the first coil section for driving the movable element along the said direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detaching a die from an adhesive film, the apparatus comprising a vacuum platform having a surface configured to support a part of the adhesive film on which the die is attached. A plurality of pre-peeling columns having substantially flat contact surfaces are projectable relative to the surface of the vacuum platform to push against the adhesive film at the position of the die to generate initial peeling between the die and the adhesive film. Thereafter, a plurality of ejector pins that are positionable relative to the pre-peeling columns are operative to push against the adhesive film at the position of the die to generate further peeling between the die and the adhesive film. The die is then removed from the adhesive film.

Abstract: A direct drive robotic manipulator is provided which includes a plurality of segments that are rotatably coupled with respect to one another. A plurality of spindles connects the segments for relative rotation therebetween, and a plurality of direct drive assemblies is further coupled to the plurality of spindles. Each direct drive assembly encloses an end of a spindle and comprises a rotor assembly to which the spindle is attached for manipulating the spindle. A positional measurement apparatus may also be included at each direct drive assembly to ascertain an angular disposition of a segment relative to an adjoining segment.

Abstract: An optical zoom mechanism is provided that comprises a first zoom lens movable along a linear axis and a second zoom lens movable along the same linear axis as the first zoom lens, both zoom lenses being connected to a support structure. First and second direct drive linear motors are coupled to the first and second zoom lenses respectively, and they are operative to independently move the zoom lenses along the linear axis. First and second encoders coupled to the first and second direct drive linear motors respectively are operative to independently measure the positions of the first and second zoom lenses.

Abstract: A linear actuator for a motion system is provided with a velocity sensor for monitoring a velocity of an actuation arm that it is driving. The linear actuator comprises a magnetic field, a first coil that is controllably movable within the magnetic field by adjusting a current flowing through the first coil whereby to drive the actuation arm and a second coil that is movable with the first coil and configured such that a voltage is inducible in the second coil that is proportional to its velocity. A controller device is connected to the second coil for receiving feedback indicating the voltage induced in the second coil whereby a velocity of the actuation arm is determinable, wherein the controller device is further connected to the first coil and is operative to adjust the current flowing in the first coil based upon said feedback for controllably driving the actuation arm.

Abstract: A die ejector system and method for removing a die from an adhesive surface. The system includes an ejector tool that is operative to move relative to the die whereby to push the die. The ejector tool may consist of a collet holder and an ejector pin array. A shaft holds the ejector tool and is in turn coupled to a forcer of a linear motor. The forcer is movable relative to a stator of the linear motor flexure bearings coupled to the shaft guide movement of the ejector tool relative to the die. After the die is pushed by the ejector tool, a die pick-up device removes the die from the adhesive surface.

Abstract: A bondhead assembly having a bond body for mounting a bonding tool, a support structure that is configured to be drivable for moving the bondhead assembly to different locations and flexural elements arranged substantially along at least one plane which couple the bond body to the support structure for flexibly supporting the bond body during movement with respect to the support structure. A motor is coupled to the support structure and it is operative to drive the bond body to move relative to the support structure along an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the at least one plane.

Abstract: A driving mechanism and method are provided for driving a detachment tool adapted to detach a chip from an adhesive tape to which the chip is mounted. The mechanism includes a first actuator coupled to the detachment tool and operative to drive the detachment tool to move along a first axis substantially perpendicular to a surface of the chip, and a second actuator coupled to the detachment tool and operative to drive the detachment tool to move adjacent to a width of the chip along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first actuator is configured for programmable movement along the first axis with respect to the chip in conjunction with the second actuator for movement adjacent the width of the chip to provide controlled lifting of the chip for propagation of delamination between the chip and the adhesive tape.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for moving an optical component of an opto-mechanical inspection system relative to an object to be inspected using a linear actuator comprising a coil located in a magnetic field created by a magnet assembly. A translation stage is coupled to either of said coil and magnet assembly whereby the translation stage is configured for motion relative to the other of said coil and magnet assembly. Movement of the translation stage is configured along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of incident light projected from a light source through the optical component onto the object.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for positioning an object coupled to a first support structure and a second support structure. A first actuator drives the first support structure along a first axis and a second actuator drives the first support structure along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. A third actuator comprising a forcer and a stator is provided for driving the second support structure that is guided for movement relative to the first support structure along a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes. The forcer is coupled to the second support structure and is movable with respect to the stator, and the stator is relatively stationary and decoupled from the second support structure.

Abstract: The position of a working point relative to a working space, such as a working point of a carriage on a gantry beam of an XY positioning table, is determined by measuring at least two sets of displacements. A first set of displacements, of the working point relative to an intermediate component, such as the gantry beam, includes a relatively large displacement (X) in a first linear degree of freedom and relatively small displacements (Y1?, Y2?), in at least two of the five degrees of freedom other than the first. The second set of displacements, of the intermediate component relative to the working space, includes a relatively large displacement (Y1, Y2), in a second linear degree of freedom, and relatively small displacements (X1?, X2?), in at least two of the five degrees of freedom other than the second.

Abstract: A clamping device is provided for clamping an object, such as bonding wire for a wire bonding machine. The device comprises a pair of clamping arms arranged in pivotal relationship with each other about a pivot point, the clamping arms having clamping ends movable between an open position and a closed position. An attraction device is operative to provide an attraction force between the clamping arms about the pivot point. The device includes biasing means that is operative to provide a biasing force in opposition to the attraction force about the pivot point, such that the biasing force is operative to bias the clamping ends towards the closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing means comprises a flexure bearing.

Abstract: A clamping device is provided for clamping an object, such as bonding wire for a wire bonding machine. The device comprises a pair of clamping arms arranged in pivotal relationship with each other about a pivot point, the clamping arms having clamping ends movable between an open position and a closed position. An attraction device is operative to provide an attraction force between the clamping arms about the pivot point. The device includes biasing means that is operative to provide a biasing force in opposition to the attraction force about the pivot point, such that the biasing force is operative to bias the clamping ends towards the closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing means comprises a flexure bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving an optical element in an opto-mechanical system, includes at least one circularly symmetric flexure surrounding the optical element, and a device for moving the optical element along an axis perpendicular to and extending through the center of the flexure. A number of flexures may be provided in a stack with spacers therebetween, and the optical element may be mounted in a tubular member supported by two spaced apart stacks. Structure is also provided for damping end of movement vibrations.

Abstract: The position of a working point relative to a working space, such as a working point of a carriage on a gantry beam of an XY positioning table, is determined by measuring at least two sets of displacements. A first set of displacements, of the working point relative to an intermediate component, such as the gantry beam, includes a relatively large displacement (X) in a first linear degree of freedom and relatively small displacements (Y1′, Y2′), in at least two of the five degrees of freedom other than the first. The second set of displacements, of the intermediate component relative to the working space, includes a relatively large displacement (Y1, Y2), in a second linear degree of freedom, and relatively small displacements (X1′, X2′), in at least two of the five degrees of freedom other than the second.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for clamping an object. The apparatus comprises a clamping mechanism and an actuation system to actuate clamping and de-clamping of the clamping mechanism, wherein the actuation system comprises two actuator devices which are operatively coupled whereby to provide an actuation force to the clamping mechanism. Preferably, the actuator devices comprises a variable reluctance actuator and a linear induction actuator coupled together and adapted to cooperate to provide the actuation force to the clamping mechanism.