Abstract: A curvilinear track section of a linear motor system including: a straight track portion; a curvilinear track portion coupled to the straight track portion; at least one motor unit for driving a moving element along the straight track portion and the curvilinear track portion; wherein the curvilinear track portion has a clothoid transition region adjacent to the straight track portion. In some cases, the curvilinear track portion includes a first slot grouping formed in an exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the first slot grouping is at a predetermined angle relative to the exterior edge; a second slot grouping formed in the exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the second slot grouping is at a second predetermined angle; and motor units inserted into the first and second slot groupings.

Abstract: A curvilinear track section of a linear motor system for use with a moving element including a machine readable medium, the track section including: a curvilinear track portion having a predetermined curved shape; a plurality of sensors provided to the track portion such that each of the plurality of sensors is oriented perpendicular to the direction of motion while the plurality of sensors are placed along the direction of motion and the plurality of sensors are configured such that the machine readable medium will overlap at least two of the plurality of sensors at the same time; and a processor configured to determine a position of the moving element on the curvilinear track section based on the readings from the sensors.

Abstract: A system for part transfer and transport, the system including: a first conveyor system for transporting a plurality of trays containing a two-dimensional grid of parts; a second conveyor system for transporting the parts to a predetermined destination in a linear arrangement; and a selection apparatus for transferring a linear array of parts selected from the grid of the first conveyor system to the linear arrangement of the second conveyor system, the selection apparatus comprising: a pick and place apparatus which may be cam driven for moving the parts; and a feed screw defining a plurality of singulated part spaces separated by a part pitch along the second conveyor to facilitate insertion of the linear array of parts into the linear arrangement.

Abstract: A curvilinear track section of a linear motor system for use with a moving element including a machine readable medium, the track section including: a curvilinear track portion having a predetermined curved shape; a plurality of sensors provided to the track portion such that each of the plurality of sensors is oriented perpendicular to the direction of motion while the plurality of sensors are placed along the direction of motion and the plurality of sensors are configured such that the machine readable medium will overlap at least two of the plurality of sensors at the same time; and a processor configured to determine a position of the moving element on the curvilinear track section based on the readings from the sensors.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a curvilinear track section including: forming a curvilinear track portion; cutting out a first slot grouping from an exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the first slot grouping is at a first predetermined angle; cutting out a second slot grouping from the exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the second slot grouping is at a second predetermined angle; and inserting motor units into the first and second slot groupings. A curvilinear track section having: a curvilinear track portion; a first slot grouping formed in an exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the first slot grouping is at a predetermined angle relative to the exterior edge; a second slot grouping formed in the exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the second slot grouping is at a second predetermined angle; and motor units inserted into the first and second slot groupings.

Abstract: A system for part transfer and transport, the system including: a first conveyor system for transporting a plurality of trays containing a two-dimensional grid of parts; a second conveyor system for transporting the parts to a predetermined destination in a linear arrangement; and a selection apparatus for transferring a linear array of parts selected from the grid of the first conveyor system to the linear arrangement of the second conveyor system, the selection apparatus comprising: a pick and place apparatus which may be cam driven for moving the parts; and a feed screw defining a plurality of singulated part spaces separated by a part pitch along the second conveyor to facilitate insertion of the linear array of parts into the linear arrangement.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a curvilinear track section including: forming a curvilinear track portion; cutting out a first slot grouping from an exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the first slot grouping is at a first predetermined angle; cutting out a second slot grouping from the exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the second slot grouping is at a second predetermined angle; and inserting motor units into the first and second slot groupings. A curvilinear track section having: a curvilinear track portion; a first slot grouping formed in an exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the first slot grouping is at a predetermined angle relative to the exterior edge; a second slot grouping formed in the exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the second slot grouping is at a second predetermined angle; and motor units inserted into the first and second slot groupings.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a curvilinear track section including: forming a curvilinear track portion; cutting out a first slot grouping from an exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the first slot grouping is at a first predetermined angle; cutting out a second slot grouping from the exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the second slot grouping is at a second predetermined angle; and inserting motor units into the first and second slot groupings. A curvilinear track section having: a curvilinear track portion; a first slot grouping formed in an exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the first slot grouping is at a predetermined angle relative to the exterior edge; a second slot grouping formed in the exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the second slot grouping is at a second predetermined angle; and motor units inserted into the first and second slot groupings.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a curvilinear track section including: forming a curvilinear track portion; cutting out a first slot grouping from an exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the first slot grouping is at a first predetermined angle; cutting out a second slot grouping from the exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the second slot grouping is at a second predetermined angle; and inserting motor units into the first and second slot groupings. A curvilinear track section having: a curvilinear track portion; a first slot grouping formed in an exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the first slot grouping is at a predetermined angle relative to the exterior edge; a second slot grouping formed in the exterior edge of the curvilinear track portion, wherein the second slot grouping is at a second predetermined angle; and motor units inserted into the first and second slot groupings.

Abstract: A system for handling wafers comprising: at least one unload station; at least one intermediate station designed to hold the wafers at an angle; a processing station; and a transfer device configured to move the wafers between the stations. The intermediate station may be configured to receive the wafers in a back-to-back arrangement. An apparatus for handling wafers comprising: on one side, a vacuum gripper configured to grip individual wafers; and, on the other side, a gravity gripper configured to support one or more wafers when positioned beneath the wafers and lifted. A method for handling wafers, comprising: unloading wafers; transferring the wafers to an intermediate station; transferring the wafers from the intermediate station to a processing station; treating the wafers; unloading the wafers from the processing station; and reloading the wafers in a carrier, wherein the wafers are unloaded, transferred and reloaded by a transfer device.

Abstract: A system for handling wafers comprising: at least one unload station; at least one intermediate station designed to hold the wafers at an angle; a processing station; and a transfer device configured to move the wafers between the stations. The intermediate station may be configured to receive the wafers in a back-to-back arrangement. An apparatus for handling wafers comprising: on one side, a vacuum gripper configured to grip individual wafers; and, on the other side, a gravity gripper configured to support one or more wafers when positioned beneath the wafers and lifted. A method for handling wafers, comprising: unloading wafers; transferring the wafers to an intermediate station; transferring the wafers from the intermediate station to a processing station; treating the wafers; unloading the wafers from the processing station; and reloading the wafers in a carrier, wherein the wafers are unloaded, transferred and reloaded by a transfer device.