Abstract: A gimbal unit for increasing the number of degrees of freedom of a positioning apparatus has three perpendicular rotary joints and drive motors for driving each joint independently for rotation about x, y and z rotary axes, a first adapter for securing one end of the unit to a transportation device such as a gantry slider or a robotic arm, and a second adapter for securing the opposite end of the unit to a gripper or a tool. When the gimbal unit is secured to a slider of a gantry unit having three perpendicular translational axes, and a gripper or tool is secured to the gimbal unit, a controller can control movement of the gripper or tool along the three translational axes and about the three rotational axis for suitable positioning at one or more work stations on a work table of the gantry.

Abstract: A control system for controlling processing of workpieces such as jewelry has gantry and gimbal units having x, y, z translational and x, y, z rotational degrees of freedom, the units carrying a gripper for holding a piece of jewelry. Drive motors are associated with each translational and rotational degree of freedom and an actuator operates the gripper. A controller is linked to the gantry and gimbal unit motors, the gripper unit actuator, and actuators associated with a series of work stations for carrying out processing operations such as lapping and grinding. The controller controls movement of the gripper unit from a start position to pick up a workpiece and move it along a programmed path between the processing stations, and controls operation of actuators at each processing station to process workpieces according to stored program instructions. A user input device provides optional operator control of the movement and processing for system training purposes.

Abstract: A control system for controlling processing of workpieces such as jewelry has gantry and gimbal units having x, y, z translational and x, y, z rotational degrees of freedom, the units carrying a gripper for holding a piece of jewelry. Drive motors are associated with each translational and rotational degree of freedom and an actuator operates the gripper. A controller is linked to the gantry and gimbal unit motors, the gripper unit actuator, and actuators associated with a series of work stations for carrying out processing operations such as lapping and grinding. The controller controls movement of the gripper unit from a start position to pick up a workpiece and move it along a programmed path between the processing stations, and controls operation of actuators at each processing station to process workpieces according to stored program instructions. A user input device provides optional operator control of the movement and processing for system training purposes.

Abstract: A control system for controlling processing of workpieces such as jewelry has gantry and gimbal units having x, y, z translational and x, y, z rotational degrees of freedom, the units carrying a gripper for holding a piece of jewelry. Drive motors are associated with each translational and rotational degree of freedom and an actuator operates the gripper. A controller is linked to the gantry and gimbal unit motors, the gripper unit actuator, and actuators associated with a series of work stations for carrying out processing operations such as lapping and grinding. The controller controls movement of the gripper unit from a start position to pick up a workpiece and move it along a programmed path between the processing stations, and controls operation of actuators at each processing station to process workpieces according to stored program instructions. A user input device provides optional operator control of the movement and processing for system training purposes.

Abstract: A control system for controlling processing of workpieces such as jewelry has gantry and gimbal units having x, y, z translational and x, y, z rotational degrees of freedom, the units carrying a gripper for holding a piece of jewelry. Drive motors are associated with each translational and rotational degree of freedom and an actuator operates the gripper. A controller is linked to the gantry and gimbal unit motors, the gripper unit actuator, and actuators associated with a series of work stations for carrying out processing operations such as lapping and grinding. The controller controls movement of the gripper unit from a start position to pick up a workpiece and move it along a programmed path between the processing stations, and controls operation of actuators at each processing station to process workpieces according to stored program instructions. A user input device provides optional operator control of the movement and processing for system training purposes.

Abstract: A control system for controlling processing of workpieces such as jewelry has gantry and gimbal units having x, y, z translational and x, y, z rotational degrees of freedom, the units carrying a gripper for holding a piece of jewelry. Drive motors are associated with each translational and rotational degree of freedom and an actuator operates the gripper. A controller is linked to the gantry and gimbal unit motors, the gripper unit actuator, and actuators associated with a series of work stations for carrying out processing operations such as lapping and grinding. The controller controls movement of the gripper unit from a start position to pick up a workpiece and move it along a programmed path between the processing stations, and controls operation of actuators at each processing station to process workpieces according to stored program instructions. A user input device provides optional operator control of the movement and processing for system training purposes.

Abstract: A control system for controlling processing of workpieces such as jewelry has gantry and gimbal units having x, y, z translational and x, y, z rotational degrees of freedom, the units carrying a gripper for holding a piece of jewelry. Drive motors are associated with each translational and rotational degree of freedom and an actuator operates the gripper. A controller is linked to the gantry and gimbal unit motors, the gripper unit actuator, and actuators associated with a series of work stations for carrying out processing operations such as lapping and grinding. The controller controls movement of the gripper unit from a start position to pick up a workpiece and move it along a programmed path between the processing stations, and controls operation of actuators at each processing station to process workpieces according to stored program instructions. A user input device provides optional operator control of the movement and processing for system training purposes.

Abstract: A gimbal unit for increasing the number of degrees of freedom of a positioning apparatus has three perpendicular rotary joints and drive motors for driving each joint independently for rotation about x, y and z rotary axes, a first adapter for securing one end of the unit to a transportation device such as a gantry slider or a robotic arm, and a second adapter for securing the opposite end of the unit to a gripper or a tool. When the gimbal unit is secured to a slider of a gantry unit having three perpendicular translational axes, and a gripper or tool is secured to the gimbal unit, a controller can control movement of the gripper or tool along the three translational axes and about the three rotational axis for suitable positioning at one or more work stations on a work table of the gantry.