Abstract: A compliance mechanism for holding a robotic finishing tool implements passive force control and compliance using one or more double-acting pneumatic pistons. A desired application force is set and maintained by controlling pneumatic pressure in chambers both fore and aft of the one or more double-acting pneumatic pistons. The pressures in the fore and aft chambers are dynamically controlled, e.g., in response to changes in spatial orientation of the robot arm and tool, to maintain a desired compliance force applied by the robotic finishing tool to a workpiece. An external regulator maintains the fore and aft chamber pressures, for a given spatial orientation, throughout the holder's range of compliance motion. The compliance mechanism includes a plurality of piston bores; the number of active pistons may be adjusted for a given operation, e.g., in response to the finishing tool weight.

Abstract: A subsystem for orienting articles, the subsystem comprising a tool assembly comprising a carriage. A tool head has a first and a second article gripper rotationally coupled thereto. A first drive mechanism is coupled to the first article gripper. A second drive mechanism is coupled to the second article gripper. A sensor is configured to observe two adjacent articles. A controller is provided in communication with the first and second drive mechanisms and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the orientation of each of the two adjacent articles and to control the first and second drive mechanisms to rotate each of the two adjacent articles to a predefined orientation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a workpiece conveyance system that can be configured at a low cost. A first exemplary aspect is a workpiece conveyance system configured to convey a first workpiece inside a facility and raise the first workpiece, the workpiece conveyance system including: an on-floor carriage configured to be movable on a floor of the facility, the on-floor carriage including a placement part on which the first workpiece is placed; and an elevating machine configured to push up the placement part, the elevating machine being configured separately from the on-floor carriage.

Abstract: A workpiece conveyance device includes a base body disposed adjacent to a press machine, a pair of first arms, a pair of second arms, and a first holding portion and a second holding portion independent of each other. Each of the first holding portion and the second holding portion includes a plurality of holding members configured to hold a workpiece W. The first holding portion includes a first support member, a second support member, and an absorption member. The second support member movably supports the first support member along an intersection direction. The absorption member allows movement of the second support member caused in the intersection direction relative to the first support member, and makes it possible for the second support member to return to an initial position in the intersection direction relative to the first support member.

Abstract: A method and system for production of layered wood products employs local and independently operating robotic panel assembly cells including one or more veneer handling robots, one or more core handling robots, and one or more glue application robots to produce stacks of layered wood product panels locally near the pressing stations. Consequently, the stacks of layered wood product panels are independently built at, or near, the location of the pressing stations. This eliminates the need for traditional panel conveyors, traditional layered wood product panel assembly layup lines, and stack press delivery lines. This, in turn, eliminates thousands of moving parts and dozens of people from the layered wood product production process.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying, measuring and positioning piece goods with an increased throughput of piece goods are provided. An apparatus includes an optically transparent turntable having a support surface for piece goods which support surface extends in an X and Y direction of the apparatus, a first conveying device for arranging a piece good on the support surface of the turntable, a first optical reading device arranged below the turntable for detecting the dimensions of a piece good and an identifier, a second optical reading device for detecting the height of a piece good resting on the support surface and an identifier, a storage area for a plurality of piece goods which storage area is arranged downstream of the turntable, a second conveying device with a gripping device for piece goods, wherein the gripping device is movable over the storage area, at least in an X and Y direction, in such a way that piece goods can be arranged side by side in the storage area in the X and/or Y direction.

Abstract: There is provided a press device including a reference operation setting unit that sets a reference transport motion of a transport device which corresponds to a predetermined reference press motion of the slide, a timing setting unit that sets a synchronous timing of the reference transport motion for the reference press motion, a press operation setting unit that sets a press motion of an actual operation by extending a time of a part of the reference press motion, and a transport operation setting unit that sets a transport motion of the actual operation which corresponds to the press motion by matching synchronous timings with each other between the press motion and the reference transport motion for the reference press motion, and by setting an operation pattern from the synchronous timing to be the same as that of the reference transport motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mounter air controller capable of executing appropriate air control associated with replacement of a nozzle without stopping operation of a mounter. This mounter air controller includes: a flow rate adjustment mechanism 4 mounted on a head module HM of the mounter; and control means 5 that controls this flow rate adjustment mechanism 4. The flow rate adjustment mechanism 4 is interposed between a positive-pressure region and a nozzle n and has a function capable of continuously changing a flow rate of passing air. The control means 5 is configured to bring the nozzle n to have a negative pressure and then control the flow rate in the flow rate adjustment mechanism 4 on the basis of an applied voltage or an applied current, which is determined in advance, so as to supply the air to the nozzle n.

Abstract: Provided is a fixed point mechanism. In the fixed point mechanism, when a drive torque acts on a first connecting rod member (100) or a slide block device (110), the fixed point mechanism can realize a rotation movement around a fixed point; when a drive torque acts on a fourth connecting rod member (103) or a sixth connecting rod member (105), the fixed point mechanism can realize a telescopic movement relative to the fixed point; and when a drive torque acts on the first connecting rod member (100) or the slide block device (110), and another drive torque acts on the fourth connecting rod member (103) or the sixth connecting rod member (105), the fixed point mechanism can realize a rotation movement around the fixed point and a telescopic movement relative to the fixed point. That is, the fixed point mechanism has two degrees of freedom of the rotation movement around the fixed point and the telescopic movement relative to the fixed point.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of transferring discrete articles from or to a moving carrier member using a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a rotation axis and a transfer member comprising a transfer surface configured to receive one of the discrete articles. The method comprises rotating the transfer member about the rotation axis and maintaining the transfer surface at a substantially constant minimum distance away from the moving carrier member at the point of discrete article transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a workpiece in a press installation has a transfer bar extending along a longitudinal bar axis and having longitudinally opposite bar ends. A plurality of tool assemblies on the transfer bar are adapted to grip and hold the workpiece; A pair of stationary frames spaced apart along a Y axis generally parallel to the bar axis are juxtaposed with the bar ends and longitudinally flank the bar. A pair of X slides are each displaceable in a horizontal X direction perpendicular to the Y axis on a respective one of the frames. Respective primary mounts on the X slides each carry a respective end of the bar with the bar longitudinally movable in each of the primary mounts.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent illuminating device is shown. The device includes, at least on flexible surface light-emitting unit and a single driving unit. The flexible surface light-emitting unit has a flexible substrate and at least one organic electroluminescent element on the flexible substrate. The single driving unit drives the flexible surface light-emitting unit. At least a portion of the flexible surface light-emitting unit is connected to the driving unit.

Abstract: A module for transferring a component of an I. S. glass molding machine, such as a blow head, between a first position and a second position along a transfer curve. The transfer curve includes a first partial movement consisting of a pivot movement around a horizontally extending axis and a second partial movement consisting of a vertically oriented linear movement in which the blow head is moved to its active position, resting to form a seal on the mouth area of a mold.

Abstract: A camera is used to take an image of an end surface of a honeycomb structure gripped by a hand. Based on the image, an initial rotation angle of the honeycomb structure around a vertical axis at a reference position where the image has been taken is recognized. An arm turning section is driven to convey the honeycomb structure gripped by the hand from the reference position to above a plugging mask. A rotation angle required to adjust the rotation angle of the honeycomb structure on the plugging mask to a desired final rotation angle is acquired based on the initial rotation angle recognized at the reference position and a rotation angle of the honeycomb structure around the vertical axis associated with the driving of the arm turning section from the reference position to above the plugging mask. The honeycomb structure is rotated based on the required rotation angle.

Abstract: A system for loading/unloading sheets is disclosed, some of which also being of metal, and handling method thereof, serving a laser cutting center. The system includes a pair of rails (1, 2), supported at a preset height above a feeding tray (T) of the cutting center, whereon at least one Cartesian robotized hand is movably mounted, capable of moving along horizontal axes X and Y as well as along a vertical axis Z, mutually orthogonal, and including at least two bridge cranes (3, 4) sliding along the rails (1, 2) each of which supports at least one pair of robotized hands (5-8), and the robotized hands (5-8) have an electromagnetic pick-up head which may be coupled with a suction-cup device (103). Feeding tray (T) consists of bars whereon small tesserae (204) of ceramic material are fitted.

Abstract: A gripper grasps irregular and deformable work pieces so as to lift and hold packaged, processed, or raw, and manipulate the work pieces for the purpose of material handling, assembly, packaging, and other robotic and automated manipulative functions. A vacuum is induced at multiple points through a flexible gripping hood to provide lifting force to, and facilitate rapid movement of, work pieces. An array of lighting devices and a double ring array of segmented mirrors provide uniform illumination to ensure accurate positioning of the gripping hood with respect to the work piece to be manipulated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for synchronizing, and a transfer device for synchronizing, a movement pattern between two units in a packaging line, wherein one unit is intermittently operated and the second unit is continuously operated. The invention is particularly intended for a transfer device between an intermittently operated filler unit and a continuously operated cartoning machine. The transfer device is provided with a frame (13) arranged to support tube pickers-/placers (28) and is arranged to perform a simultaneous pivoting movement about a first and a second shaft (16, 31), and for rotation about a third shaft (48) at right angles to the second shaft (31). The frame is further provided with means for adjusting the spacing between the tubes and means for compensating for differences in vertical position during the rotating movement in the case where the containers picked from the part circular conveyor of the filling unit.

Abstract: Empty, flat folded storage bags which may be valve bags are prepared for filling with a flowable material, by seating and stacking a plurality of the bags on a fixed elevation base within a chamber of a bag holding magazine assembly, the resulting stack defining an initial stack rising from a lowermost one the bags on the base to an uppermost one of the bags. In a first cycle of operation, all but the lowermost bag is raised away from the base, the raised bags defining a depleted stack of bags. Then, while the depleted stack remains raised, the lowermost bag is removed from the chamber through a chamber outlet opening. Then, the depleted stack is lowered to seat a new lowermost bag on the base to complete first cycle. The cycle is repeated for each lowermost bag.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electronic component mounting apparatus which is applicable to a case in which component feeding devices need not be provided on both sides of a carrying device respectively for reasons of types of electronic components or a setting space and increases an operating rate of a beam to enhance production efficiency. An electronic component mounting apparatus has a carrying device carrying a printed board, a component feeding device supplying electronic components, a pair of beams movable in one direction by drive sources, and mounting heads each having suction nozzles and movable along the beams by drive sources.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for placing battery plates in a line from a stack of plates including an elevator for receiving a stack of plates and sequentially elevating the stack to maintain, in use, the uppermost plate in the stack in a datum region lying between two parallel generally horizontal planes and a plurality of vacuum heads arranged in a closed loop for sequentially passing over the elevator with a fixed gap from the upper plane of the datum range for picking up the uppermost plate and for subsequently releasing the plate at a release position.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a plurality of electronic components includes a row of pick heads operative to pick up the electronic components simultaneously from a first location and to place them at a second location. Additionally, there is a driving mechanism operative to drive the pick heads to move relative to one another in directions which are parallel to a length of the row of pick heads whereby to adjust a pitch width of the pick heads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the monitored conveying of sheet metal plates, particularly into a working or forming plant, in which a plate is taken up by a feeder from a first position and the plate and feeder are moved to a second position. According to the invention, during feeder movement to the second position a first sensor element located at the feeder, as well as a second sensor element located in the second position, are brought into a signal-based arrangement, and that on the basis of a measurement signal transmitted between the sensor elements the number of plates at the feeder and/or the second position is determined. The invention also relates to a device for the monitored conveying of plates, particularly into a forming plant.

Abstract: A small-diameter front-end portion of a feed rod is allowed to enter into the screw hole of a nut delivered by a nut chute, and the nut is fed to an intended position by the forward movement of the feed rod. When an abnormal nut having a screw hole into which the small-diameter front-end portion cannot be inserted is delivered, the abnormal nut is prevented from being flicked by the feed rod. In order to achieve this, in a standby state, the small-diameter front-end portion of the feed rod enters a nut receiving chamber and is then stopped. On condition that the abnormal nut is received in the nut receiving chamber, if the feed rod moves forward to enter into the standby state, the abnormal nut is slightly pushed out forward from the nut receiving chamber.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electronic component mounting apparatus which is applicable to a case in which component feeding devices need not be provided on both sides of a carrying device respectively for reasons of types of electronic components or a setting space and increases an operating rate of a beam to enhance production efficiency. An electronic component mounting apparatus has a carrying device carrying a printed board, a component feeding device supplying electronic components, a pair of beams movable in one direction by drive sources, and mounting heads each having suction nozzles and movable along the beams by drive sources.

Abstract: A manipulator robot for handling objects and in particular bottles. The manipulator robot includes a body whereon are fitted equipment items for gripping the bottles and the lower part of the body includes slide-shaped devices connecting the body and elongated support members whereon is arranged the equipment items. Fast fixing devices are also interposed between the body and each elongated support member to facilitate changing the elongated support members. The elongated support members may include all sorts of equipment items such as pneumatic bell-shaped gripping heads or handling suckers and/or claw systems for handling cartons.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods relating to positioning differently sized sheets on a shuttle for printing are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer device (15) for transferring an article (9) in a printing machine (2), the device comprising a hinged manipulator arm (20), a hinged gripper clamp (22), and drive means adapted to drive both the manipulator arm (20) and the gripper clamp (22) together in rotation. The drive means include synchronization means adapted to inhibit the rotary movement of the gripper clamp (22) relative to the rotary movement of the manipulator arm (20), temporarily as a function of the position of the manipulator arm (20). The invention also provides a printing machine (2) including such a transfer device (15), and to an associated method.

Abstract: Method and system for transferring items (2) from an inlet flow or a bulk of items at a first area to a second area, from which the items are transferred in an orderly flow of items, whereby a plurality of gripping means (18) are used for transferring said items and whereby said method comprises the steps of moving at least one of said plurality of gripping means (18) towards at least part of said first area or vice versa, engaging one of said items by said at least one of said plurality of gripping means (18), moving said engaged item away from said first area, or vice versa, placing said engaged item at a selected position, and whereby said item is moved away from said second area in an orderly flow with at least one further item handled by another of said plurality of gripping means.

Abstract: A grasping device can be provided on a conveyor which conveys works produced by a production facility or a work subjected to in-mold forming from a work-grasping position to a work-releasing position. The example of a grasping device can include a base at the side of the conveyors and a grasping part which is extended from the base and provided with a plurality of grasping heads. The example of a grasping part can include a group of branches having a plurality of diverged and extended branches, specific branches most apart from the base each being small in weight (being light) at utmost end side.

Abstract: An item-conveying device (20) includes a plate assembly (30) having an arm portion (31) and a spatula portion (32) cantilevered therefrom. The spatula portion (32) has at least one gripping opening (36) and a fluid channel (37) extends from the arm portion (31) to the gripping opening(s) (36). Upon connection of the fluid channel (37) to a vacuum source, a suction will be produced at the gripping opening(s) (36) to hold an item against the spatula portion (32).

Abstract: The forward movement of a feed rod 15 of a nut feeder permits pressurization of air in an air chamber 3a defined in a rod holder 3, thereby blowing the air out of the air outlet 20 through an air inlet 21 and an air passage 22. A nut 7 is held on the feed rod 15 by the pressure of the air blow from the air outlet 20.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a plurality of containers to a plurality of filling machines for filling of the containers with a substance. The apparatus includes a feeding assembly including a first staging area aligned with a first filling machine of the plurality of filling machines for facilitating delivery of containers of the plurality of containers from the first staging area to the first filling machine, a second staging area aligned with a second filling machine of the plurality of filling machines for facilitating delivery of containers of the plurality of containers from the second staging area to the second filling machine, and a receiving area adjacent a supply of the plurality of containers. The feeding assembly is configured to move containers of the plurality of containers from the receiving area to the first staging area and to move containers of the plurality of containers from the receiving area to the second staging area.

Abstract: A transfer device of a handler for testing semiconductor devices is provided in which a pitch between each of a plurality of picker heads may be adjusted without replacing a cam plate. The transfer device may include a base part, a plurality of picker heads movably mounted on the base part, and a cam plate movably mounted on the base part and having a plurality of inclined cam grooves formed therein. Each picker head is connected to a corresponding cam groove by a connection part extending therebetween, with an end of each connection part movably coupled to its respective cam groove. A driving unit reciprocates the cam plate so that, as the ends of the connection parts move within the cam grooves, a position of the picker heads may be varied.

Abstract: A vacuum suction transport carriage includes a movably mounted carriage body, a vacuum suction generating device and a vacuum picker apparatus mounted on the carriage body, the vacuum picker apparatus including a main frame and at least two vacuum bar assemblies mounted on the main frame. These each include extension and retraction devices mounted on and extending downwards from the main frame and a vacuum bar mounted on a lower end of the extension and retraction device, the vacuum bar including a plurality of suction pads connected to the vacuum suction generating device.

Abstract: A method for mounting semiconductor chips onto a substrate with which substrate places are arranged in columns, whereby the semiconductor chips adhering to a foil are presented on a wafer table, whereby the detachment of a semiconductor chip from the foil is supported by means of a die ejector and whereby a pick and place device picks the semiconductor chip presented above the die ejector and deposits it onto the substrate comprises: Forward feeding the substrate along a transport direction designated as x direction, Equipping a predetermined number of columns with semiconductor chips in accordance with the steps: Moving the pick and place device to an x position corresponding to the column to be equipped, Moving the die ejector to this x position, and Equipping the substrate places of the column.

Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A transfer feeder 41 for a transfer press 1 comprises a pair of bars 14 provided on a moving bolster 30 in parallel with a work transfer direction, a feed carrier 52 held by the bars 14 and movable in the work transfer direction, a clamp carrier 62 held by the feed carrier 52 and movable in the direction of clamp, and a lift carrier 72 supported by the clamp carrier 62 and movable in the direction of lift. Since a large drive mechanism is unnecessary, simplification of the construction can be enhanced. Further, since the whole of a transfer feeder 41 is provided on a moving bolster 30, the moving bolster 30 in its entirety can be carried out of the transfer press 1, thus facilitating die exchanging operation.

Abstract: A high-speed linear pick-and-place for increasing the speed of transfer of semiconductor electronic devices with accommodation for automated inspection or test. The invention includes two or more linear pick-and-place assemblies, each having two or more independently positionable pick-and-place nozzles. These assemblies are aligned such that the 4 or more nozzles can all pick and place to common shared locations. The 4 or more nozzles are operated so that they can pass by each other on their return stroke, except that nozzles sharing a rail cannot pass each other.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for use within a die feeder associated with a circuit board assembly machines and includes, among other aspects and features, a cavity to capture and maintain the position of the die within a vacuum gripper. The invention also includes the interaction of a pair of nozzles whereas one moves within the nozzle tip containing the die cavity and has the ability to compensate for any offset between the nozzles.

Abstract: A work attracting apparatus and a work attracting method that uses a Bernoulli chuck or the like as a work attraction section and that can ensure the perfect operation of attracting and receiving. The work attraction section (Bernoulli plate 1 and Bernoulli arm 2) attracts a wafer 14 being transported in; a movement section (moving unit 3 and speed variable actuator 10) moves the work attraction section in a direction of transport of the wafer 14; a work detector 4 detects the wafer 14 being transported at a predetermined position and outputs a detection signal; and a controller 5, when receiving the detection signal, controls the movement section to move together with the wafer 14 being transported and makes the work attraction section operate.

Abstract: In order to provide a method of carrying out working steps in at least one work station on miniaturised modules which are held by a module carrier provided with a holding device, whereby the method enables a plurality of processing steps to be carried out on a module, it is proposed that the module be moved by one of the module carriers to a plurality of work stations for carrying out the working steps and that it be precisely positioned for carrying out one of the working steps by means of a relative movement between the module carrier and the currently relevant one of the plurality of workstations, and in that the positioning of the module relative to the module carrier be maintained for carrying out the working steps.

Abstract: A work piece conveyor whose structure is simplified and downsized with the intention of achieving cost reduction, an improved degree of freedom in setting a motion pattern and improved productive efficiency. The workpiece conveyor is such that a cross bar carrier for supporting a cross bar provided with vacuum cups is movably attached, through a linear movement mechanism, to a feed lever which is oscillating-driven along a workpiece conveying direction, thereby making the relative distance between the center of oscillation of the rocking element and the cross bar variable.

Abstract: A supply holds a flattened box blank above a conveyor passing having a succession of box seats, and a planet carrier is rotated by its own drive about a sun axis between the supply and the conveyor. A single planetary element on the carrier offset from the sun axis is rotatable about a planet axis parallel to and offset from the sun axis. A grab on the planetary element is engageable with the blank in the supply and in the conveyor seats. A planet drive wheel is fixed to the planetary element, a sun wheel is rotatable about the sun axis, and the wheels are coupled together for joint synchronous rotation. A separate planetary drive connected to the sun wheel rotates the planetary element independently of the carrier such that the grab moves while orbiting about the sun axis through a closed asymmetric path having only two outer points.

Abstract: In an arrangement for the transfer of plates between a plate conveyor and a holding structure by a transport arm, which is pivotally supported with one end on a support structure and pivotally supports at its other end a plate holder for engaging a plate selectively from the top or the bottom thereof, and wherein the conveyor includes a recess for receiving the plate holder to permit engagement of a plate on the conveyor from the bottom thereof, two linkages are provided for controlling the pivot movement of the plate holder during the transfer of the plates and provided with releasable engagement structures for a selective connection with the plate holder to control the pivoting of the plate holder during plate transfer such that the plate surface opposite the plate holder is disposed adjacent the holding structure.

Abstract: A conveying device for a plate-like workpiece, comprising a suction-holding device for suction-holding the plate-like workpiece and a moving device for moving the suction-holding device between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, wherein the suction-holding device comprises a plate-like workpiece holding member, non-contact suction-holders disposed on the under surface of the center area of the plate-like workpiece holding member, a restricting device which is mounted on the under surface of the peripheral area of the plate-like workpiece holding member and restricts the movement in the horizontal direction of the plate-like workpiece, and a plurality of falling prevention devices which are mounted in the peripheral area of the plate-like workpiece holding member at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and prevent the falling of the plate-like workpiece adsorbed by the non-contact suction-holders.

Abstract: A plate parts carrying system that is capable of sucking the plate parts to be processed automatically without having trouble with the supply of the carrying program, which makes a specified value of the sucking position easily. A carrying program 8 is transmitted from an automatic programming device 9 to a plate loader control unit 6 through a communication network 10. The carrying program 8 includes a specified value of a sucking position Q that is a stop position for sucking a plate parts M that are cut off by a plate processor 1. A sucking position change operation means 23 that changes the above specified value is provided for when suction parts 3 of a plate loader 2 cannot suck plate parts M at the specified value. The plate loader control unit 6 comprises a change output means 27 that outputs the specified value of the changed sucking position Q to the automatic programming device 9.

Abstract: A bonding machine chip-transferring station, with a multi-axial positioning mechanism and a suction-needle module mounted and positionable thereon, with a housing, a suction needle connected to a vacuum conduit, and a suction-needle conveyance unit, including a drive motor, a belt transmission coupled thereto, and a suction-needle reversal means driven by the transmission, wherein the suction-needle reversal means includes a suction-needle holder seated on an axle and a pulley nonrotatably connected to the axle, where the suction-needle holder includes a guide block on which is mounted a suction-needle carriage movable only in the Z direction, supports the suction needle, and bears a carrier bolt oriented parallel to the axle, and an actuator fork nonrotatably connected to the pulley, via the axle, with which is engaged the carrier bolt extending from the suction-needle carriage and by means of which the suction-needle carriage is driven and constrained exclusively in the ±Z directions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for removing and transporting articles, such as ophthalmic lens mold sections, or packaging elements from a mold. The invention, in one embodiment includes first, second, and third assemblies; the first of which removes the articles from the molding station at a first location and transports them to a second location; the second assembly receives the articles from the first assembly and transports them to a third location, and the third assembly receives the articles from the second assembly and transports them to a fourth location. A second embodiment includes a flipper assembly disposed between the first and second assemblies, which flipper receives the articles from the first assembly and inverts them before depositing them onto the second assembly. This second embodiment is useful in conjunction with molded articles which are transported to the flipper assembly in an inverted position.

Abstract: An apparatus loads and unloads workpieces. The apparatus includes at least one essentially horizontally movable element, at least one essentially vertically movable element and at least one element for receiving workpieces. The horizontally movable element has at least one drive unit and has at least two belts communicating with the one or more drive units and the one or more elements for receiving the workpieces.

Abstract: A new parts handling apparatus is provided which can shorten the index time and increase working ability without increasing the number of components and can restrict the rise of manufacturing cost. X driving member 12 to be moved rightward and leftward in correlation to the rotation of a ball screw 2 by a servomotor 1 is provided with a pair of right and left movable members 7 mounted movably in the Z direction. Two contact hands 5 are attached to each movable member 7 through aligning mechanisms 8 respectively. Each movable member 7 is provided with a Z driving member 6 mounted slidably in the X direction. The Z driving member 6 is engaged with a ball screw 4, and the ball screw 4 is connected to a servomotor 3. When the ball screw 4 is rotated by the servomotor 3, the Z driving member 6 moves vertically in the figure, thereby also moving the movable member 7 vertically.