Abstract: A method for calibrating a first co-ordinate frame of a robot and effector in a second frame of reference of a sensor when the sensor is substantially rigidly attached to the robot and effector, including the steps of measuring first positions of a plurality of first light sources relative to the sensor, with the first positions corresponding to a first absolute position of the robot and effector, moving the robot and effector, measuring second positions of the plurality of first light sources, which second positions correspond to the desired second absolute position of the robot and effector and the sensor, repeating the measurement of and movement from the first to second positions so as to provide at least two sets of measurements of first and second positions corresponding to at least two movements, each of which at least two movements is a known, unique transform, combining the at least two sets of measurements of first and second positions so as to calibrate the first co-ordinate frame in the second fra

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for use in a die feeder used in automated assembly machines and includes, among other aspects and features, a novel nest for holding a die against a vacuum port and releasing same without an independently controlled vacuum source. The invention also includes a novel elevator mechanism, employed to lift the nest to a pick location and means for positioning and aligning the nest for precision travel and pick location placement.

Abstract: A system for producing blanks for finish plywood which includes development of a recipe of selected veneer sheets, automatically and rapidly, e.g., via linear actuator, arranging the selected veneer sheets for sequential stacking and bonding of the sheets to produce a rough blank having a determined thickness that enables minimal and sufficient abrasive planing.

Abstract: A system and method for case-packing articles utilizing an infeed conveyor and spaced apart outfeed conveyors positioned at opposite sides of the infeed conveyor and a robotic operating arm arranged for transverse operation with respect to the longitudinal movement of each of the conveyors.

Abstract: A configuration having two drive shafts, a drive system 4 connected to one end of each drive shaft for rotationally driving the respective drive shaft, and a holding and transfer mechanism 5, 6 connected to the other end and having a holding device 5a, 6a for holding an IC, each holding and transfer mechanism 5, 6 being able to operate independently.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing spacer sticks between layers of lumber is disclosed. The present invention includes an overheads feed system for distributing spacer sticks to a plurality of stick placement modules. Each stick placement module has a plurality of stick placement arms which are articulated to move in three dimensions. After the arms grasp a spacer stick, the deviation of the arms from their normal orientations are used to gauge the suitability of the spacer stick and then to reject the spacer stick if the quality of the spacer stick does not meet specifications. Also, the apparatus of the present invention is modular and can be retrofitted to existing lumber stacking machines.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for conveying a conveyable object is disclosed whereby the object (W) attracted at a conveying start site (A) by suction to an attractor means (12) carried by a conveyer arm (14) and conveyed by the conveyer arm (14) while being retained by suction to the attractor means (12) is instantaneously detached from the attractor means (12) at an object conveying destination site (B). To attract the object (W) and to hold it retained to the attractor means (12), an attractor plate (32) having fastened thereto the attractor means (12) and attached to a lower end of an inner cylinder (28) that extends in the outer cylinder (20) is held in a vacuum contact with a head plate (24) attached to a lower end of an outer cylinder (20) carried by a conveyer arm (14) in which a vacuum communication is established of the attractor means (12) with a suction source (16) via the attractor plate (32), the head plate (24) and suction hose means (22).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit board carrier including a carrier sliding between a conveyor and a holder disposed at the lower part of a main machine. The carrier includes a sliding rail disposed at the top of a main machine above the conveyor and the holder; a sliding base being on the sliding rail by means of a sliding recess thereof; a sliding rod disposed above the sliding base and being vertically spaced to the sliding rail; a sliding seat being slid on the sliding rod by means of a sliding piece and having a shaft post at the top thereof; a pivot sleeve pivoted on the shaft post of the sliding seat by means of a bearing thereof and having a connection groove; a turning arm, one end of which is connected to the connection groove of the pivot sleeve while the other end thereof is connected to a motor and a driving axle of a reduction machine; and a suction unit installed under the sliding base.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning each of a plurality of electronic component holder heads each for holding an electronic component, at a selected one of a plurality of positions of at least one stop station, including a plurality of rotary members each of which is rotatable about a common axis line and is stoppable at the at least one stop station, the electronic component holder heads being carried by the rotary members, respectively, such that each of the holder heads is movable relative to a corresponding one of the rotary members in a direction parallel to the common axis line, and (a) a circumferential position selecting device which selects, for the stop station, one of a plurality of circumferential positions which are spaced from each other in a direction of rotation of the rotary members about the common axis line, so that at least one of the rotary members is stopped at the selected circumferential position and accordingly the electronic component holder head carried by the one rotary member is position

Abstract: An assembly system and method thereof for manufacturing an outdoor unit of a dual-unit type air conditioner employs an assembly system in which the outdoor unit is assembled, a refrigerant charging section in which the assembled outdoor unit is charged with a refrigerant, a testing section in which the outdoor unit charged with the refrigerant is tested, and a packaging section in which the outdoor unit after passing the test in the testing section is packaged and forwarded. The outdoor unit is carried on a mobile cart through the assembly section, the refrigerant charging section, and the testing section.

Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus, for minimizing flexion or bending when transferring a large-sized angular substrate or plate, wherein transfer arms are constructed with holding portions extending in a direction perpendicular to a transfer direction and further holding portions extending in a direction parallel to the transfer direction, respectively. As a result of this, it is possible to suspend the glass substrate W at the four peripheral side portions from below by means of the holding portions of the transfer arms and to move or transfer it suspended in this way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer device for goods delivered on a first conveyor device, particularly cans, which are transferred in groups, as a row in the direction of conveyance of said first conveyor device, from said first conveyor device to a second conveyor device, the depositing of the goods onto the second conveyor device taking place in the manner that said row extends transverse to its direction of conveyance, having a receiving device which holds the corresponding group of goods upon the transfer and is guided by at least one drive along a path of movement, the receiving device being a suction beam which is connected by a switch device to a source of vacuum, the switch member of which switch device is brought into a vacuum connect position or vacuum disconnect position as a function of the position of the suction beam.

Abstract: The rotary conveyor of the present invention has a simple structure and is capable of preventing an electric cable and an air tube from twisting and cutting. In the rotary conveyor, a rotating section can rotate in the both directions. A number N (an integer three or more) of movable stations are provided to the rotating section with regular angular separations (an angle &thgr;1). The movable stations respectively machine work pieces. The number N of fixed stations are provided on the base section and located at positions corresponding on the movable stations. The fixed stations respectively machine the work pieces with the movable stations. The rotating section is intermittently turned the angle &thgr;1 a prescribed number (N−1) of times, in one direction, from an initial position of the rotating section, then the rotating section is continuously turned, in the other direction, until reaching the initial position.

Abstract: A “pick-and-place” apparatus has a first pivoted lever driven in alternating directions of pivoting, the drive shaft of which is mounted centrally between a first location and a second location. In the end positions, which delimit the pivoting range, the pivoted lever always faces towards one location or the other location. A second pivoted lever is mounted at the end of the first lever and driven in the opposite direction thereto and with a predetermined gear ratio thereto, for example, resulting from a fixed toothed wheel by means of a toothed belt and a further toothed wheel. The chip gripper is connected to the end of the second lever. The gear ratio and the lengths of the two levers are matched to each other such that in both end positions, the two levers are in an extended position with respect to one another and the chip gripper is over the one location or the other location.

Abstract: A material pallet (5) is disposed on a lower portion on a front side of a main body frame (3), a product pallet (7) which is capable of moving up and down is disposed on a lower portion on a rear side of the main body frame, a workpiece carrier (19) which has absorption pads (27) and is capable of moving up and down is disposed above the material pallet (5) in the frame, a loader (15) for moving the workpiece carrier to the plate member working machine is disposed, an unloader (31) is disposed so as to be capable of moving to the plate member working machine, a moving support table (33) which reciprocates between a position above the material pallet and a position above the product pallet (7) is disposed, a moving clamp (37) and a support clamp (35) are disposed respectively on front and rear sides in the position above the product pallet, and a control device (45) for controlling the respective units is disposed.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning each of a plurality of electronic component holder heads each for holding an electronic component, at a selected one of a plurality of positions of at least one stop station, including a plurality of rotary members each of which is rotatable about a common axis line and is stoppable at the at least one stop station, the electronic component holder heads being carried by the rotary members, respectively, such that each of the holder heads is movable relative to a corresponding one of the rotary members in a direction parallel to the common axis line, and (a) a circumferential position selecting device which selects, for the stop station, one of a plurality of circumferential positions which are spaced from each other in a direction of rotation of the rotary members about the common axis line, so that at least one of the rotary members is stopped at the selected circumferential position and accordingly the electronic component holder head carried by the one rotary member is position