Abstract: A loading system for an ammunition case gauge is provided. The system includes first and second movable support assemblies that are coupled between a base plate and an upper support plate. The system includes a feeder housing coupled to the upper support plate having an interior region communicating with a top open end thereof and a side opening thereof. The system includes a pusher plate having a bottom wall and a plurality of shafts that receives the case gauge thereon. The system includes a feeder plate that is disposed on the case gauge such that the case gauge is disposed between the pusher plate and the feeder plate. The side opening is sized to receive the pusher plate, the case gauge, and the feeder plate therethrough. The system includes a vibratory motor that vibrates the feeder plate, the case gauge, and the pusher plate.

Abstract: A computer implemented method comprises the steps of: providing a user interface to a computer terminal; providing a welding machine interface (252) to a welding machine (22; 31) which is equipped with a set of sensors having a power supply sensor (221; 311) configured to sense a power supplied by the welding machine (22; 31) to set a connector to an object in runtime; obtaining a threshold performance metric data signal representing threshold product performance metric predefined via the user interface; obtaining a power supply data signal from the welding machine (22; 31) via the welding machine interface (252), which power supply data signal represents the sensed power supplied by the welding machine (22; 31) to set the connector to the object; applying a machine learning model to the power represented by the obtained power supply data signal such that the machine learning model calculates a model product performance metric, wherein the machine learning model is specifically pre trained with training power

Abstract: A fastening system for fastening a fastener to a workpiece, includes a movable carriage on which the workpiece is placed, a coordinate detection unit configured to detect a position of the fastener temporarily tightened onto the workpiece as coordinates in a coordinate system of the movable carriage, a storage device configured to store the coordinates detected by the coordinate detection unit, and a retightening device configured to determine a position of the fastener based on the coordinates stored in the storage device and retighten the fastener that is at the determined position.

Abstract: An assembling apparatus places a retainer on a valve spring to surround an upper end of a valve stem. The apparatus includes an assembling head, and a moving unit configured to move the assembling head between the supply position of the retainer and an assembling position. The assembling head includes a holding unit configured to hold the retainer, and a push unit configured to push out the retainer. The push unit includes a push member supported to be able to advance/retreat along an elevating direction of the assembling head, and a biasing member configured to bias the push member in an advancing direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roller hemming system for panels of a vehicle that may include: a marriage jig adapted to load thereon a part having an outer panel and an inner panel joined together; a clamping pad releasably mounted at a front end of an arm of a first handling robot, and adapted to clamp the part loaded on the marriage jig by a plurality of clamping means; a plurality of transfer rails adapted to intersect with each other at a center; a plurality of hemming dies, each being disposed on a predetermined transfer rail, being adapted to reciprocate on the transfer rail between the center and an initial position, and being adapted to receive thereon the part clamped by the clamping pad; and a plurality of hemming robots being disposed corresponding to each hemming die and provided with a hemming roller unit adapted to hem an edge of the part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for disassembling a wooden pallet by mechanically and automatically removing a pre-selected damaged board from the pallet, comprising a frame intended to be arranged in close proximity with a conveyor and a bi-directional rotating ram assembly mounted within the frame and carrying spikes thereupon. The invention is configured such that the ram assembly is moved into a board-engaging position to enable the spike to puncture and fasten to a predetermined (damaged) board of the pallet, and to thereafter be moved up and away from the pallet in order to remove and separate the board from the pallet.

Abstract: A transfer system according to an embodiment includes a transfer room, a robot, a trajectory generator, a determination unit, and an output unit. The transfer room has an exclusive area defined by a predetermined distance. The robot has an arm unit that is equipped with a robot hand transferring a thin plate-like workpiece and that operates in horizontal directions. The robot is installed in the transfer room so that a minimum turning area of the arm unit overlaps with a part of the exclusive area. The transfer system generates a trajectory of the robot hand, then determines, based on the generated trajectory, whether a part of the arm unit is included in the exclusive area, and outputs a predetermined signal.

Abstract: A method of final assembly for constructing homes from substantially planar floor and wall sections. The method includes assembling a house from floor and wall sections in a final-assembly section of a final assembly facility. The final-assembly section is at an intersection of a crane section that is adjacent to a final assembly line. The crane section has at least one roof assembly area used for assembling the roof. The final assembly line further has a plurality of additional stations within the final-assembly section that are in-line with the at least one station. The method also includes lifting a roof assembled in the roof assembly area onto the house, and further finishing the house at each of the plurality of additional stations.

Abstract: Turbine casings LP1, PL2 and HP are secured to storing spaces S1 to S3 formed in a concrete frame 12. Cubic blocks 16, 40 and 80 are secured to depressions C2, C3 and C1 respectively. The cubic block 16 has transverse anchors 20a and 20b projecting upward from an upper wall 18. A bearing housing 35 for supporting a rotor shaft 34 rotatably is positioned and secured by transverse anchors 22a and 22b in a direction perpendicular to a rotor shaft (a direction of an arrow a).

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a side panel of a vehicle, the system including upper running rails and lower running rails to provide a movement path of a cart, the cart having a support frame, a transfer roller, and a friction bar provided at a bottom surface of the support frame, wherein the side panel may be mounted on the cart and the cart moves selectively along the upper running rails and the lower running rails, at least a friction drive unit and at least a friction wheel disposed along the upper and lower running rails wherein the at least a friction drive selectively rotates the at least a friction wheel to move the cart by selectively engaging at least one of the friction wheels with the friction bar of the cart, and an external unit supporting an edge portion of the side panel during key welding process.

Abstract: In a production system general-purpose cell for general-purpose use in processing and transportation of a received workpiece in a production system of processing and delivering the workpiece, the production system general-purpose cell includes a base unit having a planar shape of quadrangle and supporting at least a robot for use in transportation of the workpiece such that the robot is movable on the planar area of quadrangle, a parts supply unit for supplying parts of the workpiece to the robot supported by the base unit, and a processing area extending outside the base unit. The robot supported by the base unit having a motion range set in a range from inside to outside the base unit in a form including at least part of the processing area.

Abstract: A manufacturing cell has a plurality of stations arranged in two rows having a main aisle therebetween. Each of the plurality of stations has a station-aisle interface that provides an interaction area to the main aisle. The manufacturing cell also comprises a plurality of storage units that are located within the cell along the main aisle and a guided forklift truck that traverses the main aisle without requiring steering control of a stock handler operating the forklift truck within the main aisle to relocate containers from the storage units to designated station-aisle interfaces and to remove containers from the designated station-aisle interfaces when work is completed at the corresponding stations. At least one of the plurality of stations having two conveyors each having a tiltable platform such that each of the two conveyors can be used to receive and return containers.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly line includes a plurality of carriers that support respective vehicle bodies to which vehicle underbody parts, which are parts that are fitted to the vehicle bodies from below the vehicle bodies, are fitted, and convey the vehicle bodies along the vehicle assembly line. The carriers support the vehicle bodies in such a manner that the longitudinal direction of each of the vehicle bodies is perpendicular to the conveyance direction in which the vehicle bodies are conveyed.

Abstract: A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. An alignment mechanism on each base allows for rotational alignment of the support element relative to the pallet. An error proofing mechanism compares the selected location of the support element for each of the plurality of support assemblies and provides confirmation and correction information as required.

Abstract: A manufacturing cell has a plurality of stations arranged in two rows having a main aisle therebetween. Each of the plurality of stations has a station-aisle interface that provides an interaction area to the main aisle. The manufacturing cell also comprises a plurality of storage units that are located within the cell along the main aisle and a guided forklift truck that traverses the main aisle without requiring steering control of a stock handler operating the forklift truck within the main aisle to relocate containers from the storage units to designated station-aisle interfaces and to remove containers from the designated station-aisle interfaces when work is completed at the corresponding stations.

Abstract: A pallet changer and a system and a method for using the same attach, secure and/or connect a part and/or pallet assembly to a receiver assembly for machining the part. A groove and/or a pull post of the pallet assembly is insertable between a first wedge arm and a second wedge arm in an interior of the receiver assembly. Springs within the interior of the receiver assembly exert forces against the first wedge arm and the second wedge arm to maintain the first wedge arm and/or the second wedge arm in a first position within the interior of the receiver assembly. A key and/or a cam moves and/or rotates to move the first wedge arm and/or the second wedge arm from the first position to a second position. A first tapering on the pallet assembly engages and/or corresponds to a second tapering on the first wedge arm and/or the second wedge arm to secure and/or to attach the pallet assembly to the receiver assembly in the second position.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a precision injection molding of multi-piece parts and the subsequent handling and assembly of those parts produced from the mold. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical suture package with a top part and a bottom part is molded and assembled. In such a method and system, the top parts and bottom parts are first molded utilizing a family mold and then are transferred to a stacker. The stacker is able to stack the top part and bottom part on top of one another on a pallet. The parts are then transported to a welder in order to weld the top part and bottom part together. The completed surgical suture packages are then transferred to a magazine for storage and shippage.

Abstract: A cell for automated assembly operations, in particular for the assembly of components and accessories of multi-cylinder internal-combustion engines, includes a device for referencing the piece and clamping it in position, which includes a plate, provided with reference elements that are to engage, said plate being raisable vertically to take up the engine, setting the engine at a distance from the conveying device. The raisable plate is carried by a slide, which is mounted mobile in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the line. The aforesaid slide is mounted so that it can slide on a supporting structure, which is in turn mounted oscillating about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the conveying line on a structure that is rigidly connected to the fixed frame of the cell.

Abstract: A geometric end effector system for use on a robot. The system includes a platform and a frame secured to the platform. At least one base is arranged at a predetermined position on the frame. The system also has an anchor mount secured to the base and a component connected to an end of the anchor mount by a collar assembly. A key is arranged between the component and the anchor mount.

Abstract: A cell for automated assembly operations, in particular for the assembly of parts of multicylinder internal-combustion engines, has manipulator members that are designed for simultaneous assembly of a plurality of elements on a work piece and that are adjustable for varying the distance between the positions of said elements.

Abstract: A transportation tool for transporting, for example, a single composite aircraft fuselage section, including a first spindle weldment mounted on a first tower, and a second spindle weldment mounted on a second tower and configured to couple the single composite aircraft fuselage section to the towers. A first gimbal assembly configured to allow the first spindle weldment to move independent of the first tower, and a second gimbal assembly configured to allow the second spindle weldment to move independent of the second tower.

Abstract: A quadrail ergonomic apparatus includes two or more pathways designed to permit movement in two or more directions mounted to a static object above a surface. One or more carriages designed to move in two or more directions are disposed within the pathways. Each carriage is suspended above the surface from the pathways and capable of maintaining a workload in place and permitting movement of the workload in at least four directions.

Abstract: A bath sponge with integrated soap, the kind of sponges that are used for the skin care and cleaning, used when bathing or washing a zone of the body is described and made by a method that includes an assembly device formed with a base and two vertical posts, wherein a polyethylene net is inserted top to bottom down to the lower end of the vertical posts and, thereafter, the net is cut. As a consequence of the sliding of the net, folds are made in which soap granules or particles are poured, either scented or unscented, and, as a consequence of the folds, the soap granules or particles are held within the folds, remaining in the interior of the net. Subsequently, a rope, with a knot previously made in one of its ends, is passed around the net with the rope serving as a tying thread around the net and between the two posts, stretching the rope in such a manner that the center of the net is joined thereby. Then, another knot is made to assure that the thread which holds the net is fixed in place.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly line locator assembly (16) includes locators (18) driven by horizontal longitudinal X, horizontal sideways Y and vertical Z power operated actuators (50. 58. 72) and having locator pins (82) received by vehicle body positioning holes (84) upon upward movement to provide accurate positioning. As the locator pins (82) are moved upwardly and initially move into the vehicle body positioning holes (84 ), the horizontal power operated actuators (50,58) are back driven. The upward movement is continued so that vertical rest surfaces (80) of locator heads (78) contact the vehicle body (20) and provide lifting thereof upwardly off a system conveyor, and the power operated actuators then move the vehicle body to the proper positioning for further assembly.

Abstract: A device for the assembly of at least two standard elements of a precision mechanical structure by a linking element, where the first standard element includes a reference surface, while the second standard element includes a bearing surface which has to be positioned with precision in an orthonormal coordinate system associated with the aforementioned reference surface, given that the connection between the linking element and at least one of the standard elements includes two contact faces provided on the linking element and the standard element. A clamp composed of two half collars, and presenting shapes which interlock with the corresponding shapes of the linking element and of the standard element in such a way that the clamping of the two half collars causes the application and the centering of the two aforementioned contact faces against each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fibre reinforced metal matrix composite article (10) comprises forming an annular groove (32) in the first metal component (30), forming a second metal component (36) and forming a number of fibre preforms (20). The fibre preforms (20) are placed in an annular channel (80) in a cassette (70). The cassette (70) and the first metal component (30) are arranged such that the annular channel (80) in the cassette (70) is coaxial with and faces the annular groove (32) in the first metal component (30). The fibre preforms (20) are moved from the annular channel (80) in the cassette (70) to the annular groove (32) in the first metal component (30). The second metal component (36) is placed on the first metal component (30) such that the fibre preforms (20) are arranged between the first metal component (30) and the second metal component (36). The second metal component (36) is sealed to the first metal component (30).

Abstract: A workpiece presenter for fixturing a workpiece of a vehicle assembly is provided, including a platform 50, and a tooling plate 7 removably connected to the platform, the tooling plate including a planar body 10 for supporting fixture tools 32, 34 holding the workpiece and including a connector mechanism to allow the planar body 10 to be removably connected with the platform 50 and the tooling plate having a locater mechanism 70, 72, 74 to locate the planar body 10 with respect to the platform 50 in a repeatable manner.

Abstract: A flexible sheet used in manufacture of microelectronic components is held on a frame formed from a rigid material so that the frame maintains the sheet under tension during processing and thereby stabilizes the dimensions of the sheet. The frame may be formed from a rigid, light-transmissive material such as a glass, and the bond between the frame and sheet may be made or released by light transmitted through the frame. Preferred features of the framed sheet minimize entrapment of processing liquids such as etch solutions, thereby minimizing carryover of processing solutions between steps. The frame may have contact openings which permit engagement of a metallic layer on the sheet by an electrode carrying electroplating or etching current without disturbing the main portion of the sheet where features are to be formed or treated.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for assembly of panels into a composite structure are provided. The structure includes a form jig (1) having form boards (3, 4, 5) defining forming edges (6, 7, 8) against which a composite panel to be precisely formed may be drawn by a number of edge clamps (12), usually in combination with suction devices (26, 27, 28, 29, 30). The edge clamps (12) are able to extend around edges of the panel (13) for initial location of the panel against the form boards and subsequent more powerful drawing action to draw the panel into intimate contact with the forming edges of the form boards.

Abstract: A sunroof is automatically and precisely positioned to a mounting position by an apparatus including a floating plate movably mounted to a base member. A secondary lift structure is mounted to the floating plate and a centering cylinder unit is disposed between the secondary lift structure and the floating plate such that the centering cylinder unit aligns the floating plate to the sunroof mounting position on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A manufacturing system for assembly of component parts to produce an article includes a plurality of separate process modules for executing the various process steps, and a plurality of magazine units, which can be coupled to the process modules, for storage and transport of article components produced in the process steps. The process modules have a substantially identical base structure which can be suited to the respective process steps.

Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus for assembling truss structures, by assembly on two or more consecutive, spaced apart, coplanar work table surfaces and with a gantry type press assembly of a plurality of wooden truss members and truss connector plates with toothed projections, the truss members coupled by embedding the connector plate projections into said truss members. The truss assembly apparatus has a gantry type press assembly with first and second ends adapted to be mounted on first and second ends of each of said work table surfaces, for movement over the work table surfaces and the space between adjacent work table surfaces. The gantry assembly has a continuous belt on the first and second ends for driving of the gantry assembly, by engagement of the continuous driving belt with the first and second table ends. The gantry assembly is configured to be supported by the continuous belt, during movement of the gantry over a work table surface when crossing the space between work table surfaces.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention provides a blocking apparatus and a blocking method for precisely aligning a button holder against a block during blocking process of lens manufacturing. According to another aspect, the invention provides an adjustable offset that enables pivotal movement of a button holder for precision alignment. According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a button holder that may flexibly float on a seat stage of a blocking apparatus, where the button holder may include a mechanism to self-align on the seat stage after a block of the blocking apparatus interfaces with the button holder.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a fixture for assembling an optical component. The fixture includes a substantially rigid base member having an upper surface and a lower surface with a base aperture connecting the two surfaces and a component mounting plate positioned on the upper surface and having an aperture formed therein corresponding to the base aperture. The fixture further includes at least one pivotally mounted component disengagement member positioned on the upper surface and being configured to disengage a component from the mounting plate and a component securing member slidably positioned on the upper surface and being configured to secure a component to the mounting plate. Additionally, a differential press screw assembly is positioned on the lower surface, wherein the differential press screw assembly is configured to press a lens into a component mounted on the component mounting plate via extension of a press nut through the base aperture.

Abstract: There is disclosed a reusable shipping pallet formed from plastic parts and a method of assembling the same.

Abstract: A device and method for severing fasteners securing deck boards to pallet runners. A band saw extends across a table recess. The band saw is spaced above the tabletop aligning the saw between the deck boards and runners. The recess includes stop surfaces enabling the pallet to be pivoted from a horizontal position through a vertical position and then to an upside down position while the saw blade remains within the pallet for severing fasteners securing the opposite top deck board from the pallet.

Abstract: An installation for manufacturing accumulators employs a plurality of pallets for supporting the accumulators, a loading station (3), an unloading station (4), a power supply (5), and an electrolyte feeder (6). A casing (7) with projecting supports (8) is positioned side by side and aligned in vertical direction for supporting the pallets to create the same number of accumulator (A) manufacturing stations, and a handler (10) moves the pallets (2).

Abstract: A pallet type mount wherein a pair of rigid members each having extensions that spacedly mesh with each other and an elastomer member secured between the rigid members so that when a compressive force is applied to the rigid members the pallet type mount provides compressive force for a load thereon while absorbing shock and vibration energy through tension forces on the elastomer member.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to simplify the construction of an assembling apparatus and shorten a tact time thereof for inserting a plurality of fuse into a box. In a fuse box assembling apparatus 1, fuses are fed one by one through outlets 2a of parts feeding units 2 provided for the respective kinds of fuses, and are inserted into a movable magazine 30. The movable magazine 30 is displaced to the respective outlets 2a by a displacing unit 5, thereby collecting necessary fuses in a specified order. The fuses are transferred from the movable magazine 30 to a fixed magazine 40 at once by a transferring mechanism 6 of the mounting unit 4, and are inserted one by one into a box by an inserting mechanism 7. Simultaneously with a fuse inserting operation, fuses to be inserted next are collected in the movable magazine 30.

Abstract: A vehicle body transfer machine transfers a vehicle body along a transfer path by using a transfer truck with which the vehicle body is supported, wherein the transfer truck is returned to an initial starting position of the transfer path for a repeated use when transfer of the vehicle body is terminated. The vehicle body transfer machine comprises a jig change-over stage located before the initial starting position of the transfer path, a plurality of locator jigs including an upwardly directed locating pin, a plurality of lock units, an unlock-operating unit, and a jig change-over unit including a socket portion engageable with the locating pin of the corresponding one of the plurality of locator jigs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cotter-mounting apparatus that, by engaging a pair of cotters with engagement grooves provided on the outer circumferential surface of an axial member, mounts the pair of cotters that fix a retainer for holding a spring to exert a pressing force to the axial member in a compressed state, wherein the cotter-mounting apparatus includes a retainer holding mechanism that holds a retainer having a pair of cotters incorporated, and is driven to be relatively elevated and lowered on the upper side in the axial line direction of the axial member; a cotter separating mechanism for separating the pair of cotters from each other over the outer diameter of the axial member roughly in the horizontal direction while pushing up the pair of cotters from downward and for holding the pair of cotters; and a cotter pressing mechanism for pressing the pair of cotters separated by the cotter separating mechanism from the outside roughly in the horizontal direction and causing the cotters to be en

Abstract: A manufacturing system for assembly of component parts to produce an article includes a plurality of separate process modules for executing the various process steps, and a plurality of magazine units, which can be coupled to the process modules, for storage and transport of article components produced in the process steps. The process modules have a substantially identical base structure which can be suited to the respective process steps.

Abstract: A work pallet for processing optical fiber. The work pallet may be configured to manage lengths of optical fiber for an automated manufacturing process. In this regard, the pallet may be configured to organize and maintain individual fibers in one or more desired positions to facilitate a manufacturing process. For example, the pallet may be employed for an automated fusion splicing process in which pairs of optical fibers are spliced to each other to establish an optical circuit. The pallet presents a platform on which corresponding fibers of an optical fiber module or other device may be arranged in an organized fashion for fiber preparation, fusion splicing, fiber recoating, post-processing storage and the like. The pallet may employ a cross-lacing arrangement in which the fibers extend in opposite directions across the pallet to control fiber slack associated with subsequent fusion splicing or other processing of the fiber pairs.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for automating the assembly of a fiber optic module. The fiber optic module typically includes a housing, a clip, and a ferrule that is attached to the end of a fiber optic cable. The housing, clip, ferrule and fiber optic cable are supported by a pallet assembly. The pallet assembly can be loaded into a docking station of a laser weld machine that welds the ferrule to the clip. The pallet assembly includes a cartridge that is attached to a pallet and supports the housing. The pallet is constructed to receive different cartridges. Each cartridge has support features that correspond to a specific type of module housing. A different type of module housing may be loaded onto the pallet assembly by merely replacing the cartridge. The same pallet can therefore be used for the assembly of different fiber modules.

Abstract: In the method and apparatus for assembling a magnetic tape cartridge, a plurality of assembling stations, each of which includes an assembling robot 130 for assembling the respective parts of a magnetic tape cartridge 1, respectively comprise pallet delivery mechanism 135 capable of delivering sequentially a pallet 200 on which an upper cases 2a can be placed.

Abstract: A methodology of sleeving at least one lead of a stator is provided. The methodology includes the steps of robotically selecting at least one of the stator leads, and robotically positioning an insulating sleeve over the stator lead.

Abstract: A method for merging the disc pack, E-block and magnet of a disc drive, the disc pack conveyed to a first selected position in a merge assembly station and moved to a merge slide assembly where calibration measurements of disc pack height and squareness are made at a reference position. The merge slide assembly moves the disc pack from the reference position to a shuttled position, the E-block is moved to an E-block nest assembly where the load arms of the E-block are spread in response to the calibration measurements, and the discs of the disc pack are interweaved between opposing read/write heads of the E-block. A magnet slide assembly positions the magnet to straddle the E-block. The disc pack, E-block and magnet are moved together, maintaining the merged interrelationship, to the basedeck and fastened to the basedeck.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for assembly of panels into a composite structure are provided. The structure includes a form jig (1) having form boards (3, 4, 5) defining forming edges (6, 7, 8) against which a composite panel to be precisely formed may be drawn by a number of edge clamps (12), usually in combination with suction devices (26, 27, 28, 29, 30). The edge clamps (12) are able to extend around edges of the panel (13) for initial location of the panel against the form boards and subsequent more powerful drawing action to draw the panel into intimate contact with the forming edges of the form boards.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling nuts in holes of a workpiece and method therefor are provided. The method comprises the steps of transferring a row of nuts in a groove; moving fastening devices together with clamped steel cables toward the groove; moving the fastening devices to lift the steel cables to penetrate through the holes of the groove and the nuts; removing the steel cables from the groove; repeatedly lowering and opening the fastening devices for dropping the nuts onto one of clamp devices; moving a platform together with the workpiece toward an above board member having an aperture until the hole of the workpiece is aligned with the aperture of the board member; and repeatedly opening and closing the arms of the clamp device to guide the nuts through the aperture of the board member to fall into the hole of the workpiece. This can effect a high yield and reduction in cost.

Abstract: A placement robot includes a micro alignment pick-up head (MAP) to hold a component for placement on a substrate. The MAP includes a retention member that may be a vacuum pick-up nozzle for component retention and has two main parts: an upper body and a lower body. The upper body and the lower body are separated from one another by an air bearing which provides near-frictionless performance and allows the lower body a range of motion relative to the upper body. The MAP is either “attached” or “loose.” Micropositioning actuators provide fine positioning in the X and/or Y directions.