Abstract: A plate material conveyance apparatus, disposed next to a plate processing machine, includes an unprocessed plate material placement unit, a processed plate material placement unit, a loader, an unloader and a temporary placement table. The loader reciprocally moves between the unprocessed plate material placement unit and the plate processing machine to deliver an unprocessed plate material onto the plate processing machine. The unloader reciprocally moves in parallel to and below the loader between the unprocessed plate material placement unit and the plate processing machine, and delivers a processed plate material from the plate processing machine to the temporary placement table positioned above the unprocessed plate material placement unit. The temporary placement table slides between the unprocessed plate material placement unit and the plate processing machine, and transfers the processed plate material, received from the unloader, to the processed plate material placement unit.

Abstract: A thin-section sample fabrication apparatus includes a sample table that places a thin section cut out from an embedding block, a transporting mechanism that moves the thin section to the vicinity of the sample table, a liquid phase forming portion that forms a liquid phase having a predetermined amount of transfer liquid which continues from the transport surface onto the sample table, and a thin-section transfer portion that transfers the thin section onto the sample table so that a surface of the thin section opposing the transport surface opposes the sample table by surface tension of the liquid phase formed by the liquid phase forming portion.

Abstract: An empty rack transport line is arranged at a lower stage and independent of a main transport line, a fast emergency line and a reverse line. In a rack stocker, an inclined transport line connects the empty rack transport line to the rack stocker. The rack stocker is arranged between a storage module and a loading module. The rack stocker is capable of continuously supplying and collecting empty racks, while transport lines do not cross each other. It is, therefore, possible to continuously supply and collect empty racks in a simple configuration, without an increase in the system size, an intersection of transport lines and a reduction in processing capability. In addition, it is possible to provide an automated sample testing system that is highly extendable for various facility sizes.

Abstract: A ceiling transport carriage transfers an article at a first supporting position and receives the article from second supporting position in an article transfer section, in association with hoisting operations of a support unit. A ground transport device transports the article between the above two positions and a processing position where an article processing device effects a processing or operation on the article. The respective positions above are set in tandem in the article transfer section along a tandem direction along which the article processing device and the article transfer section are disposed in tandem. The ceiling transport carriage includes a movement operating mechanism for operating and moving a support unit along the tandem direction, to a position immediately above the first supporting position and to a position immediately above second supporting position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the automated installation of solar (photovoltaic or PV) modules is disclosed. Embodiments comprise a conveyor system configured to support and deliver a plurality of photovoltaic modules, and a clampless mounting framework comprising an upper rail and a lower rail, the upper and lower rails configured and spaced apart to receive and secure a photovoltaic module. The mounting framework does not require clamps, so once the modules are delivered into place, physical installation is complete.

Abstract: A method for loading and unloading a machining machine for machining boards that includes for loading the machining machine, the changing table is loaded with a board to be machined, whereby the board is separated from the first storage place and is deposited on a changing table. The changing table is conveyed together with the board to the machining machine. For unloading the machining machine, the changing table is conveyed together with a machined board to the second storage place and is then unloaded, wherein the machined board is separated from the changing table and deposited on the second storage place, wherein the unloading of the changing table includes conveying the changing table and the machined board to an unloading place in an area above the second storage place and the machined board is separated from the changing table at the unloading place.

Abstract: A system is described for processing biomass through a pyrolysis chamber that utilizes revolving polygon platforms, a conveyor system, and an airlock for introducing or removing biomass into the pyrolysis chamber. Biomass can be introduced via a first revolving polygon platform, and biochar resulting from pyrolysis can be removed via a second revolving polygon platform.

Abstract: Even when a module constituting a multi-module becomes an unavailable module, transfer of substrates can be promptly performed, while restricting generation of inferior products. When a destination module of a multi-module becomes unavailable before a substrate is transferred to the destination module, a destination of the substrate is changed to a module to which a substrate subsequent to the substrate is to be loaded. Upon generation of an unavailable module, before the transfer unit accesses the module on an upstream end of the transfer cycle, the transfer cycle proceeds until a precedent substrate becomes ready to be unloaded from the changed destination module. Alternatively, upon generation of an unavailable module, when the transfer unit is located on an upstream side of the unavailable module in the transfer cycle, the transfer operation of the transfer unit is made standby until a precedent substrate becomes ready to be unloaded in the changed destination module.

Abstract: A substrate processing system including a housing for housing at least part of a processing device, at least one target affixed to the processing device, the processing device having a first processing device reference point in a known relationship with the at least one target, at least one transmitter located within the housing and configured to transmit an identification signal identifying the at least one transmitter to the at least one target and a controller operably connected to the at least one target and the at least one transmitter, the controller being configured to receive data signals, based on the identification signal, from one of the at least one target and the at least one transmitter and control an operational characteristic of the processing device, based on the data signals.

Abstract: A manufacturing machine for processing a product includes a frame, a processing device, an input conveyor belt, an output conveyor belt, two work-stations, two manipulators, and two work-stations. The processing device processes the product. The input conveyor belt transfers the product to the processing device. The output conveyor belt transfers the product after the product being processed. Two work-stations load the product. The two manipulators take the product from the input conveyor belt to the two work-stations, and take the product from the two work-stations to the output conveyor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multiple screen printing chamber processing system that has an increased system throughput, improved system uptime, and improved device yield performance, while maintaining a repeatable and accurate screen printing process on the processed substrates. In one embodiment, the multiple screen printing chamber processing system is adapted to perform a screen printing process within a portion of a crystalline silicon solar cell production line in which a substrate is patterned with a desired material, and then processed in one or more subsequent processing chambers.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create an inspection system (1) for rolled products (2) of a milling station, which is to reliably prevent the texture of the substrate from being impressed and/or pressing through during processing of the rolled product (2), especially during grinding. Said aim is achieved by disposing a number of vertically adjustable rolled product clamps (6, 8) on a conveyor belt (4) for rolled products (2) in the inspection system (1).

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for conveying large-size thin glass plates in clean-room conditions for the large-scale production of electro-optical products. In one embodiment the device includes a) conveying elements for supplying glass plates; b) processing elements for processing glass plates; c) production lines for combining individual production processes; d) containers that can be loaded with glass plates from two opposite sides; e) carriages for transporting the containers, said carriages having rail wheels while supporting transverse rails for guiding rolls in order to move the containers; f) means for driving the carriages and transversely moving the containers with the help of joint driving motors.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create an inspection system (1) for rolled products (2) of a milling station, which is to reliably prevent the texture of the substrate from being impressed and/or pressing through during processing of the rolled product (2), especially during grinding. Said aim is achieved by disposing a number of vertically adjustable rolled product clamps (6, 8) on a conveyor belt (4) for rolled products (2) in the inspection system (1).

Abstract: A system and device for use in a security area, and more particularly, a rack system and holding device for placing various objects that are processed through a security area are taught.

Abstract: A component placement device suitable for placing a component on a substrate comprises at least one component feeder, at least one substrate conveyor as well as at least one component pickup and placement device for picking up a component from the component feeder and placing said component on a substrate supported by the substrate conveyor.

Abstract: A pickoff system for removal of mail pieces one at a time from the end of a stack includes a pickoff belt mechanism, a sensor positioned to determine mail piece movement speed, and a measurement device determines belt movement speed during operation of the pickoff belt mechanism. A vacuum system includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum manifold positioned to apply suction to the mail piece in a direction that tends to hold the mail piece against the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism. A controller is configured to compare the belt movement speed and the mail piece movement speed during operation, and when mail piece movement speed is slower than belt movement speed, indicating slipping of the mail piece relative to the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism, the controller temporarily increases suction force applied to a mail piece being transported by the pickoff belt mechanism.

Abstract: A conveying device comprises a body in which a power source and two scroll wheels of the same diameter and rotating synchronously are disposed. Each scroll wheel is wound with an elongated elastic extension plate having rigidity, and one end of each elastic extension plate extends out of the body. When in use, the power source is used to drive the two scroll wheel to rotate synchronously, so as to drive the elastic extension plates of the two scroll wheels to synchronously extend out of or retract in the body. When the ends of the two elastic extension plates extended out of the body are assembled with a clamp or a loading seat, thereby, the conveying operation can be carried out.

Abstract: In stacking tray supplying for receiving in a stacked state a plurality of trays that are received in a state in which components to be mounted onto a board are aligned, two tray stages are provided rotationally transferably on a concentric circle. In a state in which one is positioned in a feeding tray placement position and the other is positioned in a standby tray placement position, components are fed from the tray stage positioned in the feeding tray placement position. When a component depletion state occurs, the tray stages are rotationally transferred to switchover the mutual placement positions, by which waste of time required to component feeding is reduced.

Abstract: A photo spinner apparatus, including a spin coater for coating a plurality of wafers with photoresist, a bake device for hardening the photoresist coated by the spin coater, a developer for developing the photoresist hardened in the bake device, a transfer unit for transferring the plurality of wafers between the developer, the bake device, and the spin coater, and an indexer including a wafer carrier loader to vertically stack a plurality of wafer carriers into which the plurality of wafers transferred by the transfer unit are loaded.

Abstract: A pallet inspection and repair system includes a pallet in-feed for receiving pallets for inspection, and an automated pallet inspection system for inspecting the pallets. A processor cooperates with the automated pallet inspection system to generate a repair recipe for each pallet based on the inspecting, and compares the repair recipes to determine at least one performance repair parameter for the pallets. The at least one performance repair parameter corresponds to a type of repair to be made to the pallets.

Abstract: Substrate processing with return processing is carried out efficiently by a substrate processing apparatus that continuously processes a plurality of substrates. The apparatus is equipped with a conveyor chamber constituting a substrate convey space, a plurality of process chambers in which substrate processing is carried out, a substrate conveying device provided in the conveyor chamber having a function of conveying substrates, and a substrate convey control device that controls the process of substrate conveyance by the substrate conveying device so that in a case in which after a substrate is continuously processed by two or more process chambers, the substrate is re-conveyed from the last process chamber to any of the two or more process chambers other than the last and return processing is implemented. In re-conveyance, the substrate is conveyed to any of the process chambers after being temporarily retracted to a place other than a process chamber.

Abstract: A mechanical arrangement for moving workpieces and/or processing remnants from processing of a workpiece comprises a load carrier and a load carrier drive. Part of the load carrier drive is formed by a rigid chain which is acted upon by a chain driving wheel supported on the load carrier. Owing to that action, the chain driving wheel takes the load carrier with it to a target position. In the process, the chain driving wheel moves together with the load carrier relative to a chain abutment against which the rigid chain is braced. Systems for processing workpieces are provided, which make use of a mechanical arrangement of the above-mentioned kind.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for moving paper, board and cellulosic web rolls in a roll packaging system comprising a plurality of roll handling stations. According to the method, to the system are imported at least three rolls (10, 16, 17) via a receiving station (5), the rolls (10, 16, 17) are moved in the system by means of a car (4) of an indexing conveyor, the car being adapted to move synchronously at each roll handling station, the car (4) is moved in a return motion when the indexing conveyor car (4) is in its lowermost position (elevation level ?1), the rolls (10, 16, 17) are moved in synchronism forward to at least one station, e.g., the wrapping station (7) and to at least one other station (6 or 8 or 9), and at least one roll (10) is moved at one station (7) in the direction of the roll's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An edge-strength measuring device for measuring the compressive strength of a foam matrix along the edges thereof, the device comprising at least one measuring implement having one or more contacting elements for engaging with the edges of the foam matrix, and at least one measuring device in communication with said contacting elements for measuring the resistance imparted by the foam matrix when said contacting element is engaged with the edge.

Abstract: A carrying system 1 has a carrying path which is laid out in such a manner as to pass through the lower sides of loading table 11 and the like provided at the front face side of treating devices 10, 100, 200, and covered by a cover 5. As the carrying path is positioned below the loading tables, the occupying areas of the loading table 11 and the like and portions of the region of the carrying path are shared so that space saving is achieved, and the accessibility to the treating device 10, 100 or the like from the front side thereof is improved, thereby realizing a layout which facilitates maintenance. A loading surface 11d or the like of the loading table 11 is set to a height which allows a conventional overhead-type carrying system 2 and unmanned carrying vehicle 3 of a floor-type carrying system to load an object on the loading surface, thereby ensuring the co-existence with the other carrying systems.

Abstract: A plurality of process modules for conducting processes on a wafer; conveying modules for conveying the wafer, a turnout module for transferring the wafer to/from the conveying module, and a CPU for detecting a trouble occurring in the process module and centrally controlling each of the modules based on a detection signal. When the controller detects the trouble occurring in any one of the process modules, the wafer to be conveyed to the process module where the trouble occurs is conveyed to the turnout module, and conveyance of the wafer before the process module where the trouble occurs is temporarily stopped, and conveyance and processing of the other wafer are continued, and thereafter, conveyance and processing of the wafer before the process module where the trouble occurs are conducted.

Abstract: Conveying system, wherein a conveying device that is mobile with respect to an accumulation device is designed to convey a group of postal objects received at input from a flow-forming device designed to generate at output the group of postal objects aligned in a reference direction, partially overlapping one another and arranged with their own front edges spaced apart from one another. The accumulation device is provided with a plurality of cells, each of which is designed to contain at least one group of postal objects fed to the accumulation device by the translating-lifting device.

Abstract: An IC chip package production apparatus of this invention comprises a conveyance portion which conveys a film substrate, and an IC chip mounting portion which mounts IC chips on the film substrate. The IC chip mounting portion comprises a mounting roller, on the outer face of which are formed a chip holding groove and a suction-clamping hole, which mounts IC chips on the film substrate by holding IC chips and rotating; an IC chip supply portion, having a supply path which supplies a plurality of IC chips successively; and a linear feeder which, with one supply end of the supply path opposing the chip holding groove and suction-clamping hole, feeds IC chips from the supply end to the chip-holding groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing flat parts, in particular plastic substrates, preferably plastic cards, having a store containing the parts to be processed, at least one processing device defining a processing section and a transport device for transporting the parts over the processing section is characterized in that, before the processing device, a feed device extending over a feed section is provided, and in that the feed device comprises aligning means for aligning the parts over the feed section. A suitable method has appropriate method steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus structured and arranged to transport rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry in a mass flow between an outlet of a first machine and inlets of a plurality of second machines. The apparatus includes guide rails having an inlet side in fixed relation to the outlet of the first machine and a moveable outlet side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating and/or pressing sealant of an insulating glass unit. The apparatus may include an oven and a press. The oven includes a detector that detects an optical property of the insulating glass unit. The detected optical property is used to regulate the amount of energy applied to the insulating glass unit to adjust the amount of energy applied to the sealant. The press may include a displacement transducer that detects a pre-pressed thickness of the insulating glass unit. The measured pre-pressed thickness is used to automatically select a press thickness from a set of pressed IGU thicknesses.

Abstract: A solar cell production system utilizes self-contained vacuum chucks that hold and cool solar cell wafers during transport on a conveyor between processing stations during a fabrication process. Each self-contained vacuum chuck includes its own local vacuum pump and a closed-loop cooling system. After each wafer is processed, it is removed from its vacuum chuck, and the vacuum chuck is returned to the start of the production line by a second conveyor belt. In one embodiment, each vacuum chuck includes an inductive power supply that is inductively coupled to an external source to drive that vacuum chuck's vacuum pump and cooling system. An optional battery is recharged by the inductive power supply, and is used to power the vacuum pump and cooling system during hand-off between adjacent processing stations.

Abstract: A device for conveying closures (D) made from metallic sheet in an essentially vertical direction from a collecting point (1) to a release point (6) is proposed. The closures are selected to be in correct position during conveying in order to release at the release point (6) only same-lying closures in a row of closures following one another closely. A conveyer belt (10) serves for the transport (v1, v2) of the closures. A sensor and discharge device (17, 16, 19, 18; 3) serves for detecting wrong-position closures and for lateral discharge (q1, q2) of individual wrong-position closures. In the course of the conveyer belt (10) upstream of the sensor and discharge device, a bar (15) is arranged above the conveyer belt, which terminates after the sensor and discharge device (17, 16, 19, 18; 3). More than one row (R1, R2) of closures next to one another may be supplied separately to the sensor and discharge device (17, 16, 19, 18; 3).

Abstract: A bin transporter system is used for moving bins or trays from the exit end of a security checkpoint conveyor to the entrance end of the conveyor. The system includes one or more support stands and a roller assembly attached to the stands. The roller assembly includes an elongate bin guide and roller conveyors attached to the inside of the bin guide. The roller assembly is held in a longitudinally inclined orientation, for gravity-actuated movement of the bin along the bin guide, as facilitated by the roller conveyors. Additionally, when bins are placed in the bin guide against the roller conveyors for movement along the bin guide, the bins lie at a laterally tilted orientation, either generally horizontally or generally vertically. This prevents the bins from falling out the front of the roller assembly, in cases where the bin guide has an open front portion.

Abstract: A component placement device suitable for placing a component on a substrate comprises at least one component feeder, at least one substrate conveyor as well as at least one component pickup and placement device for picking up a component from the component feeder and placing said component on a substrate supported by the substrate conveyor.

Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed for workpiece handling and/or inspection at the front end of a tool. The system comprises a rigid member of unitary construction such as a metal plate which mounts to the front of a tool associated with a semiconductor process. The front end components, including the load port assemblies, prealigners and workpiece handling robot, are mounted to the plate to provide precise and repeatable positioning of the front end components with respect to each other.

Abstract: A multifunctional handler system for electrical testing of semiconductor devices is provided. The multifunctional handler system comprises: (1) a semiconductor device processing section comprising a loading unit including a buffer, a sorting unit including a separate marking machine, and a unloading unit; (2) a semiconductor device testing section, separate from the semiconductor device processing section, comprises a test chamber, the test chamber is separated into two or more test spaces, and the test spaces of the test chamber include a second chamber positioned at a lower position, a first chamber positioned above the second chamber, and pipelines for connecting the first and second chambers to each other; and (3) a host computer which is independently connected to the semiconductor device processing section and the semiconductor device testing section and controls tray information, test results, marking information, and test program information.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for handling carriers for soft contact lenses in a lens manufacturing system. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, article handling devices are located beneath a pre-cure station and a curing station of the system to move lens carriers within those stations. Pursuant to a second aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment multiple sets of assemblies are provided for moving a multitude of lens carriers into, through, and out from the pre-cure station and the curing station. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the curing station is provided with an intelligent buffer.

Abstract: An automated material handling system that includes an extractor/buffer apparatus capable of simultaneously accessing multiple Work-In-Process (WIP) parts, thereby providing a highly efficient interface between WIP storage locations and transport equipment. The extractor/buffer apparatus includes multiple extractor/buffer modules, each module being configured to interface with a location for holding WIP parts that is a number of WIP parts deep. Each module includes a platform for holding multiple WIP parts. Further, multiple modules may be disposed side-by-side to form an extractor/buffer apparatus capable of handling multiple rows of WIP parts.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a preform conveying device of high production efficiency under the technical theme of aligning the plurality of preforms in single rows at high speed, while eliminating contact of individual preforms with other preforms and minimizing the chances of contact with device parts.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for handling carriers for soft contact lenses in a lens manufacturing system. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, article handling devices are located beneath a pre-cure station and a curing station of the system to move lens carriers within those stations. As a result of locating these devices beneath these stations, the desired movement of the carriers can be achieved without increasing the footprint of the station. Pursuant to a second aspect of the invention, a complete set of assemblies is provided for moving a multitude of lens carriers into, through, and out from the pre-cure station and the curing station. This set of assemblies accomplishes this movement in a completely automated, high speed, mass production basis. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the curing station is provided with an intelligent buffer.

Abstract: At least one supply roll is conveyed by use of a roll support surface. The supply roll can be placed on the roll support surface with its longitudinal axis essentially horizontal. The supply roll can be rolled in at least one conveying direction with its lateral surface on the roll support surface. At least one transport element, with at least one rotating drive device can be brought into contact with the lateral surface of the supply roll from below. The drive device can be driven in at least one conveying direction.

Abstract: A caliper for measuring the thickness of collated printed products and which has a lever arm which is pressed into engagement with each of a plurality of printed products as they are serially conveyed past a measurement station. The lever arm is actuated by a servo motor which includes an encoder, and when the lever arm is pressed into engagement with each product, the position of the lever arm is sensed by the encoder which then delivers a signal to a controller where the thickness is calculated and compared with a predetermined correct value. A method of calibrating the caliper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber for transporting at least one workpiece has two or more openings defining respective opening areas for treating or handling the at least one workpiece. A transport device is arranged relative to the openings and includes a drive shaft rotatable around a drive shaft rotational axis. Two or more conveyors transport at least one workpiece. A linear driver is operationally independent to linearly move respective ones of the two or more conveyors relative to the drive shaft, with a drive component in a radial direction relative to the axis. An obstructing member is provided for closing the openings when one of the conveyors is positioned adjacent to the openings by rotating the transport device and is moved by the linear drive towards the opening.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is provided for storing semiconductor wafer carriers, and for loading wafers or wafer carriers to a fabrication tool. The apparatus preferably provides an elevated port for receipt of wafer carriers from an overhead factory transport, allows for local interconnection among a plurality of the inventive apparatuses, and enables independent loading of the factory load port and the tool load port. An inventive wafer handling method which divides a lot of wafers into sublots and distributes the sublots among tools configured to perform the same process is also provided.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is provided for storing semiconductor wafer carriers, and for loading wafers or wafer carriers to a fabrication tool. The apparatus preferably provides an elevated port for receipt of wafer carriers from an overhead factory transport, allows for local interconnection among a plurality of the inventive apparatuses, and enables independent loading of the factory load port and the tool load port. An inventive wafer handling method which divides a lot of wafers into sublots and distributes the sublots among tools configured to perform the same process is also provided.

Abstract: A loading and unloading device for sheet metals for loading and unloading sheet metals to and from a sheet metal working machine, comprises: a chucking unit lifting a sheet metal by chucking the sheet metal; a loading and unloading clamping unit disposed adjacent to the chucking unit, the loading and unloading clamping unit moving in a direction of approaching to and leaving from the sheet metal working machine; and a sheet metal carrying unit carrying the sheet metal lifted by the chucking unit to the position of the loading and unloading clamping unit.