Abstract: The present invention refers to a sampling control station for a containers or bottles filling plant and to a containers or bottles filling plant comprising the same. The sampling control station according to the present invention comprises at least one grasping and transporting group (22) for picking up containers or bottles (16) from conveying means (18) and transporting them to at least one measuring module (21?,21?,21??), the containers or bottles (16) being provided with a body tapered into a neck and ending with a mouth, wherein an annular ribbing (19) is foreseen at the mouth, and it is characterised in that the grasping and transporting group (22) comprises gripping means (23) connected to a mobile support structure (30), the gripping means (23) being mobile between a gripping position, in which they are engaged with the neck of the container (16) at and below the annular ribbing (19), and a release position in which they are not engaged with the container (16).

Abstract: A device for storing and handling Petri dishes having a base with a base wall arranged on a circumference of the base, and a lid. The device includes a storage device structured and arranged for storing the Petri dishes in an upside-down orientation so that respective lids are oriented below their respective bases, an inspection device structured and arranged for automatic inspection of the Petri dishes without their respective lids, and a transfer device structured and arranged for transferring the Petri dishes between the storage device and the inspection device. The transfer device includes a gripper, with which a respective Petri dish without the lid can be grasped laterally on the base wall.

Abstract: A system for retaining a film on a single-piece frame includes a frame having a shape with a center open area larger than the film, the frame comprising a plurality of fingers on the frame extending into the open area, and a barb positioned on an end of each of the plurality of fingers, wherein the barbs retain the film. The system also includes an end effecter comprising a first and second plurality of vacuum line openings, wherein the end effecter holds onto the film with the first plurality of vacuum line openings and holds onto the frame with the second plurality of vacuum line openings, wherein the end effecter picks up the film with the first plurality of vacuum line openings and presses the film onto the frame, wherein pressing the film onto the frame will retain the film on the barbs.

Abstract: A test tray for a test handler is disclosed that is loaded with semiconductor devices and then carries them along a predetermined circulation route. The test tray allows one fixing unit to fix a plurality of adjacent insert modules to the receiving spaces of the frame, thereby efficiently using the space of the frame and allowing a relatively large number of insert modules to be installed in the same area, in comparison to the conventional test tray.

Abstract: A system and method for production of manufactured parts including a production process having at least one industrial robot equipped with a handling tool for picking up the manufactured part. The robot is arranged in a quality inspection cell and the robot is programmed to hold the manufactured part in at least one known position in the quality inspection cell and present the part for a quality inspection. The quality inspection may be made visually by an operator or with the aid of a tool or sensor or by means of automatic sensors. In other aspects of the invention a method, system and a computer program for carrying out the method are described.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the exemplary embodiments, a substrate transport apparatus is provided comprising a drive mechanism, a movable arm assembly connected to the drive mechanism, an end effector connected to the arm assembly. A chuck for holding a substrate is mounted on the end effector and having a movable edge gripper with a contact surface and an edge of the substrate may be gripped by actuating the movable edge gripper to engage the substrate with the contact surface. The apparatus further comprising a motion sensor for providing a signal to actuate the movable edge gripper to close and open the moveable edge gripper for capturing and releasing the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, a cluster tool for processing a substrate includes a first processing rack, a first robot assembly and a second robot assembly operable to transfer substrates to substrate processing chambers in the first processing rack, and a horizontal motion assembly. The horizontal motion assembly includes one or more walls that form an interior region in which a motor is enclosed. The one or more walls defining an elongated opening through which a robot support interface travels, the robot support interface supporting a robot of the horizontal motion assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing specimen slides (38) has a specimen slide holder (42) holding specimen slides (38), each specimen slide (38) comprising an identification code. The specimen slides (38) are arranged inside the specimen slide holder (42) on a lifting element (50) in a lifted position. The apparatus includes a reading apparatus (40) for reading out the identification code, and a positioning apparatus that moves the specimen slide holder (42) with the specimen slides (38) relative to the lifting element (50) so that the specimen slides (38) drop successively from the lifted position on the lifting element (50). As one of the specimen slides (38) drops, the identification code of the specimen slide (38) or of the subsequent specimen slide (38) becomes readable for the reading apparatus (40). A triggering apparatus (67, 68) triggers the reading apparatus (40) to read the identification code.

Abstract: In a transport system, a positioning hole is provided in an undersurface of a container. A positioning protrusion corresponding to the positioning hole of the container provided on a first load port of a manufacturing device. When a transport vehicle places the container onto the first load port, the placement position of the container is established by having the positioning protrusion of the first load port fit into the positioning hole. A second load port different from the first load port of the manufacturing device is provided on a storage device. A positioning protrusion is not provided on the second load port. A slip prevention member is provided on an upper surface of the second loading load port.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, a smaller system footprint, and a more repeatable wafer history. Embodiments provide for a cluster tool comprising first and second processing racks, each having two or more vertically stacked substrate processing chambers, a first robot assembly able to access the first processing rack from a first side, a second robot assembly able to access the first processing rack from a second side and the second processing rack from a first side, a third robot assembly able to access the second processing rack from a second side, and a fourth robot assembly able to access the first and second processing racks and to load substrates in a cassette.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling disks as part of a magnetic disk manufacturing process is provided. In one embodiment, during a drying process the disks are engaged at the inner diameter rather than the outer diameter to eliminate the formation of residue on the surface of the disks at or proximate data zones. The disks may be engaged individually or in pairs.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer apparatus includes: a feed driving mechanism that drives a transfer bar in a workpiece transfer direction; and a lift/clamp driving mechanism that drives the transfer bar in a lift direction and a clamp direction. The lift/clamp driving mechanism includes: a support of the transfer bar; first and second carriers movable in the clamp direction; first and second carrier driving mechanisms that drive the first and second carriers; a parallel link that rotatably connects the first carrier with the support; and a driving link that rotatably connects a first link of the parallel link and the second carrier. A first guide that guides the first carrier and a second guide that guides the second carrier are parallel to each other and are shifted from each other in the workpiece transfer direction.

Abstract: In order to transport a flat material to be treated (21) in an installation for the chemical and/or electrochemical treatment of said material, within which the material to be treated (21) is transported within a plane of transport in a direction of transport (5), holding means (22, 25) are attached to said material to be treated (21). The holding means (22, 25) hold the material to be treated (21) at at least two points on an edge region of said material, which edge region is directed along the direction of transport (5) when said material to be treated (21) is being transported. The holding means (22, 25) are coupled in a detachable manner to a transporting device (41) which moves said holding means (22, 25) in the direction of transport in order to transport the material to be treated (21).

Abstract: A grapple apparatus for handling cotton modules includes a frame comprising first and second portions. The second portion is selectively movable relative to the first portion between an opened position and a closed position. The frame defines a module-holding space when the second portion of the frame is in its closed position. At least one powered roller device is connected to the frame and is selectively active to rotate an associated cotton module located in the module-holding space relative to said frame about a module axis of rotation. A method for handling cotton modules includes positioning a frame adjacent a cotton module and moving a second portion of the frame relative to a first portion of the frame from an opened position to a closed position to define a module-holding space in which the cotton module is received and retained.

Abstract: High productivity thin film deposition methods and tools are provided wherein a thin film semiconductor material layer with a thickness in the range of less than 1 micron to 100 microns is deposited on a plurality of wafers in a reactor. The wafers are loaded on a batch susceptor and the batch susceptor is positioned in the reactor such that a tapered gas flow space is created between the susceptor and an interior wall of the reactor. Reactant gas is then directed into the tapered gas space and over each wafer thereby improving deposition uniformity across each wafer and from wafer to wafer.

Abstract: In a side-docking type test handler, a descending mechanism lowers a horizontally postured test tray, which has been transferred into a soak chamber, down to a descent finish position and a vertical posture changing mechanism changes the posture of the test tray, which has been lowered to the descent finish position, from the horizontal state to a vertical state, to transfer the test tray into a test chamber. Further, a horizontal posture changing mechanism changes the posture of the test tray in the test chamber from the vertical state to the horizontal state while transferring the test tray to an ascent start position in a desoak chamber.

Abstract: A method for applying at least one magnet, a holding device for such a method, and an arrangement comprising a number of holding devices. The method is used for applying at least one magnet to a surface of a part made of a magnetic material. The at least one magnet is moved towards the surface of the part while being retained in the holding device using a retaining force, and a force of attraction that acts against the retaining force is substantially directed towards the part and is applied to the at least one magnet such that the magnet is transferred to the surface of the part as soon as the magnet has been moved towards the surface of the part so as to be at a certain distance therefrom at which the force of attraction exceeds the retaining force.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article having a first material and a second material includes (A) a holding body that includes a holding surface and that holds the first material with the holding surface and (B) a transfer section that transfers the first material to the second material by moving the holding body, that is holding the first material, to the second material. (C) The first material has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a thickness greater than that of the first portion in a thickness direction of the first material. (D) The holding surface has a first region and a second region, the second region being located at a position that is more recessed to an inner side than the first region in a height direction of the holding body. (E) The holding body holds the first material by causing the first portion to be held by suction on the first region and causing the second portion to be held by suction on the second region.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping food products such as bacon, cheese or cooked meat in a slicing machine, together with methods of operation thereof. The gripper apparatus comprises hooks for gripping one end of the food product. During slicing, the slicing machine cuts slices from the other end of the food product. Two sets of hooks are present and each set of hooks is moveable between a retracted inoperative position and an extended product-gripping position, independently of the other set. The second set of hooks, when in their extended position, projects for a distance greater than the first set of hooks. Both sets of hooks occupy their extended positions during initial stages of slicing and the second set of hooks is withdrawn to their retracted position during a final stage of slicing so that more of the remaining end of the product can be sliced.

Abstract: A glass substrate transportation carrier is provided, which includes a base; a glass holding stage for adsorbing a glass substrate; an elevating mechanism disposed between the base and the glass holding stage; an overturning mechanism disposed between the elevating mechanism and the glass holding stage; a rotating mechanism disposed between the overturning mechanism and the elevating mechanism; and a telescopic mechanism disposed between the overturning mechanism and the glass holding stage.

Abstract: A substrate conveyance apparatus includes a first driving shaft, an arm portion having one end connected to the first driving shaft, a substrate holding unit capable of holding a substrate, and a connecting portion that connects the other end of the arm portion and the substrate holding unit. The connecting portion includes a rotating support portion that supports the substrate holding unit rotatably with respect to the arm portion, and a moving unit that moves the substrate holding unit upward or downward with respect to the arm portion in the direction of the rotating shaft about which the substrate holding unit is rotated by the rotating support portion.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel application of standard printed circuit board (PCB) assembly modules, electronic assembly, and/or semiconductor assembly equipment for the assembly of consumer products, such as razor cartridges. In addition, nozzles of the pick/place component placement machine of the present invention may be desirably adapted to operate on type of razor cartridge component (e.g., blade, lubricating strip) disposed on a pallet. The adapted nozzle may include adaptors which may have an elongated portion, an angled portion, a tapered portion, a gripper portion, a curved portion, a rounded portion, a pointed tip, a stamper, a marker, a printer, a guide portion, a spring portion, a moveable leg, or any combination thereof, for operating on a razor cartridge component.

Abstract: A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier includes the steps of: contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position; lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly. Such a method can improve the accuracy and precision of moving the vial to and from the carrier for dispensing.

Abstract: A robot arm for delivering a wafer is disclosed which comprises a carrier plate, an inner ring, a driving device and at least a contact pad. The inner ring is disposed on the carrier plate and defines at least a through-hole. The driving device is connected to the carrier plate to move the carrier plate. The contact pad is disposed at the through-hole of the inner ring and comprises a first protrusion portion and a second protrusion portion. The first protrusion portion protrudes from a first surface of the inner ring and is used for being in contact with the wafer to prevent it from being in contact with the first surface. The second protrusion portion is lodged in the through-hole to fix the contact pad at the inner ring.

Abstract: A wafer processing apparatus used for the testing of electronic devices comprises first and second clampers movably mounted on a shaft, each clamper being configured for holding a wafer carrier on which a wafer is mounted. Clamping fingers on each of the first and second clampers are operative to clamp onto the wafer carrier to hold the wafer carriers, and the clampers are operative to move the wafer carriers reciprocally between a loading position and a wafer processing location for processing the wafers.

Abstract: A workpiece in a container is held by a robot based on a result of detection of shape information in the container by a shape sensor, a holding condition of the workpiece held by the robot is inspected by an inspection device, and the workpiece is transferred to a subsequent step by the robot when the inspection device has determined that the holding condition of the workpiece is acceptable. When the inspection device has determined that the holding condition of the workpiece is unacceptable, the held workpiece is placed on a temporary placement table, the shape of the workpiece is again detected by detecting the workpiece using the shape sensor, and the workpiece is held and transferred to the subsequent step by the robot based on a result of the detection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for handling capsules in a capsule processing equipment. The invention also relates to capsule processing equipment, such as an inspection equipment or a capsule printing equipment that includes such an apparatus.

Abstract: A glass-plate working apparatus includes a glass-plate supporting portion 20a of a feed conveyor 7, a glass-plate supporting portion 20b of a cutting section 2, a glass-plate supporting portion 20c of a bend-breaking section 4, a glass-plate supporting portion 20d of a grinding section 3, and a glass-plate supporting portion 20e of a discharge conveyor 8; a cutting head 9, a bend-breaking device 66, and a grinding head 10 for processing glass plates 5 which are respectively supported by the supporting portions 20b, 20c, and 20d; and a transporting device 89 for transporting the glass plate 5 on the supporting portion 20a onto the supporting portion 20b, the glass plate 5 on the supporting portion 20b onto the supporting portion 20c, the glass plate 5 on the supporting portion 20c onto the supporting portion 20d, and the glass plate 5 on the supporting portion 20d onto the supporting portion 20e, respectively.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding each of accumulated mail items P onto a conveyance path includes a pickup belt which runs along a pickup position, and a negative-pressure chamber opposing the pickup position with the pickup belt interposed therebetween. When each mail item is picked up from the pickup position and reaches a nip between conveyance belts, air is introduced into the negative-pressure chamber to eliminate negative pressure therein.

Abstract: A spatial photomask flipper provides up to four access gates for an unloading of a clamped photomask after its reorientation along a single photomask transfer axis. The clamping frames holding the photomask are secured by a locking control cam that prevents their inadvertent opening in any other but the two main flip orientations. The flipper is part of an automated system including a digital camera and an image recognition algorithm that interpret an arbitrary initial photomask loading orientation from a circumferential photomask identification number. An eventual pellicle on the photomask may be also automatically detected via a pellicle detection sensor. Alternately, the digital camera may be employed for pellicle detection together with a pellicle detection algorithm that processes the digital image for well known components of the pellicle such as the pellicle frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a processing and positioning device for processing catalyst support bodies. The device comprises a rotary indexing table, which comprises a turntable, which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis running in the axial direction of the turntable, and at least one loading platform, which comprises a holding device and is set up for releasably holding the catalyst support body on an outer surface of the catalyst support body. The at least one loading platform is connected to the turntable, whereby the loading platform is taken along by the turntable when a rotation of the turntable takes place about its longitudinal axis. The holding device is arranged in relation to the longitudinal axis of the turntable with a radial distance away from the longitudinal axis. Also provided is at least one processing position, which is fixed with respect to the turntable and is away from the longitudinal axis in a radial direction by a distance.

Abstract: Semiconductor wafer inspection device comprising a wager transport arm provided with at least one wafer support element, a wafer gripper, the gripper having two distant branches designed to take hold of the opposed edges of the wafer, the gripper being mounted so as to rotate on a shaft in order to be able to rotate the wafer between an approximately horizontal position and an approximately vertical position, and at least two inspection systems placed on one side of the wafer and on the other, in an approximately vertical position symmetrically with respect to the plane passing through the wafer.

Abstract: A system for managing semiconductor production includes a conveyor to convey a wafer carrier to or from an overhead hoist transfer system. The system also includes a cross-system transport apparatus to transfer the wafer carrier between the conveyor and an overhead shuttle system.

Abstract: A system for feeding glass sheets to at least one sheet processing line has a sheet withdrawal station, in which are housed stands for supporting packs of sheets and a loading machine mobile in a rectilinear transfer direction to withdraw the sheets from the stands and transfer them to the processing line; the stands being arranged along the transfer direction on opposite sides of the loading machine and having first and, respectively, second inclined side resting surfaces of the respective sheet pack facing the loading machine and converging one towards the other and downwards, and being mobile from and towards the withdrawal station under the thrust of a common transfer unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-shaft linear motor formed by a plurality of linear motors each provided with a magnetic body and an armature and adapted to produce a force causing the magnetic body and the armature to be relatively displaced along a given linear moving direction by interaction of magnetic fluxes generated between the magnetic body and the armature during an operation of supplying electric power to the armature. In a typical aspect, each of the single-shaft linear motors in the present invention includes a base plate. The base plate has a base surface defining the moving direction, wherein the stator is fixed onto the base surface along the moving direction, and the mover is attached onto the base surface in a movable manner reciprocating along the moving direction and in opposed relation to the stator.

Abstract: A batch processing platform used for ALD or CVD processing is configured for high throughput and minimal footprint. In one embodiment, the processing platform comprises an atmospheric transfer region, at least one batch processing chamber with a buffer chamber and staging platform, and a transfer robot disposed in the transfer region wherein the transfer robot has at least one substrate transfer arm that comprises multiple substrate handling blades. The platform may include two batch processing chambers configured with a service aisle disposed therebetween to provide necessary service access to the transfer robot and the deposition stations. In another embodiment, the processing platform comprises at least one batch processing chamber, a substrate transfer robot that is adapted to transfer substrates between a FOUP and a processing cassette, and a cassette transfer region containing a cassette handler robot. The cassette handler robot may be a linear actuator or a rotary table.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing microelectronic topographies, a method of use of such an apparatus, and a method for passivating hardware of microelectronic processing chambers are provided. The apparatus includes a substrate holder configured to support a microelectronic topography and a rotatable case with sidewalls arranged on opposing sides of the substrate holder. The method of using such an apparatus includes positioning a microelectronic topography upon a substrate holder of a processing chamber, exposing the microelectronic topography to a fluid within the processing chamber, and rotating a case of the processing chamber. The rotation is sufficient to affect movement of the fluid relative to the surface of the microelectronic topography. A method for passivating hardware of a microelectronic processing chamber includes exposing the hardware to an organic compound and subsequently exposing the hardware to an agent configured to form polar bonds with the organic compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for fixing glass sheets in a superclean room for feeding a sputter system, comprising the following: a) a roller drive (12), designed to convey a transport frame (19) to a centering unit that centres the transport frame (19) horizontally and to convey the frame from the unit to a sputter system; b) a frame lifting device (7) which lifts and lowers the transport frame (19) in a magnetic rail mounting (2); c) a fixing unit (5, 8) which fixes and releases the trans-port frame (19), opening heads (3) being provided for opening and closing frame clips (17) that receive a glass plate (18); d) a lifting unit for lifting and pivoting said glass plate (18), the unit bringing the plate into a vertical position and placing said plate in the transport frame (9).

Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a processing unit, a substrate loading unit, a substrate unloading unit, and a carrying unit. A carrying device has a constitution in which a suction portion suctioning and holding a substrate is rotatable about an arm portion provided in a base portion and the substrate is rotated in the state where the substrate is held by a holding portion. A coating device has a constitution in which a liquid material is ejected from a nozzle to both surfaces of the substrate rotating in an upright state.

Abstract: A conveyor robot (10) includes a main body (12), a first arm (18), and a second arm (16). The first arm (18) is designed to be reciprocable between a wafer cassette and a position above the main body (12). The first arm (18) is provided with a first hand (182) having a plurality of gripping portions designed to grip a wafer. The second arm (16) is designed to be reciprocable between a position above the main body (12) and a wafer stage. The second arm (16) is provided with a second hand (162) having a plurality of gripping portions designed to grip the wafer from a different angle than do the gripping portions of the first hand (182). The gripping portions of the first hand (182) and those of the second hand (162) are positioned at equal height.

Abstract: In a method for reinforcing a fibre composite component for aviation and space flight, a vacuum mat is configured with at least one receiving portion for reproducibly receiving at least one reinforcing element. The at least one reinforcing element is introduced into the at least one receiving portion of the vacuum mat. The vacuum mat with at least one introduced reinforcing element is applied reproducibly in a sealed manner to the fibre composite component to be reinforced to form a mould portion and at least the formed mould portion is cured to connect the at least one reinforcing element to the fibre composite component. The vacuum mat is then removed from the reinforced fibre composite component so that the vacuum mat can be reused.

Abstract: A plunger for holding and moving electrical components in particular IC's to and from a contacting device connected to a test bed, comprises a head piece with a fluid distribution chamber through which temperature-controlled fluid flows. A suction head is arranged such that the temperature-controlled fluid flows around the suction head and is diverted along the suction head to the component.

Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a storage system assembly positioned at a height that is greater than a height of a tool used for loading and unloading substrates to be processed. The storage system locally stores one or more containers of substrates. The storage system assembly includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of the plurality of storage shelves have shelf plates with shelf features for supporting a container. Each of the plurality of storage shelves are coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain, such that each of the plurality of storage shelves move together along the rail to the one or more positions. The rail has at least some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear and the sections are arranged in a loop.

Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a storage system assembly positioned at a height that is greater than a height of a tool used for loading and unloading substrates to be processed. The storage system locally stores one or more containers of substrates. The storage system assembly includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of the plurality of storage shelves have shelf plates with shelf features for supporting a container. Each of the plurality of storage shelves are coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain, such that each of the plurality of storage shelves move together along the rail to the one or more positions. The rail has at least some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear and the sections are arranged in a loop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear motor provided with a magnetic body and an armature and adapted to produce a force causing the magnetic body and the armature to be relatively displaced in a given moving direction by interaction of magnetic fluxes generated between the magnetic body and the armature during an operation of supplying electric power to the armature.

Abstract: A load smart system for continuously loading preformed pouches into a fill-seal machine is provided. A plurality of pouches are disposed within a pouch delivery device, each of the pouches having an upper edge and an indicia. The fill-seal machine includes a rotating turret having a plurality of radially extending grippers. The rotating turret rotates the plurality of gripper pairs between a loading station, an opening station, a filling station, a sealing station, and an unloading station. A robotic transfer device is positioned between the pouch delivery device and the loading station of the fill-seal machine. The robotic transfer device includes an optical sensor positioned on a gripper member. During operation, the optical sensor scans the indicia to determine the pouch characteristics and a controlling station controls the gripper member to deposits the pouch within the gripper pairs at the loading station a predetermined distance from the upper edge of the pouch.

Abstract: A control device for controlling the movement of a machine determines a base position set value according to a given base track in space. By limitation of a base element of a machine therewith, the above is hence positionally moved along a base track. The control device further determines a corresponding current supplementary end position in space using the base position set value. The control device also determines a supplementary position set value from a given fixed supplementary start position in space and the current supplementary end position. By limitation of a supplementary element of the machine thereto, the above is thus displaced along an current supplementary track from the supplementary start position, to the current supplementary end position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular pouch transfer system, in which a gripper mount bar is rigidly mounted an drive arms, which are driven by driving means and mounted to them such that gripper means moves along a circular path. With the continued rotational cycle in one direction there is no reversal of direction reducing stress on the drive components and gears, providing smoother and more reliable operation. The motion at the transfer where the pouch is loaded into the bag clamp is near vertical allowing for the height of the pouch in the bag clamp to be easily adjusted for alteration of pouch height in the bag clamps during active machine operation. This reduces the need for other methods to adjust the pouch height by other means. The transfer gripper means opening and closing occurs during the rotational cycle.

Abstract: A device for centering circular wafers includes a support chuck for supporting a circular wafer to be centered upon its top surface, left, right and middle centering linkage rods and a cam plate synchronizing the rectilinear motion of the left, right and middle centering linkage rods. The left centering linkage rod includes a first rotating arm at a first end and rectilinear motion of the left centering linkage rod translates into rotational motion of the first rotating arm. The right centering linkage rod comprises a second rotating arm at a first end, and rectilinear motion of the right centering linkage rod translates into rotational motion of the second rotating arm. The first and second rotating arms are rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the top surface of the support chuck and comprise a curved edge surface configured to roll against the curved edge of the circular wafer. The middle centering linkage rod includes a third alignment arm at a first end.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system to be combined to one or more rewinding machines (1) for forming reels or logs of web material wound around winding mandrels. The system, whose function is to prepare the winding mandrels with the related winding cores positioned thereon, comprises in combination: a robot (5) for extracting winding mandrels (A) from formed reels (BB); a cutting unit (7) for cutting tubes (T) for forming tubular winding cores (AT) of settable axial length; an insertion unit (9), for introducing the winding mandrels into a set of tubular winding cores.