Abstract: An unpacking system having a folding-out device for folding outwards an initially folded-in packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, and having a stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object. The item of packaging herein is in particular a pouch, and the object is in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object. The unpacking system furthermore has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction. The packaging portion in the stretching device is stretched parallel with the transportation direction. A filling system is disclosed having such an unpacking system, and methods are disclosed for folding outwards, for stretching, and for unpacking.

Abstract: There is provided a configuration that includes a substrate holder configured to hold substrates; a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the substrates to the substrate holder; and a controller configured to: acquire a number of substrates mountable on the substrate holder and a number of the product substrates to be mounted on the substrate holder; divide the product substrates into product substrate groups; divide the dummy substrates into dummy substrate groups based on the number of the product substrates, the number of the substrates mountable on the substrate holder, and a number of the product substrate groups; combine the product substrate groups and the dummy substrate groups; create substrate arrangement data for distributing and mounting the product substrates on the substrate holder; and cause the transfer mechanism to transfer the substrates according to the substrate arrangement data.

Abstract: An installation for manufacturing cross-linkable polyethylene compounds which comprises a melting machine (101), a melt pump (102) and a filtration unit (103) to produce cross-linkable polyethylene compounds that may be further used for manufacturing insulating parts of medium, high and extra-high voltage power cables, and a method for manufacturing such cross-linkable polyethylene compounds.

Abstract: An unpacking system having a folding-out device for folding outwards an initially folded-in packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, and having a stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object. The item of packaging herein is in particular a pouch, and the object is in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object. The unpacking system furthermore has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction. The packaging portion in the stretching device is stretched parallel with the transportation direction. A filling system is disclosed having such an unpacking system, and methods are disclosed for folding outwards, for stretching, and for unpacking.

Abstract: A transport system for transporting a plurality of objects between a storage container configured to store the plurality of objects and a processing apparatus configured to collectively process the plurality of objects held on a tray, including a mounting part on which the storage container is mounted, a stage on which the plurality of objects are mounted, a tray support part configured to support the tray, a first transport device configured to transport the plurality of objects between the storage container mounted on the mounting part and the stage, and a second transport device configured to transport the plurality of objects between the stage and the tray supported by the tray support part.

Abstract: A transport device in a transport chamber having a reduced pressure atmosphere and including a sidewall extending along an arrangement direction. The transport device includes a first robot fixed at a first robot position in the transport chamber and configured to transfer a substrate to and from a first chamber provided outside the transport chamber, and a second robot fixed at a second robot position in the transport chamber and configured to transfer the substrate to and from a second chamber provided outside the transport chamber on the sidewall. Additionally, the transport device includes a mobile buffer configured to hold the substrate and move along a movement locus extending along the arrangement direction and located between the sidewall and each of the first robot position and the second robot position. The movement locus includes a first position for transferring the substrate to and from the first robot and a second position for transferring the substrate to and from the second robot.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus includes a conveyor configured to convey a workpiece, a support unit supporting the conveyor, and a work device which performs a work to the workpiece within a conveying range of the conveyor supported by the support unit.

Abstract: A device and method for handling racks of disposable pipette tips in a laboratory automation system are presented. The device comprises a guide rail for guiding racks from a loading region (I) to a supply region (II). The loading region (I) is accessible by a user or a loading device for loading a rack on the guide rail. A plurality of disposable pipette tips stored in a supplying rack located in the supply region (II) is accessible by a delivering device for delivering at least one selected one of the plurality of disposable pipette tips to a pipetting system. The device comprises at least one moveable element, which is controllably moveable by a driving device for selectively enabling or disabling a removal of the supplying rack from the supply region (II). A laboratory automation system comprising such a device and/or for carrying out the method are also presented.

Abstract: An ancillary apparatus for loading glass substrates into a bracket through a robotic arm includes a holding rack to hold a bracket, a guiding mechanism located above the bracket and a glass lifting mechanism located below the bracket. The robotic arm grips the glass substrate and moves the glass substrate above the bracket to be guided by the guiding mechanism and held by the glass lifting mechanism, and then the glass substrate is released from the robotic arm. The glass substrate is guided by the guiding mechanism and braced by the glass lifting mechanism, and then is lowered slowly into the bracket. Hence the robotic arm does not need to be entered the bracket to load the glass substrate, extra space to receive the robotic arm can be saved and thus more glass substrates can be loaded. The cost is reduced and productivity is improved to meet production requirements.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate processing section that processes a plurality of substrates assuming a vertical posture in a batch manner; a first traversing mechanism that laterally moves a first traverse holding portion along a first traversing path between a substrate transfer position and a substrate delivery position; a second traversing mechanism that laterally moves a second traverse holding portion along a second traversing path disposed below the first traversing path between the substrate transfer position and the substrate delivery position; an elevation mechanism that raises and lowers an elevation holding portion in the substrate transfer position; and a main transfer mechanism that conveys a plurality of substrates assuming a vertical posture in a batch manner between the substrate delivery position and the substrate processing section, the first and second traverse holding portions, and the elevation holding portion each holds a plurality of substrates assuming a vertical

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing and processing information of electronic parts includes a seating unit on which electronic parts are seated and aligned and a part information processing unit disposed adjacent to the seating unit. The part information processing unit is configured to align the electronic parts using the seating unit, recognize a recognition surface of the electronic parts, obtaining part information of the recognized surface, and store the obtained part information.

Abstract: An integrated high speed robotic mechanism is disclosed for improving transport equipment, integrating an object movement with other functionalities such as alignment or identification. The disclosed integrated robot assembly typically comprises an end effector for moving the object in and out of a chamber, a rotation chuck incorporated on the robot body to provide centering and theta alignment capability, and an optional identification subsystem for identifying the object during transport. The present invention also discloses a transfer robot system, employing a plurality of integrated robot assemblies; a transfer system where a transfer robot system can service a plurality of connected chambers such as FOUP or FOSB; a front end module (FEM); or a sorter system. Through the use of these incorporated capabilities into the moving robot, single object transfer operations can exceed 500 parts per hour.

Abstract: A conveyor 4 for transporting a reticle cassette 18 is provided. A lifter 16 of a rail vehicle 14 lifts the reticle cassette 18 for transferring the reticle cassette 18 between the inside of a dummy FOUP 22 and the conveyor 4.

Abstract: An apparatus and method transport a sheet on a tray. In one embodiment, feet carried by an endless member contact a bottom and edge of the sheet to move the sheet off of the tray. In one embodiment, the sheet is arced while it is being engaged by the feet.

Abstract: A lift assist assembly (20, 20a) is provided to facilitate transfer of individual segments (24) of linked food products (e.g., hot dogs) between a first location such as a linker output (40) to a second, spaced location such as a smokehouse delivery rail assembly (30). The assembly (20) includes an elongated rail (52, 228) supporting a depending lift unit (34) and a lower, transverse transfer arm assembly (36). The transfer arm (36) is equipped with selectively extensible and retractable hooks (200) designed to engage and support the segments (24) during transfer thereof; preferably, the hooks (200) are controlled by a pneumatic control circuit (92) so as to automatically retract upon transfer of a food segment at the second, delivery location. The assembly (20) allows the operator to transfer multiple segments (24) without the physical strain associated with manual transfer thereof.

Abstract: An automated storage system for storing and picking articles delivered on incoming load carriers such as pallets comprises a device (depalletizer) for separating the article packing units, a tray storage facility (130) for storing the packing units (15) on trays (10), a take-off conveying system (42, 45, 135) for removing and feeding the packing units (15) in sequence for loading onto order load carriers, and a loading station (140) for loading the packing units (15) in a defined loading sequence onto order load carriers (20) for dispatch e.g. by lorry. The invention enables fully mechanized and automated storage and picking of the articles.

Abstract: A workpiece handling and processing system has a interface section for loading wafers from cassettes into carriers. The wafers are lifted out of cassettes by a buffer elevator and moved into a position over an open carrier by a buffer robot. A comb elevator lifts combs entirely through the open cassette, to transfer the wafers from the buffer robot into the carrier. A process robot moves loaded carriers from the interface section to one or more process chambers in a process section. The advantages of processing wafers within a carrier are achieved within a compact space and with high throughput.

Abstract: A machine for loading a load carrier (20) such as a pallet with packing units (cardboard boxes, collis etc.), which form a load stack (21) on the load carrier, is presented. The machine includes handling and support mechanism (52–57), that allows a packing unit (15) to be loaded. The handling and support mechanism supports the load from below throughout the operation of loading from a feed device (51) onto the load stack. By virtue of the handling and support mechanism, the packing unit may be deposited at any selectable spatial position on the load stack. It is therefore possible to form an optimized load stack on the load carrier in which the packing units are always supported from below, with the result that the loading is not dependent upon the material quality of the packaging of the packing unit.

Abstract: A machine for loading a load carrier (20) such as a pallet with packing units (cardboard boxes, collis etc.), which form a load stack (21) on the load carrier, comprises handling and support means (52-57), by means of which a packing unit (15) to be loaded is supported from below throughout the operation of loading from a feed device (51) onto the load stack. By virtue of the handling and support means the packing unit may be deposited at any selectable spatial position on the load stack. According to the invention it is therefore possible to form an optimized load stack on the load carrier, wherein the packing units are always supported from below, with the result that the loading is not dependent upon the material quality of the packaging of the packing unit.

Abstract: In a device for manipulating an object for loading and unloading a clean room, the problem is to reduce the hardware expense for adjustment devices and for air conditioning while maintaining ergonomic benefits and to further improve the clean room conditions in the device. The device contains a stationary outer part (3) of a housing (2) as well as an inner part (4) that can extend telescopically from it and a receptacle element (11) in the roof area of the inner part (4). For the telescopic extension of the inner part and for the lowering of the receptacle element into the inner part, a common guide rail (16) and a common drive (20) are provided. The receptacle element connected to the drive engages with a driver of the inner part for the telescopic extension of the inner part by vertical upward movement and after reaching an access level (E2, E2), at which the inner part is secured, it can be lowered in the inner part.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a robot blade which provides a plurality of semi-conductive or conductive contacts disposed at least partially on the surface of the blade to support a substrate above the blade. The contacts are preferably located inwardly from the edge of the blade and toward the center of the blade to provide a collection area on the blade to capture any particles which may form. The blade is preferably made of a semi-conductive material, such as alumina or other semi-conductive material, to provide an electrical flow path through the contact(s) to discharge any electrical charge which may build up on the substrate during processing.

Abstract: A reticle protection and transport system and method for a lithography tool. The system includes an indexer that stores a plurality of reticles and a removable reticle cassette. The removable reticle cassette is comprised of an inner chamber and an outer chamber. The system further includes an end effector coupled to a robotic arm. The end effector engages one of the plurality of reticles to enable the reticle to be positioned within the removable reticle cassette and thereafter transported. The system further includes a seal, coupled to the end effector and the robotic arm. To transport the reticle, the reticle is first loaded onto the end effector. Next, the end effector is used to create an arrangement wherein the reticle is loaded into the removable reticle cassette. Importantly, the reticle and removable reticle cassette do not come into contact with one another.

Abstract: A substrate processing pallet has a top surface and a plurality of side surfaces. The top surface has at least one recess adapted to receive a substrate. The recess includes a support structure adapted to contact a portion of a substrate seated in the recess and a plurality of apertures each adapted to accommodate a lift pin. Lift pins can extend through the apertures initially to support the substrate and retract to deposit the substrate onto the support structure. A side surface includes a process positioning feature adapted to engage with a feature located in a process chamber to position the pallet. A side surface includes a positioning feature adapted to engage with an end effector alignment feature to position the pallet with respect to the end effector during transport. A side surface includes support features adapted to engage with end effector support features to support the pallet during transport.

Abstract: A reticle protection and transport system and method for a lithography tool. The system includes an indexer that stores a plurality of reticles and a removable reticle cassette. The removable reticle cassette is comprised of an inner chamber and an outer chamber. The system further includes an end effector coupled to a robotic arm. The end effector engages one of the plurality of reticles to enable the reticle to be positioned within the removable reticle cassette and thereafter transported. The system further includes a seal, coupled to the end effector and the robotic arm. To transport the reticle, the reticle is first loaded onto the end effector. Next, the end effector is used to create an arrangement wherein the reticle is loaded into the removable reticle cassette. Importantly, the reticle and removable reticle cassette do not come into contact with one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for unloading substrates. The apparatus includes a handling station, a conveying robot, and a process apparatus controller. The handling station arranges substrates having different sizes and processed by a prior process apparatus. The conveying robot lifts the substrate arranged on the handling station and loads the substrate to a predetermined position on a cassette or a subsequent process apparatus. The process apparatus controller controls the arrangement of the substrate or motions of the conveying robot so that the substrate is loaded on the predetermined position of the cassette or the subsequent process apparatus. The unloading apparatus according to the present invention adjusts the position on which the substrate is placed in the handling station according to the size of the substrate or adjusts a rotational arc of the conveying robot so that the substrate is loaded to a secure position on the cassette or subsequent process apparatus.