Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting device for lifting and vertically, and possibly horizontally, replacing an object. The lifting device comprises a first unit (1) configured with one or more catching parts such as suction pads and a second unit (2) configured to control vertical and optionally horizontal position of the object. The second unit (2) comprises a first attachment position and a second attachment position and the first attachment position is fixed to a vertically extending part (3) of the first unit (1); the second attachment position is fixed to a sliding member (10) of the first unit (1) by a rigid joint configured to transfer all movements induced at the second attachment position by the second unit (2) to a sliding member (10) of the first unit configured to slide between two positions along a longitudinal member (11) of the first unit.

Abstract: A substrate transfer device configured to transfer a substrate while holding a first surface of the substrate by a substrate holder and configured to deliver a second surface of the substrate is provided. The substrate transfer device includes a tilting mechanism configured to perform tilting of the substrate holder when viewed from a side; and a fixing mechanism configured to stop the tilting of the substrate holder when viewed from the side.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drilling instrument for machining tubes in tube sheets of heat exchangers in a radioactive environment, comprising a transport device having clamping elements and having a drilling device with clamping fingers, which are arranged in each case on a common first side. The transport device and the drilling device are connected to a support device having a support plate on which a resting plate of the drilling device rests. In addition, the support plate is connected to the resting plate by way of at least one movable connecting element, and the resting plate is connected to the support plate in a play-free manner in a first position of the connecting element, wherein the resting plate exhibits predefinable play with regard to the carrier plate in a second position of the connecting element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the positioning of a feature of a tray such that a robot may place a component in the feature are disclosed.

Abstract: A handling trolley for at least one container (C) for its leakproof connection to an insulator via hermetically sealed connection, the connection being achieved by rotation of the container (C) relative to part of the insulator about an approximately vertical axis, the trolley (CH) comprising a support plate intended to support the container (C), structure enabling displacement of the trolley relative to the floor, structure for lifting the container in order to mate the container to the insulator, the first position indexing rod (26) on the trolley (CH) relative to the insulator intended to coincide with the second position indexing rod on the insulator, and angular orientation notch (24) on the container (C) relative to the trolley (CH) such that the container (C) is in a specified position relative to the insulator when the trolley (CH) is in a position determined by the correspondence between the first and second position indexing rods.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus for operating on articles is disclosed. The apparatus includes a column having a mounting portion for securing the manipulator to a base and an extensible portion that is moveable over an extension range with respect to the mounting portion in response to an actuation force provided by a column actuator. The apparatus also includes an arm mounted to the extensible portion of the column at an arm joint and rotatable about the arm joint in response to an actuation torque provided by an arm rotation actuator. The apparatus further includes an end effector operably configured to perform an operation on the articles, the end effector being mounted at an end effector joint disposed at an end of the arm distal to the arm joint, the end effector being rotatable about the end effector joint in response to an actuation torque provided by an end effector rotation actuator.

Abstract: This application discloses a feeding device for a crucible, belonging to the field of display technology. The feeding device includes: a base, a robot arm and a bottle holder. The base is movably connected to one end of the robot arm, the one end of the robot arm can move linearly on the base, a motion trajectory of the robot arm is parallel to a lengthwise direction of the crucible. The bottle holder is disposed at the other end of the robot arm and the bottle holder is rotatable at the other end. This application can protect operator's health, improve production efficiency and reduce production costs.

Abstract: A linear motion guide device has a high rigidity, a good linear motion guiding accuracy, and as little rattling as possible. The linear motion guide device prevents sand, water or other contaminants from entering its actuator main body, and features low maintenance requirement. A linear motion member of the linear motion guide device includes a plurality of axially divided segments. Each of these segments supports a plurality of guided members which make contact with two, mutually paired, guide surfaces of a housing. A preload can be applied between the guide surfaces and the guided member. The housing has a sealed structure, with a pressure inside the housing higher than an external pressure, for preventing external sand and water from entering the housing.

Abstract: A method of loading a landing gear in an aircraft comprises accessing an ideal path specifying movement of the landing gear from a starting location to an expected mounting location on the aircraft; determining a difference between the expected mounting location and an actual mounting location on the aircraft; modifying the ideal path to move the expected mounting location to the actual mounting location; and moving the landing gear along the modified path.

Abstract: A tray engine includes a vertical drive column, a rotation mechanism for rotating the vertical drive column, and an end effector attached to the vertical drive column. The end effector includes an end effector base attached to the vertical drive column. The end effector further includes a slide attached to the end effector base to support a tray, when present. The slide enables the tray to slide along a length of the end effector base. The tray engine includes a drive mechanism attached to the end effector base for moving along the length of the end effector base to enable the tray, when present, to slide linearly along the length and load or unload the tray to or from the slide.

Abstract: While a second component is brought into contact with a first component, the first component and the second component are rotated with respect to each other around a specific rotation axis, and rotation of the first component and the second component is stopped when a moment created around the rotation axis exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A control system for and methods of controlling a product delivery system are provided.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for controlling the position of a heavy object, such as a part of a vehicle, in an x, y, z coordinate plane. The mechanism includes linear positioners, such as rail-guided carriage assemblies spanning the width of the mechanism, as well as longitudinal rails and blocks running the length of the mechanism. A lift table is mounted to the linear positioners such that the mechanism can be used to move the heavy object to virtually any desired position and orientation in the x, y, z coordinate plane.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a laboratory instrument that operates using fluid retained in one or more containers. The containers are supported on a motor-driven lift that is configured to transport the containers between a lowered position suitable for handling and an elevated position suitable for the delivery of fluid to the instrument by gravity. The lift includes a bench-mountable base, a tubular column extending upward from the base, an elongated lead screw extending longitudinally through the column, a drive mechanism for rotatably driving the lead screw, a carriage slidably mounted over the tubular column and mechanically coupled to the lead screw, a platform removably coupled to the carriage for supporting the containers, and a control system for regulating operation of the drive mechanism. During operation, a slot provided in the column restricts travel of the platform along a predefined path that is linear in part and helical in part.

Abstract: A component aligning apparatus includes a component aligning jig, in which electronic components to be aligned have a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose length dimension is L, width dimension is W, and thickness dimension is T, the component aligning jig includes electronic component accommodating recesses opening on a surface, the depth Z of the accommodating recesses is shorter than the length L of the electronic components so that a single electronic component is held in each of the electronic component accommodating recesses while partially projecting upwards from each of the recesses with the WT surface on one side facing up, and letting s be the shortest separation that is larger than the thickness T and is the narrowest distance between opposing inside surfaces of each of the accommodating recesses when each of the accommodating recesses is seen in plan view, W>S>T.

Abstract: A rotary end effector for use for the high speed handling of workpieces, such as solar cells, is disclosed. The rotary end effector is capable of infinite rotation. The rotary end effector has a gripper bracket, capable of supporting a plurality of grippers, arranged in any configuration, such as a 4×1 linear array. Each gripper is in communication with a suction system, wherein, in some embodiments, each gripper can be selectively enabled and disabled. Provisions are also made to allow electrical components, such as proximity sensors, to be mounted on the rotating gripper bracket. In another embodiment, an end effector with multiple surfaces, each with a plurality of grippers, is used.

Abstract: A tray engine includes a vertical drive column, a rotation mechanism for rotating the vertical drive column, and an end effector attached to the vertical drive column. The end effector includes an end effector base attached to the vertical drive column. The end effector further includes a slide attached to the end effector base to support a tray, when present. The slide enables the tray to slide along a length of the end effector base. The tray engine includes a drive mechanism attached to the end effector base for moving along the length of the end effector base to enable the tray, when present, to slide linearly along the length and load or unload the tray to or from the slide.

Abstract: A method for operating an assembly tool includes deposing a first component on an assembly surface with a first tool tip of a manipulator having a range of motion defined by a plane and an axis that is substantially normal to the plane, deposing a second component on the assembly surface, changing an orientation of the assembly surface relative to the axis from a first orientation to a second orientation, lifting the first component from the assembly surface with a second tool tip of the manipulator, and deposing the first component on the second component.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer device includes a base, a rotating portion rotatably mounted on the base, and a transfer mechanism mounted on the rotating portion. The transfer mechanism includes a rotational housing, at least one bearing table, and a driving device. The bearing table is received in the rotational housing. The bearing table is configured to support a workpiece. The driving device is operable to drive the bearing table to slide in the rotational housing.

Abstract: A device for picking up and positioning small pieces of adhesive tapes is provided. The device includes a number of suction members for picking up the adhesive tapes. The device further includes a driving unit to drive the suction members to move to various positions by turn, thereby positioning the adhesive tapes to various positions by turn.

Abstract: A device for turning over a flattening element having a plurality of spaced-apart cylinders rotatably mounted on a frame and a device for securing it to the turning-over device, includes two uprights extending vertically from a base. A supporting and securing device for the flattening element engages with the securing device of the flattening element. The supporting and securing device is disposed between the uprights. A device rotates the supporting and securing device about a horizontal axis between a first position in which, when the flattening element is connected to the turning-over device, the cylinders of the flattening element are oriented downward, and a second position in which, when the flattening element is connected to the turning-over device, the cylinders of the flattening element are oriented upward. Vertical translation drive devices vertically translate the supporting and securing device. Each vertical translation drive device is connected to one respective upright.

Abstract: Equipment for transferring biological products containers from an interface support to a transport device and vice-versa for biological containers, positioned at different heights. The equipment including a frame to which a holding device for biological products containers is connected vertically mobile with respect to the frame and provided with fingers suitable to hold, transfer and release a container for biological products. The frame is integer with a sliding device along a bar fixed to an inclinable body. The inclinable body being in its turn rotatingly connected to a sustaining body, and a regulation device for the inclination of the inclinable body, and consequently of the bar, with respect to the sustaining body being present in function of the difference of height existing between the interfacing support and the transport device for biological products containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lowering a display object in synchronization with a particular timing or event. The display object is lowered by a lifting apparatus. In particular, the display object is a guitar and the lifting apparatus is a crane.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a laboratory instrument that operates using fluid retained in one or more containers. The containers are supported on a motor-driven lift that is configured to transport the containers between a lowered position suitable for handling and an elevated position suitable for the delivery of fluid to the instrument by gravity. The lift includes a bench-mountable base, a tubular column extending upward from the base, an elongated lead screw extending longitudinally through the column, a drive mechanism for rotatably driving the lead screw, a carriage slidably mounted over the tubular column and mechanically coupled to the lead screw, a platform removably coupled to the carriage for supporting the containers, and a control system for regulating operation of the drive mechanism. During operation, a slot provided in the column restricts travel of the platform along a predefined path that is linear in part and helical in part.

Abstract: A maneuvering autonomous rotorcraft cargo attachment system for engaging two mating elements of a coupling mechanism includes a first system on a ship deck to position a first coupling mechanism element in response to positioning commands and a second system attached to a rotorcraft hoist cable to position the second coupling mechanism element in response to positioning commands. A controller calculates and issues the positioning commands to the first and second positioning systems thereby effecting engagement of the two coupling elements.

Abstract: A robotic arm is for holding a molding item. The robotic arm includes a mount; a lifting mechanism mounted to the mount; a horizontal driving device; a rotating assembly mounted between the lifting mechanism and the horizontal driving device to rotate the horizontal driving device relative to the lifting mechanism; a holder for holding the molding item, the holder mounted on the horizontal driving device. The lifting mechanism cause the holder to move relative to the mount in a first direction, the horizontal driving device moves the holder relative to the mount and the lifting mechanism in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a load comprises a pivot apparatus coupled to the load and movable with the load; and a base stationary relative to the pivot apparatus. At least two areas of support are situated between the pivot apparatus and the base. Respectively opposite force components are at the two areas of support. The two areas of support move along a one curved path to tilt the load.

Abstract: Since both a driving means for lifting a work and a driving means for turning operation must have been arranged in a conventional work transfer apparatus, the apparatus has been large in size and heavy in weight. A work transfer apparatus is provided with a holding tool for holding a window, i.e., the work, and a supporting arm for movably supporting the holding tool. The window held by the holding tool is transferred by a supporting arm to window frames to which the window is to be assembled, and the posture of the window is changed to that corresponds to the window frames. Furthermore, the supporting arm is configured to be a closed loop link mechanism wherein a plurality of links are connected to form a closed loop. The posture of the holding tool one link of a pair of links connected to the holding tool of the supporting arm can be fixed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an elevator for holding a workpiece, the elevator comprising a turntable and adapted to slide along a support chain to thereby vertically displace the elevator. There is further disclosed a method of assembling a workpiece, the method comprising the steps of stacking first and second workpiece sections on a turntable elevator; and sliding the elevator along a support chain to thereby vertically position the workpiece.

Abstract: A manipulator includes a first base, a second base, a rotating shaft, a swing arm, and a grasping member. The second base is mounted to the first base, and capable of moving along an X-axis with respect to the first base. The rotating shaft is mounted to the second base, and capable of rotating around a Z-axis perpendicular to the X-axis. The swing arm is mounted to the rotating shaft, and capable of moving along the Z-axis. The grasping member is mounted to a swinging arm wherein the grasping member is taken by the swing arm to rotate on a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis.

Abstract: This handling tool for blades (11) comprises two semi-covers (1) hinged (2) on the leading edge, with enclosures on the trailing edge and double internal wall. A part (10) of the double wall is shifted towards the inside of the existing gap, reducing its volume and, with its movement, trapping the blade (11) without damaging it. The external part of each semi-cover (1) has several shafts (6) incorporating a retaining system that permits blade rotation (11) securely and at a controlled speed. The cited rotation control mechanism (8) is fit onto several ends that are supplemented with several cables (4) that raise and lower the blade (11) as necessary.

Abstract: A system for transporting planar SOFC stack is disclosed, which comprises: a frame, for carrying a cell stack; a robotic arm, for grabbing and holding the cell stack; and a driver, coupled to the frame and the robotic arm and being used for driving the robotic arm. With the aforesaid system, the cell stack can be moved in and out of a high temperature furnace smoothly and rapidly, and then into a fuel cell control system, maintaining balance and stability of the cell stack.

Abstract: A conveying device capable of sequentially and efficiently picking up a plurality of randomly located rods, and conveying the picked up rod to a predetermined place, without using a complicated mechanism. A sucking unit has a nozzle attached to a robot hand, and is configured to move the nozzle close to an end of a first cylindrical portion of a rod to be picked. The nozzle is configured to hold the rod by being lifted while sucking the first portion within the nozzle.

Abstract: If the rotation angle in a rotation direction allowed by a joint portion detected by the angle sensor is no more than a predetermined lower limit or no less than a predetermined upper limit, the controller maintains the released state of the brake mechanism so that the rotation of the workpiece in the direction is not restricted.

Abstract: A manipulator system comprising a column unit and a carriage supported by the column unit and configured to move along a desired axis of translation. A marker is provided on the column unit along the axis of translation. A sensor is associated with the carriage and configured to sense a position along the marker. A position display unit is configured to receive a position signal from the sensor and display a current position of the carriage along the axis of translation. In another aspect, the column unit defines at least one slot. A lock assembly is attached to the carriage and includes a tang axially moveable between an unlocked position wherein the tang is disengaged from the at least one slot and a locked position wherein the tang is engaged in the at least one slot.

Abstract: A door opening method and device are provided that can reduce the size of the installation location of a robot, as well as achieve a reduction in cycle time. In a dual arm robot, two arms are rotated by each of an shaft S1 and an shaft S2. As a result, a door opening action (Step ST2) is realized by rotation using the shaft S1. Then, a movement to enter an interior side of a door (91) in order to perform a bolt loosening action is realized by rotation using the shaft S1 and shaft S2. The movement in this case is movement such as to face the direction of the door (91). As a result, when moving to a door holding position (Step S26), the dual arm robot is at an attitude facilitating performing a bolt loosening action.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning device according to an embodiment includes a first moving unit that is movable in a horizontal direction, a second moving unit that is movable in a vertical direction, and a rotating unit that is placed on either an upper end or a lower end of the second moving unit. The second moving unit and the rotating unit are kept within the width of the first moving unit that is perpendicular to the moving direction of the first moving unit on a horizontal plane.

Abstract: There is described apparatus and methods for transporting and processing substrates including wafers as to efficiently produce at reasonable costs improved throughput as compared to systems in use today. A linear transport chamber includes linear tracks and robot arms riding on the linear tracks to linearly transfer substrates along the sides of processing chambers for feeding substrates into a controlled atmosphere through a load lock and then along a transport chamber as a way of reaching processing chambers. A four-axis robot arm is disclosed, capable of linear translation, rotation and articulation, and z-motion.

Abstract: A method of forming layered stacks of bundles includes providing a gripping appliance comprising a first gripping assembly and a second gripping assembly. The first gripping assembly is configured for grasping one or more first bundles and the second gripping assembly is configured for grasping one or more second bundles. The first and second gripping assemblies are configured such that first and second bundles grasped thereby may be reoriented relative to one another. The method further includes retrieving from a first location one or more first bundles with the first gripping assembly and one or more second bundles with the second gripping assembly and transporting the first and second bundles to a second location, During transport of the first and second bundles, the bundles are reoriented relative to one another. The bundles are deposited at a selected position in the second location to form at least a partial layer of a layered stack of bundles.

Abstract: There is disclosed an elevator for holding a workpiece, the elevator comprising a turntable and adapted to slide along a support chain to thereby vertically displace the elevator. There is further disclosed a method of assembling a workpiece, the method comprising the steps of stacking first and second workpiece sections on a turntable elevator; and sliding the elevator along a support chain to thereby vertically position the workpiece.

Abstract: A substrate support apparatus which can support a substrate having a center hole, comprises a support portion which can support the substrate. The support portion includes a support groove with a cross-sectional shape in which a groove width gradually increases in a counter-gravitational direction, and a width of the support groove between two end portions is larger than a width of the support groove at the center thereof.

Abstract: A robot for lifting an object, including systems and methods, are herein described. One embodiment comprises a robot is disclosed having a generally planar receiving surface for receiving and holding an object. The receiving surface is lowered and raised using a vertical movement mechanism. To move the receiving surface to an appropriate location, the receiving surface and the vertical movement mechanism are connected to a mobile platform. In some exemplary embodiments, the robot can also have a sweeping mechanism to sweep an object onto at least a portion of the receiving surface. The sweeping mechanism can take various forms but in one exemplary embodiment, the sweeping mechanism is an “L”-shaped arm pivotably connected to the robot, preferably the receiving surface.

Abstract: An industrial robot includes a hand on which a workpiece is placed, an arm that takes out the hand from a predetermined position of the workpiece and supplies the hand, an up-down moving mechanism connected to the arm by a support member, a pedestal provided at a lower portion of the up-down moving mechanism, and a pendulum stopper provided on a base on which the pedestal turns.

Abstract: There is disclosed an elevator for holding a workpiece, the elevator comprising a turntable and adapted to slide along a support chain to thereby vertically displace the elevator. There is further disclosed a method of assembling a workpiece, the method comprising the steps of stacking first and second workpiece sections on a turntable elevator; and sliding the elevator along a support chain to thereby vertically position the workpiece.

Abstract: A manipulator for a load has a stand, an accommodation connected to the stand (2, 8) for the load, wherein the accommodation allows movement of the load with respect to the stand with respect to at least a first axis, a drive having a rope pull or a chain or belt drive which supports the movement of the load along the first axis, and an elasticity means acting along the first axis. The elasticity means has a frame translationally displaceable along the first axis with respect to the stand and elastically retained which supports a guiding element of the drive.

Abstract: A sheet handling device for handling large sheets of glass or other sheet material, the device comprising a wheeled trolley having an upright support shaft (2), a carriage movable along the shaft (2) into a selected position, and at least two vacuum grips mounted to the carriage to engage the sheet at positions displaced in the height direction of the sheet. In another embodiment the carriage is movable by operation of a winch. The trolley is normally used in conjunction with a second like trolley so that the vacuum grips of the two trolleys engage the sheet at spaced positions along the length of the sheet. The two trolleys are preferably interconnected by releasable bracing which can be stored on the trolleys for ease of transportation. In a further embodiment there is also disclosed a glass installation guide to facilitate guidance of a large glass sheet into a frame during installation.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting inventory items includes a housing, a drive module, a docking module, an elevating shaft, and a rotation module. The drive module is capable of propelling the apparatus in at least a first direction. The docking head is capable of coupling to or supporting an inventory holder. The rotation module is capable of inducing rotation in the housing relative to the elevating shaft. The elevating shaft connects to the docking head and is capable of raising the docking head when the housing is rotated relative to the elevating shaft.

Abstract: An IC recording device includes a material feeding portion, a material receiving portion, a recording portion and a transferring portion. The material feeding portion serves to suck ICs by vacuum technology to take ICs from a transfer belt and place them upon the material receiving portion. The material receiving portion can correct the positions of the ICs. The inner side of a seat of the material receiving portion has an inclined surface for guiding the ICs. The seat can rotate the IC to a correct direction according to the transferring angle of the IC in the feeding process. One of two ends of the material feeding portion has a suction opening for transferring the IC from the material receiving portion to a burner and the suction opening at another end serves to take out a recorded IC and place the IC on a transfer belt.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer system includes a bracket rotatably supported on a support part, a rotary drive mechanism provided on the support part in order to rotate the bracket, a workpiece support arm swingably and axially supported on the bracket, a swing drive mechanism provided on the bracket in order to swing the workpiece support arm, and a workpiece retainer provided on a tip end part of the workpiece support arm and retaining a workpiece that is to be transferred, the workpiece being inclined by operation of the swing drive mechanism when the rotary drive mechanism is operated so that a center of gravity of the workpiece comes on the vicinity of an axis of rotation of the rotary drive mechanism. This reduces the rotational load on the rotary drive mechanism, and since a small size and a reduction in weight can be achieved for the system, the workpiece transfer system and method enables a single worker to easily give a workpiece an inclination and inversion attitude change.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading a main landing gear (“MLG”) of an aircraft includes a fixture that is adapted to couple to a truck of the MLG such that a sagittal plane of the fixture is parallel to or coplanar with a sagittal plane of the MLG and both translational forces and turning moments applied to the fixture are coupled directly through the fixture to the MLG, a mechanism for controllably translating the fixture in the sagittal plane thereof, and a mechanism for controllably rotating the fixture in the sagittal plane thereof.