Abstract: An apparatus for timed processing of book blocks for perfect binding includes a feed element to supply respective book blocks horizontally positioned with a spine facing in a feed direction of movement. A lifting device is arranged to receive the respective horizontally positioned book blocks from the feed element. The lifting device is pivotal about a horizontal axis and has an adjustably driven limit stop that forms a conveying end of the feed element. A gripper circulates on a traction element above the lifting device. The lifting device is pivoted about the horizontal axis into an upright position and operates synchronized with the movement of the gripper to lift the respective book blocks with the adjustably driven limit stop to transfer each respective book block to the gripper when the gripper is positioned over the book block in the lifting device.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an AGV that enables preventing a substrate and a manufacturing system from being contaminated due to another substrate with an adhering contaminant generated in a manufacturing process, and also a production system for a semiconductor device and a production management method for a semiconductor device, which use the AGV. In the present invention, air filtered through a filter is introduced into a containing portion of an AGV, and air in the containing portion containing a carrier is exhausted after filtering the air in the containing portion through another filter. As the filter used before discharging the air, a filter that enables filtering an impurity on the order of a submicron level is used. In addition, a carrier used before doping is changed to another carrier after doping, and CIM system is used to control driving of the AGV and selection of the carrier.

Abstract: An assembly for orienting and fixturing an array of contact lenses in a lens-fixturing tray to enable automated picking of the lenses includes an array of tubes to which a first support tray having an array of lens receptacles each having a respective contact lens therein is removably mounted. A lens-fixturing tray having an array of lens receptacles is removably mounted to the other end of the tubes and the assembly is rotated and submerged in a fluid bath whereby the lenses release from the first support tray and float downwardly through a respective tube coming to rest in a centered, concave side-up position in a respective receptacle of the lens-fixturing tray.

Abstract: A workpiece changing system capable of automatically changing a heavy workpiece using a robot. A jig for attaching a workpiece thereto is mounted on a jig mounting device. The jig mounting device comprises a jig mounting unit having a rotary member and a swing member. The rotary member rotates the jig and the workpiece on the jig and hold them at a desired rotary position. The tilting member swings around an axis to tilt the jig and the workpiece on the jig and hold them at a desired tilting position. As the jig and the workpiece on the jig can take a suitable orientation or posture for being handled by the handling robot, the handling robot can hold a heavy workpiece without exerting excessive load on the robot wrist.

Abstract: A material handling system, apparatus, and method for transferring and inverting a generally planar panel is disclosed. The system, apparatus, and method is comprised of a panel-engaging member and a panel-engaging member rotator. The panel-engaging member has a generally rectangular slot to receive only a portion of a panel. The panel-engaging member rotator is adapted to rotate the panel-engaging member about an axis generally parallel to the width of the slot between a position where the slot is generally horizontal and facing one direction to another position where the slot is generally horizontal and facing a generally opposite direction. The height, depth, and width of the slot are selected so that when a portion of the panel is inserted into the slot, the portion of the panel is kept from falling out of the slot by gravity and friction when the holding member is moved.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for flipping a tray of parts such as integrated circuit packages including a pair of flippable storage trays. A first storage tray has an upper surface which forms a grid of storage compartments wherein each of the storage compartments is adapted to hold a single integrated circuit package. Initially, the first tray is received at a flip station from a first part processing station. Then, the first and second trays are joined together so that they mate. Then, the mated first and second trays are inverted so that the packages are held in the second tray. Then, the first and second trays are separated and the second tray which now holds the plurality of packages is transferred to a second part processing station. Then, the cycle is repeated with a third tray of parts and the now empty first tray.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus is disclosed for securing and maneuvering an elongate tubing of general cross-section which permits longitudinal movement through the apparatus but inhibits lateral movement or vertical movement. The apparatus includes a channel for the tubing and two pair of opposed jaws which cooperate to limit the motion of a tubing held therein, and each jaw is provided a roller which permits the tubing to slide longitudinally through the apparatus while preventing lateral movement. The opposed jaws are mounted so as to open and close symmetrically about a centerline of the channel and the closing of the two pair of opposing jaws precisely centers the tubing on the centerline. The apparatus is rotatable, and is used in combination with a drive support unit to permit movement between the elongate tubing and an operation station for automated operation along the length of the tubing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for transporting and forming batches of flat pieces with decreasing thickness. The device has a piling unit having a rotatably mounted double storage device for receiving two batches of flat pieces, one after the other, so that the first batch is placed on the second batch in a head-to-toe relationship to form a double batch for bundling.

Abstract: A method for feeding cigarettes or filter plugs or the like to a working machine, such as a transporting machine, using a flat feeding passage with a bottom which can store and convey the cigarettes etc. in the horizontal direction, comprising introducing receiving boxes containing the cigarettes etc. into the feeding passage and moving them to a feeding station, and raising the receiving boxes at the feeding station so that the cigarettes etc. in the receiving boxes are discharged at one time. The invention discloses also an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing boat hulls comprising a rack mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis. A beam is cantilevered outwardly from the rack, and a hoist mechanism is mounted for travel on the beam. A boat resting on a trailer is moved partially within the rack and the hoist mechanism located on the cantilevered end of the beam elevates the boat from the trailer. The hoist mechanism is then moved along the beam to position the boat within the rack. A series of hull clamping braces that are connected to the rack are positioned in engagement with the hull and complement the shape of the hull. The boat is lowered onto the hull braces, and a series of upper clamping braces that are connected to the rack are brought into engagement with the upper surface of the hull to clamp the boat to the rack. In some cases, side clamping assemblies can also be used to clamp the sides of the hull to the rack. By rotating the rack, the hull can be inverted so repairs or modifications can be readily made on the hull.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel pellet unloading apparatus includes a boat clamping and inverting mechanism which receives a boat loaded with pellets, clamps the boat and pivots it along an arcuate path adjacent a pellet transfer shroud from an initial upright position to a generally inverted position and then back to the upright position. As the loaded boat is pivoted, it progressively inverts next to an arcuate wall portion of the shroud which coacts to contain individual pellets as they begin to empty from the boat. The emptied pellets flow down the shroud to the next station. By the time the boat reaches its inverted position all of the pellets have emptied from the boat. The unloading apparatus also includes a pair of pneumatic cylinders which are selectively actuated for respectively delivering a loaded boat from a boat conveyor to the inverting mechanism and ejecting an empty boat from the inverting mechanism back to the boat conveyor.

Abstract: A device for moulding brick blanks comprises a plurality of moulding troughs and a casting device for filling the moulding troughs, wherein the casting device comprises a carrier coupled with a casting mechanism and adapted to pivot by means of the casting mechanism between a receiving position and a delivery position. For mitigating or avoiding the drawbacks of the heavy shocks at the impact of the casting mechanism in the delivery position the casting mechanism is caused to drive and guide the carrier in a manner such that when approaching the delivery position the carrier is subjected to considerable deceleration.

Abstract: Apparatus for the head-to-tail stacking of objects or groups of objects, such as folded cardboard packaging boxes, which are substantially identical in terms of their shapes, their dimensions and the orientation with which they are presented to the apparatus. The apparatus includes an aligning and retaining device which is mounted on a shaft extending above and transversely with respect to a conveyor. The aligning and retaining device is arranged to remove and invert a first batch of objects at the same time as abutments position a second batch below the first batch. The first batch are then laid on the second batch to form a stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting randomly arranged articles having an enlarged end, such as large caliber ammunition or the like, so that all of the articles are facing in the same direction. The apparatus senses the direction in which the articles are facing and passes all of the articles facing one direction, while inverting the articles facing in the opposite direction so that all of the articles discharged from the apparatus are facing in the same direction.

Abstract: A machine is positioned in the line of a gypsum board manufacture to provide lifting arms, which are actuated up through the line to remove board sections, invert and transfer them to an adjacent area for subsequent drying. The lifting arms are reciprocated, end for end, during the elevating and inverting action to subsequently approach the board from beneath. The lifting arms are actuated through slider boxes, attached to a shaft, and a cam is provided to control the ends of the lifting arms, as each end is pivoted at the inverter shaft to which its slider box is attached.