Abstract: Provided is a stacking device that stacks shaped steel with small-scale equipment using a transporting means with a simple structure. This shaped steel stacking device comprises: a stacking platform on which stacked shaped steel is loaded; a transporting platform that has a plurality of loading faces on which the shaped steel to be transported to the stacking platform is loaded; and a pushing means that pushes the shaped steel loaded on the transporting platform out toward the stacking platform. The transporting platform comprises a first loading face having a flat portion and a second loading face having a flat portion and an inclined portion. The inclined portion is formed on a side facing the stacking platform, and the first and second loading faces can be selected according to the order the shaped steel is pushed out.

Abstract: A turbine shroud block removal apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first base plate including a first armature. The first base plate may be releasably coupled to a first shroud block. The apparatus also may also include a second base plate including a second armature. The second base plate may be releasably coupled to a second shroud block positioned adjacent the first shroud block. Additionally, the apparatus may include an actuator coupled to the first armature of the first base plate and the second armature of the second base plate. The actuator may change a distance between the first shroud block and the second shroud block.

Abstract: A loadport for handling film frames is disclosed. The loadport is modular and substantially compatible with applicable standards regarding modular equipment. In particular, the load port is substantially interchangeable with loadports not adapted for handling film frames. The loadport has a compact shuttle for moving film frames and flexible alignment mechanisms for aligning film frames and cassettes of different configurations.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for adjusting a position of an object to compensate for tilt includes providing a rotatable base supporting an object and directing the object relative to the base such that the position of the object is controlled relative to a first axis. The object is stabilized along a second axis. The object is positioned relative to the base using at least one bearing arm. The at least one bearing arm movably couples the object to the base at a first position relative to a third axis and a fourth axis. The at least one bearing arm includes a first portion and a second portion, which are coincident with the third axis and fourth axis, respectively. The object is adjusted to a second position using the at least one bearing arms to maintain the first axis when a tilt angle of the base is detected.

Abstract: A large container loading system and method for a packaging machine includes an infeed conveyor and a transfer flight. An array of pivotable cradle lugs is carried by the transfer flight in synchronized movement with cartons on an adjacent carton flight. Containers are moved into the cradle lugs in an upright orientation and the cradle lugs and containers are reoriented to a substantially horizontal or sideways orientation before being pushed into their cartons by an inserter assembly. A transfer block or a support conveyor may be positioned between each of the cradle lugs and an aligned open container to support a container as it moves between a cradle lug and a carton.

Abstract: A technology to resolve positional deviations without using a transport robot. An object to be transported placed on a holding stand is rotated, so as to make an error angle ? to be zero; and thereafter, a temporarily placing portion is made to move obliquely to move for an error distance in a horizontal component, thereby locating the center of the object to be transported on the central axis line of the holding stand; and the object to be transported is placed on holding stand. In a case where an orientation of a notch is definite, the holding stand is further rotated by a desired amount. Without using the transport robot, it is possible to resolve an error angle and an error distance.

Abstract: A device and method for lifting and rotating a massive container comprising a base frame assembly, a cradle pivotally connected to the base frame assembly and adapted to hold the container, a mechanism for moving the container vertically relative to at least part of the base frame assembly, and a hydraulic cylinder connected between the base frame assembly and the cradle for rotating in a vertical plane the cradle relative to the base frame assembly.

Abstract: Alignment assembly is used to center a sample on a moving stage system. The alignment assembly includes a pair of slides stacked on a stage with linear perpendicular movement relative to each other, and at least one actuator that is preferably physically separate from the linear slides and stage. The actuator(s) repeatedly extend an actuator arm to move the linear slides, and retract the arm for subsequent movement of the stage during and after the process of centering the sample in two dimensions on the stage. Either the stage system rotates, or multiple actuators are placed to move the alignment system in perpendicular directions relative to the stage, by repeatedly contacting only the top linear slide.

Abstract: A collecting apparatus having a seat, and method of use thereof, wherein the collecting apparatus comprises a plurality of selectively positionable elastic members secured to a plurality of securing points on a lower portion of a frame or a removable base section connected to the frame. The elastic members are secured to user-selected securing points so that the distance between the elastic members can accommodate objects of different sizes. The collecting apparatus is pressed on top of a ball or similar object, causing the elastic members to separate and allow the ball or similar object to enter and be retained within the frame. Upon entering of the object within the frame, the elastic members retract to their original position, therein preventing the object from falling back out. Objects can be retrieved by lifting the seat or reaching through an aperture formed by a seat opening and a frame front opening.

Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A workpiece regrasping system for a robot. The system includes a manipulator grippable a workpiece; a deck member having a deck surface on which a workpiece is placeable; a support mechanism rotatably supporting the deck member about an axis parallel to the deck surface; a workpiece-orientation control section for controlling the manipulator so as to grip a workpiece at a first point of the workpiece and to bring the workpiece into abutment with the deck surface of the deck member, and configured to displace the workpiece together with the deck member about the axis, while maintaining a mutually abutted condition, until the workpiece occupies a desired orientation, with at least a part of a weight of the workpiece being carried on the deck surface; and a regrasping control section for controlling the manipulator so as to temporarily release the workpiece placed on the deck surface in the desired orientation and to regrasp the workpiece at a second point different from the first point.

Abstract: A push device, for transferring glass articles from an intermediate supporting plate to an unloading conveyor, has at least one seat bounded by two flat supporting surfaces converging with each other and forming between them an angle of over 90°, and by at least one further supporting surface adjustable in position with respect to at least one of the two flat supporting surfaces; the article being retained close to a convergence area of the two flat supporting surfaces by a circuit for feeding compressed air between the two flat supporting surfaces.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for adjusting a position of an object to compensate for tilt includes providing a rotatable base supporting an object and directing the object relative to the base such that the position of the object is controlled relative to a first axis. The object is stabilized along a second axis. The object is positioned relative to the base using first and second bearing arms. The first and second bearing arms movably couple the object to the base at a first position relative to a third axis and a fourth axis. The first bearing arm couples to the object at a first pivot point. The second bearing arm coupled to the object at a second pivot point. Each bearing arm includes a first portion and a second portion, which are coincident with the third axis and fourth axis, respectively. The object is adjusted to a second position using the first and second bearing arms to maintain the first axis when a tilt angle of the base is detected.

Abstract: Apparatus for repositioning eggs from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position such that injection/removal of material into/from the side of the egg can occur. Each apparatus may include a cradle, an alignment member, and an orientation member. The cradle has an inclined, arcuate surface with an upper portion, a lower portion, and opposite side portions. The alignment member is operably positioned adjacent the cradle and is configured to engage an egg positioned on the arcuate surface lower portion in an inclined orientation and to releasably secure the egg in a predetermined alignment relative to the cradle. The orientation member is operably positioned relative to the cradle, and is configured to urge an egg positioned on the lower portion in an inclined orientation to a generally vertical orientation after injection/removal of material into/from the egg has occurred.

Abstract: An adaptive Reed-Solomon(RS) decoder (207) and analogous methods arranged and constructed to decode a RS(n,k) encoded symbol stream, including; a code register (211), coupled to the symbol stream, for storing a received code word including code symbols, an index register (213) for storing a location information corresponding to each of a portion of the code symbols, a processor (215), coupled to the code register (211) and the index register (213), for performing soft decision decoding using an error parameter (217) and an erasure parameter (219) to provide corrected data (215) when the decoding is successful and to provide a failure indication (221) when decoding is unsuccessful, and a controller (223), coupled to the processor (215), for providing the error parameter and the erasure parameter and for adjusting the error parameter and the erasure parameter when the processor provides the failure indication.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for lifting lowering and centering a substrate on a surface employs lift pins have conical tips. A capture range is provided by the conical tips to capture and center misaligned wafers. One or more of the pins are inclined in certain embodiments to enhance the alignment capability of the lift pins. The inclined lift pins, when retracting into a support member at an angle, move a supported substrate horizontally into proper alignment.

Abstract: In the present invention, a main chuck comprises a table for performing the delivery of a wafer W to and from a pincette and a plurality of lift pins for allowing the wafer W to rise from the surface of the table. At least one lift pin positioned on the side of the pincette is made longer and positioned higher than the other lift pins so as to permit the wafer W to be supported above the table in an inclined manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning textile tubular articles according to a predetermined reference, comprising a structure (1) with, for each article (5) to be formed, two pairs of cylindrical parallel and superimposed rollers (4) rotatable about respective longitudinal axes, and on which the article in the process of formation is able to be fitted: at least one of the pairs of rollers (4) being associated to one or more detectors (7) intended to detect a longitudinal reference of the article and to determine, upon detection, the temporary compression-operated adhesion of the corresponding fabric portion of the article to the surface of a fixed body (4) located between the vertically superimposed rollers (4) of each pair by means of corresponding buffer pistons (70) associated thereto.

Abstract: A tilt carriage assembly including a base frame and a carriage pivotally supported by the base frame. The carriage includes a bottom member adapted to support a container and a back member positioned above the bottom member. A manual locking mechanism is operatively positioned between the carriage and the base frame, and includes a lock control member positioned adjacent the back member. The lock control member is movable between a locked position where the carriage is secured relative to the base frame and an unlocked position. A step member is secured to and extends laterally outwardly from the carriage, the step member being engageable by a user's foot to facilitate tilting of the carriage. A side member is positioned above at least one of the side portions of the bottom member, and includes a beveled edge that facilitates loading a container onto the carriage. A conveyor device is secured to the bottom member for facilitating motion of a container relative to the bottom member.

Abstract: A two stage feeding apparatus and method for feeding articles to a printing machine are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a transfer tray between a conventional stack loading mechanism and a conventional printing machine feeding mechanism. The transfer tray is both movable between a horizontal loading position and an inclined transitional position, and rotatable between the inclined transitional position and an inclined unloading position. The method comprises two stages of which a first stage involves moving the transfer tray between the horizontal loading position and the inclined transitional position, and a second stage involves rotating the transfer tray between the inclined transitional position and the inclined unloading position.

Abstract: In a sample holding apparatus including a main body, a holding body movably provided to the main body, a spring disposed to urge the main body and the holding body toward one another, pins fixed to the main body and the holding body for holding a sample, holding and releasing of the sample are effected by action of a moving stroke of the sample holding apparatus itself and a support member fixed to the sample holding apparatus without requirement for special drive components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding and inverting cylinder halves of steam turbines is disclosed. The device includes an adjustable base member having a temporary cylinder half support platform. The support includes a jacking mechanism for raising and lower the cylinder half when placed thereon. A rotatable carriage assembly is supported above the base member and securable to the cylinder half flange, the carriage being rotated by a rotation drive unit which is controlled to rotate the cylinder half at a constant rate. After a cylinder half is placed on a support platform, the jacks are activated to raise the cylinder half flange to the level of the rotatable carriage and the flange secured to the carriage. A support is then lowered and removed, and the cylinder half rotated about either its longitudinal or quadrature axis. The axis of rotation is chosen such that the center of gravity of the cylinder half passes therethrough.

Abstract: A pallet loaded with a plurality of adjacently arranged wound product packages is tilted through an angle of approximately 90.degree. about a horizontal axis by means of a tilt or pivot device. Consequently, the wound product packages which are of substantially the same size and arranged such that the lengthwise axes thereof, which extend in horizontal direction and are in aligment with one another, are brought into a position in which the wound product packages bear upon one another and form a package tower or stack. As a result, the lengthwise axes of these wound product packages, now in tower or stack configuration, extend in substantially vertical direction. The wound product packages which bear upon one another, during the course of the tilting motion, are again placed upon a pallet which, prior to the tilting operation, is arranged laterally adjacent the wound product packages which are located adjacent one another.

Abstract: Device for turning over a length (3) of flexible textile material comprising: a supporting surface (1), a turn over apparatus (4), (21,22) close above said surface (1) and having an endless work surface (4,26) of textile repelling material (13), whereby relative movement of the support surface (1) and turn over apparatus (4,21,22) is such that the surface speed of the work surface is equal to the relative horizontal displacement, and a stationary foil (10,24) lying over the top part of the work surface (4,26) starting from a pick-up plate (11,29).

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling over or positioning workpieces. The apparatus consists of two conveyor belt surfaces arranged to rotate a workpiece supported on a first conveyor surface in a vertical plane. The apparatus eliminates the need for complicated hoisting or lifting devices to position the workpiece or operations to be performed thereon. The apparatus can also include an electromagnet for retaining the workpiece on a first conveyor surface when it is being worked on. The apparatus may also include the ability to adjust a second conveyor surface which improves the stability of the workpiece when worked on in an inclined position.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating chip type circuit elements on a printed circuit board includes an accommodating assembly for temporarily storing said circuit elements supplied from hoppers, a movable shutter placed under the accommodating assembly, and which supports and rotates circuit elements within the accommodating assembly, and a template placed under the shutter to receive the circuit elements dropped from the accommodating assembly when the shutter is removed laterally from under the accommodating assembly.