Abstract: In a shadow mask-substrate alignment method, a substrate is provided that includes a grate having a plurality of spaced bars and a shadow mask is provided that includes a grate having a plurality of spaced bars. Also provided is a light source-light receiver pair that defines a path of light therebetween. The grate of the substrate and the grate of the shadow mask are caused to be positioned in the path of the light. Thereafter, the orientation of the substrate, the shadow mask, or both are caused to be adjusted to position the grate of the substrate, the grate of the shadow mask, or both until a predetermined amount of light or a predetermined range of an amount of light on the path passing through the grates is received by the light receiver.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for supplying a light-emitting diode (LED) wafer that may quickly and accurately transfer LED wafers by acquiring position information of pockets in a carrier in which the LED wafers are to be seated. The apparatus may include a cassette in which a plurality of LED wafers are loaded, a carrier including a plurality of pockets in which the LED wafers are seated, an aligning unit to align the LED wafers that are to be seated in the carrier, a transfer robot to transfer the LED wafers from the cassette to the aligning unit, a picker to hold, in an adsorbed state, the LED wafers transferred to the aligning unit, or to release the adsorbed state, a capturing unit to fix the picker, and to acquire position information of the pockets, and an LED wafer loading robot to transfer the picker and the capturing unit from the aligning unit to the carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated aerating and handling a sub stack of a stack of rectangular paper sheets where the sub stack is gripped near or at opposed corners of a common edge of the sub stack by means of two robotic grippers (A, B) having two opposed gripping fingers (A1, A2, B1, B2), lifting and rotating the corners in mutually opposite first directions such that the work stack achieves an upwards concave form, gripping the corners by the robotic grippers (A, B), and rotating the grippers in second directions opposite to the first directions such that the upper sheet of the sub stack has a curvature smaller than the bottom sheet of the sub stack, preferably a substantially plane form.

Abstract: A BOLTS compatible module includes a support mechanism for gripping a wafer. The support mechanism is coupled to a rotary mechanism for rotating the support mechanism with a wafer grip therein. The rotary mechanism is coupled to the module and capable of at least 180° of rotation.

Abstract: Techniques for handling media arrays are disclosed. The techniques may be realized as a system for handling a plurality of substrates. The system may comprise a plurality of row elements for supporting the plurality of substrates, wherein the plurality of row elements may be operable to change configuration of the substrates from open configuration to a high-density configuration, where a distance between adjacent substrates in the open configuration may be greater than a distance between the adjacent substrates in the high-density configuration.

Abstract: A convertible mail container and related method. The convertible mail container includes a bottom, two fixed side walls connected to the bottom, and a fixed end wall connected to the side walls and to the bottom. The convertible mail container also includes a movable wall that is movable from a first position where the movable wall forms a second end wall of the convertible mail container, opposite the fixed end wall, to a second position where the movable wall is adjacent to the two fixed side walls and the fixed end wall so that it covers a portion of a top opening of the convertible mail container.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically and sequentially loading objects onto a feed system, each having a respective axis of rotation and respective first and second indices of rotation about the respective axes. The loading of each object onto the feed system causes an orientation in a predetermined relative position. The method consists in particular in selectively operating a relative rotation of the object and of the handling device about their axis of rotation to achieve the orientation.

Abstract: A carrier system equipped with a fine movement stage holding a mounted wafer and can move along a predetermined plane, a chuck main section which holds the wafer above a predetermined position and can move vertically, and vertical movement pins supporting the wafer held by the chuck main section on the fine movement stage from below when the fine movement stage is positioned at the predetermined position and are vertically movable. A controller drives the chuck main section and the vertical movement pins downward until a lower surface of the wafer comes into contact with the fine movement stage while maintaining a hold state by the chuck main section to the wafer and a support state by the vertical movement pins to the wafer, and when the lower surface of the wafer comes into contact with the fine movement stage, the hold state and the support state are released.

Abstract: A method and a system for the automatic loading of air-transport units. In the method, the piece goods and the air-transport unit, on at least one side of which is an openable loading opening, are transported to the packing location, when the piece goods are packed automatically through the loading opening into the air-transport unit. The air-transport unit is tilted in connection with the packing, in such a way that the side with the loading opening is raised relative to the side opposite to the loading opening, so that the air-transport unit is loaded in at least two different attitudes.

Abstract: A pitch conversion device and pitch conversion method is directed to convert the pitch of a plurality of partition members arranged parallel to each other along an X-direction and include a plurality of entry members arranged parallel to each other in the X-direction and configured to enter between neighboring partition members, and a pushing member to push the plurality of entry members in turn and allow them to enter neighboring partition members while moving in the X direction. The entry members are biased in an exiting direction from between the neighboring partition members.

Abstract: The containers (B) comprised in an incoming flow of containers advancing in a given direction along an axis (XB), wherein the containers (B) may present with a first orientation or else a second orientation with respect to the direction of advance and with a first posture or else a second posture, are oriented so as to generate an outgoing flow of containers (B), in which, for example, the containers all present in a vertical position with an identical orientation.

Abstract: A method, where a verification of positioning of articles (3) is effected by means of sensors (14), and an improvement of positioning is effected by aligning a plane of end faces of the articles (3), consists in that the verification and improvement of positioning of rod-like articles (3) is effected simultaneously by means of an aligning device (1) provided with sensors (14), where the sensors (14) detect correct filling and/or arrangement of the articles (3), and the aligning device (1) aligns the plane of end faces of the articles (3) correctly filling the inside of a tray (6, 6?) or an intermediate store (7,7?), and in the event of detection of incorrect filling and/or arrangement the aligning device (1) is switched off and the operation of the entire unit is interrupted.

Abstract: A cooler, structure for transporting a cooler and a method for transporting the same are disclosed. The cooler has a cooling region defined by a support wall, a first wall, a second wall, and a sloped interior section, the sloped interior section extending between the first wall and the second wall and sloping away from the support wall. A discharge region is provided and is defined by the first wall, the second wall, the sloped interior section, and a vertical wall, the vertical wall being substantially parallel to the support wall. A frame member is positioned proximate the support wall. The frame member has support legs which extend therefrom in a direction way from the vertical wall. The frame member and support legs support the cooler when the cooler is rotated and positioned on a surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a distribution assembly is used to distribute a load of liquid containers. The distribution assembly may include a slip sheet, a pallet divider, and a rotating pallet. The slip sheet may be designed to laterally group two or more liquid containers. The pallet divider may divide the load into sections, each section containing a stack of liquid containers. The pallet divider may restrict access to one of the sections to distribute the liquid containers of the other section. The rotating pallet may rotate the load to allow the other section to be accessed.

Abstract: A substrate inverting apparatus includes a plurality of first lower guides supporting a substrate in a horizontal orientation by contact of first lower inclined portions with a peripheral edge portion of the substrate, a plurality of first upper guides that, by contact of first upper inclined portions with the peripheral edge portion of the substrate, clamp the substrate in cooperation with the plurality of first lower guides, a guide moving mechanism that moves the plurality of first upper guides and first lower guides horizontally, and a guide rotating unit that inverts the substrate by rotating the plurality of first upper guides and first lower guides around a horizontally extending inversion axis.

Abstract: A device for filling soluble containers is provided. The device includes an assembly for orienting capsules comprising a sheet component having a top sheet, a bottom sheet and a sliding sheet adapted to move between the top and bottom sheets. The top sheet includes slots for accommodating capsules, and the bottom sheet includes notches adapted to orient the capsules into a filling position. In a first position, the slots in the sliding sheet align with the slots in the top sheet. In a second position, the slots in the sliding sheet align with the notches in the bottom sheet. The assembly also includes a base component for guiding the oriented capsules therethrough. The base component can have an antistatic sheet fastened to the bottom surface. The sheet component can be loose fitted to the base component. An assembly for filling capsules is also provided.

Abstract: An automated, high volume container manipulator and process useful with an agricultural seed box. In an exemplary application, the manipulator removes an upper ring of a seed box, rotates the ring 180 degrees and places the ring over the lower seed box base in a nested condition. Container lid removal, transport and replacement devices and processes are also included.

Abstract: The invention provides for a pallet turntable (1). The turntable (1) comprises a stationary bottom part (2) and a movable top part (3) comprising a platform (4) suitable for receiving a pallet (5), wherein the movable top part (3) is arranged linearly displaceable in a vertical direction with respect to the stationary bottom part (2). The turntable (1) further comprises guide means (6) for guiding an angular displacement around a direction of the vertical linear displacement in dependency of the linear displacement, at least when the movable top part (3) is being vertically linearly displaced in a direction towards the stationary bottom part (2). The invention further provides for a method for turning a pallet (5) and use of a pallet turntable (1).

Abstract: Four laser positioning units are used to position and control an X-Y stage which is movable in X and Y directions. For each laser positioning unit, a mirror constantly reflects laser beam to an optical position sensor, where the mirror is integrally mounted on a rotation unit which is integrally mounted on the one side of platform of X-Y stage, where the laser diode is mounted on another rotation unit which is stationary, the optical position sensor is also stationary. Each rotation unit includes a fine rotation stage and a coarse rotation stage, the fine rotation stage has very high resolution but short rotation range, and the coarse rotation stage has a large rotation range but low resolution. When moving the X-Y stage, four fine stages constantly rotate mirror or/and laser to reflect the laser beam onto the optical position sensor, the amount of rotations and geometry of position of laser and mirror gives precisely the position of moving stage.

Abstract: Controlling the orientation of a load suspended from a bearing wire employs one master winch, one slave winch and a winch control. Each of the winches has a motor and a bi-directional rotational spool with a tagline. The winches are on the ground, the crane or the load. Each tagline is attached to the load for applying a controlled torque to the load about the bearing wire. The control system comprises tagline tension sensors and spool rotation sensors. The control system is connected to each winch motor for simultaneously rotating the winch spools, until preset tagline tensions are sensed during horizontal and/or vertical movement of the load. If necessary, the spools are rotated with rotation speeds for maintaining a desired orientation of the load, based on the determined tagline tensions. After relieving tagline tensions, the taglines are disconnected from the load.

Abstract: A system and method for partially or completely inverting (rotating) a die and subsequently returning the die to its normal operating position. Systems of the invention include a roll-over unit that engages a roll frame or similar structure to which a die of interest is temporarily secured. The roll-over unit includes a drive motor that is used to rotate the roll frame and the die that is releasably coupled thereto. A deceleration assembly is provided to bring rotation of the die to a slow and controlled stop in one or both rotational directions. When the drive motor is a hydraulic motor, the deceleration assembly may include deceleration valves that are actuated by a rack gear that is caused to move linearly during rotation of the drive motor.

Abstract: A robotic unscrambler apparatus is provided that ensures articles that are delivered in an initial orientation are transported in a conveyable orientation for further treatment at one or more stations in a production line. The apparatus includes a conveyance apparatus and at least one picker. An uprighting device is provided with a series of guides. The picker removes articles from the conveyance apparatus, and places the articles onto one of the guides. The uprighting device moves the guides between article placement positions and article conveyance positions. Each guide may include a contoured article support surface that facilitates centering of an article placed thereon.

Abstract: A nozzle system that includes an improved air nozzle is provided. In one embodiment, the nozzle has an inlet and an outlet. An air source is connected with the nozzle through a conduit and generates an air flow using a high flow centrifugal blower. The nozzle is connected with and part of an air-driven orientation device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for imparting movement to one or more articles includes placing the one or more articles on a surface of a support member and imparting vibratory motion to the support member by vibrating actutators connected to the support member wherein the vibratory motion includes at least a rotational vibratory component about one or more axes out-of-alignment with the gravity vector to produce effective force fields on the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for configuring equipment (10) for automated orientation of elongate objects (56). The equipment includes a drum (12) with a cylindrical circumferential wall (14) and a central raised element (22) inside the drum, that slopes towards the circumferential wall, the outer edges of the raised element being spaced radially inwardly from the circumferential wall. The method includes sliding a plurality of sector elements (34) in a radial direction so that a trough (52) is defined between the circumferential wall of the drum and an outer edge of each sector element, the width of said trough corresponding generally to the width of the objects sought to be orientated.

Abstract: Methods of registering and shearing a sheet including grasping the sheet using a manipulator of an industrial robot and locating two adjacent edges of the sheet.

Abstract: A gripping head for a loading robot or manipulator of a cartoning machine capable of nesting articles arranged on two substantially parallel rows, the gripping head comprising a row of gripping members, wherein each of the gripping members comprises a gripping section adapted to receive two adjacent articles and on opposite sides with respect to a centreline plane, and wherein at least the gripping members having even index position or odd index position in the row rotate by about 180 degrees around an axis.

Abstract: A substrate holder positioning method, capable of positioning a substrate holder without using any positioning jig, includes: measuring a first position of a substrate held on a substrate holder included in a substrate carrying mechanism; carrying the substrate held on the substrate holder to a substrate rotating unit for holding and rotating the substrate; turning the substrate held by the substrate rotating unit through a predetermined angle by the substrate rotating unit; transferring the substrate turned by the substrate rotating unit from the substrate rotating unit to the substrate holder; measuring a second position of the substrate transferred from the substrate rotating unit to the substrate holder; determining the position of the center of rotation of the substrate rotating unit on the basis of the first and the second position; and positioning the substrate holder on the basis of the position of the center of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of rotating a metallic structure for construction in an X axis. The method of present invention allows rotating structures such as rebar or metallic structures like containers to create habitable structures such that each of the walls of the container or the rebar structure, are all at some point facing the floor. That is, each of the walls have a downwardly facing direction at some point of the rotation. The structures disclosed are mated to a bar with an arm, the bar being fastened to the container from an upper end of a first corner of the container to a lower end of a second corner opposite to the first corner.

Abstract: Portable turntables or rotation platforms built by assembly enable rotation of vehicles and/or loads of significant size and/or weight. The portable turntables or rotation platforms are highly effective and efficient with respect to materials, construction and environmental impact.

Abstract: A card substrate rotator comprises a substrate support, a rotator mechanism and a lift mechanism. The substrate support is configured to receive a card substrate and comprises a feed roller. The rotator mechanism is configured to rotate the substrate support about an axis. The lift mechanism is configured to move the substrate support and the axis in a vertical plane.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for rotating a structural profile quickly and easily on a single spindle drill line without the use of a crane. The apparatus has two arms which can lay flat or create any angle less than 180 degrees between the two. The apparatus can move horizontally along the drill line and can lift the structural profile vertically for movement and during rotation.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a pallet positioning bar to reposition a loaded pallet, the pallet positioning bar having a main body with a face member, a pair of fork members and a lifting flange connected to the face member at or near the top, wherein the fork members are adapted to be manually inserted into the loaded pallet with the main body flush against one side of the pallet, such that the fork tips of a forklift or handtruck can be abutted against the face member beneath the lifting flange, then lifted to raise and tilt the pallet positioning bar and the loaded pallet, enabling the loaded pallet to be repositioned by pushing against the face member.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatuses for turning racks (1) for specimen slides (4), having a rack receptacle for at least one rack, the rack (1) being oriented in the rack receptacle horizontally in a first position such that specimen slides in the rack are arranged vertically next to one another relative to a longitudinal axis of the rack, and the rack receptacle being pivotable around a rotation axis (8) into a second position in which the rack (1) is oriented vertically. The rotation axis (8) of the rack (1) extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis (5) of the horizontally oriented rack (1), so that the rack (1) can be pivoted back and forth between the first and the second position by means of a 180-degree rotation around the rotation axis (8).

Abstract: A system for repositioning row bars includes a base support including a top surface, and a support arm positioned on the top surface and configured to rotate from a first position to a second position, a tray assembly coupled to the support arm, the tray assembly including a first tray including a plurality of first channels, each configured to retain one of the row bars in an initial position, a transfer substrate including a plurality of transfer channels, each configured to receive one of the row bars from the first tray as the support arm moves from the first position to the second position, and a second tray including a plurality of second channels, each configured to retain the one of the row bars in a final position, where the row bars in the final position are rotated by a preselected number of degrees from the initial position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for positioning a sample carrier plate, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises a main body (102) for receiving the sample carrier plate, positioning stops (106, 108) which are disposed in opposing first corner regions of the main body and are prestressed for clamping the sample carrier plate and mounted displaceably, an actuating device (114) which is disposed in a second corner region of the main body and is equipped such that by actuating the actuating device (114) the positioning stops (106, 108) can be transferred between an operating state engaging the sample carrier plate and an operating state releasing the sample carrier plate, and comprises a force transmitting element (118) which is equipped to transmit an actuating force from the actuating device to the positioning stops.

Abstract: A process to invert a structure, for example a vehicle body after an equipment mounting phase, namely of mobility means, on the underside of said structure, process wherein the structure is made to swivel around an instantaneous axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the structure, such axis of rotation being located in the vicinity of a first end of the structure, maneuvering means being positioned at the other end of the structure to control this swiveling.

Abstract: Described herein are bioprinters comprising: one or more printer heads, wherein a printer head comprises a means for receiving and holding at least one cartridge, and wherein said cartridge comprises contents selected from one or more of: bio-ink and support material; a means for calibrating the position of at least one cartridge; and a means for dispensing the contents of at least one cartridge. Further described herein are methods for fabricating a tissue construct, comprising: a computer module receiving input of a visual representation of a desired tissue construct; a computer module generating a series of commands, wherein the commands are based on the visual representation and are readable by a bioprinter; a computer module providing the series of commands to a bioprinter; and the bioprinter depositing bio-ink and support material according to the commands to form a construct with a defined geometry.

Abstract: Provided are an alignment method and an alignment apparatus, in which the number of times to carry out alignment operation is reduced to reduce damage of a substrate and a mask and improve the productivity of evaporation using the mask. Vibrations in the direction of gravity of a substrate immediately after the substrate is brought in are measured by a laser vibrometer. Based on the obtained vibration data, a vibration control portion generates an antiphase vibrational wave. After the vibrational wave is applied to the substrate to reduce the vibrations of the substrate, the alignment between the substrate and a mask is carried out.

Abstract: A plating apparatus allows a substrate holder to be serviced easily while ensuring easy access to the substrate holder and while a substrate is being processed in the plating apparatus. The plating apparatus includes a plating section for plating a substrate, a substrate holder for holding the substrate, a substrate holder transporter for holding and transporting the substrate holder, a stocker for storing the substrate holder, and a stocker setting section for storing the stocker therein. The stocker includes a moving mechanism for moving the stocker into and out of the stocker setting section.

Abstract: A diced wafer adaptor that includes: a cylindrical shaped inner portion, adapted to support and hold an annular frame and a membrane suspended within the annular frame and to apply vacuum to an outer portion of the membrane; wherein an inner portion of the membrane supports a diced wafer and is surrounded by the outer portion of the membrane; and an outer portion having a perimeter shaped substantially as a perimeter of a non-diced wafer.

Abstract: A wind turbine component handling apparatus with a docking device, a lifting device, and a turning device is provided. A method for turning a wind turbine component is also provided. A plurality of pins is mounted to the wind turbine component. The wind turbine component is positioned at a support apparatus such that each pin rests in a cradle element of the support apparatus. The docking device is pushed in the horizontal direction such that openings in the docking device engage the pins. The docking device is lifted, wherein the wind turbine component is lifted by the pins and the docking device is rotated about a horizontal axis, wherein the wind turbine component is rotated about the horizontal axis by the pins. Then, the docking device is lowered until the pins mounted to the wind turbine component rest in the cradle elements of the support apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nacelle for a wind turbine, the nacelle having a first height in its installed position and a second height in its transported position, the first height being higher than the second height, comprising a bottom part having a bottom face and two opposite side faces defining a space and a width of the bottom part and a top part. In the transported position, the top part extends inside the width or outside the width in order to cover at least part of the space. The invention also relates to a transportation kit and a transport method.

Abstract: A handling machine for rails, arranged in line and immediately downstream of a rolling plant, which allows both to easily handle the rail for transferring it from the roller table to the thermal treatment zone, and to ensure an optimal gripping of the rail along its longitudinal extension, thus effectively contrasting its bending and variations while allowing a longitudinal movement of the rail caused by thermal shrinkage, thus avoiding damages both to the external surface of the rail and to the handlers. A rail handling process is also described, which optimizes moving, positioning along a roller table and maintaining the rail substantially rectilinear during the thermal treatment to which it is subjected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handling and transporting machine for containers (1), which has at least one gripping element (2) for holding or gripping a container (1), wherein the container (1) has a body region (4), at the top a closable mouth opening (5) and a neck region (6). The gripping element (2) is designed as a suction gripper.

Abstract: A transportable apparatus has a main body configured to be transported in a horizontal orientation, and then raised to a vertical orientation in a working position. A base is mounted on the bottom end of the main body such that the main body rests on the base in the working position, and such that the base is carried at a rear end of the main body when the main body is in a horizontal transport position supported on. The base is rotatable about a vertical base axis such that the main body can be rotated with respect to the base about the base axis. A frame and wheels can be pivotally attached to the main body to transport the main body and then be stored in a vertical orientation along a wall of the man body in the working position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for aligning a package are proposed, wherein the apparatus comprises the following: a vacuum chamber (32) in which a vacuum is created such that a package (10), which is located inside the vacuum chamber (32), unfolds, and at least one fixing means (22) which fixes the aligned package (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for aligning substrates (2) in an XY-plane. A polygonal, flat substrate (2), the substrate plane of which is parallel to the XY-plane or lies in the XY-plane, is aligned with respect to reference coordinates and a reference angular position in the XY-plane. A corner (12) of the substrate (2) is detected using image detecting means (9). In addition, the position coordinates of the substrate (2) are determined. Using evaluating means (10), the angular position of the corner (12) of the substrate (2) in the XY-plane is determined, and the position differences between the reference coordinates and the position coordinates as well as the angle difference between the reference angular position and the angular position of the substrate corner (12) are calculated. The substrate (2) is moved and/or rotated in the XY-plane according to the determined position difference or the angle difference.

Abstract: A method for centering the settling of veneers on top of each other in a veneer pile, the veneers being cut from a log by slicing and dried. A substantially horizontal pile is, freely supported and having in the lateral direction extreme limits with clearance, subjected to a horizontal swinging motion whereby the extreme limits are reduced during the swinging motion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pick-up and delivery system including a pick-up assembly and a delivery assembly. The pick-up assembly includes a robotic arm, a pick-up device rotatably mounted on the robotic arm, and a first vacuum pressure supply port operably connected to the pick-up device. The delivery assembly includes an insertion device and a second vacuum pressure supply port. The insertion device may include an insertion member and a release assistance rod arranged inside the insertion member. The release assistance rod is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the release assistance rod is in the extended position, a proximal end extends beyond an end of the insertion member. Further aspects are directed towards methods for grasping and releasing an object with a pick-up and delivery system.