Abstract: A method of three-dimensional object location and guidance to allow robotic manipulation of an object with variable position and orientation using a sensor array which is a collection of one or more sensors capable of forming a single image.

Abstract: Based upon a force in a vertical direction exerted between an object and a hand and an angle made by the hand relative to a horizontal face, a transporting force estimation unit estimates a transporting force applied in the vertical direction by a person, and based upon the estimated force, a force controlling operation is carried out so as to set a force in the vertical direction of the robot arm of a robot system to a predetermined force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for collision-free path planning for an industrial robot (1) which has a control device (9) and a robot arm (2) that is movable with the aid of the control device (9), to which an object (11) is attached, and in whose working space at least one obstacle (12) is situated.

Abstract: A microtiter plate transport device is configured to grip a microtiter plate in a first location. The microtiter plate transport device is configured to make a vertical approach to the microtiter plate and grip the microtiter plate in either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation along either the opposing longer sides or the opposing shorter sides of the microtiter plate. The device comprises a Cartesian coordinate robot including a first gripping member and a second gripping member opposed to the first gripping member. The first gripping member and the second gripping member are supported by an arm configured to move along a vertical axis which extends between the first gripping member and the second gripping member. The first gripping member and the second gripping member are configured to rotate about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A robot that includes an end effector for holding a substrate in a substantially horizontal state; a vertical driving unit for driving the end effector to move in a vertical direction; a horizontal driving unit for driving the vertical driving unit to move in a horizontal direction; and a rotation driving unit for rotating the horizontal driving unit about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. In this case, one end of the end effector is connected with the vertical driving unit. One end of the vertical driving unit is connected with the horizontal driving unit.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus includes a stationary base, a swivel supported by the stationary base to be rotatable about a vertical axis, a guide member mounted on the swivel, a linear movement mechanism supported by the swivel or the guide member, a hand supported by the linear movement mechanism and moved by the linear movement mechanism for carrying a work along a straight and horizontal travel stroke, a drive source disposed inside the stationary base, and a transmission shaft disposed along the vertical axis to transmit drive power from the drive source to the linear movement mechanism. The swivel includes an upper section and a lower section detachably connected with each other. The upper section has a connecting member supported by the upper section to be rotatable about the vertical axis. The connecting member has a detachable engagement member for engagement with the transmission shaft from the above.

Abstract: A robotic tool positioning system for positioning a first tool and a second tool. The system includes an inner shaft, a first tool arm and a first drive assembly. The first tool arm is connected to the lower portion of the inner shaft at the lower end thereof and extends radially outward therefrom, and has a first tool supporting surface disposed at a tool elevation for supporting the first tool thereon. The system further includes a tubular outer shaft, a second tool arm and a second drive assembly. A lower portion of the inner shaft extends through the tubular outer shaft. The second tool arm is connected to the tubular outer shaft at the lower end thereof, and has a second tool supporting surface disposed at the tool elevation for supporting the second tool thereon.

Abstract: The safety in robotic operations is enhanced and the floor space in a factory or the like is effectively utilized. A virtual safety barrier 50 including the trajectory of movement of a work or tool 7 mounted on a wrist 5 of a robot 1 in operation is defined in a memory. At least two three-dimensional spatial regions S (S1 to S3) including a part of the robot including the work or tool are defined. Predicted positions of the defined three-dimensional spatial regions obtained by trajectory calculations are matched with the virtual safety barrier 50, and if the predicted position of any one of the defined three-dimensional spatial regions based on trajectory calculations is included in the virtual safety barrier 50, a control is effected to stop the movement of the robot arms 3 and 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for automatically stacking tires (4) on a support (1). According to the method, geometrical data of the tires (4) and/or a digital model of the tires (4) is provided, based on the geometrical data and/or the tire model and a predefinable size of the support (1), an algorithm calculates a stacking pattern for the tires (4) on the support (1) by taking into account a predefined size of the support, said stacking pattern making it possible to store the largest possible number of tires (4) in a stable manner on the support (1). Positional data of the tires (4) are adopted from the stacking pattern and associated trajectories of a handling device for stacking the tires (4) are generated and stored according to the stacking pattern.

Abstract: A robot, wherein the operating amounts of the first and second actuators are adjusted according to a torque necessary for maintaining a body member and an end member at specified angles in a mechanism in which the body member (361) and the end member (363) are rotatably connected to each other and first and second wires (366) connected to the end member are advanced and retreated by the first and second actuator (368).

Abstract: A robot joint structure ? is composed of a metacarpal member 30 and a proximal member 40 swingably connected through a hinge 31 to a side end portion of the metacarpal member 30. The proximal member 40 includes a linear guide device 44 for an MP joint having a moving member movable in association with a self swing motion thereof, and by connecting a rod 32a and the moving member through a link mechanism 50, a driving force of an air-cylinder 32 is transmitted to the proximal member 40. On the other hand, a second robot joint structure ? is also provided with linear guide devices 48, 66, 74 and link mechanisms 69, 75, to which a driving force of the air-cylinder 62 is transmitted through a drive shaft 63 in association with a rod 62a. A robot finger is constructed by the first and second robot joint structures. According to such structures, smooth joint motion can be realized, and the robot joint structure and the robot finger having improved gripping force can be provided.

Abstract: In one of a pair of supporting pillars, a clearance is formed in a side of a moving space of a side of a main robot body. Then, when the main robot body stops in the position immediately near the supporting pillar and an arm is turned, the range in which the arm can turn is expanded without contacting the supporting pillar.

Abstract: There is provided a low-cost liquid supply apparatus using a system in which a liquid nozzle is moved, the apparatus being configured so that the installation area of the apparatus is small, a liquid vessel can be installed or removed easily without being hindered by equipment for moving the liquid nozzle, and further the number of parts is small. The liquid nozzle is attached to an arm capable of being turned reversibly around a turning shaft, and the movement of the liquid nozzle is controlled by the turning angle of the arm for either one axis of the X-axis and the Y-axis and is controlled by changing the length of the arm from the turning shaft for the other axis.

Abstract: An interactive system for interacting with a sentient being. The system includes a robotic companion of which the sentient being may be a user and an entity which employs the robot as a participant in an activity involving the user. The robotic companion responds to inputs from an environment that includes the user during the activity. The robotic companion is capable of social and affective behavior either under control of the entity or in response to the environment. The entity may provide an interface by which an operator may control the robotic companion. Example applications for the interactive system include as a system for communicating with patients that have difficulties communicating verbally, a system for teaching remotely-located students or students with communication difficulties, a system for facilitating social interaction between a remotely-located relative and a child, and systems in which the user and the robot interact with an entity such as a smart book.

Abstract: An industrial robot including a drive package with a motor and a gear between an output shaft of the motor and a third shaft of the robot in immediate proximity to the third shaft for rotation of an upper arm of the robot relative to a lower arm. The gear is a multistage gear transmission with parallel gear-wheel axes and one of the gear wheels of the gear is secured to the third shaft.

Abstract: A number of wafer center finding methods and systems are disclosed herein that improve upon existing techniques used in semiconductor manufacturing.

Abstract: A parallel kinematic machine has a parallel kinematic mechanism including an end effecter and a parallel link mechanism. A numerical control device controls a position and orientation of the end effecter based on kinematics of the parallel kinematic mechanism. A posture setter sets an adjustment tool on the end effecter in a known posture in a reference coordinate system defined outside the parallel kinematic mechanism based on a measurement method. A data acquirer acquires data in accordance with a measurement method selecting code for designating the measurement method used by the posture setter in setting the adjustment tool in the known posture, and defines a correlation between kinematic parameters for the parallel kinematic mechanism and the reference coordinate system. A calculator calculates the kinematic parameters based on the acquired data by using a relational expression describing forward kinematics of the parallel kinematic mechanism.

Abstract: A substrate handling robot having a robot body and a robot arm with an end effector is configured to exhibit angular (?), radial (R) and Z motion. A pair of coaxial shafts link the robot arm to respective motors dedicated to angular (?) and radial (R) motions. The motors are stationarily mounted with respect to the robot body. The shafts are rotatably supported by a floating platform which is motivated in the Z direction by a third motor also stationarily mounted with respect to the robot body. The third motor is coupled to the platform by a Z motion linkage. The first and second motors are coupled to the coaxial shafts by angular and radial motion linkages each of which includes primary and secondary timing belts whose relative motions are synchronized with the Z motion linkage to achieve controllable independent angular (?), radial (R) and Z motions in a simple, light-weight package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for rapid transfer of a work object in both the horizontal and vertical directions using a robot unit (10) having a gripping mechanism (12) preferably from one workstation (3) to another (4), the work piece (2) weighing between one kilo and forty kilos and the transfer in the horizontal direction being at least one meter but less than ten meters and at least partially being effected along an essentially horizontally extending beam unit (20), and the gripping mechanism (12) being arranged in such a way that, at least in one end situation (E1) along the beam (20), it can collect and/or deliver a work object (2) in a position (E2) situated beyond the end situation (E1) along the said horizontal beam (20), which robot unit is controlled by means of a control unit (50) and is driven by means of a belt member (24) and at least two motors (26, 27) comprising rotor units connected to drive wheels (26A, 27A) for the said belt member (24), the said motors (26, 27) being immovab

Abstract: The screen-printing machine (10) comprises: a print station (12); at least one support surface (40A, 40B) for supporting the objects away from the print station (12); and at least one transfer device (18, 20) for transferring an object, which transfer device comprises a manipulator arm (54) equipped with an end clamp (56), the arm (54) being hinged relative to the support surface (40A, 40B) about a pivot axis (Z1-Z1) and the clamp (56) being hinged relative to the arm (54) about a tilt axis. The pivot axis (Z1-Z1) of the arm (54) defines with the normal to the support surface (40A, 40B) a non-zero angle of inclination that is less than 45°. Application to printing flasks.

Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed for workpiece handling and/or inspection at the front end of a tool. The system comprises a rigid member of unitary construction such as a metal plate which mounts to the front of a tool associated with a semiconductor process. The front end components, including the load port assemblies, prealigners and workpiece handling robot, are mounted to the plate to provide precise and repeatable positioning of the front end components with respect to each other.

Abstract: A device for operating an articulated arm of a large manipulator connected to a boom base. The large manipulator comprises an articulated boom (22), composed of three boom arms (23 to 27), the boom arms of which may each be pivoted around mutually parallel horizontal articulation axis (28 to 32), in a limited manner. Furthermore, a control device (74), for the boom displacement is provided, which may be controlled from a remote controller (50) over a data transmission path (68).

Abstract: An anti-scatter grid for radiography includes a plurality of generally radiation absorbing elements and a plurality of generally non-radiation absorbing elements in which the generally non-radiation absorbing elements include a plurality of voids. Desirably, the non-radiation absorbing elements include an epoxy or polymeric material and a plurality of hollow microspheres. Disclosed is also an apparatus for forming an anti-scatter grid in which the apparatus includes a pivoting arm and surface for use in aligning a plurality of spaced-apart generally radiation absorbing elements relative to a radiation source.

Abstract: A robot system including a robot body, a plurality of safety devices to stop the operation of the robot body, connecting portions respectively disposed between the plurality of safety devices, and output device to transmit an output signal to external equipment. The safety devices are respectively connected in series to each other, and the output device is removably connected to at least one of the plurality of connecting portions. The robot body includes a plurality of robot bodies, and respective ones of the plurality of robot bodies are connected to the plurality of safety devices.

Abstract: A power assist apparatus includes an autonomously mobile base on which a manipulator for holding a load is mounted. The movement of the mobile base is controlled such that when the manipulator tip is within a prescribed operating region relative to the mobile base, the mobile base is maintained stationary, but when the manipulator tip moves outside the operating region, the mobile base is moved to decrease the distance between the mobile base and the manipulator tip. The power assist apparatus assists with the carrying of loads by amplifying an operational force applied to the manipulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit board carrier including a carrier sliding between a conveyor and a holder disposed at the lower part of a main machine. The carrier includes a sliding rail disposed at the top of a main machine above the conveyor and the holder; a sliding base being on the sliding rail by means of a sliding recess thereof; a sliding rod disposed above the sliding base and being vertically spaced to the sliding rail; a sliding seat being slid on the sliding rod by means of a sliding piece and having a shaft post at the top thereof; a pivot sleeve pivoted on the shaft post of the sliding seat by means of a bearing thereof and having a connection groove; a turning arm, one end of which is connected to the connection groove of the pivot sleeve while the other end thereof is connected to a motor and a driving axle of a reduction machine; and a suction unit installed under the sliding base.

Abstract: A robotic arm has a pair of gripper fingers designed to grip a variety of containers, including capped and uncapped test tubes as well as containers having unique gripping means. The fingers each have upper and lower projections separated by a groove, the respective projections facing each other when mounted to grippers on the robotic arm. The projections and groove serve to firmly hold the containers as well as self-align the unique gripping means on initially unaligned containers within the fingers as the fingers close around the containers. The fingers have clearance to avoid contact with caps on capped test tubes. Stops are provided at the top of each finger to engage one another and prevent fully closed fingers from deforming. The robotic arm may be transported along a rail mounted above the instrument and a gripper assembly, having a gripper arm, mounted to the robotic arm may be rotated above the instrument to move the container to various locations within the instrument.

Abstract: A robotic arm has a pair of gripper fingers designed to grip a variety of containers, including capped and uncapped test tubes as well as containers having unique gripping means. The fingers each have upper and lower projections separated by a groove, the respective projections facing each other when mounted to grippers on the robotic arm. The projections and groove serve to firmly hold the containers as well as self-align the unique gripping means on initially unaligned containers within the fingers as the fingers close around the containers. The fingers have clearance to avoid contact with caps on capped test tubes. Stops are provided at the top of each finger to engage one another and prevent fully closed fingers from deforming. The robotic arm may be transported along a rail mounted above the instrument and a gripper assembly, having a gripper arm, mounted to the robotic arm may be rotated above the instrument to move the container to various locations within the instrument.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for reducing the oscillatory motion of rotary crane payloads during operator-commanded or computer-controlled maneuvers. An Input-shaping filter receives input signals from multiple operator input devices and converts them into output signals readable by the crane controller to dampen the payload tangential and radial sway associated with rotation of the jib. The input signals are characterized by a hub rotation trajectory .gamma.(t), which includes a jib angular acceleration .gamma., a trolley acceleration x, and a load-line length velocity L. The system state variables are characterized by a tangential rotation angle .theta.(t) and a radial rotation angle .phi.(t) of the load-line. The coupled equations of motion governing the filter are non-linear and configuration-dependent. In one embodiment, a filter is provided between the operator and the crane for filtering undesired frequencies from the angular .gamma. and trolley x velocities to suppress payload oscillation.

Abstract: The system for producing bent sheet-metal articles comprises a bending machine (80) having a punch (84) and a die (86) which cooperate with each other and define a bending space, and a manipulator (64) having a movable head (76) which can grip a piece of sheet metal and place it in the bending space. Each piece to be bent has its own gripper and the head (76) of the manipulator (64) has rapid-attachment means for gripping and releasing the gripper associated with each piece. A table for defining the position of a piece to be bent, a manipulator for gripping and moving a piece of sheet metal by means of a floating head, a bending machine comprising an auxiliary structure for measuring the relative displacement of the punch and the die, and a device for automatically replacing tools of the bending machine are also described.

Abstract: A system for performing work in a hot cell includes a support arm having a first end and a second end and a movable arm having an end selectively engageable with the first end to form a rigid connection. Complementary coupling devices are disposed on the first end of the support arm and on the end of the movable arm and mate together when the movable arm is joined to the support arm.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a parallel or closed loop mechanism for moving and positioning a member in space. The mechanism includes three branches each provided with at least two link members being serially connected together by a spherical elbow joint whereby the first and second link members are rotatable with respect to each other about any axis passing through a center of the first joint. The mechanism is provided with actuators for moving each branch and the first links of each branch are rigidly connected at an end portion thereof to the actuator means. The mechanism includes three revolute joints each defining a longitudinal axis of rotation. Each revolute joint is connected to an associated second link member so that the longitudinal axes of all third joints intersect at a point and the revolute joints are interconnected so that the three branches form three parallel or closed loops.

Abstract: A multiple link robot arm mechanism uses first and second motors capable of synchronized operation to permit movement of the robot arm hand along a curvilinear path as the extension of the hand changes. A motor controller controls the first and second motors in two preferred operational states to enable the robot arm mechanism to perform two principal motion sequences. The first operational state maintains the position of the first motor and rotates the second motor so that the mechanical linkage causes linear displacement (i.e., extension or retraction) of the hand. The second operational state rotates the first and second motors so that a mechanical linkage causes angular displacement of the hand about a shoulder axis. The second operational state can provide an indefinite number of travel paths for the hand, depending on coordination of the control of the first and second motors.

Abstract: A robot system includes a support assembly and a robot arm. The robot arm includes a platform and a carriage movable back and forth along the platform. A shuttle is movable back and forth along the carriage. A first belt and pulley system is provided for moving the carriage back and forth along the platform and a second belt and pulley system is provided for moving the shuttle back and forth along the carriage. Each belt and pulley system includes a belt and a first pulley. The diameter of the pulley on the first belt and pulley system is one half the diameter of the pulley on the second belt and pulley system. The first pulley on the first belt and pulley system and the first pulley on the second belt and pulley system are fixedly coupled relative to each other so that rotational movement of one of the first pulleys will cause the same amount of rotational movement of the other one of said first pulleys.

Abstract: A robot system has an enhanced cooling efficiency of the interior of a robot controller thereof. A robot mechanical unit has a base with an internal vacant space. The robot controller is arranged in close contact with the base of the robot mechanical unit, and a radiating fin of a servoamplifier arranged within the robot controller projects into the vacant space within the base. Most heat within such a robot controller is generated by the servoamplifier. The radiating fin dissipates the heat generated by the servoamplifier into the vacant space within the base of the robot mechanical unit. The base has a large surface area, which makes it possible to efficiently dissipate heat within it for cooling of the same. This improves the cooling efficiency of the interior of the robot controller.

Abstract: A first motor is fitted to a threaded shaft onto which first and second nuts are screwed, a first holder to which a second motor for rotating the first nut is fixed is fitted to the shaft, the first holder is provided with a first bracket to which one ends of first and second connecting rods are rotatably connected, a second bracket is rotatably connected to ends of the first and second connecting rods opposite to the end where the first bracket is installed so that the first and second connecting rods are put in parallel positions, a second holder is secured to the second nut, the first holder and the second holder engage with a guide rail installed in parallel with the first shaft so as to be moved along the guide rail when the first shaft rotates, the second holder is provided with a third bracket, one end of a third connecting rod is rotatably connected to the third bracket, and central part of the second connecting rod is rotatably connected to an end of the third connecting rod opposite to the end where

Abstract: A pellet conveying device used with a bonding machine for, for example, semiconductor devices, including a conveying arm that has a collet for holding pellets. The conveying arm can move vertically and pivot horizontally by two different driving sources so that the collet can be moved between predetermined two positions such as a pellet pick-up position and a pellet releasing position.

Abstract: In an article transporting system, a first linear moving arm and a second linear moving arm are juxtaposed to each other so as to be moved linearly while keeping a parallel positional relationship with each other. First end portions of the linear moving arms are coupled to an article transporting unit through first and second links. A linear drive mechanism is provided for linearly moving the article transporting unit in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the linear moving arms by the linear movement of the first and second linear moving arms. The first and second linear moving arms are synchronously linearly moved in opposite directions to each other. In this case, to avoid an unstable posture of the article transporting unit during the movement, a posture maintaining device is provided between one of the first and second linear moving arms and the article transporting unit.

Abstract: For primary use in a storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system, a robotic transfer system acts to transfer selected electronic magnetic storage cartridges between their storage and transducing positions, typically between vertically stacked concentric tape storage holders and a selected tape drive. The robotic transfer system for handling tape cartridges includes two hands, each mounted on a separate vertical axis disposed at opposite ends of a balanced rotating horizontal axis, such that no tape cartridge is ever more than 90.degree. away from the nearest hand. The use of two hands also provides a redundant data retrieval capability without concentrating the weight of two hands at a single end of a revolving horizontal arm, thus reducing the moments generated by angular movement and providing for faster tape access time and greater long-term system reliability.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved contamination inspecting device which can carry out continuous, automatic inspection of portable articles both large and small regardless of their shape. The device incorporates a conveying means for carrying the articles through the inspection position wherein the speed of the conveying means is varied based on the background radioactivity detected by the plane scintillator, a plane scintillator for detecting radiation from both the background environment and the articles to be inspected, a five-axes gate-type underriding mechanism which incorporates a robot arm so as to enable the plane scintillator to travel along the surfaces of each article, and control means for controlling the speed of the conveying means based on the background radioactivity detected by the plane scintillator and for controlling the five-axis robot based on the shape of the articles to be inspected.

Abstract: A robot with no mechanically contacting components are suitable for use in special environments such as semiconductor manufacturing processes where dust and lubrication are matters of important concern. The robot has a linear actuator composed of magnetic bearings and a linear motor for moving a robot arm linearly without mechanical contact, and a rotary actuator composed of magnetic bearings and a rotary motor for rotating a body which supports the linear actuator, around the rotary actuator without mechanical contact.

Abstract: The polishing machine of the present invention is capable of moving a work away from a center roller and a guide roller without reference to other members. In the polishing machine, a circular polishing plate is capable of revolving so as to polish works. A center roller is capable of revolving. Guide rollers are arranged around the center roller and capable of revolving, wherein each work is rotatably held between each guide roller and the center roller. An arm shaft is provided in the vicinity of the polishing plate and capable of moving in the longitudinal direction. A work head is provided to the arm shaft and capable of holding and releasing the work. A driving mechanism moves the arm shaft so as to move the work head between a discharge position and a specified position. A releasing mechanism slightly moves the arm shaft in the longitudinal direction so as to slightly move the work away from the center roller and the guide roller.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the grinding of the working rolls of a planetary rolling mill in which working rolls are mounted together with intermediate rolls in cages which rotate about a support body, a rolling mill having an upper planet roll and a lower planet roll. In order to provide a low cost and economically operating roll grinding device, allowing simple, fast and precise grinding of the working rolls with reduced mill down time, a planet roll (1) is associated with a manipulating device (2) which is moveable in at least three planes or axes of movement and with which the working rolls (3) can be removed individually from the planet roll (1) and fed to a grinding device (5) as well as returned into the planet roll (1).

Abstract: A robotic substrate manipulator constructed for substrate handling during thin film deposition in the vacuum of outer space. The robotic substrate manipulator includes a cassette holding a plurality of substrates preferably including six cassettes in a carousel. A circular cylinder encloses the carousel with an access door at a location accessible by a manipulator arm assembly. Substrates are retained within the cassette via a passive retention system. This manipulator arm assembly includes an arm with a gripper at one end. The gripper includes a pair of opposed fingers normally urged closed by at least one finger spring that may be opened by a solenoid. The manipulator arm assembly includes a vertical driver and a horizontal rotary driver permitting motion of substrates from the cassette to a processing station. Position gauges on both the vertical motion driver and the horizontal rotary motion driver permit feedback regarding the manipulator arm assembly position.

Abstract: In a robot for conveying a workpiece or the like 21 in vacuum chambers (16, 24); a conveyance robot for use in a high vacuum, in which magnetic floatation and magnetic drive are applied to a rectilinear movement axis (R-axis) (1, 20) for conveying the workpiece 21, a magnetic seal 9 for shutting off a vacuum side A from an atmospheric air side B is applied to a rotation axis (.theta.-axis) 25 for rotating the R-axis (1, 20), and a vacuum bellows 14 for shutting off the vacuum side A from the atmospheric air side B is applied to a vertical movement axis (Z-axis) 17 for vertically moving the R-axis (1, 20) and the .theta.-axis 25, whereby sliding or rolling is avoided in the vacuum.

Abstract: A technique of this invention discloses an orthogonal two-axis moving apparatus basically adapted to move in horizontal and vertical directions. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a vertical block, a horizontal moving member movably supported on the vertical block, and a driving mechanism for moving the horizontal moving member, a driving pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt for transmitting a driving force.

Abstract: A portable console includes a universal positioning arm for holding a surgical instrument such as an endoscope during a surgical procedure. Coarse adjustment of instrument elevation above an operating table is provided by a reversible drive motor which extends and retracts an upright support shaft from which the instrument is supported. Coarse adjustment of instrument X-Y position within the sterile zone above an operating table is provided by an articulate arm which is rotatably coupled to the upright support shaft. Fine adjustment of instrument position across the sterile zone is provided by a reversible drive motor which extends and retracts the instrument along the longitudinal axis of the support arm. Fine adjustment of instrument elevation is provided by a reversible drive motor which lifts and lowers the distal end of the support arm. The insertion orientation of the instrument is adjustable by a rotatable coupling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device 32 for taking out a grown monocrystal rod 22 from monocrystal pulling up devices 10 to 14 and conveying them to a predetermined position. An object is to simplify the overall structure, which includes a plurality of monocrystal pulling up devices 10 to 14, and reducing the overall cost. A rail 31 is disposed along the monocrystal pulling up devices 10 to 14 and travelling portions 33 and 34 travel along the rail 31. The upper end portion of an upper cylinder 36 is fixed to the travelling portions 33 and 34, the upper portion of an elevational shaft 37 is inserted into the upper cylinder 36, the lower portion of the elevational shaft 37 is inserted into a lower cylinder 39 and a plate 44 is able to approach and move away from the lower cylinder 39. A plate 45 is able to rotate around a shaft 46 with respect to the position of the plate 44. Futhermore, the plate 45 has a receiving finger 53A and a holding finger 54A.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for handling devices for testing under varying temperature conditions is disclosed including a mechanical arm (32) pivotally mounted by a bearing (34) to a control portion (16) which is variably vertically positionable relative to a platform portion (14). An insert arm (38) is rotatably mounted within the mechanical arm (32) to reciprocally and rotatably mount a thermal socket (90) for mating with a contactor (126). The socket (90) is mounted to a vacuum cup (48) to allow position alignment as alignment pins (132) are initially slideably received in alignment notches (124) and when no vacuum is applied and is fixed in the aligned position after the application of vacuum. Thermal tubes (74) of probes (50) are reciprocal with the thermal socket (90) to provide thermally conditioned gas/air to the thermal socket (90). The thermal socket (90) provides a swirling action to the thermally conditioned gas/air to exit 360.degree.

Abstract: For automating the placement or removal of printing plates on plate cylinders (16, 17) of rotary printing machines, particularly web printing machines, an application head (11) is secured to a multiple linked roboter arm (2), slidable vertically along a guide post (1). The roboter arm can be pivoted about the axis of the guide post, moved vertically thereabout, and includes a plurality of joints (3, 4, 5, 6) which connect roboter arm link elements (7, 8, 9, 10). The positioning head (11) is located at the roboter arm element (10) most remote from the guide post. The guide post is positioned between the axes of rotation of printing cylinders of adjacent printing stations, axially removed from the path of the web between the printing stations, so that interference with the web is effectively avoided.