Abstract: The invention concerns the automated robotic system for dispensing drugs from vials into liquid containers such as IV bags or syringes. A robot selects a vial and a suitable container and transports them to a processing station together with a needle which may be double-ended. At the processing station the contents of the vial are transferred into the container. Some of the contents of the container may be transferred into the vial in order to reconstitute and/or wash out the vial contents and agitation may be provided for the vial. Various additional devices may be provided such as a decapping device for the vials, an alcohol swabbing station for swabbing the top of a vial and/or the input port of a IV bag or syringe. Moreover, a label printer may be provided so that the robot may deliver a label with the finally processed IV bag and empty vial to a verification station. When IV bags are used, the invention may feature a conveyor of trays of the bags to a pick-up station of the robot.

Abstract: An alignment station for elements such as semiconductor wafers on a robot arm uses a rotating support and edge detector which in combination are operative to place a wafer on the rotating support, detect wafer alignment, move the wafer to bring it into alignment either on the rotating support itself or onto a separate station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the method in which a clamp made from a flat blank is plastically deformed into circular shape, is locked in its closed condition, is transferred from the deformation station to a transfer station where it is placed over the object to be fastened and is thereafter tightened onto the object. In order to maintain the clamp in predetermined position on the object before being tightened, the clamp is additionally plastically deformed into a slightly non-circular shape differing from the circular shape of the object and is again elastically deformed into its original circular shape before being placed over the object so that return of the clamp to its slightly non-circular configuration will provide sufficient frictional engagement to hold the clamp in predetermined position.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for the manufacture of product subassemblies by computer programmed robots is an end effector fixture assembly, or geometry station wherein at least two individual elements of the particular subassembly are dimensionally positioned relative to one another between a lower base fixture and an upper fixture of the end effector fixture assembly to establish a net location therebetween. The robot manipulates the end effector fixture assembly and transports the two individual elements located therein to a work performing station located within a defined region of the robot to perform work on the subassembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control robot having a machining tool comprising a rotatable tool for grinding at the distal end of the robot arm thereof so as to carry out grinding work with pressing the machining tool against the surface of a work to be machined under predetermined pressure, comprising a posture control shaft for controlling the posture of the machining tool provided at the robot arm; a rotation shaft of the rotatable tool: and arrangement in which the posture control shaft and the rotation shaft of the rotatable tool are respectively arranged in different axial directions.

Abstract: In order to control the opening and closing movement of an injection mold (1, 3) and the feed and extraction movement of a handling device (7) for the removal of the molding in a manner which is optimally concerted with no delay, the opening movement of the mold and/or the extraction movement of the handling device is detected in relation to position and speed; if the speed lies in a reference range, a release signal is generated which triggers the feed movement of the gripping device or the closing movement of the mold.

Abstract: An injection molding machine of an automatic core change type includes a mold clamping section including stationary and movable platens fitted with first and second matrixes of a mold, respectively, a mold changing robot and a mold stocker severally attached to the mold clamping section and separately controlled by way of a control section, and a temperature controller for controlling the respective temperatures of the first and second matrixes and the mold stocker. As an arm and a chuck move and rotate, respectively, a first cavity unit, attached to the first matrix, is taken out from the first matrix, transported toward the mold stocker, and stored in its corresponding storage hole of the mold stocker. Then, another first cavity unit is taken out from the mold stocker, transported toward the mold clamping section, and attached to the first matrix, whereupon the replacement of the first cavity unit is completed. A second cavity unit is replaced in like manner, whereupon the mold replacement is completed.

Abstract: A mobile robot or automatic guided vehicle having a multijointed robot arm. The robot arm has a gripper and charge coupled device camera mounted at the free end of the arm. The gripper is for engaging, holding and releasing workpieces. The robot arm transfers workpieces to and from process machines or storage areas. The robot arm finds the workpiece or the place to set it down by looking at two light emitting diodes placed a known distance and orientation away from the workpiece or set down place. The robot arm and camera are controlled by a computer on board the vehicle. The automatic guided vehicle and robot arm are used to transfer workpieces from place to place in an automated manufacturing environment.

Abstract: A robot teaching/playback system for controlling a robot which performs an operation on a work turned by a turntable and also controls the turntable, including a common controlling means for controlling the turntable and robot, teaching means for storing in a memory a set of robot working data and taught turntable rotational position data for each of divisional rotational regions into which the turntable is divided, and playback means for interpolating robot working data and turntable rotational position data between each adjacent ones of the divisional rotational regions in accordance with the robot working data and taught turntable rotational position data stored for each of the divisional rotational regions and for causing the common controlling means to control the robot and turntable in accordance with the interpolated data.

Abstract: A programmable controller 1, capable of programming the whole operations of the factory cell 3 including a robot, is provided with a program input device 11 and comprises: a memory for storing the program, a discrimination means 13 for discriminating the blocks within the program which define the movements of the robot; an information generation circuit 14 for generating information relative to the movement of the robot, which is transmitted to the robot controller 2 via a communication means 16a; and an instruction processing circuit 15 which executes via the contact input and output circuits 17 and 18 the instructions other than those of the robot defining blocks, relative to the states of contacts and relays of the factory cell 3, in parallel with the movements of the robot controlled by the robot controller 2.

Abstract: A sheet workpiece manipulating apparatus for delivering, supporting, and removing large sheet workpieces to a sheet bending press includes a plurality of rotationally and linearly translatable support arms. A gripping device is disposed on each free end of each support arm. The sheet workpiece is captured and rigidly restrained by the paired gripping devices, such as opposing suction cups operationally connected to a vacuum source, which are detachably attached to the support arms in a magnetically cooperating arrangement. Large gripping forces are developed by the gripping devices, which are separately replacable with alternate gripping devices sized to accommodate workpieces of different sizes, shapes, and materials, as well as a particular manipulation procedure. Perforated as well as imperforated sheets may be manipulated by the apparatus due to the paired, opposing relationships of the suction cups.

Abstract: A technique for efficient use of component placement apparatus used for assembling many different printed circuit boards, wherein all of the printed circuit boards are collectively comprised of more parts than can be handled by a single setup. A portion of the apparatus is dedicated to producing a first family of boards whose identity is determined by their high volume as well as by their parts overlap, while another portion is periodically changed in order to optionally produce different families of boards characterized by their lower volume and lower parts overlap. The changed setups required for the different families of boards are accomplished off-line while the first family of boards is in on-line production.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus for automobile assembly includes a robot which moves in sequence to a plurality of different stations and performs an operation at each station based on information obtained from a video camera. The camera can pivot to form an image of each station. While the robot is performing an operation at one station, the camera is forming an image at a subsequent station. By the time that the robot finishes the operation at one station and moves to the subsequent station, the image formed by the camera at the next station has already been processed by a controller, and the robot can immediately begin to perform an operation at the subsequent station.

Abstract: With this device for an automatic mounting of connector shells (5) and electric conductors, in each case, a connector shell (5) is mounted, with the aid of an industrial robot (1), onto both contact parts (8.1, 8.2) of an electrical conductor at the end of a cable-processing line. Each end of the electric conductors is gripped by the first double gripper (11) of an additional transfer module (40) and, in a mounting position (32), is transferred to a stationary gripper (20). Before this transfer, if the electric conductor is gripped by the first double gripper (11) alone, then the conductor shells are mounted onto the contact parts and the mounting force is tested. After the stationary gripper (20) takes over the electric conductor, the first double gripper carries out a reverse cycle motion into a transfer position (30) in order to grip a new electric conductor.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a robotic tool end assembly used to transport a blade of a jet engine to a specific workstation and then to transfer this blade to this workstation. It encompasses gripping means to grip the blade and coupling means that couple with the workstation prior to the exchange of the blade between the workstation and this robotic tool end assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a semiconductor wafer in a slot of a holding post including a wafer support member or paddle for supporting the wafer and inserting it into a slot and rotation device for rotating the support member by the angle necessary to cause edges of the wafer to be received at the centers of the slots.

Abstract: A shared system for robot control including integration of the human and autonomous input modalities for an improved control.Autonomously planned motion trajectories are modified by a teleoperator to track unmodelled target motions, while nominal teleoperator motions are modified through compliance to accommodate geometric errors autonomously in the latter. A hierarchical shared system intelligently shares control over a remote robot between the autonomous and teleoperative portions of an overall control system. Architecture is hierarchical, and consists of two levels. The top level represents the task level, while the bottom, the execution level.In space applications, the performance of pure teleoperation systems depend significantly on the communication time delays between the local and the remote sites. Selection/mixing matrices are provided with entries which relfect how each input's signals modality is weighted.

Abstract: An industrial robot system comprising a single working machine, and a plurality of robots arranged so as to transfer a work to and from this working machine. The operation of these robots and the working machine is controlled by a single control unit, and the operation of all the robots is controlled in a realtime manner in synchronism with the operation of the working machine, thereby ensuring the smooth operation of the overall system while obviating waiting time of each robot and the working machine without using a conventional mutual interlock system.

Abstract: The invention method and device for the automatic mounting of connector shells (5) and electric conductors (8) discloses that connector shells (5) are put on with the aid of an industrial robot (1) onto the contact parts (8.1, 8.2) of an electric conductor (8). A gripper tool (4) of the industrial robot (1) is capable to grip simultaneously several connector shells (5). Each contact part (8.1, 8.2) of the electric conductor (8) is maintained in rest position by two independently controllable gripper pairs (11.1, 11.2) of a double gripper (11) at the end of a cable-processing line (9), after a centering module (19) has set the desired position of the contact parts (8.1, 8.2). Depending on the intended device, the two contact parts (8.1, 8.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for computer controlled stereotactic surgery is disclosed. This method utilizes an imaging device, a robotic arm and a means for controlling the robotic arm. Stereotactic surgery on integral body parts, e.g. the brain, spine, knee or other joint, breast, etc. may be accomplished with relatively greater precision and smaller incisions. The imaging device, which may be a computerized tomography (CT) axial imaging system, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, or any suitable image-providing means, provides information regarding the structure of the bodily location to be operated on. The robotic arm is utilized to precisely orient the surgical tools or other implements used in conducting the surgery or related procedure. The control means, such as a computer, utilizes information received from the imaging device, alone or together with other information, to control the robotic arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manipulator for positioning workpieces with respect to an industrial robot (4) by which the work pieces, one after the other, are to be processed. The manipulator (2) comprises at least two fixture supports (26,27) each having fixture members for holding a respective work piece, a holder (16) for the fixture supports, movably suspended for moving one of said fixture supports from a loading position, in which exchange of a work piece held in said fixture members may take place, towards an operative position within the operating range of the robot, while simultaneously moving another one of said fixtures from the operative position towards the loading position. A turning servo motor (32) common to the fixture supports is drivingly engageable with a fixture support (26) held in the operative position so as to be able to rotate said fixture support, e.g.

Abstract: A machining apparatus for machining a work piece wherein the work piece is held above the work stations of the machine tool base so that chips will fall downwardly during machining operations. The tools are successfully indexed to the work station so that chip removal need be accomplished only at a single place and to make the arrangement more compact.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting and handling piece goods (4), containing a stand; a transport rail (10) carried by the stand; a trolley (17) which can be moved along the rail (10) by a separate drive (19); and a gripping device (22) which is pivotally mounted on the trolley and contains structure to hold the piece goods (4). A rotatably journalled guide shaft (28) of non-round cross-section extends substantially parallel with the transport rail (10); and a follower (30, 31) is rotatably arranged on the trolley (17) and connected to the guide shaft (28) so as to be slidable therealong but torsionally rigid in a radial direction. The guide shaft (28) is rotated by a motor (29); and an angular rotation transmission (23-27) converts rotation of the guide shaft (28) to swinging movement of the gripping device (22).

Abstract: A transfer device for use in treating a work product is disclosed, in which a first gripper assembly rotates about a pivot point located between an input conveyor and a station, and a second gripper assembly rotates about a pivot point positioned between the station and an output conveyor. The rotation of each gripper assembly may be accelerated or decelerated at predetermined points in the rotation cycle by use of a cam, roller, and linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A catridge changer for carrying a cartridge to a utilization position and returning it to its initial position after the utilization thereof has a cartridge containing chamber for containing a number of cartridges therein, a hand member for gripping a selected cartridge, a hand moving device for moving the hand member gripping the selected cartridge to the cartridge containing chamber and the utilization position to carry the cartridge, and a correcting device for correcting the posture of the cartridge gripped by the hand member to a regular posture.

Abstract: A device for locating a datum reference on a partially assembled structural object, such as an automobile body frame. The device has a base structure for rigid mounting to a floor member, a transfer platform is attached to the base structure so that the transfer platform has freedom of movement in a first horizontal direction, a support structure is attached to the transfer platform so that it has freedom of movement therewith in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, a vertical slide support mechanism attached to the support structure and moveable therewith in a vertical direction, fluid actuated stop members for locking the horizontal and vertical movements of the device when a certain location in space, as dictated by the automobile body, has been attained. A work performing tool attached to the vertical slide support mechanism so that the tool can move into and out of engagement with the automobile body.

Abstract: A wafer positioning apparatus includes at least first, second and third optical position detectors for detecting a circumference portion of a wafer. The first to third optical position detectors are arranged on a circumference of a circle having a diameter identical to that of the wafer. A transportation robot is used for holding the wafer and moving the held wafer with respect to the first to third optical position detectors. A control circuit controls the transportation robot in accordance with output signals of the first to third optical position detectors so that all of the first to third optical position detectors detect the circumference portion of the wafer at the same time.

Abstract: A robotic transport and assembly system includes a worktable upon which are supported a printed circuit board conveyor, a controllably displaceable circuit component feed mechanism and a robotic manipulator, mounted on the worktable and having a multi(four)-axis end effector, for controllably seizing an electronic circuit component from the component feed mechanism and placing the seized component on the printed circuit board for surface mounted attachment. The controllably displaceable circuit component feed mechanism, which includes a component feed device and an associated feeder device positioning table, is mounted on the worktable at a position adjacent to the position whereat a printed circuit board is supported for the pick and placement operation of the robotic manipulator. The component feed device controllably supplies a plurality of the components to be seized by the end effector and placed on said workpiece by the robotic manipulator.

Abstract: There is disclosed a robot used in a clean room and adapted to transport a wafer cassette containing semiconductor wafers. The robot includes: a guide rail disposed in the clean room; a robot body slidably connected to the guide rail for movement along the guide rail; and a first drive mechanism for driving the robot body along the guide rail. The robot body includes: a clamping hand for releasably clamping the wafer cassette; an arm assembly, extending between the guide rail and the clamping hand, for controlling the position of the clamping hand; and a wrist assembly, interposed between the arm assembly and the clamping hand, for adjusting the orientation of the clamping hand.

Abstract: A transfer platform for the conveyance of objects by a manipulator includes a bed frame and saddle clamp secured along an edge of the bed frame and adapted so as to secure the bed frame to a horizontal crosspiece of the manipulator. The platform may thus move with the manipulator in a reciprocal linear path defined by a guide rail. A bed insert may be provided for the support of conveyed objects and a lifting bail may be provided to permit the manipulator arm to install the bed frame upon the crosspiece under remote control.

Abstract: A wafer transport system includes a mobile frame, a wafer cassette conveyor, a wafer support table, and a wafer transfer assembly. The wafer cassette conveyor carries a plurality of wafer cassettes and presents them successively to a transfer location. The wafer transport assembly, including a robotic arm and a vacuum pickup element, is then able to transport individual wafers from the cassettes to the support table. By rotating the support table, a plurality of wafers can be placed in a desired order. The wafer support table may then be moved to a location proximate a processing chamber, such as a chemical vapor deposition reactor, and processed and unprocessed wafers efficiently exchanged by the transport assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing electronic components, on which a testing device can be mounted, provided with a connecting plug for electrical connection of the electrical leads and couplings. Each coupling is provided with a fixed and movable coupling member for mechanical connection, with the couplings securing the testing device in the apparatus in a centered position by the inclined plane method. Stable coupling of the test device to the apparatus is desirable and is achieved by arranging at least three couplings in the form of a star on the appropriate attachment side.

Abstract: The preparation of a wound golf ball core is accomplished with an automatic machine. The machine has a plurality of winding stations serviced by one mechanical arm. The winding station has a cooling tower for holding frozen centers, a winding machine and tension device for performing the actual winding operation and an exit chute for wound cores. The specific steps for preparing the core are further disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided for controling a robot operating in association with a rotary table, including a robot, a rotary table, and a control circuit.

Abstract: Synchronous operation of a multi-joint robot and a rotating table is facilitated by the provision of a multi-joint robot controller. The robot controller detects the position of an arm of the multi-joint robot relative to a coordinate system assigned to the multijoint robot and the position of a specific point on the rotating table relative to the same coordinate system. The spatial relationship of the table relative to the multi-joint robot is calculated based on the coordinates of a plurality of positions of the specific point on the rotating table.

Abstract: A system and method for handling and delaminating a bobbin of sheet-like material, such as tipping paper, comprising a delaminator apparatus (100), a robotic arm assembly (182) having a robotic hand (185) connected thereto and a control console (212) for controlling the delaminator apparatus (100), the robotic arm assembly (182) and robotic hand (185) connected to the robotic arm assembly (182).

Abstract: A system and method for determining the precise location of a moving object such as a semiconductor wafer relative to a destination position, using an array of optical sensors positioned along an axis generally transverse to the path of movement of the wafer. The sensor trigger points along the path of movement are used to calculate the center position of the wafer relative to the destination position.

Abstract: Collars for surrounding the nipples of an anode bar are produced from a coil of aluminium sheet material. Sheet metal strips are separated from the coil, and are then pre-shaped to substantially U-shaped parts in a bending unit. These U-shaped parts are then pushed over the nipples of the anode bar, and their overlapping ends are fixed to one another by means of a fixing device, to form closed collars.

Abstract: A component insertion end effector for robotic equipment is disclosed. The end effector is particularly adapted for printed circuit insertion of electrical component whose relationship between component body and leads varies from the nominal dimensions. The end effector compensates for variations in body-to-lead configurations to permit components to be precisely placed without damaging the component body or its leads. The effector comprises a pneumatic gripping mechanism which is coupled to the robot arm by a compliance mechanism. The compliance mechanism is operable in two states, the first state in which the gripping mechanism is freely movable throughout a predetermined range of movement with respect to the robot arm, and a second state in which the gripping mechanism is fixedly secured in relation to the robot arm.

Abstract: A system for transferring, positioning and machining a workpiece includes a transfer device for transferring the workpiece to a prescribed position, a positioning device disposed in the prescribed position for positioning the workpiece, a machine tool for machining the workpiece, and a delivery robot disposed in the prescribed position for delivering the workpiece to the machine tool. The positioning device is used to position workpieces successively. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide positioning devices which would otherwise be associated with respective workpieces. The positioning device includes a positioning pin which is displaceable toward and away from a workpiece. Since the positioning pin is not held against the workpiece at all times, the positioning pin is prevented from being damaged or broken by physical interference with surface irregularities of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a piece of sheet material to a tool utilizes a set of grippers on telescoping arms of a mean trajectory control system for displacing the sheet material in accordance with a predetermined trajectory. Local correction is effected by passing the piece of sheet material between two discs, one of which is rotatable about a horizontal axis but swingable about a vertical axis while the other, on the opposite side of the sheet, is rotatable about a vertical axis coincident with the first vertical axis. A line is marked on the sheet material with a substance stimulated by ultraviolet and emits a wavelength to which photodetectors are responsive to control the local correction device.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a plurality of semiconductor substrates on a movable, support in a desired pattern, in a semiconductor vapor phase growing apparatus. A memory is provided for storing two dimensional data corresponding to the desired pattern. The desired pattern is predetermined by the sizes of the substrates and the space available on the flat support. A loading/unloading device loads and unloads the substrates on the support at positions corresponding to the two-dimensional data read from the memory. A positioning device positions the support so that the substrates can be loaded and unloaded at the predetermined positions. A control device synchronizes the movement of the loading/unloading device and the positioning device in accordance with the selected position so that the substrates are loaded and unloaded on the flat support in the desired pattern.

Abstract: A tinning station for axial lead electronic components includes a presentation system for arranging a plurality of axial lead components in an elevated linear array with adjacent components lying parallel to each other. A pair of grippers, have a pair of parallel bars each having a longitudinal slot and a length at least as long as the length of the component array. These bars are moved toward or away from each other by an actuator which is mounted on a robotic arm. This arm is programmed to position the grippers adjacent to the array so that the actuator can cause the grippers to clamp the ends of the bodies of the components in the array. Then the arm dips the leads on each side of the array into the solder flux and subsequently into molten solder, thereby tinning the leads. The thickness of the grippers defines an untinned length of each component lead. A release fixture is used to dislodge any components which do not fall from the grippers when the grippers are separated.

Abstract: A system for feeding production and/or packing material onto manufacturing lines, which system has compartment for storing the material; guide tapes for mobile trucks traveling between a storage area and manufacturing lines. The guide tapes define routes selectively traveled along, in use, by the mobile trucks for transporting and feeding the material to the manufacturing lines. A computer controls the position and operation of the mobile trucks; and a number of mobile trucks having an independent electricity supply and designed to supply operating-arm units are connected at least temporarily to the mobile trucks.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing injection molded articles from an opened injection mold of an injection molding machine. The apparatus has a low structural weight and provides exact control of the movements of a grasping member for grasping the injection molded articles. The apparatus has a guide bed and a carriage movably mounted on the guide bed. The guide bed is aligned parallel to the direction of operation of the closing unit of the injection mold. The carriage includes a cantilever which extends transversely of the guide bed. The cantilever carries a slide member longitudinally movable on the cantilever. An adjustable support member is mounted on the slide member. The grasping member is mounted at the lower end of the support member. The grasping member is adjustable relative to the support member about at least two joints extending perpendicularly to each other.

Abstract: In a robotic system for efficient serialization of processing a number of samples by a robotic manipulator through an identical sequence of processing steps with a plurality of the samples being processed through the sequence at a given time, such that they must share the services of the manipulator, the improvement wherein a computer control means 92 operates a schedule-control feature which forms means both(a) to relate (1) the time within said sequence required to carry out all said steps which do not require the robotic manipulator (22) to (2) the time within said sequence which does require the robotic manipulator and the minimum number of processing spaces (305) for samples in non-robotic-manipulated time steps; and(b) to provide a priority of action for manipulator such that the sample which is both ready for further processing and most advanced in the sequence is given priority for further completion when said manipulator (22) is available for said further processing.

Abstract: A tracking robot apparatus has a robot for performing a predetermined operation, a movable device for moving an object of interest, a signal input device for designating operations of the robot and the movable device, an operation device for calculating an operation instruction value of the movable device in response to an input signal from the signal input device, a controller for driving the movable device in accordance with the calculated operation instruction value, an operation device for calculating a position/posture instruction value to keep relative position and posture of the robot and the movable device unchanged upon operation of the movable device, and a controller for driving a robot in accordance with the calculated position/posture instruction value. The movable device is operated in response to the signal from the signal input device, and at the same time the robot is operated such that the relative position and posture of the robot and the movable device are kept unchanged.

Abstract: A process is described which makes use of a folding press and a numerically controlled manipulator device provided with mechanical pincers; the sheet metal to be worked is gripped by the manipulator device and carried against an abutment shoulder disposed in front of the press; the alignment of the front edge of the sheet metal with the abutment shoulder is then tested by means of microswitches, and then the sheet metal is carried under the blade of the folding press utilizing, as reference co-ordinates for the movements of the manipulator, those of the abutment shoulder.

Abstract: An automatic system for changing the electricity supply source on a mobile unit with an operating arm the system comprising a station for storing the electricity supply sources, means for prearranged positioning of the mobile unit in relation to the station, and means for activating the arm for picking up the rundown electricity supply source and replacing it with a new electricity supply source withdrawn from the storage station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating sheet metal parts using workpiece manipulators to transfer a workpiece from one work station to another and position the workpiece for each operation to be performed. The invention eliminates the need of individual operators and can be managed under microprocessor control using known positions along selected X and Y axes about which programming is performed.