A deterioration determination apparatus according to one or more embodiments may include: an information obtainment unit configured to obtain information on deformation of one or more regions of a suction portion configured to hold an object by suction with negative pressure; and a deterioration determination unit configured to determine whether or not the suction portion has deteriorated, depending on the deformation of the one or more regions of the suction portion in a state in which the suction portion does not hold an object by suction.

A system (10) for loading different conveying tracks (2, 3, 4) of at least one in particular commercial conveyor dishwasher (1, 1′). The system (10) includes a feed conveyor belt (11) for delivering washware (9a, 9b, 9c) to loading regions of the at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1′). The system (10) further includes a sorting arrangement for sorting the washware (9a, 9b, 9c) delivered to the loading regions of the at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1′) via the feed conveyor belt (11) according to previously defined or definable washware groups. The sorting arrangement is associated with at least one loading arrangement (13a, 13b, 13c) for automatically loading the different conveying tracks of the at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1′) with washware (9a, 9b, 9c) of one of the previously defined or definable washware groups.

A vacuum gripping element and device hold a component to be transported when subjected to a vacuum. The device includes a carrying device and at least one vacuum gripping element connected releasably to the carrying device as needed. The element includes a base body with at least one vacuum supply channel and an elastic, form-flexible sealing element. A locking coupling forms a first fastener for positively connecting and releasing the gripping element relative to the carrying device as required. Alternatively, the base body includes first and second base body parts, the first part positively connecting and releasing relative to the carrying device as required by the first fastener, and the second part being connected to the elastic, form-flexible sealing element. A locking coupling forms a second fastener for positively connecting and releasing the first base body part relative to the second base body part as required.

A sheet conveying device and a sheet conveying method whereby it is possible to convey a sheet more accurately. This sheet conveying device includes a holder capable of holding a sheet, bringing the sheet into a stretched state while holding the sheet, and conveying the held sheet. This sheet conveying device also includes a sheet state recognizer that recognizes the state of the sheet when the sheet is held in a stretched state by the holder.

A robot hand includes a contactless holding part that has a first air jet port that radially jets air from the center toward the outer circumference, the contactless holding part contactlessly holding a wafer through radial flowing of the air jetted from the first air jet port and generation of a negative pressure due to the air. The robot hand includes also an outer circumferential support part that has a second air jet port that is disposed to be oriented toward the center of the wafer held by the contactless holding part and jets air toward the outer circumferential edge of the wafer, the outer circumferential support part supporting the wafer without movement of the wafer by the air jetted from the second air jet port.

An apparatus, system and method for providing a manufacturing gripping nozzle. The apparatus, system and method for gripping an in-process component during processing may include: a chuck; at least two walls extending from the chuck; at least two peripheral guides having a size and shape correspondent to a periphery of the component and placed atop the at least two walls distal from the chuck, wherein the at least two peripheral guides are capable of positionally maintaining the periphery during the processing; and at least one Bernoulli cup within a cavity bounded by the chuck, the at least two walls, and the component, wherein the at least one Bernoulli cup non-contactedly grips the component.

The present application provides a transfer device and a transfer method. The transfer device includes: a frame; a module transfer arm, arranged above the frame and with a number of at least one; a pre-inspection station, arranged on the frame at an initial placement position in a conveying direction of the module transfer arm, and configured to place thereon a target object to be inspected; a post-inspection station, arranged on the frame at a finish-placement position in the conveying direction of the module transfer arm, and configured to place thereon the target object after being inspected; an inspection station, respectively arranged on the frame and between the pre-inspection station and the post-inspection station, and configured to place thereon and inspect the target object; a feed mechanism.

A sensing manipulator of an articulated arm is disclosed. The sensing manipulator includes a compliant section and a movement detection system provided along a first direction of the compliant section such that movement of the compliant section along both the first direction and at least one direction transverse to said first direction, are detectable by the movement detection system.

An embodiment of the present invention simplifies the configuration of a suction positioning device. An embodiment of the present invention includes: an output rod (3) having an air discharge passage (11); a sleeve (4) which has a tapered outer circumferential surface (12) and is elastically deformable so as to have a reduced diameter; a transmission member (5) having a tapered inner circumferential surface (13); a plurality of balls (B) which are inserted between the tapered inner circumferential surface (13) and the tapered outer circumferential surface (12); and a suction pad (7) attached to the output rod (3) so as to communicate with the air discharge passage (11).

A component mounting system includes a head to revolve multiple suction nozzles in a circumferential direction, a lifting and lowering device configured to lift and lower a suction nozzle at a predetermined revolving position, a storage device configured to store any one of multiple pieces of directionality information in association with identification information of the suction nozzle, and a control device configured to acquire corresponding directionality information from the storage device based on the acquired identification information of the suction nozzle and to perform pickup of the component supplied from the component supply device at the spinning position in accordance with the directionality information.