Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology, either as a sole modality of handling such materials or in concert with at least one mechanically actuated modality for the pick-up and release of materials, respectively.

Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology, either as a sole modality of handling such materials or in concert with vacuum for the pick up and release of materials, respectively.

The disclosure is directed to a method for producing a Fiber Metal Laminate component of an airplane, using a manipulator system with an end effector and a control, wherein at least one metal layer and at least one unhardened fiber layer are being stacked onto each other in a mould in a stacking sequence, wherein each stacking cycle comprises picking up a metal layer or a fiber layer from a supply stack according to the stacking sequence, transporting the layer to the mould, placement of the layer at a deposition surface in the mould and depositing the so placed layer onto the deposition surface. After being picked up from the supply stack and before being deposited onto the deposition surface the layer to be stacked can be deformed by the end effector as to adapt the form of the layer to the form of the deposition surface.

Multifunction end effector apparatus and methods for assembling thermoplastic composite articles are disclosed. An example apparatus for assembling a thermoplastic composite article includes a robot and an end effector coupled to the robot. The end effector includes a cutting head, a vacuum head, and a welding head.

Moving the substrates quickly, as well as applying a large pressure to the substrates are required. A pressing apparatus for pressing a plurality of substrates stacked on one another, includes: a first stage that supports the plurality of substrates; a second stage that can sandwich the plurality of substrates between the first stage and the second stage; a driving section that moves the first stage towards the second stage so as to sandwich the plurality of substrates; and a pressing section that, when the driving section has made the first stage reach a predetermined position, applies a pressing force to the first stage to press the plurality of substrates between the first stage and the second stage, where the driving section and the pressing section are arranged next to each other so that at least part of the driving section and the pressing section overlaps in the moving direction.

A multifunctional apparatus of automatic punching, laminating, tape-preparing and cutting for a tailing end of a coiled material and a method associated therewith are provided. The apparatus is provided with a winding device and the coiled material. The coiled material is wound on a rotating shaft of the winding device. A robotic arm is disposed above the winding device. One end of the robotic arm is mounted with a punching, tape-preparing and cutting mechanism, and the other end thereof is rotatably connected to a centering and deviating-correcting mechanism fixed on a winding diameter tracking mechanism. The robotic arm is driven by a motor or a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. The winding diameter tracking mechanism is slidably disposed on a rail of a rack. The apparatus and method can improve efficiencies of winding and jointing of coiled materials, and reduce production cost.

Automatic separation of substrates from spacers within a substrate/spacer stack or laminate for use during a hard disk recording media fabrication process. In one example, a delamination apparatus includes a roller or brush configured to rotate while pressing against a flat surface of a substrate at one end of the laminate to peel the substrate from the laminate to expose an adjacent spacer and to then rotate against a flat surface of the spacer to peel the spacer from the laminate to expose another substrate of the laminate. The apparatus also includes a pusher bar configured to push against the opposite end of the laminate to push the laminate against the roller. The pusher bar may be offset from a central longitudinal axis of the laminate. A bath may be provided for submerging the laminate, the pusher, and the roller in a lubricating liquid. Method embodiments are also described.

A lamination device includes an upper chamber accommodating a window, a lower chamber accommodating at least one display panel, at least one shaft penetrating the lower chamber, at least one alignment part aligning the at least one display panel and the window, and at least one sub-chamber disposed between the lower chamber and the at least one alignment part. At least one bellows surrounding a portion of the at least one shaft may be disposed in the at least one sub-chamber.

A method of manufacturing a composite laminate may include laying up bands of composite material in layers to form a composite layup. At least one layer may have at least one gap between an adjacent pair of bands. The gap may extend continuously along a lengthwise direction of the band. The gap in two or more of the layers may be fluidly interconnected and may form at least one breather path that opens to an exterior of the composite layup.

Provided is a device of bonding substrates together, which includes a first holding unit configured to vacuum-draw a first substrate and to adsorptively hold the first substrate on a lower surface thereof and a second holding unit installed below the first holding unit and configured to vacuum-draw a second substrate and to adsorptively hold the second substrate on an upper surface thereof. The second holding unit includes: a body portion configured to vacuum-draw the entire surface of the second substrate; a plurality of pins installed on the body portion and configured to make contact with a rear surface of the second substrate; and a support portion installed on the body portion at the outer side of the pins, the support portion having a reduced contact area over which the support portion makes contact with an outer peripheral portion of the second substrate.