According to one embodiment, a holding mechanism includes a plurality of links, a first elastic body, and a second elastic body. The plurality of links are rotatably connected to one another at ends of the links. The first elastic body is disposed along the links. The second elastic body is interposed between adjacent links of the links so as to be along the first elastic body.

A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

An apparatus has a frame and a plurality of clamps connected to the frame. At least one of the clamps is movable to releasably clamp a sheet of material on the apparatus. The plurality of clamps are configured and located on the frame to be limited to clamp on the sheet of material at least two edges of the sheet of material.

An end effector is disclosed for an articulated arm. The end effector includes a valve assembly including a plurality of supply channels, each supply channel including a supply conduit, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the supply conduit, and a supply conduit plug. The supply conduit is in fluid communication with a vacuum source. During use, each supply conduit is either at vacuum such that the pressure within the supply conduit is substantially at a vacuum pressure, or is at a pressure that is substantially higher than vacuum pressure because the supply conduit plug has moved to block a portion of the supply conduit. The pressure sensor of each supply conduit provides a pressure sensor signal responsive to whether the pressure in the conduit is either substantially at vacuum or is at a pressure that is substantially higher than vacuum.

A transfer head for transferring micro element includes a cavity; a plurality of vacuum paths connected with the cavity respectively with valves configured at the connection between the cavity and the vacuum paths and used for opening/closing; a plurality of suction nozzles connected with the vacuum paths, wherein the suction nozzles hold or release the micro element via vacuum pressure; vacuum pressure is transmitted by each vacuum path; a switching component for controlling valve to open/close each vacuum path, so as to control the suction nozzles to hold or release required micro element via vacuum pressure. Further, the switching component includes a CMOS memory circuit and an address electrode array connected to the CMOS memory circuit to realize micro-switch array. The transfer head can selectively transfer a plurality of micro elements at one time.

A sorting system and a gripping tool thereof to be mounted on a handling device for handling pieces cut out from planar sheets are disclosed. The gripping tool includes: an engaging head interchangeably paired with an operating end of a displaceable handling device: an actuator mounted on the engaging head, including at least a first actuator unit; and attaching and coupling units having attaching and coupling devices, mounted on the engaging head. The attaching and coupling units are mounted on a frame including at least four rods articulated together through respective hinges arranged on a lying plane. The attaching and coupling devices are arranged on a plane parallel to the lying plane. The articulated frame being supported on the engaging head. The first actuator unit drives at least one of the rods of the articulated frame by rotation around at least one of the hinges on the lying plane.

A mounting head includes a first air passage and a second air passage through which air is capable of flowing; a first valve configured to switch air flowing through the first air passage between positive pressure and negative pressure; a second valve configured to switch air flowing through the second air passage between positive pressure and negative pressure; a common air passage configured to communicate with the tool, through which air to be supplied to the tool is capable of flowing; and a third valve configured to selectively cause the first air passage or the second air passage to communicate with the common air passage.

A system is disclosed for providing high flow vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a high flow vacuum source that provides an opening with an area of high flow vacuum at the end effector such that objects may be engaged while permitting substantial flow of air through the opening, and a load detection system for characterizing the load presented by the object.

The present invention provides a mounter air controller capable of executing appropriate air control associated with replacement of a nozzle without stopping operation of a mounter. This mounter air controller includes: a flow rate adjustment mechanism 4 mounted on a head module HM of the mounter; and control means 5 that controls this flow rate adjustment mechanism 4. The flow rate adjustment mechanism 4 is interposed between a positive-pressure region and a nozzle n and has a function capable of continuously changing a flow rate of passing air. The control means 5 is configured to bring the nozzle n to have a negative pressure and then control the flow rate in the flow rate adjustment mechanism 4 on the basis of an applied voltage or an applied current, which is determined in advance, so as to supply the air to the nozzle n.

An electronic component handler including a first holding section and a second holding section holding an electronic component by adsorption, a suction section giving the first holding section and the second holding section an adsorption force to adsorb the electronic component, a suction flow path, a first branch flow path, a second branch flow path, a first opening/closing section opening and closing the first branch flow path, a second opening/closing section opening and closing the second branch flow path, a first pressure measurement section measuring first pressure inside the first branch flow path, a second pressure measurement section measuring second pressure inside the second branch flow path, and a control section, in which the control section opens the first branch flow path by the first opening/closing section and causes the first holding section to adsorb the electronic component, and checks whether or not the first pressure is lower than preset pressure when the second branch flow path is opened by the second opening/closing section.