A vacuum lifting device to facilitate the lifting and/or repositioning of an article having an external surface as set out herein comprises at least one pair of handles and a base having opposed first and second surfaces, the base having an aperture arranged through the base. The second surface is arranged is provided with a continuous sealing joint projecting downwards from the second surface defining an enclosed area which includes the aperture on the bottom surface of the base. The vacuum lifting device also comprises a suction conduit arranged to be connected to a vacuum generating member and configured to be in fluid connection with the second surface of the base through the aperture. The vacuum lifting device further comprises an extendable lifting member arranged between the at least one pair of handles and the first surface of the base, the lifting member is actuated by a lift actuating member for shifting the base in a vertical direction transferring said vacuum lifting device (10) between an extended and a compressed state. A method for using the vacuum lifting device is also disclosed.

A vacuum transfer device, which is arranged between a process chamber and a load lock chamber and transfers a substrate between the process chamber and the load lock chamber, includes a container, a transfer device, an exhaust device, a dew-point meter, and a control device. The container is connected to each of the process chamber and the load lock chamber via a gate valve. The transfer device is provided inside the container and transfers the substrate between the process chamber and the load lock chamber. The exhaust device exhausts a gas in the container. The dew-point meter measures a dew-point temperature of the gas in the container. The control device determines whether a process is ready to be executed, based on the dew-point temperature measured by the dew-point meter, and when the process is ready to be executed, notifies that fact to a user of the vacuum transfer device.

An object pick-up, transfer and placement apparatus which does not employ a source of negative pressure. A flexible bellow defines a collapsible interior chamber and a top through-bore in communication with atmospheric or greater pressure via a valve. The bellow collapses when contacting an object, and the valve is closed, preventing air from entering the interior chamber. When the apparatus is used to lift the object, the bellow expands, causing reduced pressure in the interior chamber, securing the object to the apparatus. To release the object, the valve is opened, allowing entry of air to the interior chamber, and release of the object. This invention prevents contamination on egg shell surfaces to become air-born and cross-contaminate the entire egg pack, equipment surfaces, floors and other facility surfaces which in turn creates a hazardous working environment.

A support frame for a handling device comprising a base body and at least two structural elements extending away from the base body, at least two structural elements being constructed similarly to each other in that they have at east the following common characteristics: a radial beam which is elongated and has a first end and a second end, the second end having a connecting section for connection to a pneumatically actuatable gripping element, a lattice wing which is integrally connected with the radial beam and runs between the first end of the radial beam and the second end of the radial beam, the lattice wing extending flatly away from the radial beam, wherein for each of the at least two structural elements the first end of the radial beam is integrally connected with the base body in a manner that the radial beam extends away from the base body.

Systems are provided for gripping one or more workpieces. A tooling system includes a plurality of grippers configured to engage and grip the workpieces. An arm is connected with each gripper. A lock releasably locks each arm in a number of positions, including a home position. A pneumatic circuit is coupled with the grippers. A valve is disposed in the pneumatic power supply circuit and is positionable in an open state and in a closed state. When the arm is moved to the home position, in response the valve is mechanically moved to the closed state, idling the gripper.

A gripping tool mountable on a robotic arm. The gripping tool includes one or more suction cups and a plurality of clamps. The one or more suction cups are oriented to adhere to a surface. The plurality of clamps are oriented to clamp onto opposite edges of the surface.

A gripper to grip a workpiece includes a body with a flat gripper surface. The gripper surface includes a plurality of openings that are distributed over the gripper surface, each of the openings connectable to a source of suction. At least one flow restrictor is located between the plurality of openings and a connector of the gripper to the source of suction to restrict the inflow through each opening of the plurality of openings. When the suction is applied to the plurality of openings and a part of the workpiece surface covers at least one opening of the plurality of openings and another of the openings remains uncovered, the suction force at the covered opening is sufficiently strong to grip the workpiece surface.

A vacuum holder for articles, a combination of a vacuum holder and an article, a system for holding and conveying articles, and a method for holding and conveying articles are disclosed. The vacuum holder includes a main body having a surface and an air passageway leading to the surface, and a valve joined to the main body and in fluid communication with the air passageway. The vacuum holder includes an extensible skirt gasket with an opening therein. An article can be placed adjacent to the surface of the main body, and a vacuum can be drawn through the air passageway to hold the article to the vacuum holder. The valve maintains the vacuum between the article and the vacuum holder without being connected to a vacuum source, until it is desired to release the article from the vacuum holder.

There is provided a gripper, a gripping device, and an industrial robot that can more reliably grip a workpiece without using a granular material. The gripper includes integrally: a palm portion; a plurality of finger portions protruding from a periphery of the palm portion and configured to fall toward the palm portion by deforming the palm portion in a thickness direction; a connecting portion formed in a position surrounding an outer edge of the palm portion on a side opposite to a side formed with the finger portions, the connecting portion connected to a case; and a high-strength portion provided between the palm portion and the connecting portion, the high-strength portion having a predetermined length from the outer edge of the palm portion in the thickness direction of the palm portion, and the high-strength portion being less likely to be deformed than the palm portion.

An end effector for a robotic arm. The end effector includes an angle compensator for attaching a suction cup, a vacuum control valve, a vacuum generator, a level compensator, and an extension tube which are sequentially connected along a central axis and in fluid communication, and a vacuum sensor connected to the vacuum control valve for measuring vacuum, a proximity sensor attached to the extension tube 121 for determining position of the level compensator. The vacuum is generated when compressed air passes the extension tube, the level compensator and the vacuum generator along the central axis. The level compensator provides compensation along the central axis.