An apparatus for picking up and positioning an item includes a vacuum assembly capable of applying a suction force to the item. The apparatus further includes an item engaging plate positioned adjacent the vacuum assembly in a first position for engaging with and picking the item. The engaging plate is moveable to a second position by one or more actuators that reduce a suction force experienced at the engaging plate to deposit or place the item. The one or more fans may additionally be controlled to limit a suction force generated during a disengagement operation where the item is being deposited or placed.

A substrate transfer apparatus includes: a body including a first surface to which a semiconductor substrate is suctioned and a second surface opposing the first surface, the first surface including a cavity disposed in a center region of the body and an attaching unit disposed on an edge of the body so as to surround the cavity and form negative pressure to suction the semiconductor substrate, and a connector connected to the second surface of the body and supporting the body, wherein the cavity includes a lower surface with at least one through hole penetrating the first and second surfaces of the body and connecting the cavity to an external space, and the cavity includes a side surface inclined at an angle of 2.9° to 5° with respect to the first surface at the edge of the body.

A robotic leg includes a hip, a first pulley attached to the hip and defining a first axis of rotation, a first leg portion having a first end portion and a second end portion, a second pulley rotatably coupled to the second end portion of the first leg portion and defining a second axis of rotation, a second leg portion having a first end portion and a second end portion, and a timing belt trained about the first pulley and the second pulley for synchronizing rotation of the first leg portion about the first axis of rotation and rotation of the second leg portion about the second axis of rotation. The first end portion of the first leg portion is rotatably coupled to the hip and configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation. The first end portion of the second leg portion is fixedly attached to the second pulley.

Various embodiments relate to magnetically moveable displacement devices or robotic devices. Particular embodiments provide systems and corresponding methods for magnetically moving multiple movable robots relative to one or more working surfaces of respective one or more work bodies, and for moving robots between the one or more work bodies via transfer devices. Robots can carry one or more objects among different locations, manipulate carried objects, and/or interact with their surroundings for particular functionality including but not limited to assembly, packaging, inspection, 3D printing, test, laboratory automation, etc. A mechanical link may be mounted on planar motion units such as said robots.

A robotic leg includes a hip, a first pulley attached to the hip and defining a first axis of rotation, a first leg portion having a first end portion and a second end portion, a second pulley rotatably coupled to the second end portion of the first leg portion and defining a second axis of rotation, a second leg portion having a first end portion and a second end portion, and a timing belt trained about the first pulley and the second pulley for synchronizing rotation of the first leg portion about the first axis of rotation and rotation of the second leg portion about the second axis of rotation. The first end portion of the first leg portion is rotatably coupled to the hip and configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation. The first end portion of the second leg portion is fixedly attached to the second pulley.

High precision end effectors for robots and adapters that provide attachment of the end effectors to a variety of robotic arms are disclosed. The combination provides for harmless break-away of the end effector on collision, and autonomous tool changer capability for mobile robots.

A substrate transfer apparatus includes: a body including a first surface to which a semiconductor substrate is suctioned and a second surface opposing the first surface, the first surface including a cavity disposed in a center region of the body and an attaching unit disposed on an edge of the body so as to surround the cavity and form negative pressure to suction the semiconductor substrate, and a connector connected to the second surface of the body and supporting the body, wherein the cavity includes a lower surface with at least one through hole penetrating the first and second surfaces of the body and connecting the cavity to an external space, and the cavity includes a side surface inclined at an angle of 2.9° to 5° with respect to the first surface at the edge of the body.

A processing apparatus includes a table base to which a jig table is removably secured, a cutting unit, a moving assembly for moving the table base between a processing area and a mounting/dismounting area, and a delivery assembly for delivering the jig table from a temporary rest area onto the table base while applying a negative pressure to a second suction channel of the jig table. The delivery assembly includes a pair of grippers for gripping both sides of the jig table, a suction pipe connected to the second suction channel of the jig table that is gripped by the grippers, and a lifting and lowering unit for positioning the suction pipe selectively in an operative position where the suction pipe is connected to the second suction channel and a lifted position where the suction pipe is spaced from the second suction channel.

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. The mechanically actuated modality in one embodiment is configured as a netting configured to be placed over a contact surface of an electroadhesive plate to facilitate the handling of an object.

A robotic system (100) for harvesting fruit (12) includes an end effector (102) with a conduit extending between an input port and an output port. A vacuum system (108) coupled to the end effector (102) provides suction to suck an object into the input port. A collection system (110) includes multiple channels that extend along a vertical axis and are positioned in series along a horizontal axis. A positioning system (104) moves the end effector (102) along the horizontal and/or vertical axes and extends the end effector (102) away from the collection system (110) to position the input port near an object (e.g., fruit). Responsive to the object being sucked into the conduit, the positioning system (104) moves the end effector (102) to position the output port at a selected channel of the multiple channels to allow the object to be dispensed into the selected channel The selected channel is closest to the end effector (102) along the horizontal axis.