A method of repitching workpieces in an automated mass production system includes: (a) unloading a set of workpieces from a plurality of first retainers arranged at a first pitch, the unloading step including gripping of the workpieces by corresponding grippers of a repitch robot; (b) adjusting the workpieces from the first pitch to a second pitch different from the first pitch, the adjusting step including translating the grippers relative to each other from a first spacing corresponding to the first pitch to a second spacing corresponding to the second pitch; and (c) loading the workpieces into a plurality of corresponding second retainers arranged at the second pitch, the loading step including positioning and releasing the workpieces in the second retainers via the grippers.

A system for forming horizontally stacked groups of containers includes an infeed screw set, an orienting screw set, and a grouping mechanism. Containers are presented to the infeed screw in a vertical orientation, and are progressed from the infeed screw set to the orienting screw set via a transitioning pocket defined by overlapping pockets of the infeed and orienting screw sets. As containers are progressed through the orienting screw the containers are rotated via a series of orienting pockets to a horizontal orientation and progressed via a series of nesting pockets to form a series of horizontally nested containers. The series is discharged to a grouping mechanism which separates a predefined number of containers from the series to form a horizontally stacked group, which is outfed from the stacking system.

There is provided a technique capable of efficiently transporting a plurality of objects between a storage container configured to store the plurality of objects and a processing apparatus configured to collectively process the plurality of objects. A transport system 1 for transporting a plurality of objects between a storage container 9 configured to store the plurality of objects and a processing apparatus 2 configured to collectively process the plurality of objects held on a tray 8, includes: a mounting part 31 on which the storage container 9 is mounted; a stage 41 on which the plurality of objects are mounted; a tray support part 51 configured to support the tray 8; a first transport device 44 configured to transport the plurality of objects between the storage container 9 mounted on the mounting part 31 and the stage 41; and a second transport device 53 configured to transport the plurality of objects between the stage 41 and the tray 8 supported by the tray support part 51.

There is provided a technique capable of efficiently transporting a plurality of objects between a storage container configured to store the plurality of objects and a processing apparatus configured to collectively process the plurality of objects. A transport system 1 for transporting a plurality of objects between a storage container 9 configured to store the plurality of objects and a processing apparatus 2 configured to collectively process the plurality of objects held on a tray 8, includes: a mounting part 31 on which the storage container 9 is mounted; a stage 41 on which the plurality of objects are mounted; a tray support part 51 configured to support the tray 8; a first transport device 44 configured to transport the plurality of objects between the storage container 9 mounted on the mounting part 31 and the stage 41; and a second transport device 53 configured to transport the plurality of objects between the stage 41 and the tray 8 supported by the tray support part 51.

A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.

A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.

The present disclosure relates to instant beverage production equipment, including: a preparing device configured to prepare drinking ingredients of instant beverages in first cup bodies, or prepare drinking ingredients of instant beverages and add the prepared drinking ingredients into first cup bodies; a material adding device configured to add chewing ingredients of the instant beverages into second cup bodies, wherein one of the second cup bodies and the first cup bodies are selling cup bodies, and the other are non-selling cup bodies; a conveying device configured to pour the drinking ingredients or the chewing ingredients in the selling cup bodies into the non-selling cup bodies so that the drinking ingredients and the chewing ingredients are mixed into the instant beverages; a control device configured to coordinately control the preparing device, the material adding device and the conveying device.

The present disclosure relates to instant beverage production equipment, including: a preparing device configured to prepare drinking ingredients of instant beverages in first cup bodies, or prepare drinking ingredients of instant beverages and add the prepared drinking ingredients into first cup bodies; a material adding device configured to add chewing ingredients of the instant beverages into second cup bodies, wherein one of the second cup bodies and the first cup bodies are selling cup bodies, and the other are non-selling cup bodies; a conveying device configured to pour the drinking ingredients or the chewing ingredients in the selling cup bodies into the non-selling cup bodies so that the drinking ingredients and the chewing ingredients are mixed into the instant beverages; a control device configured to coordinately control the preparing device, the material adding device and the conveying device.

Apparatus and methods for flipping substrates in vacuum between PVD sputtering of each side for increasing throughput are provided herein. In some embodiments disclosed herein, a module of a processing system for flipping a substrate in vacuum is provided. The module includes a clamp assembly for securing the substrate, a first motor assembly coupled to the clamp assembly for rotating the clamp assembly, and a second motor assembly coupled to the first motor assembly for raising and lowering the first motor assembly and the clamp assembly.

Apparatus and methods for flipping substrates in vacuum between PVD sputtering of each side for increasing throughput are provided herein. In some embodiments disclosed herein, a module of a processing system for flipping a substrate in vacuum is provided. The module includes a clamp assembly for securing the substrate, a first motor assembly coupled to the clamp assembly for rotating the clamp assembly, and a second motor assembly coupled to the first motor assembly for raising and lowering the first motor assembly and the clamp assembly.