A transfer device includes a first parallel four-joint link mechanism in which base end portions of a pair of first links are rotatably connected to a first link base and distal end portions of the first links are rotatably connected to an intermediate link base, a second parallel four-joint link mechanism in which base end portions of a pair of second links are rotatably connected to the intermediate link base and distal end portions of the second links are rotatably connected to a second link base, and a belt transmission mechanism including a pair of first pulleys respectively connected to the first links, a second pulley connected to one of the second links, and a belt provided around the first pulleys and the second pulley. The belt transmission mechanism transmits a rotational driving force such that the first links and the second links rotate in opposite directions to each other.

A gripping unit grips a base having a thickness that is defined by an upper side and a lower side thereof and that conveys a product on the upper side. The gripping unit has a pair of first guides with corresponding guide surfaces in contact with the base. The guide surfaces extends as far as beneath the lower side of the base.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a base structure of a carrier on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels mounted to at least two motors to provide at least two wheel assemblies, the at least two wheel assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

A vacuum transfer apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a transfer robot, and a bellows. The vacuum chamber has a through-hole communicating with an outside. The transfer robot includes an arm unit disposed in the vacuum chamber to support a substrate, a support unit configured to support the arm unit while passing through the through-hole with a gap between the support unit and the through-hole, and a base unit disposed at the outside of the vacuum chamber to support the support unit. The bellows surrounds a periphery of the support unit and is sealed and attached to the arm unit and an inner wall of the vacuum chamber around the through-hole.

A substrate transport system comprises: a linear transport device configured to transport a substrate along a transport line; and a robot configured to receive the substrate from the linear transport device, load the substrate into a processing unit, unload the substrate from the processing unit, and deliver the substrate to the linear transport device, wherein the linear transport device comprises: a first moving body configured to move along the transport line; a second moving body configured to support the substrate; and a non-contact force generator configured to apply a non-contact force to the second moving body from the first moving body to cause the second moving body to follow movement of the first moving body while levitating, by the non-contact force, the second moving body with respect to the first moving body.

The present invention discloses a cell photographing and conveying apparatus, including a cell feeding workstation, a detection workstation, a manipulator and an image acquisition device. The manipulator transfers a cell from the cell feeding workstation to the detection workstation. The image acquisition device includes ultraviolet lamps, illumination lamps, and cameras, where the ultraviolet lamps are used for emitting ultraviolet light to the detection workstation. By means of the cell photographing and conveying apparatus, a relatively complete appearance image of the cell can be acquired, thus ensuring detection accuracy.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

A bin exchange system is disclosed that includes a plurality of automated carriers, each of which is adapted to be remotely movable on an array of track sections, at least one input station by which bins may be introduced to the array of track sections, at least one processing station in communication with the array of track sections wherein objects may be moved between bins, and at least one output station by which bins may be removed from the array of track sections.

Systems and methods capable of transferring items from a bin are described. A de-binning system includes an item transfer apparatus including a transfer conveyor configured to move a conveyor belt surface, and a bin sub-frame coupled to the transfer conveyor and configured to receive a bin. While an item-containing bin is secured to the bin sub-frame, the bin sub-frame and the transfer conveyor are inverted to transfer the items onto the transfer conveyor, which can move the items onto a second conveyor belt. Various aspects of the present systems and methods prevent damage to the surface of delicate items being transferred.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.