The present invention concerns a device for handling flat elements for a printing machine (M), the device comprising a supporting structure (12) defining a supporting surface (14) and at least one arm (22) provided with pick-up means (24), configured to grip a flat element and to move it between the supporting surface (14) and loading and unloading positions and to turn said flat element over if necessary.

A turnover device, a substrate cell-assembling apparatus and a substrate cell-assembling method are provided. The turnover device comprises: a fixed support and a turnover platform connected with the fixed support by a first rotary shaft, the turnover platform having a first suction surface and a second suction surface which are oppositely arranged and are configured to suction a substrate; a second rotary shaft and a third rotary shaft, configured to respectively drive the first suction surface and the second suction surface to rotate in an in-plane direction, axial directions of the second rotary shaft and the third rotary shaft being basically perpendicular to that of the first rotary shaft. The turnover platform is configured to turn over the first suction surface and the second suction surface by the first rotary shaft.

A positional adjustment apparatus for an attractor includes a positioning plate disposable at least adjacent to a surface of a mold, at least one drive operatively connected to the positioning plate to move the positioning plate and alter at least one of a first height, a first angle of tilt, a first lateral position, and a rotational position of the positioning plate with respect to the surface of the mold, at least one positioner disposed in an opening through the positing plate, the positioner hanging from and being moveable independently of the positioning plate, at least one attractor connected to the at least one positioner, and a joint disposed between the positioner and the positioning plate, the joint permitting the at least one positioner to change at least one of a second height, a second angle of tilt, and a second lateral position with respect to the positioning plate.

A suction gripping device for picking up a plurality of substrates which are flat and flexible includes: a base body, which defines a plane; at least one gas suction vacuum module which is arranged on the base body and has at least one gas suction opening configured for withdrawing gas by suction and for generating a first vacuum so as to suction a respective one of the plurality of substrates against the suction gripping device; and at least one gas ejection vacuum module which is arranged on the base body and has a gas ejection opening configured for ejecting gas and for generating a second vacuum so as to suction the respective one of the plurality of substrates against the suction gripping device.

A gripping apparatus (and method) comprising a gripper base body and at least two lifting units arranged on the gripper base body, each comprising a lifting piston which is adjustable along a lifting axis between an axially retracted configuration and an axially extended configuration, wherein at least one lifting unit is designed as a gripping unit including a gripper which is coupled in terms of movement to the lifting piston for gripping the item, and wherein at least one lifting unit is designed as a compressing unit including a compressing element which is coupled in terms of movement to the lifting piston for exerting a pressure force on an item held by the gripper.

A suction cup gripping system has suction cup gripping devices each provided with a gripping suction cup having an internal cavity, a Venturi vacuum generator connectable to a compressed air line and connected to the internal cavity to generate therein a partial vacuum, a release valve connected to the internal cavity and operable to connect the internal cavity to an external environment or the compressed air line to eliminate the partial vacuum in the internal cavity, and a check valve interposed between Venturi vacuum generator and internal cavity. The gripping system includes a valve system connected to the Venturi vacuum generators and the release valves, a manifold connected to the internal cavities, a vacuum sensor connected to the manifold, and a control unit configured to control the valve system.

Disclosed is a lifting device and an electrode sheet transfer apparatus using the same. The lifting device is a device for lifting a sheet-shaped member, and includes a main suction plate configured to make surface contact with a central portion of the sheet-shaped member and adsorb the central portion; a sub suction plate configured to make surface contact with an edge portion of the sheet-shaped member located outside the central portion and adsorb the edge portion; and a lifting unit connected to the main suction plate and the sub suction plate respectively to raise or lower the main suction plate and the sub suction plate, wherein the lifting unit is configured to lift the main suction plate and the sub suction plate when the main suction plate and the sub suction plate adsorb the sheet-shaped member, so that the sub suction plate is raised before the main suction plate.

Disclosed is a lifting device and an electrode sheet transfer apparatus using the same. The lifting device is a device for lifting a sheet-shaped member, and includes a main suction plate configured to make surface contact with a central portion of the sheet-shaped member and adsorb the central portion; a sub suction plate configured to make surface contact with an edge portion of the sheet-shaped member located outside the central portion and adsorb the edge portion; and a lifting unit connected to the main suction plate and the sub suction plate respectively to raise or lower the main suction plate and the sub suction plate, wherein the lifting unit is configured to lift the main suction plate and the sub suction plate when the main suction plate and the sub suction plate adsorb the sheet-shaped member, so that the sub suction plate is raised before the main suction plate.