An apparatus for picking, placing, and forming a composite charge over a complex geometry tool comprises a first frame, a second frame, and a plurality of dynamic mechanisms. The first frame is formed from rigid material and includes a first frame member that forms at least a rectangular perimeter. The second frame is formed from flexible material and includes a second frame member that forms at least a rectangular perimeter. Each dynamic mechanism is connected to the first frame and the second frame and located along the perimeters of the first frame and the second frame. Each dynamic mechanism includes a length-variable component positioned between the first frame and the second frame, with at least a portion of the dynamic mechanisms configured to vary a length of the length-variable component for the second frame member to conform to the shape of the complex geometry tool.

Actuating an air conveyor device is disclosed, including: causing an airflow to be generated by an airflow generator of an air conveyor device, wherein the airflow generator is configured to cause the airflow to enter an intake port of the air conveyor device and exit from an outlet port of the air conveyor device in response to receiving air at an air input port of the air conveyor device; causing a target object to be captured by the air conveyor device using the airflow; activating a positioning actuator mechanism to position the air conveyor device; and causing the target object to be ejected from the air conveyor device.

A bidirectional air conveyor device is disclosed, including: a housing that includes an intake port and an outlet port; a first air input port; a first airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the first airflow generator is coupled to the first air input port; a second air input port; a second airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the second airflow generator is coupled to the second air input port; wherein the first airflow generator is configured to cause a first airflow to enter the intake port and exit the outlet port in response to a first supply of air to the first air input port; and wherein the second airflow generator is configured to cause a second airflow to enter the outlet port and exit the intake port in response to a second supply of air to the second air input port.

Systems and methods to manipulate stacks of silicon wafers and rings are described. In one aspect, a robotic actuator includes a robotic end effector that further a first surface having multiple attached wafer suction cups arranged to collectively grasp a silicon wafer. The robotic end effector also includes a second surface that further includes multiple attached ring suction cups arranged to collectively grasp a ring. The second surface also includes a bulk grabber positionable to grasp a collective stack of rings. The robotic actuator also includes an axial actuator configured to rotate the robotic end effector about a flip axis, such that either the first surface or the second surface faces vertically upwards.

A manipulator can includes a frame, a first deployable support element configured to extend or retract with respect to the frame when acted on by an actuator, a static support element fixedly connected with the frame and comprising a second set of retention elements, and any suitable number of additional deployable support elements. Each support element can further include a respective set of retention elements configured to retain an item. In use, a manipulator can be used to move items by identifying an item contact area of an item to be moved, selectively deploying or retracting the deployable support elements based on the item contact area, and then contacting and retaining the item with the retention elements of the selected support elements.

Tooling (100) for picking up two-dimensional workpieces comprises a main body (110) and a plurality of holding elements (131, 132) arranged on the main body (110), wherein the holding elements (131, 132) are movable relative to the main body (110) independently of one another. Each of the holding elements (131, 132) is fastened in an end region of an arm (121.1 . . . 10, 122.1 . . . 10). The arms (121, 122) are movable passively relative to the main body (110) along a linear movement path in a longitudinal extension of each particular arm (121, 122). The tooling (100) comprises, for each of the arms (121, 122) a fixing apparatus, by means of which a position of each particular arm (121, 122) along the movement path is fixable. On account of its passive character, the tooling (100) according to the invention is lightweight and can be produced cost-effectively. Compared with fixedly configured tooling, reduced costs arise on account of the configurability, because different types of tooling do not have to be kept available and provided. The storage area for replacement tooling is saved, and also an automatic tooling changing station or a manual tooling change become superfluous. As a result of the geometry according to the invention, the tooling (100) can be set easily, no complex movements and accordingly no complicated setting devices (for example multiaxial robots) are necessary.

A rotating cam device for a pick-up head with pick-up members arranged side by side and at a variable distance. The device extends along a horizontal axis an has a first cam and at least a second cam, which extend around the horizontal axis, are suitable to be engaged by tappet elements carried by a first and a second pick-up member, respectively, and at least partly have a sloped or spiral shape for causing a translation of the tappet elements parallel to the horizontal axis in response to a rotation of the first and second cams about the horizontal axis; the second cam is movable in respect to the first cam along the horizontal axis, at least when the device is installed in the pick-up head and rotates around the horizontal axis.

A robotic handling system includes a transfer chamber and a robot arm disposed within the transfer chamber with an end effector having a longitudinal axis. The end effector includes a first wafer pocket defined within the end effector at a first location and a second wafer pocket defined within the end effector at a second location along the longitudinal axis. A first chamber, coupled to the transfer chamber, is reachable by the first wafer pocket and by the second wafer pocket. A second chamber, coupled to the first chamber, where the first chamber is positioned between the transfer chamber and the second chamber, and the second chamber is reachable by the first wafer pocket but not the second wafer pocket.

A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.

An end effector includes suction pads and, a near support portion, and a far support portion. The suction pads have a suction surface that comes into contact with an article. The near support portion is arranged around an outer edge of the suction surface, comes into contact with the article, and supports the article. The far support portion is arranged at a position farther from the outer edge of the suction surface than the near support portion, comes into contact with the article, and supports the article.