Gripper mechanism (1) comprising a stator (2) and a pair of mobile grippers moveably coupled to the stator (2) via a linear bearing (8), the stator comprising a housing (4) and a permanent magnet (3) mounted within the housing (4), the mobile gripper (19) comprising a support portion (9), a coil (11) mounted on the support portion (9), and a gripper finger (10) coupled to the support portion (9), the coil (11) configured to generate a magnetic field in opposition to a magnetic field of the permanent magnet (3) to actuate displacement of the mobile gripper relative to the stator. The gripper mechanism further comprises at least one magnetic locking mechanism (7) comprising at least a first permanent magnet (18) mounted on one of the stator (2) and the mobile grippers (19), and a complementary soft magnetic material portion or magnet mounted on the other of the stator (2) and the mobile grippers (19) configured to magnetically lock the mobile grippers in at least one of a closed or opened position of the mobile grippers (19).

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.

An attachment module constructed to enable a vehicle charging robot to attach to a vehicle and to thereafter insert its charging connector into the vehicle's charging socket. Once the vehicle is charged and the charging connector is disconnected from the charging socket, the attachment module is further constructed to enable the robot to detach from the vehicle.

An attachment module constructed to enable a vehicle charging robot to attach to a vehicle and to thereafter insert its charging connector into the vehicle's charging socket. Once the vehicle is charged and the charging connector is disconnected from the charging socket, the attachment module is further constructed to enable the robot to detach from the vehicle.

A gripping module grips and moves objects and can be used on robots or automatic handling machines. The gripping module has a module carrier and at least two active elements, which can be displaced relative to one another and have gripping surfaces for gripping an object. At least one of the active elements is displaceable relative to the module carrier by a drive system. The drive system has an electric motor and an actuator element displaceable by an electromagnet. The electric motor and the actuator element are each kinematically coupled to the active element.

A robot assembly for transporting a substrate is presented. The robot assembly having a first arm and a second arm supported by a column, the first arm further having a first limb, the first limb having a first set of revolute joint/line pairs configured to provide translation and rotation of the distal most link of the first limb in the horizontal plane. The assembly further having a second arm further having a second limb, the second limb comprising a second set of revolute joint/link pairs configured to provide translation and rotation of a distalmost link of the second limb in the horizontal plane. The first limb and second limb further having proximal revolute joints having a common vertical axis of rotation and a proximal inner joint housed in a common housing. The assembly further having an actuator assembly coupled to the first set of revolute joint/link pairs and to the second set of revolute joint/link pairs to effect rotation and translation of the distalmost links of the first limb and the second limb, each of the first limb and the second limb defining, in conjunction with the actuator assembly, at least three degrees of freedom per limb, whereby the distalmost links of the first limb and the second limb are independently horizontally translatable for extension and retraction.

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 gripper device (16; 30; 56; 90; 120) which is designed so as to be movable along a movement path, and which serves for grasping and holding a workpiece (70) and for moving the workpiece along the movement path, with at least one first contact section (18; 38; 66) which, to produce an operative pairing with the workpiece that effects the gripping or holding action, can be driven relative to a second contact section (20; 40; 68), which first contact section is assigned actuator means (22; 44; 54; 128), which are designed to exert a drive force in reaction to the application of a magnetic field, and which are composed of a magnetic shape-memory alloy material, wherein the actuator means for magnetic interaction are formed, for the application of a magnetic field, with magnetic field generating means that are static at one position of the movement path (52; 80; 86; 88), and/or with magnetic field generating means that are provided so as to be movable independently of the gripper device.

A magnetic end effector utilizing a switchable Halbach array includes a pair of opposing members that can move towards and away from each other. The switchable Halbach arrays are located on or near the inner surface of the opposing members. A mechanical switching system is used to control the switchable Halbach arrays by moving one or more magnets that make up the switchable Halbach arrays. When manipulated in a certain way, the switchable Halbach arrays cause the opposing members to move towards each other, and when manipulate in a different manner, cause the opposing members to move away from each other.

A machine (10) to automatically transport, from and to one or more working stations (12), one or more components (11) to make a package, comprises a reference surface (13), with which electric energizing members (14) are associated to selectively generate one or more magnetic fields, and at least a pair of support members (15) each provided with magnetic means (16) configured to interact with the magnetic fields. The machine (10) comprises control means (17) configured to energize selectively and in a coordinated manner the electric energizing members (14) to cause the selective movement of each support member (15) from one point to another of the reference surface (13). Each support member (15) is also provided with respective gripping means (18) comprising at least one support arm (19), wherein the support arm (19) of the first support member (15) is configured to cooperate with the support arm (19) of the second support member (15) to selectively temporarily grip and support at least one or more components (11).