Robotic disk handler system
US4735540A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 1986 |
| Grant date | Apr 5, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/138
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A robotic system includes a series of cassettes holding blank centrally apertured disks which are ejected in seriatim from each cassette and a plug inserted into the disk central aperture by manipulation of a robotic arm at that cassette position. Each disk is transported by the robotic arm and inserted into a series of disk-holding apertures in a carrier panel and, after processing of multiple disks in the panel, the processed disks are removed from the carrier panel by the robotic arm to a second cassette position where the plugs are removed from the processed disk and the plugs conveyed by a pair of robotic arms or by the robotic arm acting in conjunction with an auxiliary robotic arm for reinsertion into other blank disks. Sensors are provided for accurately positioning the robotic arm with respect to the position of the carrier panel to be loaded. The robotic arms may be programmed to tilt the grasped disk and plug with respect to the carrier panel to facilitate insertion or removal of the disks into the carrier panel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.