Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for precisely moving and positioning a manufacturing component includes a housing on which a magnet is mounted. An electrical coil is wound around a coil piston which is slidingly mounted on the housing for movement within the magnetic field generated by the magnet. A rod, having a member for gripping the component, is attached for translational movement with the coil piston, and a source of electrical current is connected to the coil which is wrapped around the coil piston. A pneumatic rotary actuator is mounted on the apparatus, and a coupling connects the rotary actuator to the grip for rotation of the grip as desired. A vacuum source can be connected to the grip to allow picking up a fragile workpiece. In the operation of the apparatus, a current is selectively passed through the coil. This current in the coil then moves the coil piston and the attached grip within the magnetic field to position the component as desired in translation. Also, the rotary actuator can be activated to move the grip in rotation as desired. Additionally, position sensors can be mounted on the apparatus to determine the location of the coil piston, and a controller can be incorporated in the apparatus to use this position determination for controlling movement of the coil piston and the attached grip in translation and rotation.

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First Claim