Importance

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Abstract

A processing station arranged in a vacuum chamber (2) for the coating of workpieces by a device, which loads or empties the workpieces through at least one opening set in the chamber wall (3,3',3') of the vacuum chamber(2) which can be closed off with a cover (14,14'). The loading/unloading device includes a vertically oriented shaft (42), on which a pusher part (26,26') is affixed, which primarily is movable by a lever mechanism through a push/pull connecting rod (40,40'). A gripping device (10,10';11'11') is arranged on the pusher part (26,26') for the transport of the workpieces. Through rotation of the shaft (42), the push/pull connecting rod (40,40') is radially moved between an open position (P.sub.2) of the cover (14,14') near the axle and a closed position (P.sub.1) of the cover (14,14') away from the axle. In the closed position (P.sub.2) of the cover, the gripping device projects completely into the vacuum chamber (2). For the loading of the vacuum chamber (2) with work pieces (8,8'), the pusher part (26,26') is next loaded with the workpieces (8) to be processed. Through subsequent rotation of the loaded pusher part (26,26') about the shaft (42), the pusher part (26,26') is brought in front of the opening (24) of the vacuum chamber (2). Next, the pusher part (26,26') is moved toward the opening by rotation of the shaft (42) in a radial direction, and is closed vacuum tight with the cover (14,14') connected to the pusher part (26,26').

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First Claim