The invention features a positioning device comprising a workpiece support platform having a planar upper surface, a plurality of linkages, a linkage support member, means connected to the linkage support member for engaging a rotary tool machine, and means for supporting the platform with the upper surface thereof perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary tool of the machine, each linkage being connected for pivotal motion about a first fixed axis relative to the platform and for pivo...

A linear guide is fastened onto a chassis of a positioner and an elongated bearer for positioning a head is guided at one end on the linear guide and extends transversely thereto. When the bearer is braked, inertial forces arise which cause elastic excursions of the bearer and set it into oscillation. A drive for the bearer is allocated to the end of the bearer opposite the linear guide. The drive is a linear motor containing an iron or core and produces a restoring torque when there is an angul...

A positioning device has a shuttle slidably and rotatably supported above a base assembly. A first linear motor moves the shuttle linearly in a first direction while the second and third linear motors move the shuttle linearly in a second direction, normal to the first direction. The second and third linear motors are separated along an axis in the first direction. The linear motors have magnetic arrays including rows of magnets or a checkerboard array of magnets and provide continuously variabl...

A positioning method and positioning system wherein a driving device, for moving a movable table on a rough-motion stage by a small amount, is alternately controlled through a pair of switchable control systems. The amounts by which the table is driven are initially adjusted to the same amounts by the pair of control systems when the paired control systems are switched.

A positioning system for moving an object to a target position is presented. In an embodiment, the system includes a first actuator configured to exert a force on the object in a first direction in response to a control current, the actuator having an actuator gain and the generated force being a function of the control current and the actuator gain, the actuator including a magnet configured to induce a magnetic field; and a coil arranged in the magnetic field, the magnet and the coil being mov...

This invention relates to a device for simultaneously centering a plurality of substrates, particularly semiconductor wafers W. A plurality of turntables 23 for supporting the semiconductor wafers W are arranged at a predetermined spacing in the vertical direction. All of the turntables 23 are driven by a single, common servo motor 28. Clutches 26 for each of the turntables 23 are disposed on rotational shafts 38a and 38b that are driven by the servo motor 28. A drive pulley 41 is attached to an...

A positioning device for determining the position of an object includes an anchoring surface, a first movable carriage on which the object is loaded and which has a means for suctioning onto the anchoring surface, a second movable carriage which has a drive assembly and which is connected with the first movable carriage as needed, and a connecting means which controls the connection of the first and second movable carriages. The first and second movable carriages are connected by the drive assem...

A positioning method that includes a step of moving a stage apparatus for supporting a workpiece or an object to be measured from an auxiliary mount to a positioning mount using a rolling guide extending from the positioning mount onto the auxiliary mount, a step of lifting the stage apparatus moved to the positioning mount using a lifting unit to extract the rolling guide, and a step of lowering the stage apparatus onto the positioning mount, from which the rolling guide is extracted, to cause ...

A positioning tool for use in placing a valve or removing a valve selectively from a mandrel in a tubing string includes an elongated cylindrical body member with an elongated plunger telescopically and nonrotatably arranged therein. Spring means abuts spaced shoulder means on the body member and elongated plunger to tend to urge the plunger and body member into abutting relationship adjacent their upper ends. A guide key is pivotally mounted on the body member by a shear pin and projects outwar...

A rail-car positioner comprises a carriage on a track running alongside and parallel to the train track and an elongate arm on the carriage is transversely displaceable to enter between a pair of coupled rail-cars of the train and connect the positioner drivingly to the train. The arm is extended substantially axially, from a retracted position on the carriage, in a preferably generally horizontal first direction to introduce an end of the arm between the pair of rail-cars, and said end is then ...