Computer controlled positioning of delicate objects with low-contact force interaction using a robot

A system of positioning an object using a computer-controlled positioning device, which comprises:

• a computer system comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to:
• identify a computer and a positioning device operatively associated with said computer via a control interface, said positioning device having a hollow interior chamber;
• identify a selected object located at a primary location within said hollow interior chamber and having a primary orientation with respect thereto;
• identify a first array of elements constructed and arranged to generate contact-free support forces sufficient to maintain the selected object at said primary location;
• identify a second array of elements constructed and arranged to provide contact-free interaction forces sufficient to move said selected object within said hollow interior chamber;
• and
• interact with said object, by said computer using said interface, to adjust at least one of either said supporting forces and said interaction forces to place said selected object into at least one of a secondary location or a secondary orientation;
• identify a movable sleeve having a sleeve interior chamber coaxial with said positioning device hollow interior chamber;
• move via said control interface said sleeve into an extended position with respect to said positioning device hollow interior chamber;
• and
• wherein said at least one of the secondary location or the secondary orientation is within said sleeve interior chamber.

A computer program product to position an object using a computer-controlled positioning device, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to:

• identify a computer and a positioning device operatively associated with said computer via a control interface, said positioning device having a hollow interior chamber;
• identify, using said computer, a selected object located at a primary location within said interior chamber and having a primary orientation with respect thereto;
• identify, using said computer, a first array of elements constructed and arranged to generate contact-free support forces sufficient to maintain the selected object at said primary location;
• identify, using said computer, a second array of elements constructed and arranged to provide contact-free interaction forces sufficient to move said selected object within said interior chamber;
• and
• interact, using said computer, with said object, by said computer using said interface, to adjust at least one of either said supporting forces and said interaction forces to place said selected object into at least one of a secondary location or a secondary orientation;
• identify, using said computer, a movable sleeve having a sleeve interior chamber coaxial with said positioning device interior chamber;
• move, using said computer, via said control interface said sleeve into an extended position with respect to said positioning device interior chamber;
• and
• wherein said at least one of the secondary location or the secondary orientation is within said sleeve interior chamber.