Apparatus for precisely aligning a pair of elements

Apparatus for precisely aligning an intermediate section of a first element with a second element, which comprises:

• a pair of spaced side arms;
• a platen supported on and between an intermediate portion of the side arms;
• a pair of rotary drums mounted on the opposite ends of the side arms at opposite sides of the platen;
• the side arms, platen and rotary drums forming a platen assembly;
• the platen assembly being positioned in precise alignment with the second element;
• means for applying a vacuum through the rotary drums to grip portions of the first element on opposite sides of the intermediate section;
• means for rotating the rotary drums to move the first element between the drums and over the platen;
• means for controlling the rotary drums to position the intermediate section of the first element in general alignment with and over the platen;
• means for applying a vacuum through the platen to grip the generally aligned intermediate section of the first element;
• a plurality of linkages for moving the platen assembly;
• each linkage including:
• a linkage coupler formed with two spaced recesses having walls;
• a first shaft attached to the platen assembly and positioned within a first of the two recesses of the linkage coupler;
• a second shaft positioned within a second of the two recesses of the linkage coupler;
• and
• fixedly mounted means for rotating the second shaft in an eccentric motion whereby the eccentric motion is transmitted to the wall of the second recess to provide motion for the linkage coupler and, thereby, the platen assembly;
• and
• means for controlling the fixedly mounted rotating means to selectively move the linkage couplers and thereby the platen assembly to precisely align the intermediate section of the first element with the second element.

Apparatus for precisely aligning a first element with a second element, which comprises:

• means for gripping the first element;
• means for initially aligning the gripping means with the second element to establish a reference alignment where the aligning means includes:
• a plurality of windows formed in the gripping means;
• a plurality of light emitting devices corresponding in number to the plurality of windows;
• means for supporting the plurality of light emitting devices in precise alignment with the second element;
• a plurality of light sensitive devices corresponding in number to the plurality of windows;
• means for supporting the plurality of light sensing devices in precise alignment with the plurality of light emitting devices;
• and
• means for initially supporting the gripping means in a position whereat the plurality of windows are precisely aligned with the plurality of light emitting devices and the plurality of light sensing devices;
• means for moving the first element into general alignment with the gripping means where the first element is gripped by the gripping means;
• and
• means for moving the gripping means with respect to the reference alignment to align precisely the first element with the second element.

Apparatus for precisely aligning a first element with a second element, which comprises:

• means for gripping the first element;
• means for initially aligning the gripping means with the second element to establish a reference alignment;
• means for moving the first element into general alignment with the gripping means where the first element is gripped by the gripping means where the moving means includes:
• at least one window formed in the gripping means;
• a light sensitive device;
• means for supporting the gripping means so that the window thereof is alignable with the light sensitive device;
• a light emitting device;
• means for supporting the light emitting device in alignment with at least the light sensitive device;
• means for moving the first element relative to the gripping means to position the slot of the first element into general alignment with the window, light emitting device and the light sensitive device;
• and
• means, included with the light sensitive device, for controlling the first-element moving means to position the slot in general alignment with the window;
• and
• means for moving the gripping means with respect to the reference alignment to align precisely the first element with the second element.

Apparatus for precisely aligning a first element with a second element wherein the first element is formed with a plurality of precisely located slots, which comprises:

• means for gripping the first element;
• means for initially aligning the gripping means with the second element to establish a reference alignment;
• means for moving the first element into general alignment with the gripping means where the first element is gripped by the gripping means;
• and
• means for moving the gripping means with respect to the reference alignment to align precisely the first element with the second wherein the means for moving the gripping means includes:
• a plurality of windows formed at precise locations in the gripping means;
• a plurality of light emitting devices corresponding in number to the plurality of windows;
• means for supporting the plurality of light emitting devices in precise alignment with the second element;
• a plurality of light sensing devices corresponding in number to the plurality of windows;
• means for supporting the plurality of light sensing devices in precise alignment with the plurality of light emitting devices;
• and
• means, attached to the gripping means and responsive to the general alignment of the slots of the first element with the windows of the gripping means and the light emitting and light sensitive devices, for positioning the gripping means to precisely align the first element with the light emitting devices and thereby with the second element.