Workpiece transporter device with replaceable grip

A device for moving and positioning a workpiece which comprises:

• a housing;
• a magnet mounted in the housing for creating a magnetic field;
• an electrical coil for carrying a current, with the coil being disposed around a coil piston for movement within the magnetic field in response to current flow through the coil;
• a grip attached to the coil piston for movement therewith for moving and positioning the workpiece;
• means electrically connected with the coil for providing electrical current to generate very light and very precise forces to move the coil piston;
• and
• means for absorbing forces generated by interaction of the grip with the workpiece or another object.

A device for moving and positioning a workpiece comprising:

• a housing;
• a magnet mounted in the housing for generating a magnetic field;
• an electrical coil for carrying a current, with the coil being disposed around a coil piston for movement within the magnetic field in response to current flow through the coil;
• means electrically connected with the coil for providing the electrical current to generate very light and very precise forces to move the coil piston;
• an interface block attached to the coil piston for movement therewith;
• a grip removably attached to the interface block for movement with the coil piston for moving and positioning the workpiece;
• and
• a bushing mounted to the housing and with the grip placed through the housing such that forces generated by the interaction of the grip and workpiece or other objects are transmitted from the grip to the housing.