Device and methods for picking and placing hot 3D glass

A system for handling a glass article that is being transported to and from a thermal reforming apparatus, comprising:

• at least one robot;
• at least one input nest assembly, the input nest assembly including at least one input cross bar receiving frame, at least one input cross bar for inserting into the at least one input cross bar receiving frame and at least one compound angle nest frame for receiving the at least one input cross bar receiving frame, the at least one input cross bar receiving frame and at least one input cross bar comprising a polymer;
• an output nest assembly, the output nest assembly including at least one output cross bar receiving frame, at least one output cross bar for inserting into the at least one output cross bar receiving frame and another of the at least one compound angle nest frames for receiving the at least one output cross bar receiving frame, the at least one output cross bar receiving frame and at least one output cross bar comprising a heat resistant material;
• a manifold, the manifold having at least one connecting means for connecting the manifold to the robot, at least one adapter plate and at least one chamber;
• at least one wedge adapter plate;
• at least one compound angle adapter plate, the at least one compound angle adapter plate having a compound angle that corresponds to the at least one compound angle nest frame;
• at least one open pneumatic system, the at least one open pneumatic system adapted to apply a fluid pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure through the at least one chamber, creating a partial vacuum in the at least one chamber;
• at least one closed pneumatic system, the at least one closed pneumatic system adapted to apply another fluid pressure, the other fluid pressure including a positive fluid pressure greater than the ambient pressure and a negative fluid pressure less than the ambient pressure;
• at least one compliance assembly, the compliance assembly including at least one first portion in fluid communication with the at least one closed pneumatic system, and at least one second portion in fluid communication with the at least one open pneumatic system, the at least one first portion comprising a compliance device for accommodating a positional error between a target location and an actual location, at least a portion of the compliance device capable of at least three degrees of freedom, and the at least one second portion comprising a compliance device adapter for interfacing between the compliance device and at least one glass article, at least a portion of the compliance device adapter capable of at least three other degrees of freedom.