MULTI-CELL ROTARY END EFFECTOR MECHANISM

摘要

A rotary end effector for use for the high speed handling of workpieces, such as solar cells, is disclosed. The rotary end effector is capable of infinite rotation. The rotary end effector has a gripper bracket, capable of supporting a plurality of grippers, arranged in any configuration, such as a 4×1 linear array. Each gripper is in communication with a suction system, wherein, in some embodiments, each gripper can be selectively enabled and disabled. Provisions are also made to allow electrical components, such as proximity sensors, to be mounted on the rotating gripper bracket. In another embodiment, an end effector with multiple surfaces, each with a plurality of grippers, is used.