US 12,330,884 B2
Automated workpiece inversion systems and related methods
Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, Cambridge (CA); Philip David Munroe, Cambridge (CA); James Mark McLean, Cambridge (CA); Robert James MacGregor, Cambridge (CA); David Andrew Tait, Cambridge (CA); Gustavo Barea, Cambridge (CA); and Roger Craig Hogan, Cambridge (CA)
Assigned to ATS CORPORATION, Cambridge (CA)
Filed by ATS CORPORATION, Cambridge (CA)
Filed on Mar. 18, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/607,933.
Application 18/607,933 is a continuation of application No. 17/697,627, filed on Mar. 17, 2022, granted, now 11,932,497.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/168,158, filed on Mar. 30, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0308783 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65G 47/248 (2006.01); B65G 47/90 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/248 (2013.01) [B65G 47/902 (2013.01); B65G 47/905 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0283 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of inverting workpieces in an automated mass production process, comprising:
a) advancing a carrier to a workpiece inversion station, the carrier holding at least one workpiece; and
b) operating at least one end effector of the workpiece inversion station to unload a respective workpiece from the carrier, invert the workpiece when unloaded, and load the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.