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| (Source: Samsung Electro-Mechanics) |
Samsung Electro-Mechanics and GSI (Global Systems Integration), a Cheonan-based equipment maker, have jointly filed three Korean patents covering PCB gripping and transfer devices. This marks the first collaboration between the two companies on a patent filing.
Between July and August 2024, the companies registered the following patents with the Korean Intellectual Property Office:
KR2693444 – "Vertical Type Gripping Apparatus"
KR2690933 – "Aligning and Gripping Apparatus for Workpiece"
KR2682658 – "Gripper Apparatus for Gripping a Substrate."
The three patents fall under a technology group focused on automated gripping and transfer systems used in PCB and semiconductor substrate handling equipment. Each invention describes a distinct mechanism for the gripping, alignment, and transfer of workpieces such as wafers or panels during post-processing operations.
The '444 patent details a thickness-adaptive transfer device that loads or unloads workpieces into baskets. The device automatically switches between upper-grip mode and upper-lower-grip mode depending on the substrate's thickness—gripping only the upper edges for thicker substrates and both upper and lower edges for thinner ones. The configuration ensures stable transfer regardless of substrate thickness.
The '933 patent discloses an alignment and gripping apparatus that positions a workpiece precisely before clamping it in place. It features fixed, elevating, and alignment members that hold the workpiece between upper and lower contact portions. The apparatus includes support rollers, ball supports, and stoppers for controlled transfer and discharge, enabling automated alignment and gripping of substrates.
The '658 patent introduces a rack-and-pinion driven mechanical gripper consisting of fixed and rotary gripping units. The rotary unit pivots toward the fixed unit to press and secure the front surface of the workpiece. The structure provides precise pressure control and positional accuracy, making it suitable as an end-effector for robotic automation systems.
By PatenTrip
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