Patent ID: 8436560

Claim:
A system for actuating a dispensing device, the system comprising: an apparatus for holding and actuating the dispensing device, the apparatus including: a linear motor including a stator component and a forcer component providing a direct linear force; and a frame that orients the components of the linear motor relative to each other and relative to the dispensing device; the system further comprising: a controller configured to control the linear motor; and a device that interfaces with the controller and provides a user interface for control of the system, wherein the controller is configured to generate control signals that cause the apparatus to perform at least one actuation cycle specified by an operator through the user interface provided by the device that communicates with the controller, the at least one actuation cycle includes: an actuation phase during which an actuation force is applied by the forcer component to the dispensing device in a controlled manner; a release phase during which the actuation force applied to the dispensing device is removed such that the dispensing device moves from an actuated position to a staging position; and at least one of a velocity profile that specifies a velocity of at least one of an actuation and a release of the dispensing device, and a force profile that specifies an actuation force to be applied to the dispensing device.