Patent ID: 7976263

Claim:
An object transfer system comprising: at least two object movement assemblies, each object movement assembly comprising: a support body; a linear x-movement mechanism coupled to the support body for linearly moving an end effector, wherein the end effector moves between a rest position and an extended position, the extended position reaching into an object station for handling an object in the object station; a rotating mechanism coupled to the support body, the rotating mechanism configured to rotate an object relative to the end effector when the end effector is at rest position; and an additional movement mechanism for moving the support body; and a controller for coordinating the at least two object movement assemblies so that the rotating mechanism rotates an object during the movements of the additional movement mechanisms of the at least two object assemblies, during the movements of the x-movement mechanism of the other object assembly, but not during the movement of the x-movement mechanism of the same object assembly.