Patent ID: 8505710

Claim:
A transfer system, comprising: a first assembly structure and a second assembly structure, two transport beams extending parallel to each other, side by side, and in a straight line between the first assembly structure and the second assembly structure, which, in a first type of motion, the two transport beams are moved towards each other in order to clamp a workpiece in position, which, in a second type of motion, the two transport beams are moved along their longitudinal extension in order to transport the fixedly clamped workpiece, and which, in a third type of motion, the two transport beams are raised in order to lift the fixedly clamped workpiece; a double-function motor with a shaft, the double-function motor effective to impart any of: rotation about a shaft longitudinal axis; translation to and from along the shaft longitudinal axis; and the rotation and the translation simultaneously while each is individually controlled, and a second motor, wherein the double-function motor is secured to one of assembly structures and linked to at least one of the transport beams such that the double-function motor effects two different types of motion of the three types of motion, wherein the rotation of the shaft effects one of the two different types of motion via a gear arrangement between the shaft and at least one of the transport beams, and wherein the translation of the shaft effects another of the two different types of motion via a connection between the shaft and at least one of the transport beams, and wherein the second motor is secured to one of the assembly structures and connected to at least one of the transport beams such that the second motor effects a remaining type of motion of the three types of motion.