METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING AND TRANSPORTING LIMP MATERIAL

摘要

The field of the invention relates to an automated system for selectively providing a limp material segment, e.g., fabric to a joining apparatus. Automated material manipulators often require manual assistance in transferring. The need for manual labor is reduced through the use of at least one picker actuation mechanism ("PAM") (10) for manipulating and transporting the segment. The PAM has an end effector (80) for picking up segment and an independently operably clamp (50) for holding the segment while the PAM itself is transported between work stations.