AND/OR COLLAPSIBLE PARTS

CLAI OF PRIORITY

[011 The present application claims ^' the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application 61/718, 58 filed on October 19, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in. its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

(02] Th present invention relates to devices., apparatuses, systems, and methods of handling parts using a vacuum. In particular th invention relates to lifting and moving parts that are in a for abSe state and/or have cells tha are easily collapsed,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ^'

[03] Many methods for handling formed parts that are in a solid state are known in the art. For example, the use of a vacuum for lifting parts Is known where a sealed space is formed over one or more generally small areas on a surface of the part being lifted, A strong vacuum is applied to the sealed space so that the entir part can b lifted, Other similar devices employ suction cups to small regions of the surface of the part being Sifted, When using these devices on parts having a tight dimensional tolerance, it is typically important that the part being lifted be ^' in a solid stale and is no in a formabfe state.

[04] When handling a part thai is in a formabfe stale, the movement of the part may result in changes or distortions to the part ^' from the forces exerted in lifting th part, in some parts, such as parts that have a generally solid profile {e.g., without cells), the thickness of the part may minimize any changes to the overall dimensions of the part, in other situations, the part is moved using a conveyor or other mechanism that supports the part by its bottom and does not Sift the part.

[OS] When handling delicate extruded parts, such as parts having a plurality of. cells, thin walls _. , or both, there is difficulty in lifting the parts while the material is in formable slate. When such parts are lifted using conventional methods, there may be a need for one or more finishing steps to remove Imperfections developed during th movement of the part and/or there may be need for design accommodations to compensate for possible deformation of the part. The difficulty In handling a part may be related to the state of the materia! in the part, one or more structural features of the part, or both. For example, parts that have not been sintered (i.e., pre- sintered parts) and/or parts that have not had binder removed (i.e., pre-debindere parts) may be in a formable state that creates difficulty; in lifting the part. An example of a part having structural features that may result in difficulty i handling the part is an extruded part having a cross-section with multiple rows and/or multiple ^' columns of open ceils that generally extend the lengtn of the extruoeo ar , suon as a pari navmg a generally' honeycomb cross^-sactlon, | ^" 06] There is an ^' ongoing need for devices, apparatuses, systems and methods for handling delicate parts that are in a jformabie: state. For example, there is a need for improved vacuum pickup assemblies for lifting such parts with reduced or even no visible deformation of the part.

[073 Additionally,, there is a need for vacuum pick up devices having one or more of the following features; ability to pick u parts that are collapsible; reduces ^' or eliminates the deformation of part; reduces or eliminates any witness marks; or ability to handle ceramic- parts that are in a wet and/or green state,

[08] The devices, apparatuses^ systems and methods according the teachings herein may advantageously be used for handling delicat parts that are in a forrnabie state. For example, when employed in lifting part that i in a formabie state, the improved vacuum pickup assemblies advantageously reduce or even eliminates any visible deformation of the part. The vacuum pick up devices according to the teachings herein may have one or any combination of the following features: capability- f reducing or eliminating the deformation of parts that are collapsible, capability of reducing o eliminating witness mark on parts, or capability of handling ceramic parts that are in a wet and/o? a green state. For example, the vacuum pick-up devices may be em ployed with parts thai are pre-sintered, _: pre-debindered, or both.

SUMMARY QF THE INVENTION

[G9] A first aspect of the invention is directed at an device for picking up a part comprising: a vacuum pickup device including a vacuum Sine for connecting with a vacuum; a plenum in fluid communication with the vacuum via a vacuum line, wherein the plenum ha a relatively small opening ^' for connecting with a: vacuum line and relatively large opening for spreading the vacuum: over a surface of the part; a -distributor plate sufficiently large for covering the relatively large opening of the plenum, wherein the distributor plate has opposing first and second surfaces wherein the first suriace faces the plenum and the second surface faces away from the plenum, wherein the second surface Is generally planar: and an open celled foam having opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the open cell foam is sufficiently large so that its first surface substantially or entirely covers the second surface of the distributor plate; wherein the open cell foam i sufficiently porous so that the second surface of the open cell foam and the -.vacuum -are in fluid - communication. The device may be particularly useful in ^' moving parts that are In a ^' formabie state.

£181 Another aspect of the invention is directed at a process for moving: a part using a device according to the teachings herein, the process comprising; a step of contacting the top surface of the part with the foam of a vacuum pick-u device; applying a sufficient vacuum to the plenum so that the gravitational force from the mass of the part i overcome by force of the vacuum; and lifting the pari by moving th vacuum pick-up device in the vertical direction. The part preferably Is in a formabie state. The part preferably is ah ext ^' ru ate, such as an extmdate naving a structure tnat snauues one or more cei!s extending the length -of the part. The. art is p efe ably moved while the part is In a formabie state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[11] FIG. 1 is a .eross-secflbna! view of an iiiustrative vacuum pick-up device,

[12] FIG, 2A is a drawing of a iiiustrative formabie part picked u by apparatus having vacuum pick-up device {shown in cross-sectional view) connected to a vacuum source: using a vacuum Una.

[13] FIG.2B is an iiiustrative cross-sectional view drawing showing features that may be employed in a vacuum pickup device,

[141 FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of an illustrative distributor plate.

[IS] FIG ^' . 4A is a top view of an illustrative distributor plate. FIG. 48 is a crass-secttonai view illustrating features of the distributor plate of FIG. 4A.

[16] FIG. $ is a front view of an illustrative vacuum pick-up device.

[17] FIG, 6A is a bottom view of an iiiustrative plenum.

[18] FIG. SB is an iiiustrative cross-saeiionai view of the plenum of FIG, 8A,

[19] FIG. 8G is another illustrative cross-sectional view of the plenum of FIG. 6A„

[2.0] FIQ, 7 is a. drawing showing llustrative features of a system for moving a part that is in a formabie state,

[21] FIG. 8 Is a drawing showing Iiiustrative features of a system for moving a part that is in a formabie state.

[2 _: 2] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a formabie part having one or more cells-;

[23] FIG. 10 is a perspective view ^' of a formabie part, such as an. extruded part, having a profile that includes a plurality of rows of cells, a plurality of columns of ceils, or both.

[24] FIG. 11 is perspective view of a formabie part having a generally uniform profile. As illustrated in FIG. 1 1. the profile may have a generally honeycomb structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[25] _. The explanations and ^' illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles,, and Its practical application. The specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustiv or limiting of the invention. The scope of the Invention should be determined not with reference to the above description:, but should instead be determined: with referenc to the appended claims, along with the fell scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The ^' disclosures of ail articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for ali purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are aiso hereby incorporated by reference into this written description. One or more as used herein means that at least one, or more than one,, of the recited components may be used as disclosed. (261 Definitions

[2.7] As used herein, a formabie state (e.g., an easily formabie state) Is a liquid stale, ;meR state, moidafete clay state, or other dough-like state capable of flowing under an applied shear force, capable of being extruded, or both. If the material Is in a li uid state, the zero shear viscosity {].¾.,: the viscosity obtained by extrapolation of the shear rate versus viscosity curve to a shear rate of sero) preferably is sufficientl high so that a farmed part is capable of generally maintaining its shape between the time of forming an ^'' ine.tirn© the materia! is no longer i a formabie state. While in a formabie state, the material preferably is extrudab!e (i.e., capable of being formed into a shape using an extrusion process),

(2$j As used herein, formabie part is a part that includes or consists essentially of ^" a material that is in a formabie state. The mass of materia! in a formabie state in the formabie par is preferably about 50 weight percent o more, more preferably about 80 weight percent or more, even more preferably about 95 weight percent or more, and most preferably about 99.5 weigh percent or more, based on the total weight of the formabie part. For example, the formabie part may consist entirely of material that i in a formabie state.

[29J The various aspects of the invention related to devices, systems and processes for moving parts that are in a formabie state using a vacuum to overcome the ^■ gravitational forces acting on the part being moved, A cuum pick-up device is employed for moving the part, such as by ifffing and/or by moving the part in one or more horizontal directions. The vacuum pick-up device according to the teachings herein ma have one or more of the following benefits: reduction and/or elimination in the -deformation of the part, reduction and/or elimination of witness mark on the part, or ability to maintain tighter tolerances in the part geometry, 30] The various aspects of the invention may be characterized by one or any combination of the "following features: the distributor plate is sufficiently rigid and the vacuum Is sufficiently strong so that the apparatus can: lift: up a formabie part having a low modulus a i: that is .formabie a id having a generally flat top surface and an inferior with a plurality of elongated ^■ ceils, substantially without changing the shape of the part; the second surface of the foam covers the entire fop surface of the part; the distributor piafe has about 20 or more perforations, and the ratio of the total area of the perforations to the: toiai area of the first surface of the plate is about 0.8 or less; the apparatus includes a conveyor for moving the part to be lifted from a previous stage of the process, for example, in a generally horizontal direction, and a movement device for initially moving the vaeeum pick-up device synchronously with the conveyor while ^' contacting the: foam with the part; the movement device is capable of moving vertical to lilt the part; moving faster than the conveyor in the horizontal -direction- while lifting the part; or both; the apparatus includes an extruder for extruding a mixture ^' including, consisting essentially of, or consisting entirely of one or more inorganic materials; about 35% or more of the atoms in ^' the part are oxygen atoms; the apparatus includes a die fo forming the part having a generally continuous profile Including an array of elongated cells; the apparatus includes a conveyor for conveying me extrudate away u m tm di¾, for example in the horizontal direction; the- apparatus is capable of lifting the part without leaving a witness mark,, without distorting: the shape of the part, or both; ,the apparatus includes a Valve or switch for controlling or otherwise regulating the level -of vacuum In the lenu ;: the movement device is capable of moving the part from the conveyor to a: predetermined location wherein each dimension of the part changes by about 4% or less while the part is moved; the extrudate includes, silicon atoms, aluminum atoms, or both; the process ^" includes a step of extruding a mixture - including one or more inorganic compounds through an extruder; the process includes a step of forming a profile by passing the mixture through a die; the process includes a step of convoying the extrudate. away from the die using a conveyor i the extrusio direction; the process includes a step of cutting the extrudate info a predetermined length using an ultrasonic knife,, a wire cutter, o both; the extrudate includes clay; or the extrudate has three or more rows of open cells including an uppermost ro of open cells and a top outer wall above the uppermost row of: open cells, wherein the step-of precufting the extrudate includes cuffing entirely through the top outer wall so that the uppermost row of Open cells is exposed; ail of the ceils of the part remain open after moving the part; or the extrudate part has a generally rectangular top surface with a width and length and the second surface of the open ceil foam has a width that Is greater than the width of the part, and a lengt that is greater than the length of the pari.

|_3:ij The apparatus for picking up the formable part (i.e.* the part including, consisting essentially of, or consisting entirely of formable material) includes a vacuum pick-up device for contacting -with the part to. be picked up. The vacuum pick-up device Is a device capable of distributing a vacuum over a surface of the part. The vacuum pick-up device generally is capable of distributing a sufficient vacuum ove the surface of the part so that gravitational forces are overcome and the part can be lifted. The vacuum pick-up device preferably employees a- vacuum that Is sufficiently low so that any defon-nation of the pad from the vacuum is reduced or eliminated,

[32] Preferably, the vacuum pick-up device is capable of lifting the part without leaving a witness mark, without distorting the shape of the part, or both.

|33j The vacuum pick-up device includes a porous layer for contacting a part to be picked u and a vacuum chamber tha is in fluid communication with the porous layer. The vacuum chamber may be formed b a distributor plate capable of distributing the vacuum to the porous layer and a plenum. The plenum may be capable of forming a cavity for the vacuum chamber. The distributor plat may be- generally interposed between the porous layer and the plenum.. The porous layer preferabl has a first surface for contacting a surface {i.e., the contacting surface) of the part to be moved and an opposing surface. The opposing surface of the porous layer may be used for contacting the distributor plate. The porous layer generally has a sufficient number of pores and are sufficiently open so that th opposing surfaces of the porous layer are in fluid communication. The distributor plate preferabl is connected to the plenum for creating a vacuum chamoer. H?r example, the distributor plate end the plenum may be seaiingiy connected. Preferably, the plenum and distribute' plate are seaiingiy joined er otherwise attached so that air does not fe into the vacuum chamber through the spaces between the plenum and the distributor plate. Optionally, the vacuum pick-up device includes a sealing component suc as a seat, gasket, adhesive, or other feature suitable for providing a ieak-proof seal between the plenum and the distributor plate. The distributor plate preferably has a sufficient number of openings so that the vacuum from the vacuum chamber is distributed over th contacting surface of the part, is distributed throughout the open pores of the porous layer, or both. The plenum ma include one or more vacuum receiving openings suitable: for connecting the vacuum chamber to a vacuum source.

[34J Th vacuum pick-up device may be used in an apparatus for picking up a part that is- in a fomiable state. The apparatus may include a vacuum pick device according to th teachings herein, one or more vacuum sources and one or more vacuum lines. The vacuum line preferably includes one or more passages for providing a fluid communication between the vacuum source and the vacuum chamber. The apparatus ma include a fluid control component suitable for controlling the level of vacuum: in the vacuum chamber. For example, the fluid control component may he a vaive that controls the fluid connection between the vacuum source and the vacuum chamber. If employed, the fluid control component may b located anywhere between the vacuum source, and the vacuum chamber of the plenum,

[35] The apparatus; may include one or more movement device suitable for moving the vacuum pick-Up device The movement device may he capable of moving e vacuum pick-u device in any direction. Fo example, the movement device may be capable of movement in a vertical direction and/Or in one or more horizontal directions.

[■36] The apparatus may be employed in picking up a formab!e part having a surface suitable for contacting with the vacuum pick-up device. The - forma le pari preferably is picked up solely by the vacuum forces exerted on the surface af the pad that contacts the porous layer of the vacuum pick-up device. As such, the vacuum forces may be greater than the gravitational force due to the mass of the part.

{37] The porous layer may have a deformed region that is deformed b the vacuum force acting on the part when the part is lifted. This deformed region typically deformed when the pick-up device contacts the pari and returns to an undeformed state when the part is released and the pick-up device is withdrawn from the art, it will be appreciated that the deformed region may be defined by the shape of the part, the positioning of the part relative to the porous layer, or both. When: the part is picked up, the thickness of the porous layer may be reduced in the deformed region compared with the thickness of the porous layer when it is not in contact with a formable part. The porous layer facing the part may have one or more non-deformed region that does not contact the part. The non-deformed regions may include one or more periphery regions. The periphery region preferably is not compressed by the formabl part. As suets, when moving toe part, e porous iayer, ma be characterised as hawing a non-deformed region (e.g., a periphery region) that is thicker than the porous layer in a deformed region. While moving toe forrnabfe part, the porous layer preferably is suficieniiy porous: so that air" can flow from outside the device, through at. least a portion of the porous layer and through at least on of the openings in the distributor plate. As such, the porou layer may allo fo limited leakage of air- into the vacuum chamber. Such leakage of ai into the vacuum chamber may reduce the level of vacuum in the vacuum ^' chambers thai any deformation of the deforrnabie part is reduced or eliminated

[38] When lifting the part, preferably one or more, or even all of the regions of the part thai is in fluid contact with the vacuum ^' from the vacuum chamber is not sealed. This differs from traditional uses of vacuum to pick-up objects wher a: vacuum seal is created so that a relatively high vacuum can be established. Such high vacuum could damage the cleformabie parts according; to the teachings herein.

[393 When the part is picked up, the vacuum is preferably distributed across (e.g., throughout) the surface of the pad that faces the porous layer. For example, the porous layer may contact substantially the entire upward facing surface of the part. B exposing a large portio of the surface area of th part thai faces the porous layer to the vacuum, it Is generally possible to use a lower level of vacuum to lift the part and thus the deformation of the part may be reduced or eliminated.

[401 According to the teachings herein, the vacuum is preferably distributed amongst plurality of openings In a distributor. Eac opening ha an area, and the sunt of ail of the opening area is the total opening area, Preferably the ratio of the area of the opening having the largest area to the total opening area is about 15% or less, more preferably about 10% or less, even more preferably about S% or less,, and most preferabl about 2% or less,

[41] Preferably the pick-up device avoids placing a compressive force on the formable part. Preferably, the pick-up device avoids placing a tensile force on the part other than the force counteracting the gravitational force. Preferably, the pick-up device avoid placing a shear force on the formable part. As such, there ma be little or even no change in the shape of the part, caused by th compressive forces from the pick-up device. Fo example, the part may have generally the same shape prior to being picked up and after being moved, by the apparatus. As used herein, a part having generally the same shape may have a width, and or height that i changed by less than +/- 5%, preferably less than */- 2%. more preferably less than +/- 1%, and most preferably *· · 0.5%.

[42] The plenum is a. component thai i capable of receiving connecting to a vacuum through a relatively small opening and providing that vacuum to a relatively large area. The plenum may he formed as a. single component or may include a plurality of subcomponents that are assembled into the plenum. The plenum includes on or more vacuum receiving openings suitable for connecting with a vacuum line. Preferably, the plenum includes a single vacuum receiving opening. The plenum has a vacuum dispensing opening for dispensing the vacuum over a large area. The ratio of the area of the vacuum dispensing opening to the vacuum receiving opening preferabiy Is sufficiently large so that loss of Vacuum and material needed for a vacuum line is reduced. For example the ratio of the area of the vacuum dispensing opening to the area of the vacuum receiving opening may be about 1.5 or more, about 4 or more, about 20 or more or about 100 or more, or about 300 or more. The vacuum dispensing openings may be employed to provide the vacuum to a larg surface area of a art ^' Typically, the ratio of the are of the vacuum dispensing opening to the area of the vacuum receiving opening of the plenum is about 10,000 or less, about 5,000 or less, or about 1.000 or less, However, area ratios greater than 10,000 may also be employed.

[43] T e lenum may have one or more .attachment features for attaching the plenum to the distributor plate so that a vacuum chamber is created by the two components. For example, the plenum may have one or more openings or holes for receiving a bolt, screw or other fastening component. A plenum may also be attached to a distributor plate using an a gasket, a sealing material, or other material suitable for seaJJngly attaching the two components. The plenum may have one or more attachment features for attaching the plenum to a movement device so that the vacuum pick-up device can he moved. The plenum should be sufficiently rigid so that if can maintain the vacuum in the vacuum chamber without the walls of the plenum collapsing.

{44} The vacuum pick-up device includes a distributor plate that provides the dual functions of distributing over a large region and providing a rigid support surface. It will be appreciated according to the teachings herein thai the surface of the distributor plate that faces a part to be picked up may preferably is conformed to the shape of the. surface of the part to which the vacuum pick-up device contacts.

|4S] The distributor p!ate openings should have a generall small dimension. For example the openings may be cylindrical openings (i.e., having a circular profile) having a diameter that i generally small. As another example, the openings may have a generally cubic shape with at least one dimension (e.g., at the part facing surface of the distributor plate} that is generally small. If the small dimension has a distance x _t then the distance between the center of the opening and a solid pari of the distributor plate will be about x/2. By keeping x/2 small it is possible to ensure that the surface of the part will be directly supported b the distributor plate Or will rest close to the distributor plate.- The openings preferabiy have a dimension, x, that is about 15 mm or less, more preferabiy about 10 mm or less, even more preferably about 5 mm or less, even more preferably about 2 mm or less, and most preferabl about 1 mm or less, The openings preferabi have a dimension (e.g.. a diameter), x, sufficiently !arge so that the openings do not get plugged during use. For example the openings preferably have a dimension (e.g., a diameter), x, that is about 0.006 mm or more, mors preferabiy about 0,05 mm or more, and most preferably about 0.1 mm or more.

[46] The distributor plate may hav a first surface that faces a part, and: an opposing second surface thai faces away from the part. The _. second surface may ism towards, the pl num, face towards the vacuum chamber formed by the distributor plate and the plenum, or both. The openings In the distributor plate generally extend from, the first surface to the opposing second surface. The size of an opening at. the first surface may fee smaller than, the same size as, or greater than the opening at the second surface. The distributor plate preferably has one or more opening regions Including openings distributed throughout the region. For example ail of the Openings may be In a single opening .region: that is generally contiguous* ^' The - distributor piate may optionally include one or more generally solid regions that are generally free of openings for providing a fluid communication with the vacuum chamber. Preferably, on or more of (e.g., all of) the generally solid regions, are positioned along the external periphery Of the surface,

[47] The spacing between adjacent. openings preferably is small so that a large surface of the part is exposed to the vacuum. For example, the ratio of the distance between -adjacent, openings (e.g., as measured from the center of the two openings) to the opening dimension x {e.g., as measured by the diameter of an opening}, , preferably is about 30 or less, more preferably about 10 or less, even more preferably about.4 or less, even more preferably about 2 or less, and most preferably about; 1.6 or less. The spacing between adjacent openings should he sufficiently large so- that the distributor plate Is durable, so that the distributor plate does not cut into the surface of the part, or .both. For example the ratio f¾, may be about 1,1 or more about 1 ,2 or more, about 1 ,3 or more, or about 1.4 or more,

[48] The portion of the distributor plate that is above part being moved: will have a first area. fraciion that is a rigid material for supporting the plate and a second area fraction that is openings for providing the vacuum to the surface of the part, The first: area fraction should be sufficientl high so that the part Is supported by the distributor plate and the porous layer between the distributor plate and the part, For example, the area fraction of the. first area may be about 10%- or more, about 20%- or more, about 30% or more, about 40% or. more, about

S0% or more, or about 60% or more. The second area fraction should be sufficiently high so that th vacuum can generally be dispersed through the porous- layer. For example, the second area fraction may be about 3% or more, about 8% o more, about 18 % or more, about 23% or more, or about 31% or more. The number of openings in the distributor plate for providing a vacuum -to the surface of the part should be- sufficientl large so that the part ca be picked up.

For example, the number of such openings may be about 5 or more, about 10 or more, about

20 or more, about 100 or more, or about S00 or more,. The concentration of openings (in units of openings per square centimeter) may be about 0.01 or more, about 0.1 or more, about 1.0 or more or about 3.0 or more. Preferably any region that contains 1-0 or more openings has a large fraction of that region that is open. For example the ratio of the total area of the openings to the totai area of the region bounded by the outermost openings preferably is about 0.03 or more, more preferably about 0. OS or more,, even more preferably about 0,16 or more, even more a preferably about 0 23 or more, and most preferably about 0.31 or more. The ratio of the total area of the openings to the total area of the region bounded by the outermost openings preferably is about 0.8 or less, more preferably about 0.68 or less, and most preferably about 0,5 _. or less. Some o ail of the openings in the distributor plate for providing the vacuum to the part are preferably characterized as being evenly spaced, distributed over an entir region, or both. The distributor plate may include a plurality of openings for providing a fluid connection between a vacuum chamber and a porous layer, one or mare connection features, and a solid region that is generally free of the openings. The distributor plate may include one or .more sealing features fo reducing or eliminating leakage between the distributor plate and the plenum. For example, the distributor plate may include one or more channels channel (e.g., a groove). The channel may be suitable for receiving a portion of a wall of a plenum, for receiving a sealing material, or both, The channel, if employed, preferably is on the second surface of the distributor plate (i.e., the surface that faces towards the plenum). Th distributor plate may include one or more connection features. A connection feature may foe employed for connecting the distributor plate to another component, such as to a plenum. The connection feature may be sized or otherwise configured for receiving a screw, a belt, or other fastener. The connection feature may include a hole that extends partly or entirely through the plate. The connection may include a hole that .is threaded or unthreaded. Any connection feature preferably is positioned and designed so thai when used with a fastener for connecting the distributor plate, the connection feature and the fastener do not contact the formable part being moved, in addition to or as an alternative to the aforementioned connection features, the distributor plate and the plenum ma be attached using a snap fit, and adhesive, a sealant, a gasket, or any eomPaintafion thereof. The distributor plate should be sufficiently rigid so that the surfaces of the distributor plate maintain a generally constan shape during use. For example, the surface may maintain a generally constant shape within a single cycling of lifting and dismounting a part, over many cycles of such use, or both. Preferabl , the distributor plate is sufficiently rigid so that any bending under the forces that if encounters (including contacting with a part and forces from the vacuum) are reduced or eliminated.

{49) The second surface of the distributor plate may have any shape. The second surface of the distributor plate may be generally planar, or may be non-planar. Preferably the surface is contoured to match the contour of the fop surface of the part being lifted. By way of example, the part being lifted may have a generally semicircular cross-section with the arcuate surface facing upward, and the distributor plate may have a shape that allows the part to nest with the distributor plate, it will be appreciated that the distance between the pad and the distributor plate may be generally uniform. Preferably, the standard deviation of the distance between the pari and the distributor plate is about 10 mm or less, more preferably about 5 mm or less, even mor preferably about 3 mm or iess, even more preferably about 2 mm or less, and most preferably about 1 mm or less, in a particularly preferred vacuum pick-up device, both the distributor plate and the surface- or the part n ve generally planar surfaces.

[50] The plenum and the- distributor plate may be attached or otherwise combine to form a chamber. For example, the distributor plate and the plenum may be sealing! ¹ / attached around a periphery f one or both components. The distributor plate may cover the relatively large opening of the plenum for forming a chamber. The■ ^■ chamber may be a vacuum chamber which is at least partially evacuated using a vacuum source. The attachment bet een th plenum and distributor may be by any means. For example, they may be attached using an adhesive, a: brazing, one or more mechanical fastener, or any combination thereof. The plenum and distributor plate preferably are sealing! ⁴ / attached so that vacuum does not leak out of the vacuum chamber throug a space between the planum and the distributor,

[51 j The apparatus may employ a porous material to furthe distribute the vacuum along the surface. The porous material has a surface that contacts the part. The porous materia! preferably has a generally low modulus so that it can deform to accommodate the surface of the part. Preferably the modulus of the porous material Is lower than the modulus of the malleable part. The porous ^' materia! may be a foamed material, an elastic material, or both. As used herein, an elastic materia! is a material having a tension se of about 20% or less after being stretched to an elongation of 100% for 10 minutes with the set being measured after allowing the materia! to relax for 10 minutes, ail tested at room temperature. Preferably, the porous material is a foamed material including open cells. The foam prefera!by includes a, sufficient: number of open cells i.e,. is: sufficiently porous) so that the opposing surfaces of the foam are in fluid communication through the foam. The porous layer preferably is sufficiently thick so that if can cushion the part, For example, the porous layer may be sufficiently thick so that it can accommodate any differences between the contour of the part and the contour of the surface of the distributor plate that faces the part. The porous -.layer preferably Is sufficiently porous so that there is not significant constriction of th pores when the part is pressed against the porous materia! by the vacuum:. For example, the percentage of the pores that become constricted may be about 80% or less, about 40% or less, about 25% or less, about 10% or less, about &% or less, or about 2 % or less. The percentage of the pore that become constricted may be about 0% or more, about 0.5% or more, or about 1% or more. The porous layer preferably has a generally large surface area for contacting the part so that a large portion of a surface of the- art contacts the porous layer. The porous layer may have a surfac area, Ai, facing a part and the part may have a top having a surface area A;?. Preferably the ratio of Aj A;.; is generall large. For example, the ratio of h^A? may be about 0,5 or more, about 0,? or more, about 0.8 or more, about 0.9 o more, or about 1.0 or more, it will be appreciated that the ratio Α-, Aa may he greater than 1.0, such as about 1 ,0 or more, or about ^' 1.05 ^' or more. Th ratio Ai Aa preferably is sufficiently low so that the amount of vacuum that is leaked is not overly burdensome on the vacuum source. Preferably A _t /Aa is about 2.0 or less so,, more preferably about 1.4 or less, even more preferably about 1.1 or less, and most preferably- about 1.0§. I wili be appreciated t ai a ratio t. A As iess tnan i.O may be employed so that there Is substantially no . overlap of the porous laye and thus minimal leakage of the vacuum. Nevertheless, some leakage of the vacuum is typiealiy preferred so thai an air tigh seal between the part and the pick-up device is avoided. Thi is distinguishing from, prior art devices thai form tight seal such as a suction sea! fo Iifting a part. Such a seal ^' could permanentiy deform a part that is n forrnabSe state, and may result in parts that are out of tolerance. Preferably the porous layer contacts the top surface of the part. As such, the porous layer may be the bottom layer of vacuum pick-up device. The system may includ a vacuum source. The vacuum source preferably provides a sufficient vacuum to the vacuum _. pick-up device for picking up the part wit only the vacuum feme between the device and the part to overcome the ^■■ gravitational force on the part. Any known vacuum source may be employed. By way of examples, the vacuum sources may include a vacuum pump, a venturi pump, or both. The level of vacuum in. the vacuum chamber of the vacuum pick-up device should be sufficiently high so that the part can fee lifted. For example, the vacuum in the vacuum chamber whil iifting the part, while moving the part, or both, may be about 0,1 mm Hg or more, about 0,5 mm Hg or more* about 1 mm Hg or more, or about 2 mm Hg or more. The level of vacuum In the vacuum chamber of the vacuum piok-up device should be sufficiently low so that witness marks or other deformation of the surface of the part is avoided. For example, the level of vacuum in the vacuum chamber while iifting the part, while moving the part, or both, may be .about 300 mm Hg or less, about 200. mm Hg or less,, about- 100 mm Hg or less, about 50 mm Hg or less, about 30 mm Hg o less, about 20 mm Hg Or less, about 10 mm Hg or less, or about 5 mm Hg or less.

52] The vacuum in the vacuum chamber white iifting the pari,, while moving the- part, or both, preferably is only slightly greater than the amount necessary to overcome the gravitational forces of the part.. The part may have a mass, m, and the gravitational force on the part may be mg. During iifting of the part, the vacuum forces on the part raay fee F . Preferably the ratio of the vacuum force to th gravitational force (i.e., / gj is generally low, but greater than unity. For example, the ratio F* mg is about 100 or less, more preferably about 50 or. less, even more preferably about 10 or less, even more preferably ^' about 5 or less, even more preferably about ¾ or less, even more preferably about 2 or less, and most preferably about 1 J or less. The ratio F _v - 1 mg preferably is about 1.01 or more, more preferably about 1.05 or more, and most preferably about 1.1 or more:. The system may include one o more vacuum lines for providing the vacuum to the vacuum pick-up device. The vacuum line may provide a fluid communication between the vacuum chamber of the vacuum pick-up device and the vacuum source. Some or ail of the vacuum line may be flexible so that a fluid connection is maintained even when the vacuum pick-u device i being moved. The system ma Include one or mor : valve or controllers for controlling the vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum pick-up device. The controller maylneSude one or mor sensors for measuring a pressure, such as a pressure in the vacuum chamber. Trie controller may control one or more valves or switches so that the vacuum is increased, mainteiRecl, or decreased. The controller may increase the vacuum. {le., decrease the pressure) in the vacuum chamber for contacting and engaging the part, so thai it ca tie lifted- The eontro&r may decrease the vacuum for disengaging or releasing the part. The system may include a vacuum release mechanism for reducing the vacuum in the vacuum chamber for disengaging the part from the vacuum pick-up device. The system may include one or more valves. For example a valve may be employed to control the acuum ^: between the vacuum sourc and the vacuum pick-up device, valve may be employe for controlling the vacuum release mechanism.

ISZ] The system ma Include a movement device suitable for moving the vacuum pick-up device. The movemen device ma move the psek-u device to a position for contacting a surface of a part. The movement device may be capable of maintaining the pick-up device in a fixed location relative to a moving pa rt For example,; the movement device may he capable of moving the pick-up device synchronously with an extruded part being conveyed away from an extruder. The movement device may be capable of lifting the pick-up device in a generally upward vertical movement for placing the lifting a part. The movement device may .be capable of moving the pick-up device to a station for placing the part. The movement device may he capable of a downward vertical movement for lowering the part onto a substrate in the station. It will be appreciated that the Station may be employed for storing a plurality of parts. As such, tie movement device may be capable of remembering or otherwise Identifying the locations of other parts and/or available positions for placing a part. It should be noted that other directions of movement may be needed. For example, the movement device may move the part in a perpendicular direction, the movement device may move the part to a conveyor, the movement device may move the part to an apparatu for performing a secondary- operation, -of any combination thereof, A step of de-bindering (e.g., an initial step of debindering) the part may be performed after moving the part with the movement: device, A step of sintering (e.g., and initial step of sintering) may be performed after moving the pari with the movement device. The movement device may be any known device suitable for moving the pick-up device in the directions necessary to relocate- (I.e. , reposition) the part. The movement device may be capable of Identifying: the location of the part to be relocated. The movement device may he capable of from 2 to 8 axis of movements. As the extrudafe is generally moving axSaily awa from the extruder die, ft Is preferred that the device is capable of 3 or more axis of movement. Devices capable of greater than 2 axis of movement may al!ow for contacting a moving part, lifting of the part, and repositioning of the part. Exemplar devices include robots, pneumatically-actuated slides, linear motion systems, rotary motion systems, and the like. The device may be pneumatic, hydraulic and electromechanical driven motion systems.

[54] When contacting the vacuum pick-up device with a part that is moving on a conveyor, if is preferred that the movement device Is causing the vacuum pick-up device to move synchronously with the part. After the part is contacted and during the intitial lifting of the par away mam me conveyor, i - movement aevice preferably moves the part in the direction of the conveyor a the same rate or at a faster rate than the conveyor.

[S5] The apparatus or system may include one or more positioning controllers ^, for 'Controlling in© position of the vacuum pick-up device. For example, the controi!er may control the posfen of the vacuum pick-up device relative to a moving: workpiece (e.g., a formable part). The positioning controller may include one or more activators or sensors for determining whether the pick-up device is properly located with respect to the workpiece. The positioning controller may include one or more activators or sensors for detemiining when a step of contacting the prick-up device with the workpiece should bo performed. Th positioning controller may include one or more activators or sensors for determining that the workpiece can be lifted. For example., ^■ the controller may monitor the vacuum level to ensure that there is sufficient vacuum for lifting the workpiece. The positioning controlle ma control one or any combination of the following: the start of a step of lifting a workplace, the motion of the vacuum pick-up device while the part is being moved, the motion of the moveable pick-up device when the part is being released from the vacuum pick-up device, or the motion of the vacuum pick-up device after releasing the workplace.

58;| The devices, apparatus, systems, and methods according to the teachings herein may be employed in moving a part (e.g.. an extruded part) having a cross-section that is solid or a eross-seetion having one or more cells. As discussed hereinbefore, the part preferably is In a formable- state. Preferred parts are extrude parts ^' or otherwis formed parts have a cross- section in the trans erse direction with one or more openings. For example, the part ma have a generally uniform profile, may have one or mors open cells extending the length of the part, or both. The part will generally be supported _. by a substrate, such as a ^' stationary substrate or a moving substrate prior ½ being moved. For example, the part may be supported by moving substrate such as a conveyor belt. The part may have a cell (e.g.. an open cell) ^{' '} With one or- more wails that surround some of, or ail of the cell. For example, the pari may have One o more side wails e;g„ generally vertical side walls), a top wall (e,g, _: : a generally horizontal top wall), a bottom wall (e.g., a generally hohionfal fop wall, or any combination thereof. The ceil may be surrounded by any number of wails. An open ceil is open on on or more sides. For example, the open ceil my be open on the front side of the cell, on the back side of the cell, or preferably both. The part may have a ceii surrounded by single wall. For example the pail may have a generally cylindrical open cell surrounded by a single wail. The part may have a ceii surrounded b a plurality- of walls. For example,, the part may have two o more, three or more, four or more, or six or more wails. Walls that are curved (such as a single wall in a cylindrical opening) may be characterized as having regions thai are generally horizontal (e.g,, having a slope of less than 25 ^* } and regions that are generally vertical (e.g.., having a slope of at least 26 ^' *}» As used herein, a vertical wall may be a vertical region of a curved wail, a horizontal waii may be a horizontal region of a curved wall, or both. A wall may be characterized as having a thickness which is uniform or which may vary.

[ST] When moving the part with the pick-up device, the direction of initial movement may be in any direction. For example, the direction of movement may be include an lifting of the part in the vertical direction. The direction of Initial rfroyemeni of the part by a pick-up device may foe in th thickness direction of one of the walls, such as a top wall. The part ma fee moved by contacting a vacuum pick-up device to an outer surface of one or more walls. Preferably, the vacuum, pick-up devics contacts the top wall of the part. The top wall ma be supported by on or more wails support wails. The width of the top wall may be generally large, the thickness of a. support wall may be generall low, or both, so that particular care must be taken to prevent collapse or other deformation of the opening when contacting the part with the pick-up device, when applying a vacuum to the surface of the fop wall, and when moving the part, The part ma have a top surface that is planar, arcuate, or both. Preferred parts have a generally planar top surface. The part: may have bottom surface that is planar, arcuate, or both. Preferred parts have a generally planar bottom surface.

[58] Particular benefits of are obtained han the part has a cross-section that includes a plurality of cells that extend the length of the part {e.g., the length of the extrudate). Lifting and moving of formable parts having a large number of cells may fo accomplished using the devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods according to the teachings herein. For example the exirudate may have a out 2 o more, about 8 or more, about 12 or more, about 2.0 or more, about 30 or more, or about 80 or more cells. The cells may be arranged in a regular pattern or may be irregularly arranged. For example, the cells may be arranged in an array including one or more rows, and one or more columns, The number of rows preferably is 2 or more, 4 or more, or 7 or more. The number of columns preferably i 2 or more, 4 or more, or 7 or more. The repeating pattern may include an number of ceils. For example, the cross-section may have a repeating pattern with a single cell, or a repeating pattern wit two or more cells. The part (e.g., the extrudate} preferably is characterized as having a plurality of ceils including a first row of cells near th bottom of the part and a top row of cells near the top of the part:.. For example, th part may have two or more (e.g., three or more) rows of ope ceils including an uppermost row of open cells and a top outer wail above the uppermost row of open ceils. The structur of the part (e.g. _K the extrudate structure) may be a generally honeycomb structure. For example, the structure may be characterized as having generally hexagonal!y shaped ope ceils. The part may have an array of generally rectangular or square shaped cells. It will be appreciated that the spacing between cells may be generally uniform. However, irregularly spaced ceils may also be employed.,

9| The part may be fa ed from an extrudate. The extrudate may have one or more outer surfaces that are arcuate, one o more surfaces that are planar, or both, if the extrudate has bottom surface that is arcuate, a carrier ma be employed for conveying or otherwise carrying the part. The extrudate structure preferably has a generally planar bottom so thai the exirudate can pe conveyed aieng a generasiy rial (e.g., planar) conveyor belt. The outer cross-sectional shape of the part (i.e,, the outer perimeter of the cross-section of the part) perpendicular to the machine direction may have two or mor sides, three or mere sides., or four or more sides. For example the outer cross-sectional shape of the part may e a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, a exag n:, a semi-circle, or a semi-oval a semi-ellipse.. Preferably, the part has a generally uniform cross-section With an outer perimeter that is generaliy polygonal, and more preferably generaliy rectangular. Preferably the part has plurality of open cells that are: uniformly distributed throughout the cross-section of the part.

[80] The apparatus, devices end systems may be employed to pick up generally heavy part using a vacuum. The parts may be characterized by the area density of the part as defined by dividing the mass of the part by the area of the top surface of the part. Particular utility is found when the part has an area density is about 5 kg/m ² or more, about 10 fcg/m ² or more, about 20 kg m-' or more, or about 40 kg m ² or more. Typically, the part has an area density of about 800 kg/m* or less, or about 120 kg/n or less. It will be appreciated the parts having an area density f about 5 kg/rr or less may also be employed.

[611 The system may include an extruder, an extruder die, an extrudate conveyor, a secondary conveyor downstream of an extrudate conveyor, a dr g or baking device, a sensor for measuring on or more dimension of the extrudate or part, or any combinatio thereof. The system may include an extruder for extruding the extrudate. For example, the extruder may be suitable for extruding a mixture including, consisting essentially of, or consisting entirely of one or more inorganic materials. Th system ma include a die for forming a profile for the extrudafe. The system may Include an extrudate conveyor for conveying the extrudate away from the die in the horizontal direction, The system preferably includes a die for forming a part having a generally continuous profile including one or more elongated ceils. For example the die may produce a profile characterized by one or any combination of the following; the profile include one or more rows of cells, the profile includes one Or more columns of cells, the profile includes an array of elongated cells, the profile Includes a honeycom arrangement of ceils, or the profile includes four o more cells. Preferably the die is capable of producing a profile having an array of elongated ceils. Fo example the die may be capable of producing a profile having 3 or more rows of cells (e.g., five or more rows of ceils). The die may be selected so that the Qrose-seetion of the extrudate profile (i.e., perpendicular to the extrusion direction) has a profile cross-sectional area and the cross-section of the extrudafe profile has ceils having a total cell crass-sectional area, wherein the ratio of the total ceil cross-sectional area to the profile cross-secfionai area is about 0.4 or more,

[62] The extruder may extrude a material at a temperature near ambient temperature (i.e., from about ~5 ⁶ G to about 38 ^a C) or at an elevate temperature (i.e,, above 38 ^' · *C), In a preferred process, the extruded material includes greater than 60 wt,% inorganic particles and is extruded near ambient conditions.

18 [63] The devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods according to the teac ings herein may be employed with any extruded materia! ^' . Particular advantages are found when cutting through: materials thai are in a formable state. The material may be an organic material, an inorganic materia!, or both. The material may include polymeric material or may b substantially free of polymeric material. The extrudate materia! (I.e., the extrudaia composition) may be a mixture including one or more particulate materials and one or more liquid materials,

[84] A particularly preferred extrudate material is a materia! tha includes, consists essentially of, or consists entirely of one or more inorganic compounds. For example, the extrudate may include particles of one or more inorganic compounds. The extrudate may include a sufficient amount of one or more binders for holding the particles together, for improving the flow of the material, or both. The binder may include one or more liquids suitable for holding the part!cies together, suitable for improving the flow of the material, or both. A particularly preferred liquid for the extrudate materia! Is a liquid that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of water, glycol ethe or both. Examples of inorganic particles that may he employed include particles including silicon atoms, aluminum atoms, titanium atoms, or any combination thereof. The particles may include or consist of one or more inorganic oxides. For example, th particles may include a - silicon oxide, an aluminum oxide, a titanium oxide, or any combination thereof. Particularly preferred inorganic compounds include about 36 atomic % or more oxygen atoms. For example about 35 percent or more of the atoms in the extrudate material -may -be -ox gen atoms. The extrudate material may Include one or more clays and on or more binders. If employed, the concentration of the clay preferabl is about 20 weight percent or more, more preferably about 40 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the extrudate material. Preferred inorganic particles have an average size of about 100 pm or less, more preferably about 30 pm or less, even more preferabl abou 10 pm or less, and most preferabl about 5 pm or less. Typically- the- inorganic particles have an average size of about 0,01 pm or more.

[651 The amount of liquid in the extrudate material may be sufficient so that the extrudate materia! can be: processed through an extruder and through an extruder die: at or near ambient temperatures. For example the extrusion temperature, the temperature of the material going through the die. or both may be about 38 ¾ or less, about 35 °C or less, about 30 J or less, or about 25 *C. or less. The extrusion temperature, the temperature of the materia! going through the die, or both may be about 5 ^* C or more, more preferably about 10 ^* G or more. The extrudate materia! may be capable of being dried or baked so. that the exirudated materia! is no longer forrnable. For example the extrudat material may be capable of being sintered, defomdered, o both.

[66] In order for the extrudate material to be formable, it may Include one or more binders. The binder may include, consist essentially of, or consist entirely of one or mor low molecular weight fluid, B way of example, the binder may include, consist essentially of, or consist entirely of water, a solvent, a piasticizer, or any combination thereof. The concentration of the low molecular weight fluid should be sufficiently high so that the material is formable. For example, -the concentration of the low molecular weight fluid may be about 1 % or more, about 2% or mo e, about 4% or more, about 8% or mora, about 8% or more, or about 10% or more. The concentration of low molecular weight fluid preferably is sufficiently low so that th& part does not flow without an applied force. For example, the concentration of the o molecular weight fluid ma fee about 40% or less, about 30% or less, about 2S% or less, about 20% or less, based on the total weight of the material,

[67] The extrudafe material may be include one or more ceramic precursors. An extruded pail including a ceramic precursor may be used for a producing a ceramic filter. For example, the extrudafe material may be used for producing a ceramic filter suitable for filtering diesel particles (i.e., a dtesel particle filter}. The extrudate material including one- or more ceramic precursors- optionally include; one or more binders, one or more Iiquid carriers, o both, The ceramic precursors are the reacfants or cornponente which when exposed to certain condition farm a ceramic body or part from a formable extrudate part (e.g., a wet ceramic greenware bodies}. Any know ceramic precursors may be utilized in the formation of a wet ceramic greenware bodies and ultimately the ceramic filter. Included in ceramic precursors are th precursors -utilised to prepare one or more of mullite (such as disclosed i US 7,485,594; US 6,853,554; US 4,948,766 and US 5,173,349 ail incorporated herein by reference), silicon carbide, cordlerite, aluminum filanate, alumina, zircon ia, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon oxynitrida, silicon carbonitride. beta spodumene, strontium aluminum Silicates, lithium aluminum silicates, and the- like. Preferred porous ceramic bodies include mullte, silicon carbide, aluminum fitanate, cordiente, and composition containing ceramind binders and ceramic fibers, muiliie or combination thereof. Preferred silicon carbides are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,582,796, 8,669,75181 and WO Publications EF114261SA1 , WO 2002/070108 A1. Other suitable porous bodies are described by WO 2004/011388A1 , WO 2004/011124A1 , US 2004/0020359A1 and WO 2003/051488A1 , all Incorporated herein by reference. Organic binder useful in this invention include any known materials -which; render the wet ceramic precursor mixture shapaable. Preferably, the binders are organic ^■ materials that decompose or burn at temperatures below the temperature wherein the ceramic precursors react to form ceramic filter segments. Among preferred binders are those described in Introduction to the Principles of G&ramic processing, J. Reed, Wiley Interscience, 1988} incorporated herein by reference. A particularly preferred binder is methyl cellulose (such as ETHOCEL A15LV methyl cellulose. The Dow Chemical Co,, Mi lands Mich,}- Liquid carriers include any liquid that facilitate formation of a shapeable wet ceramic mixture. Among preferred Iiquid carriers (dlspersants) are those materials described in !ntfo&Uotion to the Principles of Ceramic Processing, J. Reed, Wiley Interscience, 1988). A particularly preferred liquid carrier is water. The mixture useful in preparing wet ceramic greenware bodies may be ^' made by any suitable method such as those Known in tne art, fcxam les include ball milling, ribbon blending, vertical screw mixing, V-ble ^' nding and attrition milling. The mixture may be prepared dry (i.e., in the absence of a liquid, carrier) or wet. Where the mixture is prepared in the absence of a liquid carrier, ®. li uid carrier is added subsequently utilizing any of the methods described In this paragraph,

[681 The mixture of ceramic precursors, optionally binders, and liquid ^' carriers may be shaped by any means known in the. rt. Examples include injection molding, extrusion, isostatic pressing, slip casting, roll compaction and tape casting. Each of these is described in more detail in intt o'uction to the Principles of Ceramic Processing, J. Reed, Chapters 20 and 21 , Wiley Intersclence, 1988, incorporated herein by reference, in a preferred embodiment the mixture is shaped into the near net shape and size of th ultimate desired ceramic part. Near net shape and size means the stee of the wet ceramic greenware body is within 10 percent by volume of the size of the final ceramic filter, and preferably the size and shape is within 5 percent by volume of the size of the final ceramic filter. In a preferred embodiment, the wet ceramic greenware body is shaped such that it can be utilized as a flow through filter. At this stag in the process th wet ceramic greenware body has two opposing faces which are substantially planar. The wet ceramic filter greenware body exhibits a cross sectional shape which is consistent for all planes parallel to the two opposing faces. Preferably, at this stage, all of the flow passages are open to both opposing faces. This allows more efficient removal of liquid carrier.

{69} Th devices, systems, and apparatuses according to the teachings herein may be used in a process of moving a part that is in a formabie state. The process may Include a step of contacting a surface of the part with the vacuum pick-up device. The process generally includes a step of applying a sufficient vacuum from the vacuum ¹ pick-up device to a surface of the part so that the part can be lifted and repositioned. The process may include a step of contacting the top surface of an extrudate wit the porous layer of the ^' pick-up device. When the part is being moved, It may be in a formabie state. The vacuum should be sufficient so that the gravitational force from the mass of the part is overcome by the force of the vacuum. The process may include step of lifting the part by moving the vacuum pick-up device in the vertical direction. The process may include a step of repositioning a part by towering the part using the vacuum pick-up device,

[70] The process may be employed for moving an extruded part. For example, it may be desirable to move a formabie part from an extrusion process shortly after being extruded. As such, th process may include a step of extruding a materia! to form an extrudate. The extrudate wit! generally b cut into parts or workplaces ^' , such as parts having a predetermined length. The process may be characterized by one or an combination of (e.g., all of) the following: the process includes a step of extruding a mixture including a plurality of inorganic materials through a die so that an extrudate is formed; the extrudat has a profile with a plurality of rows of open cells; the exirudate includes, silicon atoms, aluminum atoms, gr fcoth; the p cess includes a step of forming a profile by passing the mixture through a die; the process includes a step of conveying the extrudate away from t e die using a conveyor in: the extrusion direction; the. process includes a ste of cutting the extrudate into a predetermined length using an ultrasonic knife, a wire cutter, or feoth; the extrudate includes clay; the extruclate has three or more rows of open cells including an uppermos row of open ceils and a top outer wail above the uppenTsost ro of open cells, wherein the sfep-of precuiting the extrudate includes cutting entirely through th top outer wall so that the uppermost row of open cells Is exposed; or the exiaidate part has a generally rectangular top surface with a width and length and the second surface of the open cell foam has a width that is greater than the width of the part, and length that is greater than the length of the past, ail of the cells of the part remain open after moving the part.

[71 J PIG, 1 Illustrates features of a vacuum pick-up device 10 according to the teachings herein. FIG, 1 is a partial eross-sectional drawing of the pick-u device through a center of the device. The vacuum pick-tip device includes a distributor plate 14 generally interposed between a porous layer 1 and a plenum 18. The porous layer 12 preferably has a first surface 18 for contacting a surface (i.e., the contacting surface) of the part to moved and an opposing surface 20. The opposing surface 20 o the porous layer 2 may be used for contacting the distributor plate 14, The porous layer 12 generally has a sufficient number of pores 22 so that the opposing surfaces 1 _. 8, 20 are in fluid communication. The distributor plate 14 preferably is connected to the plenum 8 for creating; a vacuum chamber 24. For example, the distributor plate 14 and the plenum 16 may be seailng!y connected. The distributor plate 14 preferably has a sufficient number of openings 26 and are sufficiently open so that the vacuum: from the vacuum chamber 24 is distri uted over the contacting surface of the part, is distributed throughout the pores 18 of the porous layer 1.2, or both. The plenum 16 may include one or more vacuum receiving openings 28 for connecting to a vacuum source.

{72] The vacuum pick-up device 10 may be used in an apparatus for picking u a part that is in a formable state. With reference to FIG. 2A. ₍ the apparatus 8 may Include a vacuum pick device 10 according to the teachings herein, one or more vacuum sources 34, and one or more vacuum lines 38. FIG. 2ft is a partial cross-sectional view of an apparatus. The vacuum line 36 preferably includes a passage 38 for providing a fluid communication between the vacuum source 34 and the vacuum chamber 24. The apparatus 8 may include a valve 40 for controlling the level of vacuum In the vacuum chamber 24. If employed, the valve 40 may be located anywhere between the vacuum source 34 and the vacuum chamber 2 of the plenum 18.

I? 3] The apparatus 8 may Include one or more movement devices 42 suitable for moving the vacuum pick-up device. The movement device 42 may be capable of moving the vacuum pickup device in any direction. For example, the movement device 42 may be capable of movement in a vertical directio 48. and/or in one or more horizontal directions 47. [74] With reference to FI 3. 2A, the apparatus may be employed in picking up a forrnabie part 30 ha ing a surface 32 suitable for contacting with the vaeuum pick-up device 10. The forrnabie part 30 may he picked up solely by the vacuum forces 44 exerted on the surface 32 of the part thai contacts the porous layer 12 of the vacuum pick-up device. As such, the vacuum forces 44 may be greater than the gravitational force 46 due to the mass of the part 30.

[75] FIG. 2B is an usirative partial cross-sectional view through of a porous- layer 12, a formafote part 30., and a distribufor plate 14, The porous l ye 12 is positioned between the fortnabSe part 30 and the distributor plat 14 whi e the fomiable part 3D Is being moved -using .a vacuum. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the porous layer 12 may have a deformed region 13 that Is deformed by the vacuum force acting on the part. Preferably, the thickness of the porous layer 12 may he reduced in the centra! region 3 compared with the thickness of the porous layer 1.2 when It is not in ^' contact with a forrnabie part. The porous layer 12 may have a periphery region 11 , The peripher regio preferably is not compressed by the forrnabie part. As such, when moving th part, the porous layer, may be characterized as having a periphery region 11 that is thicker than the porous layer in a central region 13. While moving the forrnabie part, the porous layer preferably is sufficiently porou so that air cart flow from outside the device, through a least a portion of the porous layer and through at least one of the openings 28 in the distributor plate 14. As such, the porous layer may allow for ^" limited leakage of air into the vacuum chamber 24, Such leakage of air into the vacuum chamber 24 may reduce the level of vacuum in the vacuum chamber 24 so thai the deformation of the deformabie pari is reduced or eliminated.

j?8J Illustrative features of a distri utor plate 14 a¾ shown i FIG: 3, The distributor plate may have a first surface SO that faces a part, and m opposing second surface 52 that faces away from the part. The second surface 52 may face towards the plenum, face towards the vacuum chamber formed by th distributor plate and the plenum, o both. The openings 28 in the distributor plate generall extend; from the first surface 50 to the second surface 52, The size of any opening 25 at the first surface SO may be smaller than, the same size as, or greater than the opening at the second surface 52. The distributor plate preferably has one or more opening regions 54 including openings .,28 distributed throughout the region. For example all of the openings 18 may be in a single opening region 54 that is generally contiguous. With reference to FIG. 3, the distribufor plate 14 may include one or more generally solid regions 58 ■that are generally free Of openings fo providing a fluid communication with the vacuum chamber Preferably, one or mora of (e.g., all of) the generally solid regions, are positioned along the external peripher 5S of the surface. The distributor plate may be characterised by a thickness 58 thai may be uniform or may vary. Preferably, the distributor plate has a sufficient thickness 5.8 so that: li does not deform when th part is picked up using a vacuum. As illustrated in FIG, 3 , some or all o the openings 28 in the distribufor plate may be characterised as being evenly spaced, distributed over an entire: region, or both, For example, the openings may be arranged sn a two-oroenssonai array, The openings 26 may be generally circular. However, other shaped ^' openings ma be used.

[77] Fid, 4A Is a fop view f illustrative distributo plate 1 having features according to the teachings herein. With reference to FIG. 4A, the distributor plate may include a pluralit of openings 26 for providing a fluid connection between a vacuum: chamber and a porous layer, one or more connection features 57, and a solid region 58 that is generally free of the openings 26. The distributor plate 14 ma include one or more sealing features for reducing or eliminating leakage between the distributor plate 14 and the plenum. For example, the distributo plate may include one or more channels channel (e.g. , a groove) 55, The channel 55 may be suitable for receiving a portion of a w ll of a plenum, for receiving a -sealing materia!,, or both. With reference to FIG, 4A, the distributor plate may include one or more connection features 57. The connection feature may be employed for connecting the distributor late to another component, such as to a plenum, The connection feature may be sized, or otherwise configured for receiving a screw, a bolt, or other fastener. The connection feature 57 may include a hole that extend partly or entirely through the plate. The connectio may include a hole that Is ^' threaded or unthreaded. Any connection feature preferably is positioned and designed so that when used with a fastener for connecting the distributor plate, the connection feature and the fastener do not contact the forma bie part being moved. The distributor plate should be sufficiently rigid so that the surfaces of the distributor plate 50, §2 maintain a generally constant shape during use. FIG, 48 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of the ^■ distributor plate of FIG. 4A- taken along the line A-A. The hidden lines (e.g., for the connection features 57} are not shown In this cross- sectional view. As illustrated in FIG, 4B, the openings 28 may extend from between the two surfaces 50, 52 f the plate 14. The channel, if present, preferably does not extend to the first surfac 50 of the distributor plate,

[78] FIG, 5 is a schematic drawing of an illustrativ pick-up device 0. With reference to FIG, 5, the pick-up device may include showing a porous layer 12, a distributor plate 14, and a plenum 16. The plenum may have a receiving opening 28 a d a dispensing opening 29. The. receiving opening 28 preferably is: relatively small compared to the dispensing opening 29 ^' . The ^• distributor plate 14 has a sufficient number of openings 28 that so that the vacuum from the vacuum chamber 24 is distributed over the porous layer 12,

[793 FIGi 8A, 8B, and 6C are drawings of an illustrative plenum 18, FIG, 8A is a bottom to to view drawing of the plenum. FIG, 6B is a cross-sectional view of the plenum taken from line S~B of FIG, 8A. FIG. 6C is a eross-sectional view of the plenum taken from line C-C of FIG, 6A, With reference to FIBs. 8A, 68, and 6C, the plenum may include on or more securing features 27 for securing the plenum to a distributor plate, for securing the plenum to a moving device, or both, The plenum may include one or more wall portions 31 suitable: for fitting into a channel or groove: of a distributor plate, The wa.il portion 31 may Include an inclined edge 33 or otherwise beveled edge that facilitates the fitting of the wall portion into a channel of the distributor plate. For example the wail portion si may mciuoe a chamfer.

[80] FIG. 7 Is ^' a- schematic drawing illustrating features of system for moving a formabie part 30 according to the teachings herein. With reference to FIG. 7, the part. 30 to be moved may be initially supported on a substrate 70, The substrate 70 may be a moving substrate, such as a conveyor beii 90. The system may in lude a: vacuum pick-up device 10 that is in fluid connection with a vacuum source 34, The fluid connection may be provided by one or more vacuum fines 36.. The system may include a movement device 42 suitable for moving the part 30 from the substrate 70 to a desired location 89. The vacuum pick-up device generally includes a vacuum chamber. When the part is being picked~up and moved, the vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum pick-up device is sufficiently high so that the part can be picked: up. After the par 30 is positioned in the desired location 89, the level of vacuum in the vacuum chambe may be reduced so that the vacuum pick-up device 10 can move away from the part 30. The system may include a vacuum regulator or Valve (not shown) for controlling ^' the vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum pick-up device. The system preferably include one or more component (not shown} ^' for reducing the level of vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum pick-up device so that the vacuum pick-up device 10 can move away from the part 30 after the part Is positioned in a desired location 8S,

[811 FIG. 8 illustrates features of a system according to the teachings herein. The system may include an extruder 80 and a die 82 for forming an extrudate SS.The system may include one or hiore cutting devices 88, 87 for cutting the extrudate into pails 30, For example, the system may include a cutting device including a knife 84, such as an ultrasonic knife for at least partially cutting through, the thickness of the extrudate. As another example, the system may include a cutting device 87 including a wire cutter. In a particularly preferred system, the system includes both an ultrasonic knife and a wire cutter. For example, the ultrasonic knife may be used for making a preeui into the part and the wire miter may be employed for completing the cut through the cross-section of the part.

82| FIG. 9 is an illustrative drawing of a cross-section of an extruded part 30 in the transverse direction showing features of an extrudate profile that may be used according to the teachings herein. Examples of parts having 2 or more cells are illustrated in FlGs. 10 and 11 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an illustrativ part 30 having a generally planar top surface. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another illustrative part 30 having a generally planar top surface. The parts 30 may include one o any combination of the features illustrated in these figures. The extruded pari 30 may be supported by a substrate 70, such as a conveyor belt; The extruded part ma have an opening 62 and a plurality of walls, 74, 76A, 78B, and 78, that surround: the opening 82, The direction 88 of initial movement of the part by a pick-up device may be in the thickness direction of one of the wails, such as a top wail 74. The part may be moved by contacting a vacuum pick-u device to an outer surface of a wall, Preferably, the vacuum pick-up device contacts the top wail 74 of the part. The top wall 74 may be supported ^• by o«e armor® ^' walls support wails 78A, 788> The width 80 of the ta . wall 74 ma be generally large, the thickness 64 of a support wall may be generally low, or both, so that -particular care must be taken to prevent collapse of the opening when contacting the p rt with t e pick-up device, when applying a vacuum to the surface of the top wall 74, and when moving the part. When the part: includes a plurality of cells, the cells may be arranged in a- regular pattern, such as shown in FI.Gs. 10 and 11 , or may ¾e Irregularly arranged. For example, the ceils ma be arranged in aft array including, one or more rows, and one or more columns; The number of rows preferably is 2 or more, 4 or more, or 7 or more. The number of columns preferably is 2 or mom, 4 _; or more, or ? or more, the repeating pattern may include any number of cells. Fo example, FIG, 10 ^" illustrates a repeating pattern S3 with 1 celt, and the cross section in FIG. 11 illustrates a repeating pattern 63 with 2 cells. A cell in a part having a plurality of ceils* such as illustrated in FIG. 10 or 1 1 , may include one or any combination of the features illustrated in FiG- 9. The extrudate structure- may be a generally honeycomb structure such as the structure- having generally nexagonaliy shaped cells as illustrated in FIG. 11. The extrudate structure may have an array of generally rectangular or square shaped cells, such as illustrated in FIG, 10, it will b appreciated that the spacing between cell preferably Is generally uniform:. However, Irregularly spaced cells may are also contemplated and within the teachings herein.

[83J E«amp½ 1. A material including a mixture of Inorganic particles and a binder is extruded at room temperature.. The material passes through a die to produce a profile including about 1936 generally square ceils arranged in an array of about 44 rows by about 44 columns. The profile has a height of about SO mm and a width of about 80.2 mm. The tolerance for the part height is about ± 4 mm. The extrudate fs- conveyed on a conveyor at a constant speed. The exirudate is first pre-cut using an ultrasonic knife. The ultrasonic knife travels -at a speed synchronous with or greater than the speed of the e frudate. The ultrasonic knife makes a pre- cut through only the top 1-4 rows of cells and then the ultrasonic knife I removed. The cut through the remainder of the cross-section is made using a wir cutter that travels away from the extruder synchronously with the extrudate. None: of the cells become blocked or sealed and no vacuum is formed. The extrudate maintains its height within about 1 mm. The extruded part has a length; of about 253 -mm and weight about 1240 grams,

84 While the extruded part is conveyed on a convey and still in a formahie state, the part is moved using a- air of spaced apart parallel vertical plates. Sufficient force is applied to the part to prevent ft: from slipping out while the part is lifted off of the conveyor. The part is moved by ilfted the part vertically and then moving the part to a storage table. When the part is released on the storage table Its width has changed by about 6% or more: and/or the part has marks from the plates. Upon repeating the process with similarly extruded parts, a large variability In the appearance and shape of the final part, is observed despite high uniformity of the pari dimensions after being extruded and cut o length.

[85] Exam 2, The process of example 1 is repeated for making the extruded part having th length of about 253 mm. In example 2, t ie part is moved using a traditional vacuum sealing device. The sealed vacuum sealing device seals a region on the top surface of the part. The: area of the part that is in the sealed region is about 400 mm ^s . A sufficient vacuum is applied to this sealed region so that the part can be lifted without separating from the- vacuum sealing device. Th part is tiffed vertically using the vacuum sealing device and moved to the ^' Storage table. After placing the part on the storage tabie, the vacuum Is released and the device is removed from the part. There are markings an the top surface of the pari showing the location where the part was sealed. The surface of the part has a contour in the region that was sea!e and is no longer planar. The part is rto longer within the required tolerances

[86] Example 3. The process of example 1 is repeated for making the extruded part having the length of about 253 mm. In exam le 3, the part is moved using a vacuum pick-u device that includes a plenum and a distributor plate having a plurality of openings. The vacuum pickup device does not include a porous layer. The distributor plate contacts the top surface of the pari. Because of the length of the part and the rigidity of the distributor plate, the plate does not contact the part at the same time and the forces on the part are not uniform , A sufficient vacuum is applied to ^' the par throug the openings in the distributor plate to lift the part. The par is lifted vertically and moved to the storage fable. After positioning: the part on the storage table the vacuum is released and the device is removed from the part. The top surface of: the part has markings indicating regions where the plate first contacted the. art. The top surface of the part has markings where materia! from the part pariiaiiy flowed or bowed into the: openings of the distributor plate.

[87] Exam le 4, The process of example 1 is repeated for making the extruded part having the length of about 253 mm. In example the part is moved using a acuum ^: pick-up device that includes a plenum and a distributor plate having a plurality of openings, and a porous foam layer below the distributor plate. Th porous foam layer contacts the top surface of the part. Regions of the porous layer that contact the part first become compressed without leaving any markings on the part. The porous foam layer extends over the top surface of the part by about 1 mm or more on each side. A vacuum is applied which causes the pari to compress the porous foam layer. The vacuum is sufficient to lift the pari and is distributed uniformly over the to surface of the part. The part is lifted vertically and moved to the storage area. While the part is being moved, air flows through the edges of the foam that ovehap the part and into the vacuum chamber of the vacuum pick-u device. After positioning the part in the storage area, the vacuum is reduced and the vacuum pick-up device is moved away from the part. The surface of the part after moving has the same shape and appearanc as it had prior to moving the part.