Robotic apparatus

A robot arm, especially useful as a parts catcher, uses an extensible arm which may be in the form of a telescopic slide. The arm and a fluid operated actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder, are pivotally mounted on a base at one end thereof. A wrist is pivotally mounted on the upper end of the arm. The actuator is connected to the wrist and pivots the arm, extends and retracts the arm and pivots the wrist. A receptacle is carried by the wrist and serves to catch parts when the arm is pivoted and extended to a parts catching position. Stops on the arm limit its pivotal and extensile movement. Stops are also provided to limit the pivotal movement of the wrist. These stops and a compression spring which biases the wrist provide static limits or forces against which the actuator works. Because of the location of the stops and the spring, the cycle of movement of the arm between parts catching position and an unloading or delivering position where the receptacle may be tilted and the parts therein dumped is controlled.