An end effector for a robot arm couples to the arm at a mounting fixture. The end effector includes a first paddle head assembly, the assembly including a paddle head and a solenoid controlling extension and retraction of the paddle head away from and toward the mounting fixture. In addition, the effector includes a vacuum region positioned in the first paddle head assembly adapted to receive a disk and coupled to an extendable vacuum arm. A method for operating a dual paddle end effector includes the steps of: connecting at least a first paddle head assembly including a paddle head to a robotic arm; positioning the arm adjacent to a disk in a carrier; and providing a vacuum suction to a vacuum region in the paddle head assembly sufficient to lift the disk into the vacuum region in the paddle head assembly.