Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing magnetic biasing of a carriage in context of linear guides. In one embodiment, a robotic mechanism is configured to travel on a platform assembly within a structural context. The platform assembly transports a carriage in a Z direction, and the carriage transports the robotic mechanism in an X direction. The carriage moves in the X direction along rails (e.g., and/or other types of linear guides) in a substantially floating or unbiased manner. For example, one or more alignment features on the carriage are in communication with the rails to allow the carriage to move relatively freely within an alignment region defined by the alignment features. When the carriage reaches its desired X location, magnetic features bias the carriage into a substantially accurate, secure, and repeatable position.

Abstract: A method adapted to transfer a sample container such as a capped sample tube is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes gripping a sample tube body with a first gripper pair and a cap with a second gripper pair of a gripper apparatus. In another aspect, a seating member may contact the cap to aid in the positioning of the sample container. Apparatus and systems for carrying out the method are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer apparatus includes a stationary base, an elevation base, first and second arms, a workpiece-holding hand, and a driving mechanism for the hand. The first arm is supported on the elevation base so as to be rotatable about a first vertical axis. The second arm is supported on the distal end of the first arm such that the second arm is rotatable about a second vertical axis. The hand is supported on the distal end of the second arm so as to be rotatable about a third vertical axis. A motor is arranged in the first arm, whereas a transmission is arranged to extend in a region from the interior of the first arm through the interior of the second arm.

Abstract: An apparatus of an automated object manipulation system includes a support base; a finger assembly mechanically coupled to the support base; a first drive unit operable to rotate the finger assembly about a first axis; a second drive unit operable to rotate the finger assembly about a second axis; a third drive unit operable to rotate the finger assembly about a third axis, and a processor capable of conducting a profile assessment; determining a manipulation program in response to the profile assessment; and controlling the finger assembly in response to the manipulation program where the finger assembly has a support bracket with a set of parallel jaws and the support bracket is mechanically coupled to the first drive unit, a linking bracket mechanically coupled to the second drive unit and a circular frame mechanically coupled to the finger assembly and the third drive unit.

Abstract: A bucket thumb assembly mountable to a lifting arm of a machine (e.g., an excavator or a backhoe loader) includes a mounting lug and a thumb member pivotably coupled to the mounting lug. The bucket thumb assembly also includes a link member extending from the thumb member. The link member has a first aperture at a first end of the link member. The link member has an indicator block extending from the link member. The bucket thumb assembly further includes a mounting plate having a second aperture and a catch. The mounting plate is configured to selectively couple with the link member using a pin inserted through the first and second apertures when the indicator block is resting on the catch such that a face surface on the indicator block and a face surface of the catch are substantially co-planar.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a boom structure including an elongated body having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to couple to a dipper and the second end configured to couple to a support structure. The boom structure further includes a top member, a bottom member, and a pair of sides members of the body coupled to the top member and bottom member. Each side member includes a first portion extending between the first end and second end of the body and forming an outer frame structure. Each side member also includes a second portion coupled to an inner surface of the first portion and being substantially enclosed by the first portion.

Abstract: A loading mechanism includes a fastening board, a cam, a rotary pivot, and a load module. The fastening board defines a pivot hole at the center portion of the fastening board and a sliding guide adjacent to the pivot hole. The cam defines a locating hole and an annular guide. The load module includes two guiding poles, a follower fastened to one end of the two guiding poles, and a clamping member fastened to the other end of the two guiding poles. The distance between a part of the annular guide and the locating hole is gradually decreased, and the cam can be driven to rotate. The cam drives the follower to slide along the annular guide to drive the load module to slide along the sliding guide.

Abstract: Substrate transport systems, apparatus, and methods are described. The systems are adapted to efficiently put or pick substrates at a destination by rotating a boom linkage to a position adjacent to the destination and then independently actuating an upper arm link housing and one or more wrist members to put or pick one or more substrates at the destination wherein the wrist member is independently actuated relative to the forearm link housing and the motion of the forearm link member is kinematically linked to the motion of the upper arm link housing. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A working robot according to an embodiment includes an arm part and a plurality of motors. The arm part includes a plurality of arm members. The plurality of motors respectively drives the plurality of arm members. Herein, rated powers respectively corresponding to the motors are the same.

Abstract: A manufacturing machine for processing a product includes a frame, a processing device, an input conveyor belt, an output conveyor belt, two work-stations, two manipulators, and two work-stations. The processing device processes the product. The input conveyor belt transfers the product to the processing device. The output conveyor belt transfers the product after the product being processed. Two work-stations load the product. The two manipulators take the product from the input conveyor belt to the two work-stations, and take the product from the two work-stations to the output conveyor.

Abstract: A material handling machine includes a linkage assembly connected to a machine frame of the material handling machine. The linkage assembly configured to transport material from a front side of the machine frame to a rear side of the machine frame. The linkage assembly includes a first and a second guide rails associated with the machine frame. The linkage assembly further includes a first boom and a second boom having one end pivotally connected to the first guide rail and the second guide rails. A first and a second lift mechanism are pivotally connected to the first boom and second boom, respectively.

Abstract: A crowd machinery guard system for a mining shovel is provided. The crowd machinery guard system includes a mounting bracket assembly coupled to the front of the mining shovel frame. The crowd machinery guard system also includes at least one support leg rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket assembly, and an impact plate assembly coupled to the support leg. The impact plate assembly includes an impact plate configured to receive dipper impacts, at least one support leg bracket coupled to the impact plate, and at least one cushion subassembly including a dampening portion. The crowd machinery guard system is configured to absorb and distribute the force of dipper impacts.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a method of controlling a remote vehicle having an end effector and an image sensing device. The method includes obtaining an image of an object with the image sensing device, determining a ray from a focal point of the image to the object based on the obtained image, positioning the end effector of the remote vehicle to align with the determined ray, and moving the end effector along the determined ray to approach the object.

Abstract: A work conveying system sequentially conveys a workpiece to multiple working apparatuses and includes a rail track disposed along the multiple working apparatuses and multiple conveyor robots disposed on the rail track and movable on the rail track independently. In addition, a delivery control unit controls the multiple conveyor robots for delivering the workpiece between adjacent conveyor robots. Any one of the multiple conveyor robots can be controlled for isolated individual movement on the rail track between adjacent working apparatuses to sequentially deliver the workpiece.

Abstract: A protection system (7) for container treatment machine comprises a support frame (8) with a base frame (9) extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to a treatment path of containers and at least one individual support member (10) connected to the base frame (9), at least one individual protection panel (11), at least one individual guide means (12) configured to define a movement path of the individual protection panel (11) between a closure position and an opening position, at least one auxiliary positioning means (13) configured to apply an auxiliary force to the individual protection panel (11), said auxiliary force acting in the direction of said movement path against the force of gravity of the individual protection panel (11), wherein the guide means (12) movably connect the individual protection panel (11) to the individual support member (10) and the auxiliary positioning means (13) is interposed between the protection panel (11) and the support member (10) such as to form at least one individu

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping device grips a rim of a workpiece by opening and closing gripping plates. The device includes a gripping unit, a hoisting and lowering unit and a motion control unit. The gripping unit includes a first and a second gripping plate. The first gripping plate has a first gripper to contact the rim. The second gripping plate has a second gripper to contact the rim. At least one of the first and second gripping plates is moved and the first and second gripper are spaced from each other. The hoisting and lowering unit is configured to hoist and lower the gripping unit. The motion control unit is configured to control open/close operations and hoisting and lowering operations. The motion control unit mechanically controls first first hoisting and lowering operations, controls second the open/close operations, and controls third second hoisting and lowering operations.

Abstract: A removable bucket ring attachment configured to slide over a terminal bottom front end of a bucket on a loader or a backhoe; where the bucket ring attachment has a pair of parallel plates closed at one end and open at an opposing end.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe a robot which has a controller, actuators, encoders, and mechanical components. The robot may produce motion about an X, Z, RU, RL, and Theta axes. Movements of the robot are controlled by the controller. The repeatability of the robot is improved by designing the robot such that a control cycle frequency of the controller is 50 times or more greater than a vibrational frequency of one or more of the mechanical components. In order to reduce the release of particulates, a baffled enclosure may be used. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel approach for restricting the movement of a moveable system. The disclosure describes a novel locking mechanism utilizing a gravity hinge assembly and pocket assembly. The disclosure further describes a novel method for locking a moveable system.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a pair of booms, a link mechanism and a control unit. The booms are attached to a front part of a vehicle body in an upwardly and downwardly rotatable state. The link mechanism couples a working unit to tips of the booms. The link mechanism is configured to keep the working unit in a posture generally parallel to the ground without rotating the working unit with respect to the ground while the booms are elevated from a position where the working unit is disposed on the ground when the working unit is a fork. The control unit is configured to execute a tilt angle adjusting control for the working unit in accordance with variation in an angle of the booms while the booms are elevated when a tilt angle of the working unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.