Abstract: A robotic system and method that includes a robot having one or more axes of movement and which can be coupled to a supplemental axis unit that is structured to rotatably displace the robot about a supplemental axis. The robot can be coupled to a rotatable wheel portion of a table unit of the supplemental axis unit. The wheel portion can be operably coupled to a drive unit having a motor that provides rotational power for the rotational displacement of the wheel portion, and thus the robot, about the supplemental axis of the supplemental axis unit. The robotic system can also include one or more controllers that can be configured to dynamically control or coordinate the movement of both the robot about the one or more axes of the robot and the rotational displacement of the wheel portion, and thus the robot, about the supplemental axis.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for operating mobile automated workstations in a workspace including a workpiece is disclosed. A computer device defines an exclusionary volume having an outer exclusionary surface at least partially surrounding a mobile workstation that is operably disposed in the workspace. The computer device receives data from at least one sensor and determines the location of the workstation and humans within the workspace based on the data. The computer device activates an indicator and alters the motion of the workstation after detection of a human breaching the exclusionary volume or exclusionary surface.

Abstract: A robotic system and method that includes a robot having one or more axes of movement and which can be coupled to a supplemental axis unit that is structured to rotatably displace the robot about a supplemental axis. The robot can be coupled to a rotatable wheel portion of a table unit of the supplemental axis unit. The wheel portion can be operably coupled to a drive unit having a motor that provides rotational power for the rotational displacement of the wheel portion, and thus the robot, about the supplemental axis of the supplemental axis unit. The robotic system can also include one or more controllers that can be configured to dynamically control or coordinate the movement of both the robot about the one or more axes of the robot and the rotational displacement of the wheel portion, and thus the robot, about the supplemental axis.

Abstract: A system and method of coating a workpiece is disclosed. A controller is in electronic communication with a robotic manipulator having a coating dispenser. A layer of coating is applied to a surface of the workpiece by the robot. A wet-surface time is determined corresponding to the areas of the surface upon which the layer of coating is applied. A second layer of coating is applied prior to the expiration of the wet-surface time of the first layer. The layers of coating in adjacent segments can be applied in an overlapping manner within the boundary regions of the segments.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for operating mobile automated workstations in a workspace including a workpiece is disclosed. A computer device defines an exclusionary volume having an outer exclusionary surface at least partially surrounding a mobile workstation that is operably disposed in the workspace. The computer device receives data from at least one sensor and determines the location of the workstation and humans within the workspace based on the data. The computer device activates an indicator and alters the motion of the workstation after detection of a human breaching the exclusionary volume or exclusionary surface.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method of coating a workpiece includes moving a coating applicator mounted to a coating dispensing robot relative to a workpiece and moving a mask mounted to a masking robot relative to the workpiece, wherein the mask is positioned between the coating applicator and the workpiece. A portion of the coating dispensed by the applicator is deposited on the workpiece, and another portion is intercepted by and deposited onto the mask. A desired pattern of coating can be deposited by moving the mask or dispenser or both in a coordinated manner.

Abstract: A system and method of coating a workpiece is disclosed. A controller is in electronic communication with a robotic manipulator having a coating dispenser. A layer of coating is applied to a surface of the workpiece by the robot. A wet-surface time is determined corresponding to the areas of the surface upon which the layer of coating is applied. A second layer of coating is applied prior to the expiration of the wet-surface time of the first layer. The layers of coating in adjacent segments can be applied in an overlapping manner within the boundary regions of the segments.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method of coating a workpiece includes moving a coating applicator mounted to a coating dispensing robot relative to a workpiece and moving a mask mounted to a masking robot relative to the workpiece, wherein the mask is positioned between the coating applicator and the workpiece. A portion of the coating dispensed by the applicator is deposited on the workpiece, and another portion is intercepted by and deposited onto the mask. A desired pattern of coating can be deposited by moving the mask or dispenser or both in a coordinated manner.

Abstract: A system and method of applying coating to automotive workpieces is disclosed. A first coating dispensing robot dispenses coating at least a portion of an engine compartment, trunk and internal surfaces of a bed of an automotive workpiece during a first time interval, while a second robot dispenses coating on the exterior surface of fenders and passenger doors of the workpiece over the first time interval. The first robot dispenses coating on the exterior surface of a hood, roof, trunk lid and lift gate over a second time interval and the second robot dispenses coating on the side door interiors over the second time interval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spraying a liquid onto a surface. An apparatus comprises a nozzle and a number of disks. The nozzle is configured to generate a spray of a liquid towards a surface. The number of disks is positioned relative to the nozzle and configured to form a gap through which a portion of the spray of the liquid passes towards the surface.

Abstract: For safety reasons, industrial lighting fixtures are required to have backup lighting systems so that if the primary lights should fail, there will still be enough light to ensure safe maneuvering. Typically these backup lighting systems have their own power or drive source. The present application contemplates a lighting ballast circuit that is able to power a primary high intensity discharge (HID) lamp and is also able to power an auxiliary lamp in the event of temporary or permanent failure of the HID lamp.

Abstract: For safety reasons, industrial lighting fixtures are required to have backup lighting systems so that if the primary lights should fail, there will still be enough light to ensure safe maneuvering. Typically these backup lighting systems have their own power or drive source. The present application contemplates a lighting ballast circuit that is able to power a primary high intensity discharge (HID) lamp and is also able to power an auxiliary lamp in the event of temporary or permanent failure of the HID lamp.

Abstract: A lamp having a lighting source, integral electronics, and a thermal distribution mechanism disposed in a housing. The thermal distribution mechanism may include a variety of insulative, radiative, conductive, and convective heat distribution techniques. For example, the lamp may include a thermal shield between the lighting source and the integral electronics. The lamp also may have a forced convection mechanism, such as an air-moving device, disposed adjacent the integral electronics. A heat pipe, a heat sink, or another conductive heat transfer member also may be disposed in thermal communication with one or more of the integral electronics. For example, the integral electronics may be mounted to a thermally conductive board. The housing itself also may be thermally conductive to conductively spread the heat and convect/radiate the heat away from the lamp.

Abstract: A ballast lamp circuit and method of operation is disclosed. The ballast lamp circuit comprising an inverter circuit and cathode heating circuit, wherein a lamp current, generated by the inverter circuit, is inversely proportional to a lamp cathode voltage generated by the cathode heating circuit.

Abstract: A ballast lamp circuit and method of operation is disclosed. The ballast lamp circuit comprising an inverter circuit and cathode heating circuit, wherein a lamp current, generated by the inverter circuit, is inversely proportional to a lamp cathode voltage generated by the cathode heating circuit.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present application, a lamp inverter circuit includes a switching portion that converts a bus voltage signal into an alternating current signal. An input portion receives the bus voltage signal, and a resonant load portion drives a lamp. A preheating portion heats the lamp prior to ignition, and thereafter renders itself inactive following ignition of the lamp. In accordance with another aspect of the present application, a method of starting a lamp includes receiving a bus voltage signal, converting the bus voltage signal into an alternating current signal, preheating the lamp to an ignition temperature, igniting the lamp and inactivating the preheating after the lamp has been ignited. In accordance with another aspect of the application, provided is a method of igniting an auxiliary lamp, including detecting a conductive state of a main lamp in a lamp ballast circuit, the detecting being by a switch that controls preheating of the main lamp.