Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture device system, including: a base member; a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece; an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material; a controller in operable communication with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the activation device, and the base member; a plurality of sensors for sensing a parameter associated with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece, wherein the plurality of sensors is in operable communication with the controller; and an actuator in operable communication with the controller and the at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece.

Abstract: A request is received from a requester to run a first software module at a first privilege level, where the requester is associated with a second privilege level, and wherein the first privilege level is higher than the second privilege level. It is determined whether the first software module is valid to run at the first privilege level by checking for predefined content associated with the first software module. The first software module is run at the first privilege level on the computer in response to detecting the predefined content.

Abstract: A method is provided for precisely positioning and joining first and second sheet panels. A first hole is extruded in the first panel with an annular upstanding wall surrounding the first hole. The first hole has a diameter to fit closely over the locating pin of a support. A second hole is formed in the second panel and has a diameter to fit closely over the annular upstanding wall of the first panel. A bond is created between the first and second panels adjacent to the annular upstanding wall, so that the annular upstanding wall protects the locating pin from being fouled by the bonding material. The bond may be either an adhesive bond or an electric resistance weld or both an adhesive bond and an electric resistance weld and the annular upstanding wall acts as a dam to protect the locating pin from the adhesive or weld splatter.

Abstract: A monitoring device monitors an apparatus that clinches together sheet metal panels. In particular, a die assembly positioned on one side of the panels has a button forming die cavity defined by an anvil at the bottom of the die cavity and a plurality of radially moveably die blades at the side of the cavity. A plunger is positioned on the other side of the panels and registers with the die assembly so that linear displacement of the plunger plastically deforms the panels axially into the die assembly to engage with the anvil and then further linear displacement of the plunger will then deform the panels radially outward as permitted by the outward radial movement of the moveable die blades. Transducers measure the linear displacement of the plunger, the radial outward displacement of the radially moveable die blades, and the magnitude of the axial force applied against the anvil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of dunnage cassettes adapted to cooperate with a plurality of containers, a fixture, and an assembly device to simultaneously assemble a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies together with a plurality of bipolar plates.

Abstract: An improved spot welding system for clamping and welding a plurality of workpieces at predetermined datum locations includes a clamping element, and at least one electrode. The preferred electrode(s) and element are concentrically alignable during engagement, and configured to produce an annular weld about the datum location. More preferably, the workpieces define an opening at the datum location, the element includes an insulated pin at least a portion of which is configured to pass-through the opening, and the electrode defines an inner space configured to receive the portion of the pin, when the electrode and element fully engage the workpieces.

Abstract: An integrated vacuum and magnetic gripper includes a rigid housing defining an internal chamber, and a flexible vacuum cup operatively connected thereto. A vacuum cavity is defined by the vacuum cup and a vacuum source is configured to reduce pressure in the vacuum cavity. A permanent magnet is disposed within the rigid housing, and a magnet release mechanism is configured to selectively render the magnet incapable of exerting sufficient force to hold the work piece. A pole plate may be interposed between the internal chamber and vacuum cavity, such that the pole plate forms a portion of the internal chamber and may act to provide friction on the work piece. A method of using the gripped includes operating at high acceleration while the vacuum gripper is monitored as fully operational and operating only at lower acceleration while the vacuum gripper is not fully operational.

Abstract: A tool module associated with an end-effector for a robot arm that includes both linear and rotational locking mechanisms providing movement in five degrees of freedom. The tool module includes an integrated locking assembly that includes a linear locking mechanism and a rotary locking mechanism that are simultaneously locked and unlocked. The linear locking mechanism locks to a rod and the rotary locking mechanism locks and unlocks a shaft that is rigidly coupled to a swing arm. An opposite end of the swing arm includes another linear locking mechanism that locks and unlocks a shaft supporting a vacuum cup at an opposite end. The vacuum cup is mounted to a ball joint on the shaft that allows the vacuum cup to pivot. By locking and unlocking the locking mechanisms of the tool module, the end-effector can be readily configured to grasp and hold various parts of different dimensions and shapes.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for resource reallocation based on ambient condition data is disclosed herein. The system includes a planning module (102) for configuring plan data to include a primary sequence and an auxiliary sequence, a rule table (116) for storing the auxiliary sequence, an ambient condition receiver (124) for receiving the ambient condition data, and a routing processor (126) for accessing the rule table (116) to allocate an auxiliary sequence in place of a primary sequence in the event that particular ambient data is received.

Abstract: An end-of-arm tool having a workpiece interface tool is attachable to an articulable robotic arm. The end-of-arm tool can be configured by engaging an adjustable modular unit including a swing arm, a cylinder, and a workpiece interface tool to a rail element of the end-of-arm tool. The adjustable modular unit machine-slides in the rail element to a preferred x-axis position, machine-pivots to a preferred angular orientation, and machine-extends along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder to a preferred z-axis position, and machine-rotates to a preferred rotational angle about the z-axis.

Abstract: A configurable end-of-arm tool attachable to an articulable robotic arm is described. The end-of-arm tool comprises a rail element, a machine-adjustable swing arm, a machine-adjustable extendable shaft attached to the swing arm. A machine-adjustable rotator set is attached to the extendable shaft, and a workpiece interface tool is attached to the extendable shaft. The swing arm, the extendable shaft, and the rotator set are machine-adjustable to place the workpiece interface tool at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A tunable impedance load bearing structure includes a support comprising an active material configured for supporting a load, wherein the active material undergoes a change in a property upon exposure to an activating condition, wherein the change in the property is effective to change an impedance characteristic of the support.

Abstract: A method is provided for precisely positioning and joining first and second sheet panels. A first hole is extruded in the first panel with an annular upstanding wall surrounding the first hole. The first hole has a diameter to fit closely over the locating pin of a support. A second hole is formed in the second panel and has a diameter to fit closely over the annular upstanding wall of the first panel. A bond is created between the first and second panels adjacent to the annular upstanding wall, so that the annular upstanding wall protects the locating pin from being fouled by the bonding material. The bond may be either an adhesive bond or an electric resistance weld or both an adhesive bond and an electric resistance weld and the annular upstanding wall acts as a dam to protect the locating pin from the adhesive or weld splatter.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for monitoring the installation of a blind rivet to attach together top and bottom members. The blind rivet installation tool includes a housing having an anvil seated on the rivet head. A collet is reciprocable within the tool housing and carries jaws for gripping the mandrel of the blind rivet. Retraction of the jaws by the collet displaces the jaws and the mandrel axially and causes the mandrel head to axially collapse and radially expand the hollow shank of the blind rivet into engagement with the bottom member so that the rivet attaches the top member and the bottom member. A first transducer measures the axial load imposed on the mandrel. A second transducer measures the axial displacement of the collet and the jaws and the mandrel.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are provided for maintenance opportunity planning in a production line having a plurality of machines and buffers between machines on the production line, with the buffers processing production units between at least two of the machines. The system, method, and apparatus advantageously indicates maximum allowed downtime for a machine, through monitoring the status of the buffers to determine whether the flow of units through the buffers is favorable, monitoring the status of the plurality of machines, and determining which of the plurality of machines may be shut down for a particular period of time while substantially maintaining the favorable flow of units through the buffers. In this way, the inventive system and method saves time and resources by reducing production line downtime and unscheduled overtime.

Abstract: A permanent repair clamp for pipes is adapted to be installed over a single or double ended pipe bell in a range of sizes. The device essentially comprises separately formed opposing clamp sections or body portions of semi-cylindrical formation with leak-proof interface gasketing between the clamp sections and between such sections and the pipe on which the device is installed. A spanning type arcuate connector or connector sections interlocks rigidly and positively with one side of one clamp section and is adjustably connected rigidly with the same clamp section at approximately the opposite diametrical side thereof, whereby the two clamp sections may be effectively and permanently secured in sealing relationship to a leaking pipe.

Abstract: A cooking adapter structured to rest on the top of a gas fired lantern, and to make use of the heat generated by that lantern for cooking purposes. The lantern's top is in the form of a hat-shaped structure having heat exhaust ports in the crown portion thereof. In preferred form, the cooking adapter includes a cylindrical tube having a grid fixed in place transverse to the axis of the sleeve at a location about midway between the ends of the sleeve. The bottom half of the sleeve is provided with an annular insulated wall, the grid being supported on that annular wall. The sleeve's insulated wall portion is sized to cooperate with the crown and brim portions of the lantern's top to support the sleeve on that top in spaced relation to the heat exhaust ports in the top's crown portion. In use, the cooking adapter is simply seated on top the gas fired lantern, a cooking implement then being placed on the grid to expose that implement to the heat which exhausts through the lantern top's heat exhaust ports.