Abstract: A robot system includes a track that extends along an axis between a first location and a second location. The track includes a pair of rails and a power transmitter and a radiating cable each extending along the track. A carriage is configured to convey a robot arm along the track. The carriage includes a plurality of wheels configured to roll along the pair of rails, a motor configured to drive at least one of the wheels along one of the rails, a power collector configured to translate along the power transmitter while maintaining contact with the power transmitter so as to conduct electrical power from the power transmitter to the motor, and a transceiver configured to receive and send electronic information from and to the radiating cable.

Abstract: An end-of-arm tool lifts a stack of totes and ejects a lowermost tote one at a time. The tool includes fixed unloading arms on which an outgoing tote slides in response to a pusher. A pair of staging arms lift the totes above the outgoing tote to free the outgoing tote and enable the outgoing tote to slide on the unloading arms.

Abstract: Plant (1) comprising at least one apparatus (2-4) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, which plant (1) comprises at least one module (5) separably connected or connectable with the apparatus (2-4), wherein the plant (1) comprises at least one tunnel structure (7) through which the at least one module (5) is moveable in a tunnel transport direction (10).

Abstract: An end-of-arm tool and corresponding system and method for automated de-palletization of a stack of totes include resilient guide arms that extend outwardly in a cascading relationship, with the lower guide arm extending farther than higher arms. The cascading relationship of the guide arms enables totes in a stack to be engaged and aligned sequentially from lowest to highest.

Abstract: Plant (1) comprising at least one apparatus (2-4) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, which plant (1) comprises at least one module (5) separably connected or connectable with the apparatus (2-4), wherein the plant (1) comprises at least one tunnel structure (7) through which the at least one module (5) is moveable in a tunnel transport direction (10).

Abstract: A support system includes a support, a root magnet, an object, and a cover magnet. The root magnet is fixedly attached to the support. The cover magnet is fixedly attached to the object. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to be magnetically attracted to one another such that the object is magnetically attached to the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are aligned with one another in an attachment arrangement. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to magnetically repel one another such that the object is detached from the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are unaligned with one another in a detachment arrangement.

Abstract: A support pin assembly for supporting and/or locating a fixture on a tooling plate is provided. The support pin assembly includes a stanchion with a bore configured to secure the support pin assembly to a locating surface on the tooling plate. A sleeve is included within the stanchion bore, such that the sleeve is infinitely adjustable between two positions and lockable with respect to the stanchion. The assembly additionally includes a locator pin engaged at a first end thereof with the sleeve, and configured to mate at a second opposing end thereof with the fixture. Furthermore, the assembly includes a stopper pin operatively connected to the sleeve and configured to selectively extend and retract relative to the locator pin. The locator pin is free to displace relative to the locating surface when the stopper pin is retracted and is blocked from displacing when the stopper pin is extended.

Abstract: A support system includes a support, a root magnet, an object, and a cover magnet. The root magnet is fixedly attached to the support. The cover magnet is fixedly attached to the object. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to be magnetically attracted to one another such that the object is magnetically attached to the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are aligned with one another in an attachment arrangement. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to magnetically repel one another such that the object is detached from the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are unaligned with one another in a detachment arrangement.

Abstract: A support pin assembly for supporting and/or locating a fixture on a tooling plate is provided. The support pin assembly includes a stanchion with a bore configured to secure the support pin assembly to a locating surface on the tooling plate. A sleeve is included within the stanchion bore, such that the sleeve is infinitely adjustable between two positions and lockable with respect to the stanchion. The assembly additionally includes a locator pin engaged at a first end thereof with the sleeve, and configured to mate at a second opposing end thereof with the fixture. Furthermore, the assembly includes a stopper pin operatively connected to the sleeve and configured to selectively extend and retract relative to the locator pin. The locator pin is free to displace relative to the locating surface when the stopper pin is retracted and is blocked from displacing when the stopper pin is extended.

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: A fixture device generally includes 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, and an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material.

Abstract: A process generally includes contacting a surface of at least one workpiece with a reconfigurable pad of a fixture device, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to conform to the surface of the at least one workpiece, and fixturing the contacted workpiece.

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: Reconfigurable clamps, clamp systems are disclosed herein that are suitable for a flexible manufacturing process such as, for example, in the manufacture of automotive body panels. The reconfigurable clamp generally includes a body comprising a sleeve extending into a stationary portion and through a rotatable portion, wherein the rotatable portion includes a slot opening coaxially aligned with the sleeve, and wherein the slot opening comprises a termination point; a shaft fixedly attached to the rotatable portion; and a pin disposed in sliding engagement with the sleeve, wherein the pin comprises a head, a shaft extending from the head, and a compression spring in operative communication with the shaft and the stationary portion, wherein the shaft further comprises an engageable portion adapted to lockingly engage the termination point upon rotation of the rotatable portion.

Abstract: A reconfigurable clamp for a flexible manufacturing system comprises a body portion, a plurality of pins slidably engaged within sleeves formed in the body portion, a compression spring attached to each shaft of the plurality of pins, a reservoir comprising a magnetorheological fluid in operative communication with the plurality of pins, and an electromagnet in operative communication with the magnetorheological fluid, wherein the electromagnet selectively increases a yield stress property of the magnetorheological fluid; and a matching pressure foot.

Abstract: A reconfigurable clamp for providing support for a variety of different body panel configurations employed in the vehicle assembly without requiring manual adjustment or reprogramming. The clamp includes an adjustable contact portion comprising a plurality of pins slidably engaged within sleeves formed in a body portion. The pins include a head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion, wherein the shaft portion has an engageable portion. The clamp further comprises a plurality of slidably mounted rods disposed generally transverse to the movement of the pins within the sleeves. The slidably mounted rods have a complementary engageable portion that lockingly engages the engageable portion of the shaft portion upon contact therewith to selectively prevent further movement of the pins within the sleeves, such as may be desired once a workpiece is loaded onto the clamp.

Abstract: A method of improving weld quality between aluminum members by slowing the rate of solidification of a molten weld trough into solidified material. Upper and lower aluminum members are positioned together in contact between facing surfaces thereof to expose a first outer surface of the upper aluminum member to laser irradiation. A welding laser beam is moved in a path over the first outer surface, wherein the welding laser beam has an energy and width to progressively melt a trough of molten metal to a depth through the upper aluminum member and into the lower aluminum member. The molten metal in the trough has a void filled with gas, and the molten metal re-solidifies into re-solidified metal after the passage of the welding laser beam. An area in and around the trough is heated to slow the rate of solidification of the molten metal into the re-solidified metal, thereby preventing entrainment of the gas within the re-solidified metal.