Abstract: A system for packing a case with articles, the system including a conveying device to convey articles to be packed, in a serial configuration and a support for a case to be packed with the articles in which the articles are configured to be placed in a plurality of rows, including a first row, a second row adjacent to the first row and a last row adjacent to a side wall of the case.

Abstract: A utility coupler that includes a coupling unit and a tool unit that can be selectively engaged together. The coupling unit may include a body, a cam member, a handle, and one or more utility couplings. The tool unit may include a body, a latching pin, and one or more utility couplings. In operation, the coupling unit may be placed into a decoupled position with the handle in a first position. The coupling unit may be moved into proximity of the tool unit. The handle may be moved to a second position causing the cam member to engage with the latching pin and couple the coupling unit to the tool unit. The utility couplings engage together to pass the one or more utilities to the industrial equipment.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to processing and handling of products. In one example, among others, a material product holding system includes a product holding assembly and a structure supporting the product holding assembly, the structure coupled to the positioning assembly. The product holding assembly can include support arms and a positioning assembly that can adjust positioning of the support arms with respect to each other to engage with at least a portion of a product supported by the support arms. In another example, a method include engaging support arms with a surface of at least a portion of a product, the support arms tensioning the product, positioning the support arms to load the product on a workstation, contracting the support arms to remove the tension, processing the product, re-engaging the support arms after completion of the processing, and unloading the product from the workstation.

Abstract: A linkage assembly to connect a tool to a robotic device. The linkage assembly includes a body and a first linkage pair with first and second links that are configured to be connected to a first section of the tool. The linkage assembly also includes a second linkage pair that includes first and second links that are configured to be connected to a second section of the tool. The first linkage pair are powered to provide a force to move the tool relative to the body. The second linkage pair supports the tool and moves with the first linkage pair. Each of the first and second linkage pairs are pivotally connected to the body and may maintain parallel positioning during the movement.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to automation of pallet loading. In one example, a method includes positioning, by a material manipulator, an opening of a product; inserting a product loading assembly of a pallet loading system through an opening of the product, where the product loading assembly can hold the product during manipulation of the product and the pallet loading system can position the product for loading on a pallet; and transferring the product onto the pallet using the product loading assembly. The product can be a portion of a product or a garment or portion of a garment. The product can be smoothed on a surface of the pallet. The pallet can secure the product to the pallet by a pallet clamp. The product on the pallet can be embellished by processing equipment or workstation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a 3D+imaging system include a focal plane array with in-pixel analog storage elements. In embodiments, an analog pixel circuit is disclosed for use with an array of photodetectors for a sub-frame composite imaging system. In embodiments, a composite imaging system is capable of determining per-pixel depth, white point and black point for a sensor and/or a scene that is stationary or in motion. Examples of applications for the 3D+imaging system include advanced imaging for vehicles, as well as for industrial and smart phone imaging. an extended dynamic range imaging technique is used in imaging to reproduce a greater dynamic range of luminosity.

Abstract: A two-layer retroreflective article construction is enabled that produces higher wide-entrance-angle performance for signs and pavement markings. A single-layer overlay is enabled for existing signs and pavement markers that improve their entrance angle performance. Materials used in the construction of an article or an overlay are transparent to radiation in the range of 400 to 1000 nanometers and utilize TIR (total internal reflection). Minimum performance specifications are proposed that extend sign sheeting retroreflectivity specifications to entrance angles of 60 degrees. An innovative traffic sign design is enabled that increases the positioning performance of safety systems and automated navigation systems.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. An automated sewing process feed control system is disclosed in which a material aligner is utilized. An omni-chain material aligner can include a circular roller chain in which the rollers allow for a controlling force to be applied to a material. An omni-belt material aligner can include a belt with attached perpendicular rollers which allow feed control and active motorized steering control. The material aligner can control the pressure applied onto the material to facilitate control of feeding the material.

Abstract: A robotic force/torque (FT) sensor restricts the conduction of heat, generated by an attached tool, through the FT sensor body to a radial direction. Heat from the tool is channeled to the center of the FT sensor body by a thermally conductive member. Additionally, heat from the tool is insulated from portions of the FT sensor body other than its center by a thermally insulating member. Transducers, such as strain gages attached to the surfaces of deformable beams, are disposed at a substantially equal distance from the center of the FT sensor body. Accordingly, as heat conducts through the FT sensor body from the center radially outwardly, all transducers experience substantially equal thermal load at any given time.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with a metrology system for high-speed, non-contact coordinate measurements of parts are disclosed herein. In embodiments, the metrology system includes a metrology bridge to be coupled to a measurement assembly. The measurement assembly may include a stage moveable across multiple independent axes. The bridge may include a housing, mounting members coupled to the housing, and a plurality of sensors mounted within the housing. The mounting members may rotatably couple the housing to the measurement assembly. Further, sensor elements of the plurality of sensor devices may be aligned along a length of the housing and may be directed out of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating testing and training cases for a simulator based on simulated events are disclosed. The system can monitor an input from a first simulation of a first test case, and detect, based on the input from the first simulation, a target condition resulting from the first test case. The system can identify, based on the target condition, first simulation parameters of the first test case associated with the target condition. The system can generate a second test case having second simulation parameters by modifying the first simulation parameters of the first test case, and output the second test case to a flight autonomy system. The system can provide the generated test cases for the flight autonomy system and can monitor the real-time performance of the simulation of the flight autonomy system.

Abstract: A plurality of generators redundantly supply power to AC motors via a main DC bus system having a pair of buses, each of which is connected to each generator by an active front end (AFE) inverter containing an insulated-gate bipolar transistor. Isolated DC/AC inverters are connected to the pair of main buses in pairs, respectively. Each pair of the isolated DC/AC inverters is connected to one of the AC motors with a filter of capacitors and inductors between each inverter and the motor. The AFE inverters and isolated DC/AC inverters galvanically isolate the main buses and enable load sharing among the generators.

Abstract: A teat cup liner is disclosed that includes an attachment section having an opening therein, a barrel joined to and in fluid communication with the attachment section, and a tube section, joined to and in fluid communication with the barrel. The barrel includes a transition section and a triangular section. A combined length of the attachment section and the transition section is (i) from 5.5 to 8.5 cm long, (ii) an average teat length (after elongation), optionally minus a minimum uniform pressure length, ±20%, or (iii) 40-65% of a combined length of the attachment section and the barrel. Alternatively, the transition section has a surface with a slope of less than 0.3, where the slope is defined by a change in the radius of the barrel in the transition section relative to the length of the transition section. The tube section includes a connection mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with a metrology system for high-speed, non-contact coordinate measurements of parts are disclosed herein. In embodiments, the metrology system includes a metrology bridge to be coupled to a measurement assembly. The measurement assembly may include a stage moveable across multiple independent axes. The bridge may include a housing, mounting members coupled to the housing, and a plurality of sensors mounted within the housing. The mounting members may rotatably couple the housing to the measurement assembly. Further, sensor elements of the plurality of sensor devices may be aligned along a length of the housing and may be directed out of the housing.

Abstract: A chemical trace detection system includes: a drift tube; a detector disposed within the drift tube; a voltage source to produce an electrical field in the drift tube; an ionizer to establish an ionization region adjacent to the electrical field; and a desorber including a sample holder to hold a sample in or adjacent to the ionization region and a sample heater to desorb particles of the sample held in the sample holder such that the desorbed particles are introduced directly into the ionization region from the sample holder to form ionized particles that are forced toward the detector by the electrical field. A regenerable dryer assembly for supplying dry drift gas to an ion mobility spectrometer is also provided that includes a regenerable dessicant material.

Abstract: An apparatus and system include an upper stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; a lower stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; and an intermediate conveyor section separating the upper stepped chute from the lower stepped chute. The intermediate conveyor section has a slope that is different from the slope of the upper stepped chute and the lower stepped chute.

Abstract: A fluid measurement device and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The fluid measurement device includes a conduit configured to transport a fluid, a conductivity sensor in the conduit, and a voltage sensor in the conduit and having first and second rings, probes, or plates. The conductivity sensor is configured to determine the conductivity of the fluid. The voltage sensor is configured to receive a first voltage on the first ring, probe, or plate and detect a capacitance or a second voltage on the second ring, probe, or plate. A value of the capacitance or second voltage corresponds to the amount of fluid in the voltage sensor. The total amount of fluid through the conduit may be determined from amount of fluid in the voltage sensor, the fluid flow rate, the fluid velocity, and the number of samples or the sampling rate.

Abstract: A sewn product making apparatus such as a sewing robot can be used to produce a variety of products over a broad range of sizes, shapes or materials. Various examples are provided related to the automation of sewing robots, and the making of sewn products. In one example, among others, a system can generate a product making path using a product construction file, and instruct a sewing device and fabric mover(s) to automatically sew the product based upon the product making path. The product making path can be modified when a deviation is detected, and the sewing adjusted based upon the modified product making path. The product construction file can be generated using information from a computer aided design associated with the product.

Abstract: An actuator of a process control device continuously monitors actuator force and records high force values at each position point by continuously executing a routine in a processor of the actuator. The routine includes receiving from a position sensor a current position value indicating a position of a valve element in the valve, and from a force sensor a current force value indicating a force applied by the actuator. The routine also includes retrieving, from a memory device coupled to the processor, a previous force value measured at the current position, and comparing the current force values for the current position with the previous force value for the current position. If the current force value for the current position exceeds the previous force value for the current position, the routine replaces the previous force value for the current position with the current force value for the current position in memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and system include an upper stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; a lower stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; and an intermediate conveyor section separating the upper stepped chute from the lower stepped chute. The intermediate conveyor section has a slope that is different from the slope of the upper stepped chute and the lower stepped chute.