Abstract: Computationally efficient, highly accurate, and cost-effective approach for detection of damage in a structure is described. Methods include a combined analysis in both global and local regions of a structure to predict the received wave signals at a location due to scattering of Lamb waves at a damage site. Through comparison of an actual received wave signal with the predicted signals, identification of damage location and/or type can be provided. Methods can be particularly beneficial when considering damage assessment in a complex structure that includes plate-like structures that include an extension off of a base plate, e.g., a stiffened structure.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a cylinder disposed in an actuator housing, the cylinder having a cylinder interior is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid. A ram member has a piston head within the cylinder interior, and pressure on the piston head moves the ram member. An end of the ram member acts on a collar having a collar interior, and an end of a rod member is disposed within the collar interior. The rod member is displaceable relative to the collar such that the end of the rod member does not contact the collar. Accordingly, fluid in the cylinder interior acting on the ram member may expand due to thermal expansion without damaging a hard stop at an opposite end of the rod member and without losing system pressure by triggering a relief valve.

Abstract: A Substrate processing apparatus including a wafer transport apparatus with a transport arm including an end effector, an arm pose deterministic feature integral to the substrate transport apparatus and disposed so that a static detection sensor of the substrate processing apparatus detects at least one edge of the at least one arm pose deterministic feature on the fly with radial motion of the transport arm, and a controller configured so that detection of the edge effects a determination of a proportion factor identifying at least a thermal expansion variance of the transport arm on the fly and includes a kinematic effects resolver configured to determine, from the detection of the edge on the fly, a discrete relation between the determined proportion factor and each different discrete variance respective to each different link of the transport arm determining at least the thermal expansion variance of the transport arm on the fly.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a saw may include a lubricator that is mechanically linked to a traveling arm of a saw, such as an up-cut saw. Movement of the saw blade through a first path may result automatically in movement of the lubricator through a second path transverse to the first path. This coupled movement may result in a relatively consistent distance between the lubricator and the periphery of the saw blade, especially as compared with a stationary lubricator.

Abstract: A time-optimal trajectory generation method, for a robotic manipulator having a transport path with at least one path segment, comprising generating a forward time-optimal trajectory of the manipulator along the at least one path segment from a start point of the at least one path segment towards an end point of the at least one path segment, generating a reverse time-optimal trajectory of the manipulator along the at least one path segment from the end point towards the start point of the at least one path segment, and combining the time-optimal forward and reverse trajectories to obtain a complete time-optimal trajectory, where the forward and reverse trajectories of the at least one path segment are blended together with a smoothing bridge joining the time-optimal forward and reverse trajectories in a position-velocity reference frame with substantially no discontinuity between the time-optimal forward and reverse trajectories.

Abstract: A blank for forming a display ready case includes a front panel, a top panel, a rear panel, a bottom panel, and a bottom end panel arranged in a longitudinal direction and coupled together by a plurality of fold lines extending in a transverse direction. A first front side panel and a second front side panel extend from opposing sides of the front panel in the transverse direction. A front end panel extends from the front panel in the longitudinal direction, and a first front end side panel and a second front end side panel extend from opposing sides of the front end panel in the transverse direction. An access region separates the front panel from the front end panel. A line of weakness separates the first front side panel and the second front side panel from the first front end side panel and the second front end side panel.

Abstract: An improved 3D printer includes an airflow enabled print bed ensuring secure placement of a print base prior to printing. The modular assembly technique provides for improved ease of manufacture and assembly, as well as adjustments of print sizing. The improved printhead includes a heat sink disposed internally therein for improved heat and cooling properties. The printhead itself includes z-axis position detection techniques. The inclusion of VSU insertion techniques in software modeling and printing further improves the print operations by including vertical stability for the print object.

Abstract: An electric-powered fail-safe actuator for use with a valve, where the actuator stores potential energy for conversion to kinetic energy to close or open the valve to the fail-safe position.

Abstract: An applicator for applying anhydrous ammonia, NH3, to an agricultural field includes a distribution rail for receiving and out letting a flow of the NH3. The distribution rail has a decreasing inner diameter from an inlet of the distribution rail to distal ends of the distribution rail.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for positioning and/or processing items, such as workpieces. The systems, methods, and apparatus may include or use a linear positioner forming a track. In some embodiments, the linear positioner may include a carriage configured to be driven along the track to a desired position, in response to a signal(s), such as a radiofrequency signal(s), received from a computer, which may be a general-purpose, handheld computer, such as a phone or tablet. In some embodiments, the linear positioner may comprise a shuttle including a motor and a carriage, and may be configured to drive itself as a unit along the track. In some embodiments, the track may include a rack having a linear array of teeth formed by two or more frame sections, such as table sections, coupled end to end, with each support section providing a segment of the rack.

Abstract: A substrate loading device including a frame adapted to connect to a substrate processing apparatus, the frame having a transport opening through which substrates are transported to the processing apparatus, a cassette support connected to the frame for holding at least one substrate cassette container proximate the transport opening, the support configured so that a sealed internal atmosphere of the container is accessed from the support at predetermined access locations of the container, and the cassette support has a predetermined continuous steady state differential pressure plenum region, determined at least in part by boundaries of fluid flow generating differential pressure, so that the predetermined continuous steady state differential pressure plenum region defines a continuously steady state fluidic flow isolation barrier disposed on the support between the predetermined access locations of the container and another predetermined section of the support isolating the other predetermined section from

Abstract: Due to rapid advancement in computing technology of both hardware and software, the labor intensive sewing process has been transformed into a technology-intensive automated process. During an automated process, processing of a work piece can be visually monitored using a sensor system. Data gathered from the sensor system can be used to infer the condition and/or position of the work piece in the work area using, e.g., models of a sensor profile. Evaluation can be carried out before processing begins, during processing and/or after processing of the work piece. Examples of systems and methods are described that provide for initially and successively matching the model of the expected shape for a product work piece to a set of sensor readings of the work piece in order to determine the position of the work piece and support a variety of useful features.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a machine-readable code associated with an object moving relative to an imaging device may include imaging the machine readable code. A determination may be made as to whether image data of the machine-readable code is clipped along a leading edge of a first image frame. If the machine-readable code is determined to be clipped, (i) image data of the machine-readable code in the first image frame may be skipped, and (ii) image data contained in a subsequent image frame may be processed. Otherwise, if the code is not determined to be clipped, processing image data in the subsequent image frame may be skipped.

Abstract: Material moving apparatus, systems and methods are presented which can include an air material mover. Airflow through orifices can create a localized vacuum such that the uppermost or top layer of material can be separated from the stack of material. The airflow can interact with the material to produce flutter, which assists in separating lower layers from the uppermost layer. A material gripper can grip the uppermost or top layer of material for removal from the stack and repositioning in a work area.

Abstract: An electronic device may exchange packets with a second electronic device. These packets may include transmit times, based on a given clock in a given electronic device when the packets were transmitted. Moreover, when the packets are received by the electronic device, the electronic device may store associated receive times based on a clock in the electronic device. Using minimum time differences between the transmit and receive times, the electronic device may calculate a time offset between the electronic device and the second electronic device, which may then be used to determine future times in a clock domain of the second electronic device. Moreover, the electronic device may provide additional packets to the second electronic device, where a given additional packet includes audio data, and a playback time, corresponding to a given future time, when the audio data is to be played back by the second electronic device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for uncut material detection while lifting from an automated cutting table select pieces of thin, flexible material. The apparatus comprises a structured energy source and a structured energy sensor. The structured energy can be used to detect undesired lifting of a peripheral portion of the flexible material resulting from the presence of uncut material.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus having a drive section and a scara arm operably connected to the drive section to move the scara arm. The scara arm has an upper arm and at least one forearm. The forearm is movably mounted to the upper arm and capable of holding a substrate thereon. The upper arm is substantially rigid and is adjustable for changing a predetermined dimension of the upper arm.

Abstract: A semiconductor process transport apparatus including a drive section with at least one motor, an articulated arm coupled to the drive section for driving articulation motion, a machine controller coupled to the drive section to control the at least one motor moving the articulated arm from one location to a different location, and an adapter pendant having a machine controller interface coupling the adapter pendant for input/output with the machine controller, the adapter pendant having another interface, configured for connecting a fungible smart mobile device having predetermined resident user operable device functionality characteristics, wherein the other interface has a connectivity configuration so mating of the fungible smart mobile device with the other interface automatically enables configuration of at least one of the resident user operable device functionality characteristics to define an input/output to the machine controller effecting input commands and output signals for motion control of the

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. Multiple pieces of layered materials can be transported on a flat planar surface while maintaining the material layer's position and orientation relative to one another during a sewing procedure of these materials along any arbitrary seam shape. In one example, among others, a method includes positioning a second piece of material on a first piece of material located on a sewing plane, positioning a material holding apparatus over the pieces of material to secure position and orientation between the pieces of material, locating the pieces of material with respect to an automated sewing machine by repositioning the material holding apparatus, and sewing the second piece of material to the first piece of material. The methods can eliminate the need of custom-made templates for sewing arbitrarily shaped seams with an automated sewing machine.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. Multiple pieces of layered materials can be transported on a flat planar surface while maintaining the material layer's position and orientation relative to one another during a sewing procedure of these materials along any arbitrary seam shape. In one example, among others, a system includes a sewing machine including a sewing needle, a material holding assembly and a translation system. The material holding assembly can include mechanical fingers that can contact material on a sewing plane adjacent to the sewing needle and a structural grounding system supporting the mechanical fingers. The translation system can reposition the material on the sewing plane via the mechanical fingers. Clearance around the sewing needle can be provided by repositioning individual mechanical fingers around the sewing needle.