Abstract: A method for vision-based tool localization (VTL) in a robotic assembly system including one or more calibrated cameras, the method comprising capturing a plurality of images of the tool contact area from a plurality of different vantage points, determining an estimated position of the tool contact area based on an image, and refining the estimated position based on another image from another vantage point. The method further comprises providing the refined position to the robotic assembly system to enable accurate control of the tool by the robotic assembly system.

Abstract: A mobile omnidirectional device having a base support, four wheels pivotally connected to the base support, each wheel being driven by a drive motor, a controller for individually controlling each of the drive motors, and a power source for powering the controller and the drive motors. The device provides a zero inch turning radius and can be configured as a jib hoist or a rolling transportation cart.

Abstract: An automated food production work cell includes a robotic system that utilizes a food-grade robotic gripper to transfer individual food items. The robotic gripper is constructed using food-grade materials and includes finger structures that are linearly movably connected by linear bearings to parallel guide rods and are independently driven by a non-contact actuating system to grasp targeted food items disposed on a first work surface, to hold the targeted food items while the robotic system moves the gripper to a second work surface, and to release the targeted food items onto the second work surface. Encoding and external sensing systems facilitate fully automated food transfer processes. Optional sensor arrays are disposed on tip portions of the finger structures to provide feedback data (e.g., grasping force/pressure). Two or more pairs of independently controlled finger structures are provided to facilitate the transfer of multiple food items during each transfer process.

Abstract: This system is a pneumatic actuation valve assembly that can include a frame; a timing spool housing; a timing spool carriage; a timing spool; a magnet configured to bias the timing spool in a forward position; a main spool and configured to travel toward a frame forward portion when a fluid is received into a mid-main spool pressure area wherein the main spool actuates a bolt carried by the frame and is configured to receive a projective in an open position and chamber the projective in a closed position; and, a bore defined in the timing spool configured to allow pressure in a rear main spool pressure area to escape through the bore releasing rearward pressure on the timing spool allowing the timing spool to travel from the rearward position to the forward position according to an attraction of the magnet.

Abstract: The present system is a software defined manufacturing (SDM) system that integrates several technologies and methods into a system that automates the process of engineering and operating automated manufacturing systems (aka “automating automation”). In one embodiment, some or all of the below aspects of the “automating automation” system are integrated: modular, configurable, reusable manufacturing cells; computer vision systems; autocalibration systems; a recipe-based programming environment; configuration management system; production analytics; and a marketplace for sharing recipes.

Abstract: A robotic case packer is provided. The packer includes a case conveying apparatus, a case set up station, a case loading station, downstream of the case set up station, and a loaded case closure station, downstream of the case loading station, the case conveying apparatus receiving and conveying a case blank for case set up, case loading and loaded case closure operations, a process flow path as to case operations delimited by the case conveying apparatus. The case set up station, characterized by a case set up robot operable in a process flow path direction, secures a case blank from a source of case blanks and transfers the blank to the case conveying apparatus. The case loading station, characterized by a case loading robot operable across the process flow path direction, transfers an article group for case loading into a set up case conveyed by the case conveying apparatus.

Abstract: A modular trigger assembly having auto-tensioning hammer pin and trigger pins, which allow for rapid installation and removal of the modular trigger assembly from the lower receiver of an ArmaLite style modular rifle using minimal tools. When installed and under tension, the auto-tensioning pins remain flush with the exterior of the lower receiver and present no external parts outside of the lower receiver while maintaining anti-walk and anti-roll properties.

Abstract: A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT).

Abstract: A wave generating apparatus mobile application controller and method are provided in which a mobile controller actuates a plurality of wave generating chambers in sequence using a delay between the actuation of each chamber to produce a rideable wave in a pool. The mobile application controller allows the user to select the exact type of wave to be produced by the wave generator apparatus by selecting the size, shape, and pattern of the wave. The application also allows the user to use a camera to photograph or record herself or someone else, even while riding a wave.

Abstract: A work cell and method for automatically separating objects disposed in 3D clusters includes dispensing the objects onto a horizontal conveying surface to form a 2D array, reforming the 2D array into a 1D stream in which the objects move in single-file in a predefined moving direction, utilizing a vision-based or other stationary sensing system to identify a selected target object in the 1D stream as the target object passes through an image capture (sensing) region, calculating trajectory data defining the target object's time-based position in the 1D stream, and then utilizing the trajectory data to control a robot arm or other object removal mechanism such that only the selected object is forcibly removed (e.g., swiped or picked-up) from the horizontal conveying surface. A continuous-loop-type conveying mechanism includes two parallel conveyor-belt-type conveying structures and associated belt-switching structures. An AI-powered vision system identifies new object shapes during preliminary learning phases.

Abstract: A wave generating apparatus mobile application controller and method are provided in which a mobile controller actuates a plurality of wave generating chambers in sequence using a delay between the actuation of each chamber to produce a rideable wave in a pool. The mobile application controller allows the user to select the exact type of wave to be produced by the wave generator apparatus by selecting the size, shape, and pattern of the wave. The application also allows the user to use a camera to photograph or record herself or someone else, even while riding a wave.

Abstract: A configurable belt conveyor for manufacturing comprising first belt and an adaptable border adjacent to the belt. The adaptable border having a first configuration in which a first width of the belt is available for supporting a pallet on the conveyor belt, and a second configuration in which a portion of the belt is covered by the adaptable border, such that the second width of the belt is sized for supporting a printed circuit board (PCB). In one embodiment, the configurable belt conveyor may be configured to form a dual stream conveyor.

Abstract: A capture interface is provided. The capture interface is configured to be rigidly affixed to an external surface of a recovery object and captured by a capture device. The capture interface includes a matte ferromagnetic surface of flat disposition and geometric outline, configured to facilitate capture by the capture device. The ferromagnetic surface includes a capture interface identifier.

Abstract: A robotic gripper (end effector) for an arm-type robotic system includes a hierarchical sensor architecture that utilizes a central data processing circuit to generate rich sensory tactile data in response to pressure, temperature, vibration and/or proximity sensor data generated by finger-mounted sensor groups in response to interactions between the robotic gripper and a target object during robotic system operations. The rich sensory tactile data is used to generate feedback signals that directly control finger actuators and/or tactile information that is supplied to the robotic system's control circuit. Sensor data processing circuits are configured to receive single-sensor data signals in parallel from the sensor groups, and to transmit corresponding finger-level sensor data signal on a serial bus/signal line to the central data processing circuit.

Abstract: A flex-rigid sensor apparatus for providing sensor data from sensors disposed on an end-effector/gripper to the control circuit of an arm-type robotic system. The apparatus includes piezo-type pressure sensors sandwiched between lower and upper PCB stack-up structures respectively fabricated using rigid PCB (e.g., FR-4) and flexible PCB (e.g., polyimide) manufacturing processes. Additional (e.g., temperature and proximity) sensors are mounted on the upper/flexible stack-up structure. A spacer structure is disposed between the two stack-up structures and includes an insulating material layer defining openings that accommodate the pressure sensors. Copper film layers are configured to provide Faraday cages around each pressure sensor. The pressure sensors, additional sensors and Faraday cages are connected to sensor data processing and control circuitry (e.g., analog-to-digital converter circuits) by way of signal traces formed in the lower and upper stack-up structures and in the spacer structure.

Abstract: The disclosed friction bit joining systems may include a ball screw having an internal bore, a chuck and spindle configured to be rotated by a chuck spindle motor, a friction bit joining bit held by the chuck, a support frame, and a chuck driver motor positioned and configure to rotate the ball screw to axially move the chuck and the friction bit joining bit relative to the support frame. At least a portion of the spindle may be positioned within the internal bore of the ball screw. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for predictive autoscaling and resource optimization of software deployments. In an implementation, users declare performance objectives, and machine learning of application behavior and load profile is to used to determine minimum cost resourcing to meet the declared performance objectives. In an embodiment, convergent deployments are monitored and related feedback is provided to improve forecasting, behavior modeling, and resource estimation over time.

Abstract: A top loading assembly is provided. The assembly includes a robotic arm and an article collector assembly supported thereby. The robotic arm is characterized by first and second arm segments and three pivotable arm joints, a first arm joint J1 being a distal arm joint for operatively supporting said collector assembly, a second arm joint J2 being an intermediate arm joint, and a third arm joint J3 being a terminal/anchorable arm joint. The collector assembly, directable from an article collection locus to a collected article loading locus, includes a collector adapted to effectuate select clamping in relation to articles collected by the collector during direction of the collector assembly from the article collection locus to the collected article loading locus.

Abstract: A robotic network includes multiple work cells that communicate with a cloud server using a network bus (e.g., the Internet). Each work cell includes an interface computer and a robotic system including a robot mechanism and a control circuit. Each robot mechanism includes an end effector/gripper having integral multimodal sensor arrays that measure physical parameter values (sensor data) during interactions between the end effector/gripper and target objects. The cloud server collects and correlates sensor data from all of the work cells to facilitate efficient diagnosis of problematic robotic operations (e.g., accidents/failures), and then automatically updates each work cell with improved operating system versions or AI models (e.g., including indicator parameter value sets and associated secondary robot control signals that may be used by each robot system to detect potential imminent robot accidents/failures during subsequent robot operations.

Abstract: A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water with an inlet end connected to a water supply, a floor, and spaced side walls, a first bed form or weir at the inlet end of the channel, and a second bed form in the channel downstream of the first bed form. Also disclosed is a wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water, the channel having an inlet end connected to a water supply for supplying a flowing stream of water, a floor, and spaced side walls, and at least one oblique foil member adjustably mounted in the floor of the channel. The foils, weirs or bed form, form a standing wave.