Abstract: A robotic storage and retrieval system is provided. The robotic storage and retrieval system may include a three-dimensional storage rack, a set of article holders, and a robot. In one embodiment, the storage rack has a plurality of rows, a plurality of columns, and one or more support members at each unique row and column position. Each set of article holders is located at one of the unique row and column positions, and each article holder within a set is vertically supported by the one or more support members. The robot is configured to store the article holders to the storage rack and to retrieve the article holders from the storage rack.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a fluid stream for cutting a double contour workpiece includes a compensation module configured to receive information regarding a contour path in at least five degrees of freedom for cutting the double contour workpiece and a velocity of movement of the fluid stream during cutting and configured to provide as an output a modified contour path of said at least five degrees of freedom based on Kerf compensation errors. A motion controller is adapted to receive the modified contour path of said at least five degrees of freedom and the velocity and is configured to provide control signals. A positioner is configured to receive the control signals and position a fluid stream adjacent the workpiece accordingly.

Abstract: A gantry robot system includes a bridge assembly and a carriage assembly. The bridge assembly and/or a mounting plate supported by the carriage assembly can be rotationally skewed.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting a workpiece includes a plurality of support assemblies with movable heads. Positional errors are ascertained for the heads based on different positions thereof and used to properly position the heads to support the workpiece. Other inventive aspects are directed to features of the support assemblies and heads thereof.

Abstract: A support assembly and a method for holding an elongated workpiece are provided. First and second tensioning assemblies are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis. Each tensioning assembly has a fixture element adapted to hold a portion of the workpiece and a tension actuator operably coupled to the fixture element to move the fixture element. First and second clamp devices are disposed along the longitudinal axis where the first clamp device is disposed on a first side of the longitudinal axis and the second lateral clamp device is disposed on a second side of the longitudinal axis. Each lateral clamp device has an end portion configured to hold a portion of the workpiece and restrain the workpiece for twisting and/or lateral movement of the workpiece orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and a clamp actuator operably coupled to the end portion to move the end portion.

Abstract: Containerized systems are provided. In one embodiment, a containerized system includes a moveable three-dimensional container, a first generator, a second generator, and a scanner. The first generator is located within the container, and the second generator is located outside of the container. The scanner is mechanically supported by the container and transmits waves received from the first and the second generators. The containerized system optionally includes one or more rails connected to the outside of the container, and the scanner moves along the one or more rails. The containerized system may also include a multi-axes arm that positions the scanner and that is mechanically supported by the container. Furthermore, the containerized system may include an interferometer, an electronics rack, and/or an air conditioning unit.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting a workpiece includes a plurality of support assemblies with movable heads. Positional errors are ascertained for the heads based on different positions thereof and used to properly position the heads to support the workpiece. Other inventive aspects are directed to features of the support assemblies and heads thereof.

Abstract: A hoist system and a method for lifting and lowering an object such as a boat include a support structure, a support member supported by the support structure and a hoisting assembly. The hoisting assembly includes an attachment assembly and a set of at least three flexible members operably coupled to the support member and the attachment assembly to retract and extend the attachment assembly vertically relative to a reference axis. The hoisting assembly is supported by the support structure and configured with the support member so as to space apart the flexible members from each other, and wherein each flexible member defines an oblique angle with the reference axis parallel to the vertical reference axis.

Abstract: Hoist systems are provided. In one embodiment, a hoist system includes a lower platform, an upper platform, a plurality of flexible members, and a plurality of hoists. The upper platform has a plurality of rotatable support arms. The flexible members connect the rotatable support arms to the lower platform and can be extended and retracted using the plurality of hoists. If desired, the upper platform includes a plurality adjustable length support arms, and actuators may be used to extend and retract the support arms.

Abstract: A trolley for a lift assembly is disclosed. The trolley includes a drive portion and a lift portion separable from the drive portion. The lift portion includes one or more fittings configured to hold one or more wire ropes for raising and lower a platform hitched to the wire ropes. The drive portion is connectable to a drive assembly to move the drive portion and lift portion along a lift stroke. Pairs of trolleys are interconnected via tension lines or wires connected to the lift portions of the trolleys. The lift portions are configured to move independent of the drive portions through lift provided via the interconnection of the lift portions through the tension lines or wires.

Abstract: A lift assembly is provided for a platform such as used on a ship. The platform can have four spaced apart hitch points. In one embodiment, the lift assembly includes four trolley drive assemblies, each trolley drive assembly including a trolley guidable along a guide rail, and a drive configured to displace the trolley along the guide rails, each trolley being coupled to at least one hitch point. In a second embodiment, a tension leveling assembly is provided in a trolley drive assembly and is configured to couple each of the wire ropes to the trolley and maintain substantially the same amount of tension in each wire rope. In a third embodiment, the lift assembly can be provided on a ship that also includes a vessel for holding water.

Abstract: Containerized systems are provided. In one embodiment, a containerized system includes a moveable three-dimensional container, a first generator, a second generator, and a scanner. The first generator is located within the container, and the second generator is located outside of the container. The scanner is mechanically supported by the container and transmits waves received from the first and the second generators. The containerized system optionally includes one or more rails connected to the outside of the container, and the scanner moves along the one or more rails. The containerized system may also include a multi-axes arm that positions the scanner and that is mechanically supported by the container. Furthermore, the containerized system may include an interferometer, an electronics rack, and/or an air conditioning unit.

Abstract: A robotic storage and retrieval system is provided. The robotic storage and retrieval system may include a three-dimensional storage rack, a set of article holders, and a robot. In one embodiment, the storage rack has a plurality of rows, a plurality of columns, and one or more support members at each unique row and column position. Each set of article holders is located at one of the unique row and column positions, and each article holder within a set is vertically supported by the one or more support members. The robot is configured to store the article holders to the storage rack and to retrieve the article holders from the storage rack.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a fluid stream for cutting a double contour workpiece includes a compensation module configured to receive information regarding a contour path in at least five degrees of freedom for cutting the double contour workpiece and a velocity of movement of the fluid stream during cutting and configured to provide as an output a modified contour path of said at least five degrees of freedom based on Kerf compensation errors. A motion controller is adapted to receive the modified contour path of said at least five degrees of freedom and the velocity and is configured to provide control signals. A positioner is configured to receive the control signals and position a fluid stream adjacent the workpiece accordingly.

Abstract: A bench-supported container handling system includes a bottom panel and a container manipulating device. A container conveying assembly is configured for transporting containers along a first direction while a container part conveying assembly is configured for transporting a part of the container along a second direction that intersects with the first direction. The first direction and the second direction are configured so as to create an area where the container manipulating device can be disposed. Additional aspects include a capping assembly and a labeling assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting a workpiece includes a plurality of support assemblies with movable heads. Positional errors are ascertained for the heads based on different positions thereof and used to properly position the heads to support the workpiece. Other inventive aspects are directed to features of the support assemblies and heads thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting a workpiece includes a plurality of support assemblies with movable heads. Positional errors are ascertained for the heads based on different positions thereof and used to properly position the heads to support the workpiece. Other inventive aspects are directed to features of the support assemblies and heads thereof.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to crane systems and/or hoists. One aspect includes in combination with a pair of runways in a crane system, a pair of hoist assemblies moveable on the runways, a pair of transfer rails selectively disposable transversely to the runways, the transfer rails including racks for at least a portion of one or both of the hoist assemblies to travel on, a spreader assembly locatable between the hoist assemblies and engaging the runways and/or the hoist assemblies to push the runways or hoist assemblies apart during insertion of the transfer rails between the runways.

Abstract: A lift assembly is provided for a platform such as used on a ship. The platform can have four spaced apart hitch points. In one embodiment, the lift assembly includes four trolley drive assemblies, each trolley drive assembly including a trolley guidable along a guide rail, and a drive configured to displace the trolley along the guide rails, each trolley being coupled to at least one hitch point. In a second embodiment, a tension leveling assembly is provided in a trolley drive assembly and is configured to couple each of the wire ropes to the trolley and maintain substantially the same amount of tension in each wire rope. In a third embodiment, the lift assembly can be provided on a ship that also includes a vessel for holding water.

Abstract: A support assembly and a method for holding an elongated workpiece are provided. First and second tensioning assemblies are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis. Each tensioning assembly has a fixture element adapted to hold a portion of the workpiece and a tension actuator operably coupled to the fixture element to move the fixture element. First and second clamp devices are disposed along the longitudinal axis where the first clamp device is disposed on a first side of the longitudinal axis and the second lateral clamp device is disposed on a second side of the longitudinal axis. Each lateral clamp device has an end portion configured to hold a portion of the workpiece and restrain the workpiece for twisting and/or lateral movement of the workpiece orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and a clamp actuator operably coupled to the end portion to move the end portion.