Abstract: A gripping device for gripping a workpiece includes: at least one gripping element configured for contacting the workpiece, the at least one gripping element including a shaft; at least one articulating finger jaw; a mounting block connecting the shaft to the at least one articulating finger jaw, the mounting block including an articulation stop having a first stopping surface and a second stopping surface; and a stopping member connected to the shaft, the stopping member being configured for contacting one of the first stopping surface and the second stopping surface to limit a rotation of the shaft relative to the mounting block, the stopping member being in the form of a fastener which is inelastic.

Abstract: A gripper tooling includes: a gripper having a gripper body and an angular jaw; a rotor fixedly connected to the angular jaw; and a tooling member for gripping a workpiece, the tooling member including: a base pivotally connected to the rotor; a middle segment pivotally connected to the base; a distal segment pivotally connected to the middle segment; an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the rotor and a distal end attached to the distal segment, the rotor for rotating relative to the base and thereby for tensioning the adducting tendon; and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment such that the tooling member can autonomously grip the workpiece as the angular jaw rotates toward the workpiece and the tooling member autonomously returns to an ungripped position as the angular jaw rotates away from workpiece.

Abstract: A gripper for gripping a workpiece includes: a base; at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base; a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment; at least one actuator disposed within the base; an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one actuator and a distal end attached to the distal segment, the at least one actuator being configured for linearly and nonrotationally moving the proximal end of the adducting tendon; and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment, wherein the middle segment and the distal segment are configured for gripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a first direction and ungripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping a workpiece includes: at least one gripping element configured for contacting the workpiece, the at least one gripping element including a shaft; at least one articulating finger jaw; a mounting block connecting the shaft to the at least one articulating finger jaw, the mounting block including an articulation stop having a first stopping surface and a second stopping surface; and a stopping member connected to the shaft, the stopping member being configured for contacting one of the first stopping surface and the second stopping surface to limit a rotation of the shaft relative to the mounting block, the stopping member being in the form of a fastener which is inelastic.

Abstract: A gripper tooling includes: a gripper having a gripper body and an angular jaw; a rotor fixedly connected to the angular jaw; and a tooling member for gripping a workpiece, the tooling member including: a base pivotally connected to the rotor; a middle segment pivotally connected to the base; a distal segment pivotally connected to the middle segment; an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the rotor and a distal end attached to the distal segment, the rotor for rotating relative to the base and thereby for tensioning the adducting tendon; and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment such that the tooling member can autonomously grip the workpiece as the angular jaw rotates toward the workpiece and the tooling member autonomously returns to an ungripped position as the angular jaw rotates away from workpiece.

Abstract: A gripper for gripping a workpiece includes: a base; at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base; a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment; at least one actuator disposed within the base; an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one actuator and a distal end attached to the distal segment, the at least one actuator being configured for linearly and nonrotationally moving the proximal end of the adducting tendon; and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment, wherein the middle segment and the distal segment are configured for gripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a first direction and ungripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping a workpiece. The gripping device includes at least one gripping element configured for contacting the workpiece, at least one articulating finger jaw, and a mounting block connecting the shaft of the at least one gripping element to the at least one articulating finger jaw. The mounting block includes an articulation stop having a first stopping surface and a second stopping surface. The gripping device further includes a stopping member connected to the shaft. The stopping member is configured for contacting one of the first stopping surface and the second stopping surface to limit a rotation of the shaft relative to the mounting block. The stopping member is in the form of one of a pin and a fastener.

Abstract: A gripper tooling including a gripper, at least one slider, and at least one tooling member configured for gripping a workpiece. Each tooling member including a base slideably mounted to the at least one slider, at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base, a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment, an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one slider and a distal end attached to the distal segment, and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment. The at least one tooling member is configured for autonomously gripping the workpiece as the at least one jaw moves toward the workpiece and the at least one tooling member autonomously returns to an ungripped position as the at least one jaw moves away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping a workpiece. The gripping device includes at least one gripping element configured for contacting the workpiece, at least one articulating finger jaw, and a mounting block connecting the shaft of the at least one gripping element to the at least one articulating finger jaw. The mounting block includes an articulation stop having a first stopping surface and a second stopping surface. The gripping device further includes a stopping member connected to the shaft. The stopping member is configured for contacting one of the first stopping surface and the second stopping surface to limit a rotation of the shaft relative to the mounting block. The stopping member is in the form of one of a pin and a fastener.

Abstract: A gripper including a base, at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base, a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment, at least one actuator disposed within the base, an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one actuator and a distal end attached to the distal segment, and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment. The at least one middle segment and the distal segment are configured for gripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a first direction and ungripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A gripper including a base, at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base, a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment, at least one actuator disposed within the base, an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one actuator and a distal end attached to the distal segment, and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment. The at least one middle segment and the distal segment are configured for gripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a first direction and ungripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A gripper includes at least one tooling member including: a base; a distal segment coupled to the base and configured to grip a workpiece; a series of identical intermediate segments coupling the base to the distal segment, each of the intermediate segments being coupled to at least one other intermediate segment; and a fastener coupling two adjacent intermediate segments together. The fastener defines a first position where the coupled adjacent intermediate segments are articulationally and translationally locked to one another and a second position where the coupled adjacent intermediate segments are translationally locked to and articulationally unlocked from one another.

Abstract: A locating pin assembly including a locating pin movable between extended and retracted positions. The locating pin includes a locating pin top having a top end and a bottom end, a locating pin base receiving the bottom end of the locating pin top, and a dowel pin configured to couple the locating pin top and locating pin base together. The locating pin assembly also includes a drive rod moveable relative to the locating pin. The drive rod includes a drive rod top having a top end and a bottom end, and a drive rod base partially housing the drive rod top. The locating pin assembly also includes a finger coupled to the drive rod and movable between extended and fully retracted positions, the finger is extended by the drive rod without movement of the locating pin, and the finger is rotatable from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A robotic system including a robot and an end effector cuff connected to the robot. The end effector cuff has a body and includes at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid port fluidly connected to the at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid valve fluidly connected to the at least one fluid port and housed within the body of the end effector cuff, and an electronic control unit operably coupled to the robot and housed within the body of the end effector cuff. The robotic system also includes an end effector connected to the end effector cuff.

Abstract: A dynamic mount for a manufacturing apparatus, the dynamic mount including a housing, an actuation assembly and a support assembly. The housing includes a first axis along a length of the housing and a second axis along a height of the housing, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis. The actuation assembly is movable along the first axis. The support assembly having a first portion moving between a first position and a second position along the second axis as the actuation assembly moves along the first axis. The first portion of the support assembly prohibiting movement of a second portion of the support assembly when in the first position. The second portion of the support assembly having six degrees of freedom when the first portion is in the second position.

Abstract: A gripper tooling including a gripper, at least one slider, and at least one tooling member configured for gripping a workpiece. Each tooling member including a base slideably mounted to the at least one slider, at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base, a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment, an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one slider and a distal end attached to the distal segment, and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment. The at least one tooling member is configured for autonomously gripping the workpiece as the at least one jaw moves toward the workpiece and the at least one tooling member autonomously returns to an ungripped position as the at least one jaw moves away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A device for gripping an object that includes a main body having a first and a second endplate, a baseplate, at least one guide rail, and a first jaw and a second jaw, each receiving the at least one guide rail. The device also includes a first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly respectively attached to the baseplate and a chain loop respectively attached to the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly. The chain loop includes a first chain length and a second chain length and a first link and a second link that attaches the first chain length and the second chain length. Each of the first link and second link include at least one dowel pin. The chain loop is attached to the first jaw and the second jaw by the at least one dowel pin of each of the first link and second link.

Abstract: A robotic system including a robot and an end effector cuff connected to the robot. The end effector cuff has a body and includes at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid port fluidly connected to the at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid valve fluidly connected to the at least one fluid port and housed within the body of the end effector cuff, and an electronic control unit operably coupled to the robot and housed within the body of the end effector cuff. The robotic system also includes an end effector connected to the end effector cuff.

Abstract: A fluid energy harvester, including a housing having at least one port and an outlet, and the housing defining at least one fluid passageway therein. The fluid energy harvester also includes a converter disposed within the housing and configured to convert at least a portion of potential energy in an exhaust fluid, a generator operably coupled to the converter and configured to generate an electrical current from the converter, a charging controller electrically coupled to the generator, and a storage medium electrically coupled to the generator and configured to store the electrical current generated by the generator. The fluid energy harvester further includes a nozzle configured to control a flow of the exhaust fluid.