Abstract: An arm fixing device that fixes a first arm to a support member, the movable arm being pivotally supported on a base about a second axis, the movable arm being driven to pivot about the second axis by power of a servomotor, the arm fixing device including: an attachment portion that is position-adjustable in a circumferential direction and detachably attached to the base; a pair of protrusion fixing portions that, in a state in which the attachment portion is attached to the base, extend in a radial direction with respect to a second axis and are disposed at positions interposing a protruding portion therebetween in the circumferential direction, the protruding portion being provided in the first arm and protruding in the second axis direction; and a connecting portion 13b that connects the distal ends of the protrusion fixing portions to each other.

Abstract: A joining method is a method of joining a plate set composed by a plurality of stacked plate members including a first plate member and a second plate member by using a tapping screw. When the tapping screw is advanced into the plate set while the tapping screw is rotated in a state of applying a pressure onto the plate set so as to form through-holes in the first plate member and the second plate member, a first pressure applied onto the tapping screw is reduced down to a second pressure at the time when the tapping screw penetrates the first plate member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a casting is provided and includes establishing desired dimensions of a nominal casting, executing a casting process to produce multiple actual castings with each of the multiple actual castings having respective dimensions that differ from each other and from the desired dimensions of the nominal casting and engaging one or more tools to adaptively machine, without rigidly-programmed toolpaths, each of the multiple actual castings to reduce the respective differences between the actual dimensions of each of the multiple actual castings and the desired dimensions.

Abstract: Provided is a displaceable maintenance device, to a displaceable assembly device, to a method for servicing a fastening element, and to a method for servicing and/or assembling a fastening element of a flange of a wind power installation tower. Provided is a displaceable maintenance device for a wind power installation tower, comprising a mobile unit which is specified for moving the maintenance device along a flange of the wind power installation tower; a first maintenance unit having an impact element for impacting a fastening element, in particular a flange connection element, and a noise-receiver unit for detecting a noise generated by the impacting; a control unit for evaluating the noises detected by means of the noise-receiver unit, said control unit, based on the evaluation, being specified for assigning a maintenance status to a fastening element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for re-rounding a distorted end (e.g., oval-shaped) of a pipe for insertion into a mechanical joint fitting or pipe bell have a circular diameter. The apparatus involves two separate semi-circular members having jack bolt assemblies evenly distributed in each. The two ends of each of the semi-circular members have extensions that can be releasably coupled to join to the two members to form a circular re-rounding tool. A first semi-circular member is positioned on the maximum diameter side of the distorted pipe and the other semi-circular member is placed on the opposite side of the distorted pipe and extensions joined. With an equal number of jack bolt assemblies in each member, corresponding jack bolt assemblies in the two members are diametrically aligned forming pairs. To re-round the distorted end, pairs of these jack bolt assemblies are tightened in a “star sequence” to re-round the distorted end.

Abstract: Inflatable devices are disclosed including a surface which has a network of polymer chains and is configured to be inflatable into a therapeutically or diagnostically useful shape, and at least one ultrashort laser pulse-formed modification in the surface. The network can, for example, include a network morphology that is substantially unchanged by modification with the ultrashort pulse laser. Ultrashort laser pulses can be laser pulses equal to or less than 1000 picoseconds in duration. Advantageously, the etching process uses a relatively low-heat laser to avoid significant heating of surrounding polymers while modifying the surface (and other structures) of the device. The process is configured so that the polymer chain morphology adjacent the modification is substantially unaffected by the low-heat laser. The resulting inflatable device has customized surface features while still retaining substantially homogenous polymer network morphology.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an O-ring to a work piece, including: a plurality of picking components operable to move away from each other to contact and expand the O-ring to pick the O-ring or to move towards each other to release the O-ring; and a guiding component including a frustum portion arranged coaxially with a groove of the work piece, a large end face of the frustum portion arranged adjacent to an end surface of the work piece on which the groove is formed, wherein a diameter of the large end face is substantially same as an inner diameter of the groove, wherein the picking components are operable to release the O-ring onto a tapered surface of the frustum portion so that the O-ring is pushed into the groove along the tapered surface.

Abstract: An electrically insulated tool is provided for a paint robot of a robotic painting system. The insulated tool includes an insulated main body having a mounting bracket disposed at a first end of the main body, configured for removably coupling the insulated tool to a paint robot. The tool has an optical sensor system including first and second optical fiber cables, and first and second spaced-apart optic ports coupled to the respective first and second optical fiber cables. The optic ports are configured to provide light communication as a light emitter and a light receiver. An interruption in the light communication between the light emitter and the light receiver indicates a presence of a workpiece component adjacent a detection region of the insulated tool.

Abstract: For tightening screwed connections by a multi-screwing device with first and second screwing tools, each with rotary drive for screwing an exchangeable bushing on and off, a device for longitudinally straining a threaded bolt, and a tool for retightening the nut, the screwing tools are moved at right angles relative to tool axes by an actuating drive. When the bushings of the screwing tools are both screwed onto a threaded bolt, these steps are performed: a) bushing of first screwing tool is unscrewed from threaded bolt and raised; b) first screwing tool is moved relative to the second into a position in which tool axis of first screwing tool is aligned with screw axis of a further threaded bolt; c) first screwing tool is lowered and screwed onto further threaded bolt; d) threaded bolt is longitudinally strained, and e) steps a) to d) are repeated for second tool.

Abstract: This machine tool system uses a plurality of mobile robots to convey workpieces to a plurality of machine tools, the machine tool system being provided with: machine tool control unit that issues work requests to the machine tools; a mobile robot control unit that determines workable times for the mobile robots on the basis of the work requests; and a determining unit that compares the workable times which are for the mobile robots and respectively planned by the mobile robots, and causes the mobile robot with the fastest workable time to execute the requested work.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a torque-transmitting assembly includes turning an inner component and machining an outermost surface of the inner component such that the outermost surface of the inner component has a continuous convex shape. The method further includes turning an external component and machining an innermost surface of the external component such that the innermost surface of the external component has a continuous convex shape. The method also includes heating the innermost surface of the external component to expand a size of the innermost surface after machining the innermost surface of the external component and placing the heated external component onto the inner component while the inner component is maintained at room temperature.

Abstract: The present utility model relates to an autonomous interior painting robot for homes, commercial premises, hotels, etc. The robot is designed for painting and outlining while recognizing obstacles in the work area and aimed at reducing the efforts and time needed to carry out these operations. It is applicable in the field of interior design and the completion of small conditioning works. The autonomous painting robot comprises a mobile base (1) equipped with a paint tank and a pump or compressor, characterized in that the base (1) comprises a series of detectors configured to locate the base (1) and to detect obstacles, a substantially vertical lifting column (4), at the end of which a robot arm (5) is articulated and topped with a head (6) that carries a paint gun (7) connected to the pump, one or more cameras (9), and a proximity sensor (10).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for assembling optical module. The apparatus includes: a plurality of fixtures, an alignment mechanism, a power supply, a spectroscopic prism with a light incident surface close to the plurality of optical modules to be aligned, a first image collecting unit close to a first light emitting surface of the spectroscopic prism and a second image collecting unit with a second light emitting surface of the spectroscopic prism; the controller is configured to determine a light spot that does not meet a quality requirement according to the positions and/or sizes of the plurality of imaging light spots, and generate a corresponding aligning instruction, and determine a to-be-assembled lens corresponding to the light spot that does not meet requirements according to a correspondence between a to-be-assembled lens and the light spot, and output the aligning instruction to an alignment mechanism to adjust a position of the lens.

Abstract: A robot system capable of separating an adhesive member from a cover material and sticking the adhesive member on an object without a complicated setting. A robot system including a sticking mechanism configured to clamp and stick an adhesive member on an object and a supply mechanism capable of supplying the adhesive member, wherein the sticking mechanism includes a robot hand configured to clamp and release the adhesive member and a robot arm configured to move the robot hand; and the supply mechanism is separate from the sticking mechanism, supplies the adhesive member in a state that the adhesive member is stuck to a cover material, and separates the cover material from the adhesive member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a joining method of members, which includes the steps of: preparing a first member in which a first hole portion having a polygonal cross-sectional shape is formed, and a second member having a hollow shape, wherein the second member has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the polygonal cross-sectional shape of the first hole portion, the second member including a plurality of straight line portions extending linearly and corner portions positioned between the adjacent two straight line portions in the cross-sectional shape; inserting the second member into the first hole portion of the first member; and caulking and joining the second member to the first member by enlarging and deforming the corner portions.

Abstract: In one aspect, a material is disclosed, including: a periodic structure including a plurality of unit cells, the plurality of unit cells having a respective plurality of shared nodes, wherein each of the plurality of unit cells has a plurality of members forming an open cell volume; and a matrix material associated with the periodic structure. In another aspect, a method of forming a material is disclosed, including: forming a periodic structure including a plurality of unit cells, the plurality of unit cells having a respective plurality of shared nodes, wherein each of the plurality of unit cells has a plurality of members forming an open cell volume; and associating a matrix material with the periodic structure. Matrix material selection, composition, manufacturing, interfacial bonding modification, and post-treatments of the periodic structure-matrix material composites are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for joining members according to the present invention includes: providing a first member, a second member, a guide shaft member, a rubber member, a first plunger, a second plunger, and a drive mechanism; inserting the second member into a hole portion of the first member; inserting the guide shaft member into a through-hole of the rubber member; inserting the rubber member, into which the guide shaft member is inserted, inside the second member; arranging an assembly in which the first member, the second member, the rubber member, and the guide shaft member so as to horizontally extend; arranging the assembly so as to be sandwiched by the first plunger and the second plunger; and moving the second plunger toward the first plunger; compressing the rubber member by the first plunger and the second plunger in a direction where the guide shaft member extends, and expanding the rubber member radially outside the guide shaft member; and thus expanding and deforming at least a portion of the second member

Abstract: A device and method for producing a continuous strip-shaped composite material including a base material of metal, which is unwound in the form of a metal strip by a first coil-unwinding apparatus, and at least one cladding material of metal, which is unwound in the form of a metal strip by a second coil-unwinding apparatus. The metal base and cladding metal strips unwound by the respective coil-unwinding apparatuses are brought together in the hot state of at least 720 degrees Celsius. The unwound base and cladding metal strips brought toward each other and are joined by hot-rolling such that a single continuous strip-shaped composite material is thereby formed by roll cladding such that the composite material includes the base material and the cladding material.

Abstract: A system for automatic wheel alignment adjustment of a vehicle in an inspection line is provided. The system is disposed under a mounting table mounted with a vehicle and includes a front wheel adjustment apparatus disposed in correspondence with a front wheel of the vehicle and configured to adjust alignment of the front wheel by adjusting a tie-rod and a lock-nut employed in a linkage structure of the front wheel, a rear wheel moving apparatus disposed in correspondence with a rear wheel of the vehicle and slidable in a vehicle width direction, and a rear wheel adjustment apparatus disposed in correspondence with the rear wheel of the vehicle, connectable to the rear wheel moving apparatus, and configured to adjust alignment of the rear wheel by adjusting a cam-bolt and a cam-nut employed in a linkage structure of the rear wheel.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing and/or deploying a swage machine, which includes a die plate that enables a die to be used to conformally deform a pipe fitting around pipe segment tubing to be loaded in the swage machine, a grab plate having grab plate sections that are pivotably connected, and grab adapter sections. Each grab adapter sections includes a base sub-section connected to a corresponding grab plate section, in which an inner surface of the base sub-section includes an alignment notch, and a modular sub-section to be secured to the base sub-section, in which an outer surface of the modular sub-section includes an alignment tab to be disposed within the alignment notch in the base sub-section and an inner surface of the modular sub-section includes a grab tab section that matingly interlocks with a fitting grab notch on the pipe fitting to facilitate securing the swage machine to the pipe fitting.