Abstract: A labeling device includes: a robot having articulated arms with arm sections that are articulated: together, to a robot base, and to a platform of a label pickup device. The pickup device has a base plate and a plunger. The plunger has a fixed portion mounted to the base plate and is not displaceable relative to the base plate in a longitudinal direction, has a portion that is movable in the fixed portion in the longitudinal direction toward the base plate to a retracted position, and has an end configured to pick up a label. A pressure regulator of the plunger breaks a negative pressure in the plunger. The plunger's fixed portion covers an opening of its movable portion in a gas-tight manner by of the when the movable portion in an extended position and which is not covered when in the retracted position.

Abstract: A labeling device includes: a robot having articulated arms with arm sections that are articulated: together, to a robot base, and to a platform of a label pickup device. The pickup device has a base plate and a plunger. The plunger has a fixed portion mounted to the base plate and is not displaceable relative to the base plate in a longitudinal direction, has a portion that is movable in the fixed portion in the longitudinal direction toward the base plate to a retracted position, and has an end configured to pick up a label. A pressure regulator of the plunger breaks a negative pressure in the plunger. The plunger's fixed portion covers an opening of its movable portion in a gas-tight manner by of the when the movable portion in an extended position and which is not covered when in the retracted position.

Abstract: A method of designing an anisotropic composite laminate structure to constitute a predetermined member of an airframe structure of an aircraft and includes a plurality of types of composite layers containing reinforcing fibers with different fiber orientations is provided. The method includes dividing the anisotropic composite laminate structure in the predetermined member into a plurality of regions in a thickness direction. The method includes determining, for each of the regions, at least a stacking sequence of the plurality of types of composite layers in accordance with a direction of stress acting on the predetermined member.

Abstract: A method of making the asphalt shingles includes applying a substrate to a layer of shingle-forming material, the substrate having indicators at predetermined spaced-apart distances, with the indicators being sensed as the shingle-forming layer is moved along a predetermined path, with adhesive zones being applied to the shingle such that the application of the adhesive zones is synchronized in response to sensing the locations of the indicators, and with the shingle-forming layer then being cut into individual shingles.

Abstract: An optical bonding machine is provided that includes a robotic placement machine having a Z axis actuator coupled to a first end of a base portion of the robotic placement machine, the Z axis actuator capable of moving up and down a Z axis, and a pick and place plate operably connected to the Z axis actuator, and a vertically oriented adhesive application valve configured to apply an amount of adhesive onto an underside of a substrate, the underside of the substrate facing down when the amount of adhesive is applied, wherein the pick-and-place plate of the robotic placement machine manipulates the substrate within the optical bonding machine such that the substrate receives the amount of adhesive prior to being optically bonded to an other substrate; wherein a movement of the robotic placement machine is controllable over at least 3 axes.

Abstract: A system for labeling a reel of electrical components includes an automated robotic manipulator movable between a reel grasping position and a reel releasing position; a sensor positioned to scan a label on a reel as the reel is moved by manipulator from the reel grasping position to the reel releasing position, to gather initial reel information; a label generator configured to generate a new label with information based at least in part on the initial reel information; and a label actuator positioned to affix the new label to the reel as the reel remains held by the manipulator. The sensor may be a barcode scanner. The label generator may be a label printer. The label actuator may be a pneumatic actuator. The system may also have a stack of reels to be labeled. Also included is output receptacle to receive the reel after the new label is affixed.

Abstract: A foil transfer apparatus configured to transfer foil of a foil film to a sheet includes a cover movable between a closed position and an open position, a lock mechanism capable of locking the cover at the closed position, a heating member, a pressurizing member, a temperature sensor, and a controller configured to: calculate a first lock determination temperature and a second lock determination temperature that are values obtained by respectively adding a first correction value and a second correction value that are determined based on a condition for performing a foil transfer operation to a detection temperature detected by the temperature; control the lock mechanism to lock the cover when the first lock determination temperature is not lower than a first threshold; and control the lock mechanism to unlock the cover when the second lock determination temperature is lower than a second threshold.

Abstract: A serration balloon can have a number of different components and can be made in a number of different manners. One or more longitudinally extending members with periodic raised wedges can be attached to a medical balloon. They can be attached with a fiber coating, a polymer coating, or other methods. A polymer matrix can be used to bond the longitudinally extending member to the surface of the balloon. The fiber coating can be, for example, a thread or mesh that secures the longitudinally extending member to the balloon. The medical balloon can be an angioplasty balloon, such as an off-the-shelf angioplasty balloon.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying noise-reducing elements to a tyre for vehicle wheels that has a radially inner surface with a service area and a circumferential dimension. The apparatus determines the position in circumferential direction of the service area, determines the position in circumferential direction of a target area on the radially inner surface of the tyre based on the position in circumferential direction of the service area, and applies a noise-reducing element the target area. The position in circumferential direction of the service area is determined by circumferentially inspecting the radially inner surface of the tyre starting from a reference position, detecting the angular position of the service area with respect to the reference position and determining the position in circumferential direction of the service area based on the angular position and on the circumferential dimension of the radially inner surface of the tyre.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a film sticking device, stand and membrane module. When apply the mobile phone film, the outer protective film of the mobile phone film is pulled out from the film pulling port, and the static electricity generated by the friction after the protective film is separated from the main film and will absorb the dust, so that the final cleaning of the dust can be achieved; Then, directly touch the mobile phone film toward the mobile phone screen through the pressing port of the main cover body to make it stick to the mobile phone screen, which saves time and energy, greatly meets the needs of users, and can be used repeatedly.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes directing one or more infrared cameras at a compaction roller of a composite laying head of a composite layup machine. The one or more infrared cameras are mounted aft of the compaction roller. The method includes applying heat to a substrate by a heater. The heater is mounted forward of the compaction roller. The method further includes using the one or more infrared cameras, to obtain one or more infrared images of the compaction roller, during laying down of one or more composite tows of a composite layup onto the substrate by the compaction roller. The method further includes identifying, based on the one or more infrared images, one or more temperature profiles of the compaction roller, and analyzing identified temperature profiles, to determine one or more of, a layup quality of the composite layup, and a heat history of the composite layup.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for processing cups (2), adapted to be filled with coffee or other products, whether solid or liquid, and to be closed with respective lids to form corresponding capsules, comprises: a plurality of pockets (50) for housing the cups (2); an infeed station (4) for receiving the cups (2) and placing them in respective pockets (50) of the plurality of pockets (50); at least one tool (31) for applying a process to a rear face (23B) of an annular flange (23) of a cup (2) housed a respective pocket (50), to form a sealing profile (230); an outfeed station (6) configured to release the cups (2) with the sealing profile (230) formed on them.

Abstract: A lamination apparatus, system, and method. The apparatus, system and method are for a lamination press for laminating at least one laminating film to a subject, which may include: an upper press comprising a gel plate, an upper vacuum chamber, and tooling suitable to apply the laminating film; a lower press suitable to maintain the subject to receive the laminating film, and comprising a lower vacuum chamber, an air bearing stage, and servo-positioned tooling; and an aligner that applies the servo-positioned tooling to maintain positional balance and alignment of the subject by the air bearing stage during the laminating while enabling vertical flexure of the lower press, wherein the positional balance and alignment is substantially continuously monitored by a controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for placing preforms onto a mandrel. One illustrative method includes moving a mandrel in a process direction relative to a station(s) that comprises multiple pick-and-place machine(s), identifying a tray that stores a preform comprising an unhardened fiber-reinforced material, placing the strong back at the preform via at least one of the pick-and-place machine(s), applying a vacuum to hold the preform in contact with the strong back, transporting the preform to a mandrel via the pick-and-place machine(s), and placing the preform onto the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for leveling a bonding device and anvil in an assembly via a closed-loop control system is provided. The assembly includes an anvil, a bonding device positioned adjacent the anvil and configured to interact with the anvil to form the bonds on the web, and an actuator that enables adjustment of an orientation between the bonding device and the anvil. The assembly also includes a closed-loop control system configured to control operation of the actuator, with the closed-loop control system configured to monitor an operational parameter of the assembly indicative of interaction of the bonding device with the anvil, determine whether the bonding device is parallel or substantially parallel with the anvil based on the operational parameter, and when the bonding device is not parallel or substantially parallel with the anvil, cause the actuator to adjust the orientation between the bonding device and the anvil.

Abstract: A lamination head for laying up a composite laminate includes a material supply drum supporting roll of layup material backed by a backing layer, a first and second separation device respectively having a first and second horn, and a first and second compaction device. When the first separation device is extended, the first horn is in close proximity to the first compaction device, causing a layup material to separate from the backing layer and move underneath the first compaction device as the lamination head moves along a first direction of travel. When the second separation device is extended, the second horn is in close proximity to the second compaction device, causing the layup material to separate from the backing layer and move underneath the second compaction device as the lamination head moves along a second direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel.

Abstract: A system for placing a composite ply includes a transfer end effector that is movable relative to a carrier transfer device, configured to convey a ply carrier that supports the composite ply, and a placement end effector that is movable relative to the transfer end effector and to a forming tool. The transfer end effector is configured to remove the ply carrier, supporting the composite ply, from the carrier transfer device and to position the ply carrier for removal by the placement end effector. The placement end effector is configured to remove the ply carrier from the transfer end effector and to apply the composite ply to the forming tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first film portion and a second film portion together along a seal line. The apparatus includes a horn and anvil. The anvil is positioned close to the horn. The horn or anvil has a face that is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a raised profile, and a height thereof has a dimension corresponding to 50% to 150% of a thickness of the first film portion or the second film portion. The face is positioned such that the raised profile extends along the circumference such that continuous running contact is provided between the raised profile and the other of the one of the horn or the anvil when rotated about the rotation axis, to form the seal line without any external structure to control a distance between the horn/anvil. A tapered bonding profile, a traction pattern, and a cut-and-seal feature are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for designing fiber-composite parts in which part performance and manufacturing efficiency can be traded-off against one another to provide an “optimized” design for a desired use case. In some embodiments, the method involves generating an idealized fiber map, wherein the orientation of fibers throughout the prospective part align with the anticipated load conditions throughout the part, and then modifying the idealized fiber map by various fabrication constraints to generate a process-compensated preform map.

Abstract: According to the utility model, there is provided a film laminator for cell phones, useful for film lamination on a surface of a cell phone, including: a cell phone fixing plate, on which a through hole for receiving the cell phone is established, and a top surface of which is a horizontal face; with at least one position limiting plate for abutting the cell phone within the through hole being also fixed on the top surface. The film laminator for cell phones further includes: a film laminating plate for fixing a cell phone film; one end of which is hinged to the cell phone fixing plate, and the other end of which is movable freely so that the film laminating plate is bonded with the top surface of the cell phone fixing plate.