Abstract: A system for transferring a substrate may adjust a suction force to a suitable level. The system may include a work table, a picker, and a pressure measuring unit. The work table may include a work area for supporting the substrate. The picker may be disposed above the work table and may include a suction unit for providing the suction force. The pressure measuring unit may overlap the suction unit and may include a pressure-sensitive element for facilitating adjustment of the suction force.

Abstract: A product taking-out apparatus includes a suction part to suck a plate-like metal product and ascend, a touch plate to move between a separate position and a contact position with respect to the product sucked by the suction part, and a vibrator to vibrate the touch plate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mechanical hand of a dual-driven special-shaped super-flexible elastic framework. The mechanical hand includes a top plate and a base plate. The top plate and the base plate are fixed into a whole through two groups of guide connection rods. Two lead screw shaft servo motors are disposed on the top plate at an interval. Lead screws of the two lead screw shaft servo motors are respectively connected to a hollow finger front section driving plate and a finger root portion driving plate. Tail ends of the two lead screws are respectively supported on the base plate through two mounted bearings. The mechanical hand further includes flexible fingers. A tip portion of each of the flexible fingers is fixed on the hollow finger front section driving plate. A special-shaped super-flexible leaf spring of the flexible finger is connected to the base plate through a finger root hinge seat.

Abstract: A valve robot hand includes a driving device, a transmitting sleeve, a first return spring, a first centering sleeve configured to sleeve on a screw cap of a valve handle, and a driving fork configured to couple with the valve handle. A lower end of the transmitting sleeve is connected with the driving fork. The driving fork is provided with a first through-hole configured to sleeve on the screw cap of the valve handle. The first through-hole is coaxial with the transmitting sleeve. The driving fork is sleeved on the first centering sleeve through the first through-hole such that the first centering sleeve is capable of moving in the transmitting sleeve along its axial direction. The first return spring is configured to exert a downward elastic force on the first centering sleeve.

Abstract: A tendon-driven robotic gripper is disclosed for performing fingertip and enveloping grasps. One embodiment comprises two fingers, each with two links, and is actuated using a single active tendon. During unobstructed closing, the distal links remain parallel, creating exact fingertip grasps. Conversely, if the proximal links are stopped by contact with an object, the distal links start flexing, creating a stable enveloping grasp. The route of the active tendon and the parameters of the springs providing passive extension forces are optimized in order to achieve this behavior. An additional passive tendon is disclosed that may be used as a constraint preventing the gripper from entering undesirable parts of the joint workspace. A method for optimizing the dimensions of the links in order to achieve enveloping grasps of a large range of objects is disclosed and applied to a set of common household objects.

Abstract: A device for excavating a precise plug of sand from a sand surface and umbrella assemblies are shown and described. In particular embodiments, a plunger includes a distal portion having a cavity, an elbow, and an elongated body separating said distal portion and the elbow. The result is a plunger and umbrella assemblies for excavating a precise, uniform hole substantially equivalent to the pole diameter.

Abstract: A retrieval device for retrieving items within a confined space with limited access, said device comprising: (a) an elongated body having a front and rear and a longitudinal axis; (b) a clamping mechanism comprising at least a set of jaws disposed at said front, said jaws being configured to actuate between closed and open positions, said clamping mechanism also comprising at least one actuating member connected to said jaws and at least partially disposed in said body; (c) an actuator laterally offset from said axis and beside said at least one actuating member, said actuator operatively connected to said at least one actuating member to actuate said jaws between said closed and opened positions; and (d) at least one camera disposed proximate said motor and offset from said axis, said at least one camera having a field of view of at least a portion of said jaws.

Abstract: A device for detecting a position of a hoisting frame includes one or more image sensors connected movably to the hoisting frame and protruding outside a periphery thereof in a position of use. The image sensors can be movable between the position of use and a protected position lying within the periphery of the hoisting frame. The device can be provided with means for biasing the image sensor(s) from the protected position to the position of use. A method for controlling a hoisting frame suspended from a crane includes moving the hoisting frame to a first position under the control of an automatic control system, holding the hoisting frame stationary in the first position, making one or more image recordings of the area around the hoisting frame in the first position and moving the hoisting frame to a second position on the basis of the image recording(s), wherein the image recording(s) is/are made by one or more image sensors connected to the hoisting frame.

Abstract: A manhole adjustment ring removal assembly includes a frame. A pair of legs is pivotally coupled to the frame. Each of the legs has an upper end and a lower end and each end has one of a pair of the plates attached thereto. The plates each have an outer edge extending outwardly away from a corresponding one of the legs. The outer edges taper to point and are extendable between an adjustment ring and a cone base. A drive assembly is mounted on the frame and is mechanically coupled to the legs. The drive assembly is actuated in a first direction moving the lower ends away from each other and in a second direction moving the lower ends toward each other. A lift ring is attached to the frame to be engaged with a cable to lift the frame when the plates are positioned under the adjustment ring.

Abstract: A device for removing polycrystalline silicon rod pairs from a Siemens reactor has a body dimensioned to fit over a single rod pair. Once the rod pair is within the body, the body and enclosed rod pair is removed.

Abstract: A method for transferring a plurality of columnar honeycomb structures according to the present invention includes: subjecting first side surfaces of the plurality of columnar honeycomb structures to vacuum suction; and correctively transferring the plurality of the columnar honeycomb structures, optionally while supporting second side surfaces opposing to the first side surfaces of the plurality of columnar honeycomb structures by a supporting member.

Abstract: A retriever for retrieving objects, including an elongated arm; a container on one end of the arm having an opening providing access to an interior of the container; and an actuator on the other end of the arm. Operation of the actuator causes movement of a scraper plate between an open position and a closed position. When in the open position, the scraper plate is spaced from the opening. When in the closed position, the scraper plate contacts the container at the opening. If an object is located in the space between the scraper plate and the opening, then movement of the scraper plate between the open and closed positions pushes the object into the interior of the container. The object can then slide through a channel along the arm, and be retrieved by a user from an opening in the channel near the trigger.

Abstract: A food serving apparatus with a bottom having two lateral sides, a front side, and a back side, and a center axis, and two flexible side walls, each of which are capable of automatically bending toward a center axis of the food serving apparatus in response to insertion of the apparatus into an open end of a flexible bag.

Abstract: An automatic locking mechanism can include one or more annular elements having teeth facing each other or facing away from each other. The automatic locking mechanism can include a rod disposed between the annular elements. The rod can have one or more pins configured to interface with the teeth of the annular elements. The pins and the teeth are also configured to rotate the rod when the annular elements move relative to the rod. The rotation of the rod can toggle a hook end of the rod in a hook receptacle, which can change states of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible. A granular material is provided in an interior of the gripper. The gripping tool grips a workpiece by depressurizing the interior of the gripper in a state in which the gripper is caused to contact the workpiece. The gripper includes a first portion contacting the workpiece, and a second portion opposing the first portion. The granular material is provided in a first space between the first portion and the second portion. A hardness of at least a portion of the first portion is less than 46.9.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a dressing aid are disclosed. In one embodiment, a dressing aid, comprises a grip; an extender extending from the grip, the extender having a proximal end and a distal end; a clasping mechanism coupled with the distal end of the extender; and a locking mechanism configured to lock the extender into a fixed position such that the clasping mechanism remains at a fixed length from the grip.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper and a suction pad. The gripper is flexible. A granular material is provided in an interior of the gripper. The suction pad includes a pad portion and a pipe-shaped member and is surrounded with the gripper. The pad portion suctions a workpiece. The pipe-shaped member is connected to the pad portion. The suction pad is movable with respect to the gripper in a first direction. The first direction is from the pad portion toward the pipe-shaped member.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide modular robotic systems that allow one or more operation parameters of a robotic actuator, or group of actuators, to be dynamically configured or reconfigured. The operation parameters may be, for example, the X, Y, and/or Z position of the actuator or group of actuators with respect to other actuators, the arrangement of the actuator(s) into an array or matrix, the rotation or pitch of an actuator, the distance between actuators, the grip strength or grip surface of an actuator, etc. Accordingly, the same robotic manipulator(s) may be used for multiple purposes in multiple different contexts, manipulators can be swapped out on-the-fly, and robotic systems may be dynamically reconfigured to perform new tasks.

Abstract: There is provided an end effector that is attached to a tip end of a robot arm for providing dispensation using a pipette and a chip attached to the pipette. The pipette includes a press button configured to draw a liquid into the chip or to discharge the liquid drawn into the chip from the chip as the press button is pressed and operated. The end effector includes a holding part for holding the pipette, a motor, and a swing part that presses and operates the press button as the swing part is driven and swung by the motor.

Abstract: A grabbing device having a plurality of jaws which can be moved between an open position and a closed position to enable the device to grasp an object(s). The technology finds particular application in the forestry industry and moving logs.