Abstract: An agricultural applicator, that applies material to an agricultural field, includes an on-board, real-time image sensor that senses targets for the material to be applied. A controller controls applicators, such as nozzles or other applicators, to apply the material to the sensed targets.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an agricultural implement connected to a vehicle. An actuator is arranged to control a lateral position of the implement with respect to the vehicle, also influencing the vertical angle of the implement. A camera mounted on the implement is connected to an image processing system which is adapted to derive the position of at least one row of plants in an image provided by the camera. An implement control unit controls the actuator to move the implement to a desired position based upon the derived position of the at least one row of plants, and a compensation arrangement compensates for the rotation of the camera around the vertical axis caused by the actuator based on the position of the actuator.

Abstract: An agricultural applicator, that applies material to an agricultural field, includes an on-board, real-time image sensor that senses targets for the material to be applied.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an agricultural implement connected to a vehicle is described. An actuator is arranged to control a lateral position of the implement with respect to the vehicle, also influencing the vertical angle of the implement. A camera mounted on the implement is connected to an image processing system which is adapted to derive the position of at least one row of plants in an image provided by the camera. An implement control unit controls the actuator to move the implement to a desired position based upon the derived position of the at least one row of plants, and a compensation arrangement compensates for the rotation of the camera around the vertical axis caused by the actuator based on the position of the actuator.

Abstract: As fruit (preferably apples) are harvested, the fruit is placed on a conveyor that conveys the fruit to a fruit singulating section. In the singulating section, the fruit is directed into slots in a lane formed by two cooperating helical drives. The helical drives rotate the fruit and convey the fruit into an imaging chamber where a camera acquires an image of the fruit. The fruit image is evaluated by a processor in communication with the camera. The fruit is then directed into a rotary sorter which sorts the fruit based on the image evaluation by the processor.

Abstract: As fruit (preferably apples) are harvested, the fruit is placed on a conveyor that conveys the fruit to a fruit singulating section. In the singulating section, the fruit is directed into slots in a lane formed by two cooperating helical drives. The helical drives rotate the fruit and convey the fruit into an imaging chamber where a camera acquires an image of the fruit. The fruit image is evaluated by a processor in communication with the camera. The fruit is then directed into a rotary sorter which sorts the fruit based on the image evaluation by the processor.

Abstract: A surface machining method to be adopted when machining a valve mechanism component member is provided so as to manufacture a product assuring a specific pulsation-reducing effect over an extended period of time with a high level of reliability. A plurality of recesses 60 are formed through laser machining over an area (seat surface 51) at a valve plate 2 around an suction port 24, which comes into contact with an suction valve 30, or an area of the suction valve 30 that comes into contact with the valve plate 2. Projections 61 may also be formed through laser machining around the recesses 60. Such projections 61 should be formed so as to assure hardness greater than the hardness of the other areas through radiation of laser light.

Abstract: Apparatus incorporated in a bending brake for making selective use of a preselected number of different dies which are to cooperate with reciprocating punches to make various bending operations. The dies are held in respective preassigned storage locations formed by a pair of racks jointly movable in the vertical direction. Disposed opposite to the rack pair of horizontal movement toward and away from same are a pair of die carriers which coact to carry a desired one of the dies out of the rack pair. A pair of die changer arms, pivotally mounted on the frame of the bending brake, transport a die to be replaced, which has been in use on a die bed, from the later on to the die carrier pair and, on their return stroke, transport the desired die which has been just carried out of the rack pair by the die carrier pair from the later on to the die bed.