Abstract: A robotic system can include or be coupled with an end effector assembly. The end effector may include multiple of suction cups configured to individually receive suction pressure (e.g., from a shared vacuum source), and a set of unidirectional valves coupled to the multiple suction cups to individually control supply or cut-off of the suction pressure to an individual suction cup of the plurality of suction cups. Each of the unidirectional valves may include a first flow path to convey the suction pressure from the source of suction pressure to the suction cup, and a second flow path extending between a suction cup to the atmosphere. The valve can be configured to switch between the first flow path and the second flow path to activate or deactivate the individual suction cup.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for end of arm tools having conveyance surfaces and related item manipulation devices. In one embodiment, an example item manipulation device may include a first conveyor assembly having a first conveyance surface configured to actuate in a first direction, a second conveyor assembly having a second conveyance surface that opposes the first conveyance surface, the second conveyance surface configured to actuate in the first direction, where the item manipulation device may grasp an item between the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly, and a controller configured to cause the item to be grasped between the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly, and actuate the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly to unload the item from the item manipulation device.

Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil body and a sheath. The airfoil body includes a first metallic material and the sheath includes a second metallic material. An interface connects the sheath to the airfoil body such that the sheath covers a forward edge of the airfoil body to define an airfoil leading edge. The interface includes bulk metallic glass bonding the sheath to the airfoil body.

Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil body and a sheath. The airfoil body includes a first metallic material and the sheath includes a second metallic material. An interface connects the sheath to the airfoil body such that the sheath covers a forward edge of the airfoil body to define an airfoil leading edge. The interface includes bulk metallic glass bonding the sheath to the airfoil body.

Abstract: A system for deep rolling a workpiece including a roller tool comprising an adaptor plate proximate an adapter end; an arm attached to the adaptor plate, the arm comprising an adapter end proximate the adaptor plate, the arm comprising a roller end opposite the adapter end, the arm comprising a midspan portion between the adapter end and the roller end; and a roller disk joined to the roller end, the roller disk including a surface feature configured to contact the workpiece and imprint a surface texture on a workpiece surface.

Abstract: A method of operation is provided during which a tool is arranged with a surface of a component. The tool includes a roller contacting the surface. A rolling operation is performed on the surface using the roller. A vibration operation is performed on the surface through the roller concurrently with the performing of the rolling operation.

Abstract: A system for deep rolling a workpiece including a roller tool comprising an adaptor plate proximate an adapter end; an arm attached to the adaptor plate, the arm comprising an adapter end proximate the adaptor plate, the arm comprising a roller end opposite the adapter end, the arm comprising a midspan portion between the adapter end and the roller end, an offset formed in the arm configured to prevent contact with the workpiece; a roller disk joined to the roller end, the roller disk configured to contact the workpiece; and a fixture supporting the workpiece.

Abstract: A system for deep rolling a workpiece including a roller tool comprising an adaptor plate proximate an adapter end; an arm attached to the adaptor plate, the arm comprising an adapter end proximate the adaptor plate, the arm comprising a roller end opposite the adapter end, the arm comprising a midspan portion between the adapter end and the roller end; a roller disk support attached to the roller end, the roller disk support comprising a pair of forks; a roller disk joined to the pair of forks, the roller disk configured to contact the workpiece; and a fixture supporting the workpiece.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for robotic picking assemblies with highly damped suction cups. In one embodiment, an example suction cup for a picking assembly may include a shell formed of an elastomeric material, where the shell forms a first bellow. The suction cup may include a first fluid chamber disposed on an outer portion of the suction cup, a first opening, where fluid from the first fluid chamber passes through the first opening, and an optional second fluid chamber disposed on an inner portion of the suction cup. The suction cup may include an optional second opening formed in the shell, where fluid from the second fluid chamber passes through the second opening. The first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber may be configured to dampen movement of the suction cup.

Abstract: A system for deep rolling a fan blade including a shaft assembly disposed along a first axis; a hub connected to a distal end of the shaft assembly, the hub having an upper hub portion and a lower hub portion extending along a second axis, the second axis forming an angle relative to a first axis; a roller disk joined to the lower portion of the hub, the roller disk configured to contact a fan blade; a fixture supporting the fan blade; the fixture comprising a body supporting a pivot clamp attached to the body with a pivot; a support attached to the body, the support is configured to engage an airfoil portion of the fan blade; a receiver formed in the body for supporting a root of the fan blade; and a shoulder attached to the body configured to support a platform portion of the fan blade.

Abstract: A mechanical surface treatment method for a workpiece includes using a multi-axis powered machine to actuate a deep rolling tool having a roller relative to the workpiece. The actuating includes applying the roller against a workpiece surface with a normal force sufficient to plastically deform the workpiece and translating the roller relative to the workpiece surface. The method includes concurrently applying an electrical current to the workpiece surface in a manner that produces an electroplastic effect at the workpiece surface and a near surface region. The electroplastic effect and the plastic deformation produce a refinement in a grain structure at the workpiece surface and near surface region and an increase in dislocation sources and tangles within the grain structure.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a pick or stow system that uses a mechanical system to stow an item into a container, retrieve an item from the container, or both. In one embodiment, the mechanical system includes a gantry or a robotic arm that permits various sensors, tools, or end effectors to interact with a plurality of containers. For example, the plurality of containers may be supported by a rack where each container may have any number of types of items. The gantry or robotic arm can move the sensors, tools, or end effectors to a particular container to either stow an item into the container or pick an item from the container.

Abstract: A system for deep rolling a fan blade including a shaft assembly disposed along a first axis; a hub connected to a distal end of the shaft assembly, the hub having an upper hub portion and a lower hub portion extending along a second axis, the second axis forming an angle relative to a first axis; a roller disk joined to the lower portion of the hub, the roller disk configured to contact a fan blade; a fixture supporting the fan blade; the fixture comprising a body supporting a pivot clamp attached to the body with a pivot; a support attached to the body, the support is configured to engage an airfoil portion of the fan blade; a receiver formed in the body for supporting a root of the fan blade; and a shoulder attached to the body configured to support a platform portion of the fan blade.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for robotic picking assemblies with different concurrent flow rates. In one embodiment, an example system may include a picking assembly coupled to a vacuum system. The picking assembly may include a first suction cup assembly having a first flow rate, the first suction cup assembly including a first suction cup and a first mesh filter disposed in the first suction cup, a second suction cup assembly having a second flow rate, the second suction cup assembly including a second suction cup and a second mesh filter disposed in the second suction cup, and a third suction cup assembly having the second flow rate, the third suction cup assembly including a third suction cup and a third mesh filter disposed in the third suction cup. The picking assembly may grasp items based on the first flow rate and the second flow rate.

Abstract: An adjustable golf tee comprises a body extending from a head, a plurality of bulbous portions extending radially from the body and spaced apart along a length of the body, and a flexible stop adjustably secured to the body between an adjacent pair of the plurality of bulbous portions. The flexible stop comprises a disc defining a central hole through which the body is configured to pass to releasably connect the flexible stop to the body.

Abstract: An adjustable golf tee comprises a body extending from a head, a plurality of bulbous portions extending radially from the body and spaced apart along a length of the body, and a flexible stop adjustably secured to the body between an adjacent pair of the plurality of bulbous portions. The flexible stop comprises a disc defining a central hole through which the body is configured to pass to releasably connect the flexible stop to the body.