Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dispensing discrete sections of double-sided adhesive tape, comprising a reel support unit whose position is adjustable so as to vary a length of the section of double-sided adhesive tape to be dispensed.

Abstract: A rotary joint (10; 110) includes an output member (12; 112) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (x1), a first actuator device (14) arranged to generate a rotary motion about the first axis (x1), an input member (16; 116) driven by the first actuator device (14; 114) about the first axis (x1), elastic elements (20, 64; 120) between the input member (16; 116) and the output member (12; 112) and configured such that the transmission of the torque takes place via the elastic elements (20, 64; 120). A second actuator device (22; 122) is arranged to change the stiffness of the rotary joint (10; 110).

Abstract: An actuator (10) includes a body (12), an output member (14) slidably received in the body (12) along— a first axis (X1), an electric motor (18) arranged to set into rotation a motor shaft (20) about a, second axis (X2) and a motion conversion mechanism (22) for converting the rotary motion produced by the electric motor (18) about the second axis (X2) into a translational motion of the output member (14) along the first axis (X1). The motion conversion mechanism (22) includes a driving pulley (24) which is drivingly connected for rotation with the motor shaft (20) and an elongated mechanical transmission member which is wound onto the driving pulley (24) and is fastened at its two opposite ends to the output member (14) to draw this latter in either direction along the first axis (X1) as a result of the rotation of the driving pulley (24) in either direction. The output member (14) is shaped as a rod and is received in a cylindrical cavity (16) of the body (12) so as to project partially therefrom.

Abstract: A device (10) includes a turbine (22, 34) having an impeller (22), and an electric generator (12, 24) having a stator (12) provided with stator windings distributed around a cylindrical surface (X) coaxial to the impeller (22), and a permanent magnet (24) which is rotatable relative to the stator (12) and is drivingly connected for rotation with the impeller (22). The impeller (22) is housed inside the permanent magnet (24) and the assembly formed by the impeller (22) and by the permanent magnet (24) is housed inside the stator (12). The permanent magnet (24) is made as a single hollow cylindrical body of high magnetic density material with diametrical magnetization.

Abstract: Elastic rotary actuators are provided having breaking units arranged in such a way as to apply on an output member an adjustable braking torque in order to introduce adjustable damping between an input member and the output member in parallel to elastic members.

Abstract: An interface system (10) for man-machine interaction includes a sensor and actuator arrangement (12) wearable by or coupled to the body (B) of a user. A management unit (14) exchanges data with a control application resident on a remote processing system (PS), to transmit data to the application, indicative of the position and movements of the user in a physical environment, and to transmit sensations to the user, in at least one point of the body of the user, indicative of the interaction with an operating environment. The sensors and actuators are supported by operating modules (16), interfacing on at least one communication channel through respective pairs of input and output communication ports. The operating modules are provided with interconnection devices (18) in such a way as to be assembled to each other into a planar arrangement and/or a stacked arrangement.

Abstract: Elastic rotary actuators are provided having breaking units arranged in such a way as to apply on an output member an adjustable braking torque in order to introduce adjustable damping between an input member and the output member in parallel to elastic members.

Abstract: An actuator and a method for controlling the actuator are described. The actuator comprises: an output member rotatable around an axis of rotation; an input member rotatable around the axis and connected for rotation with the output member via a plurality of cylindrical helical springs; a motor assembly arranged to drive the input member to rotate around the axis of rotation; first and second sensors for detecting the angular position of the input member and the relative angular position between the input member and the output member; and an electronic control unit arranged to determine a desired angular velocity of the input member on the basis of a desired value for the impedance of the actuator and to control the motor assembly on the basis of the error between the desired angular velocity of the input member and the angular velocity of the input member.

Abstract: A device (10) includes a turbine (22, 34) having an impeller (22), and an electric generator (12, 24) having a stator (12) provided with stator windings distributed around a cylindrical surface (X) coaxial to the impeller (22), and a permanent magnet (24) which is rotatable relative to the stator (12) and is drivingly connected for rotation with the impeller (22). The impeller (22) is housed inside the permanent magnet (24) and the assembly formed by the impeller (22) and by the permanent magnet (24) is housed inside the stator (12). The permanent magnet (24) is made as a single hollow cylindrical body of high magnetic density material with diametrical magnetization.

Abstract: An actuator (10) includes a body (12), an output member (14) slidably received in the body (12) along—a first axis (X1), an electric motor (18) arranged to set into rotation a motor shaft (20) about a, second axis (X2) and a motion conversion mechanism (22) for converting the rotary motion produced by the electric motor (18) about the second axis (X2) into a translational motion of the output member (14) along the first axis (X1). The motion conversion mechanism (22) includes a driving pulley (24) which is drivingly connected for rotation with the motor shaft (20) and an elongated mechanical transmission member which is wound onto the driving pulley (24) and is fastened at its two opposite ends to the output member (14) to draw this latter in either direction along the first axis (X1) as a result of the rotation of the driving pulley (24) in either direction. The output member (14) is shaped as a rod and is received in a cylindrical cavity (16) of the body (12) so as to project partially therefrom.

Abstract: An actuator and a method for controlling the actuator are described. The actuator comprises: an output member rotatable around an axis of rotation; an input member rotatable around the axis and connected for rotation with the output member via a plurality of cylindrical helical springs; a motor assembly arranged to drive the input member to rotate around the axis of rotation; first and second sensors for detecting the angular position of the input member and the relative angular position between the input member and the output member; and an electronic control unit arranged to determine a desired angular velocity of the input member on the basis of a desired value for the impedance of the actuator and to control the motor assembly on the basis of the error between the desired angular velocity of the input member and the angular velocity of the input member.