Abstract: A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.

Abstract: A conveyor system and method for controlling the same. The conveyor system includes: at least one moving element; a track including: a straight track section with a first mechanism for moving the moving element; and a curved track section connected to the straight track section including a second mechanism for moving the moving element; and a controller configured to control a speed of the moving element as the moving element moves from the straight track section to the curved track section and vice versa such that a velocity profile of the moving element includes a sinusoidal portion to provide a transition from straight to rotary motion or from rotary to straight motion having a linear position profile. In the method, the controller controls at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism to move the moving element according to the velocity profile including the sinusoidal portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods of flow testing different workpieces in an automated testing station are described. Each workpiece comprises a flow path from an inlet to an outlet and the automated testing station comprises first and second sealing heads for injecting gas into the inlets of workpieces and collecting gas from the outlets of workpieces. The method includes performing a flow test by moving the flow test heads toward the workpieces while at the same time priming a flow of gas from the first sealing heads to the second sealing heads, prior to engaging the workpiece.

Abstract: There is described systems and methods for programming and configuring part-processing devices and production stations. Methods of programming the control system of a part-processing device for controlling one or more tooling components, sensors and/or motion systems includes the step of loading a software backplane onto the control system, the software backplane being configured to run on an operating system of the control system and to interface with one or more configurable applications. The method also comprises the step of loading one or more configurable applications associated with the one or more tooling components onto the control system, the one or more applications being configured to interface with the software backplane. The method also comprises the step of configuring the one or more configurable applications to control the one or more tooling components, sensors and/or motion systems pf the part-processing device.

Abstract: A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.

Abstract: A method of processing O-rings in an automated mass production system includes: (a) advancing an O-ring retainer toward a loading position in alignment with an output end of a feed device; (b) discharging a leading O-ring from the output end in electronic synchronization with advancement of the O-ring retainer to the loading position to initiate loading of the O-ring into the retainer prior to the retainer arriving at the loading position; (c) after loading the O-ring into the retainer, advancing the retainer away from the loading position toward an unloading position; and (d) moving an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of the retainer to the unloading position to synchronize arrival of the retainer at the unloading position with arrival of the end effector at a pick-up position in alignment with the O-ring at the unloading position for pick up of the O-ring by the end effector.

Abstract: Systems and methods of flow testing different workpieces in an automated testing station are described. Each workpiece comprises a flow path from an inlet to an outlet and the automated testing station comprises first and second sealing heads for injecting gas into the inlets of workpieces and collecting gas from the outlets of workpieces. The method includes performing a flow test by moving the flow test heads toward the workpieces while at the same time priming a flow of gas from the first sealing heads to the second sealing heads, prior to engaging the workpiece.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mass producing different products in an automated production station having a plurality of part-processing devices. An example method includes identifying a workpiece received in the production station; selecting control parameters associated with the identified workpiece; electronically synchronizing the part-processing devices based on the selected control parameters to perform coordinated operations on the workpiece for producing one of the different products; and automatically repeating the identifying, selecting, and synchronizing steps for different workpieces received in the production station to produce a plurality of different products in a continuous mass production process.

Abstract: An automated device for producing a closed part, commencing with an open part having a cap joined with a hinge to a body, the device comprising: a tool having a guide surface defined in an operating plane substantially orthogonal to a hinge axis; a part gripper disposed on a computer numerically controlled shuttle, the part gripper operable to: select an open part from a stream of identical open parts; engage one of: the cap; and the body, on a start point on the guide surface; slide the open part, within the operating plane from the start point to a finish point on the guide surface, to rotate the cap about the hinge axis from an open position to a closed position relative to the body; and release the closed part from the part gripper at a release station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device, system and method of automated manufacture comprising: delivering a workpiece with a delivery device; receiving the workpiece with a receiving device, the delivering of the workpiece and the receiving of the workpiece being electronically synchronized; processing the workpiece with a processing tool while the workpiece is on the receiving device; transferring the workpiece to a completion device, the ejection of the workpiece and the transferring of the workpiece being electronically synchronized. In particular the workpiece may comprise: a platform with mounts supporting a first component in a selected orientation; and a locating surface, the method comprising: engaging and disengaging the locating surface of the workpiece with releasable connectors on the delivery device, on the receiving device and on the completion device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated method of assembling or processing components using computer numerical controlled drives to decouple the stages of delivering components to a tool, into a series of separately programmable stages, namely, a component loading stage, a component separating stage, an accelerating stage and a delivery stage, wherein the timing, position, speed, velocity, and acceleration of each component during each stage is selected through programming of the computer numerical controls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device, system and method of automated manufacture comprising: delivering a workpiece with a delivery device; receiving the workpiece with a receiving device, the delivering of the workpiece and the receiving of the workpiece being electronically synchronized; processing the workpiece with a processing tool while the workpiece is on the receiving device; transferring the workpiece to a completion device, the ejection of the workpiece and the transferring of the workpiece being electronically synchronized. In particular the workpiece may comprise: a platform with mounts supporting a first component in a selected orientation; and a locating surface, the method comprising: engaging and disengaging the locating surface of the workpiece with releasable connectors on the delivery device, on the receiving device and on the completion device.

Abstract: An automated device for producing a closed part, commencing with an open part having a cap joined with a hinge to a body, the device comprising: a tool having a guide surface defined in an operating plane substantially orthogonal to a hinge axis; a part gripper disposed on a computer numerically controlled shuttle, the part gripper operable to: select an open part from a stream of identical open parts; engage one of: the cap; and the body, on a start point on the guide surface; slide the open part, within the operating plane from the start point to a finish point on the guide surface, to rotate the cap about the hinge axis from an open position to a closed position relative to the body; and release the closed part from the part gripper at a release station.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated method of assembling or processing components using computer numerical controlled drives to decouple the stages of delivering components to a tool, into a series of separately programmable stages, namely, a component loading stage, a component separating stage, an accelerating stage and a delivery stage, wherein the timing, position, speed, velocity, and acceleration of each component during each stage is selected through programming of the computer numerical controls.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods of detecting and identifying known and unknown viruses using hybridization microarrays to known conserved and non-conserved viral nucleotide sequences, the sequencing of nucleotides which hybridize to the microarrays and analysis of the hybridized sequences with existing databases, thus identifying existing or new subtypes of viruses.

Abstract: A fire suppressant system having a pipe system, spray nozzles connected to the pipe system and a control system for selectively charging the pipe system with foam. The control system includes a pilot line for generating a signal based upon sensing an environmental parameter and a first control valve for activating the system based upon the signal. Preferably, the first control valve forms i) an interior cavity for mixing the compressed air and compressed air liquid, ii) an outlet in fluid communication with the interior; iii) a first inlet, oriented substantially perpendicular to a flow through the outlet, in fluid communication with the interior and the compressed air; and iv) a second inlet, oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow, in fluid communication with the interior and the compressed air liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a microarray and methods for producing a protein microarray. The array comprises multiple nucleic acid molecules immobilized on a substrate, each comprising (i) a protein-binding domain and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a fusion protein comprising a polypeptide of interest and a DNA-binding protein that binds the protein-binding domain, and one or more fusion proteins produced from the multiple nucleic acid molecules. Each fusion protein is immobilized on the substrate via binding to a nucleic acid sequence comprising the protein-binding domain present on the nucleic acid molecule from which the fusion protein is produced or on the substrate. The invention also provides a method of analyzing protein interactions with, for example, other proteins, lipids and drugs.

Abstract: Methods for isolating ZAP-3 genes are provided. Deletion of the ZAP-3 locus is associated with human tumors, particularly carcinomas. The ZAP-3 nucleic acid compositions find use in identifying homologous or related proteins and the DNA sequences encoding such proteins; in producing compositions that modulate the expression or function of the protein; and in studying associated physiological pathways. In addition, modulation of the gene activity in vivo is used for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, such as treatment of cancer, identification of cell type based on expression, and the like.