Abstract: A robotic system and methods for performing spine surgery are disclosed. The system comprises a robotic manipulator with a tool to hold a screw and to rotate the screw about a rotational axis. The screw is self-tapping and has a known thread geometry that is stored by one or more controllers. A navigation system tracks a position of a target anatomy. Movement of the robotic manipulator is controlled to maintain the rotational axis of the surgical tool along a planned trajectory with respect to the target anatomy based on the tracked position of the target anatomy. In autonomous or manual modes of operation, the rotational rate of the screw about the rotational axis and/or an advancement rate of the screw linearly along the planned trajectory is controlled to be proportional to the known thread geometry stored in the memory.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes running a downhole system into a downhole environment that comprises a wellbore, and the downhole system is configured such that a reusable plug of the downhole system is positioned uphole of a perforation gun of the downhole system, then, with the perforation gun, perforating a casing at a stage of the wellbore, and the perforating is performed using a projectile, and the perforating is performed by firing the projectile from a chamber of the perforation gun.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a body that defines a chamber and a barrel that communicate with each other, and a penetrator assembly configured to be received in the chamber. The penetrator assembly includes a penetrator, a propellant operably positioned with respect to the penetrator, a primer in operable communication with the propellant, and an electrical conductor configured and arranged to carry electrical power to the primer. The dispenser may be positioned in a downhole location such as a wellbore, and the penetrator assembly may be fired so that the penetrator perforates a casing in the wellbore.

Abstract: In an example, a clamp may include a chassis, a swingarm disposed on the chassis, a clamp wheel disposed on a first end of the swingarm to engage with a drag portion of the chassis, and an auxiliary bias member to exert a force against the clamp wheel to resist a rotation of the clamp wheel. The force may periodically increase in magnitude.

Abstract: In one example, a media puller device can include a snowplow device coupled to a first end of a hinge, a leading end of the media puller device coupled to a second end of the hinge, and a tension device coupled between the snowplow device and the media puller device.

Abstract: A number of systems and devices for a variable radius pulley are described herein. In one example, a media puller device can include a variable radius pulley coupled to a drag roller, and a cable coupled to the variable radius pulley to maintain a torque on the drag roller as the cable wraps around the variable radius pulley.

Abstract: An example system includes an advancement mechanism to drive print media into a stacking region, a movable media guide arrangement and a controller. The movable media guide arrangement includes a pair of opposing media guides to receive opposing edges of a print medium therein and a translation mechanism to move the opposing media guides between at least two positions, the at least two positions including a deployed position and a retracted position. The controller is to actuate the translation mechanism to move the opposing media guides into the deployed position when the advancement mechanism transports a print medium into the stacking region and to actuate the translation mechanism to move the opposing media guides to the retracted position to release the print medium.

Abstract: In one example, a media puller device can include a snowplow device coupled to a first end of a hinge, a leading end of the media puller device coupled to a second end of the hinge, and a tension device coupled between the snowplow device and the media puller device.

Abstract: An example system includes an advancement mechanism to drive print media into a stacking region, a movable media guide arrangement and a controller. The movable media guide arrangement includes a pair of opposing media guides to receive opposing edges of a print medium therein and a translation mechanism to move the opposing media guides between at least two positions, the at least two positions including a deployed position and a retracted position. The controller is to actuate the translation mechanism to move the opposing media guides into the deployed position when the advancement mechanism transports a print medium into the stacking region and to actuate the translation mechanism to move the opposing media guides to the retracted position to release the print medium.

Abstract: In an example, a clamp may include a chassis, a swingarm disposed on the chassis, a clamp wheel disposed on a first end of the swingarm to engage with a drag portion of the chassis, and an auxiliary bias member to exert a force against the clamp wheel to resist a rotation of the clamp wheel. The force may periodically increase in magnitude.

Abstract: A system and method for automated software testing includes defining a data model of an automated software test for a feature or business process being tested and then identifying an address for a function library at a local or remote location for executing the data model of the automated software test based upon the platform of the application. This identified function library is accessed at the address at the local or remote location so that an execution of a function within the function library may be invoked to obtain results therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for automated software testing includes defining a data model of an automated software test for a feature or business process being tested and then identifying an address for a function library at a local or remote location for executing the data model of the automated software test based upon the platform of the application. This identified function library is accessed at the address at the local or remote location so that an execution of a function within the function library may be invoked to obtain results therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for automated software testing includes defining a data model of an automated software test for a feature or business process being tested and then identifying an address for a function library at a local or remote location for executing the data model of the automated software test based upon the platform of the application. This identified function library is accessed at the address at the local or remote location so that an execution of a function within the function library may be invoked to obtain results therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for automated software testing includes defining a data model of an automated software test for an application being tested and then identifying an address for a function library at a remote location for executing the data model of the automated software test based upon the platform of the application. This identified function library is accessed at the address at the remote location so that an execution of a function within the function library may be invoked to obtain results therefrom.

Abstract: A portable lift is provided, the lift having a base, a lift arm, an elevator movably connecting the lift arm to the lift, and detachable wheels attached to the base. A hydraulic pump is in communication with the elevator, and a power drive is used to power the hydraulic pump. The portable lift may be towed or pulled behind a support vehicle, such as a truck or van. A method of operating the portable lift includes positioning the lift on a surface, detaching the wheels to expose an entry side of the lift to a surface, extending a stabilizer to the surface, conveying a vehicle onto the lift through the side entry, engaging the vehicle with the lift arm, and moving the lift arm with the elevator from a resting position on the base to a service position to provide standing room for a service technician beneath the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for automated software testing includes defining a data model of an automated software test for an application being tested and then identifying an address for a function library at a remote location for executing the data model of the automated software test based upon the platform of the application. This identified function library is accessed at the address at the remote location so that an execution of a function within the function library may be invoked to obtain results therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for automated software testing includes defining a data model of an automated software test for an application being tested and then identifying an address for a function library at a remote location for executing the data model of the automated software test based upon the platform of the application. This identified function library is accessed at the address at the remote location so that an execution of a function within the function library may be invoked to obtain results therefrom.

Abstract: An extendable ramp apparatus is provided for automatically extending a ramp. The apparatus comprises a generally rectangular frame with a track for movement of a carriage pivotally connected to a ramp along the track. The ramp pivots downwardly as it is extends from the frame until it encounters a surface. A bidirectional motor is provided with a cabling arrangement to reciprocate the carriage and ramp along the track. Shock absorbers may slow the carriage movement as the ramp is extended so that hard contact of the ramp with a surface is minimized. An innovative capstan arrangement provides more rapid movement of the ramp as it retracts but provides more power during ramp extension, so that vertical movement of the ramp is slowed as the ramp is extended. The apparatus may find application in vehicles such as trucks, vans, and boats whenever it is desired to move goods or people between surfaces of different heights, such as a truck bed and the ground.

Abstract: Before the ram is released, the end flaps of the bale wrap are wrapped around the loose bale wires and pinned in such a manner that the wire wrapped is bowed. When the ram is released, the end flaps are drawn extremely tight against the bale by the now taut but formerly bowed wire. This eliminates the need for sewing or other fastening.