Abstract: Cartridge packaging for nicotine delivery systems are provided. Various embodiments of cartridge packaging are described that include or use one or more perforations or perforating patterns separating the cartridges. In one embodiment, for example, a cartridge pack can include a plurality of cartridge pack cavities that are each configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge and separated by a vertical perforation region, and a void cavity separated from the plurality of cartridge pack cavities by a horizontal perforation region. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: Cartridge packaging for nicotine delivery systems are provided. Various embodiments of cartridge packaging are described that include or use one or more perforations or perforating patterns separating the cartridges. In one embodiment, for example, a cartridge pack can include a plurality of cartridge pack cavities that are each configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge and separated by a vertical perforation region, and a void cavity separated from the plurality of cartridge pack cavities by a horizontal perforation region. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: A device includes a first robot configured to move along a common X-axis and parallel to a Y-axis and a Z-axis. A second robot is configured to move along the common X-axis and parallel to the Y-axis and the Z-axis. A motor assembly coupled to the workpiece supply tray is configured to move the workpiece supply tray at least after the first robot has picked the workpiece to reduce a distance travelled by the first robot or second robot when a next workpiece is picked from the moved workpiece supply tray. In another aspect, a device includes a first and second robots configured for movement parallel to a Z-axis and to a Y-axis. A workpiece supply tray is configured to support a supply of workpieces, and a motor assembly coupled to the workpiece supply tray is configured to relocate the workpiece supply tray.

Abstract: A device may comprise a track defining a common X-axis and first and second robots. The first robot may comprise a first X-axis driven element for movement along the track; a first Z-axis driven element, for moving parallel to a Z-axis and along the common X-axis; a first Y-axis driven element, attached to the first Z-axis driven element, for moving parallel to a Y-axis, the Z-axis and along the common X-axis. The second robot may comprise a second X-axis driven element for movement along the track; a second Z-axis driven element, for moving parallel to the Z-axis and along the common X-axis; a second Y-axis driven element, attached to the second Z-axis driven element, for moving parallel to a Y-axis, the Z-axis and along the common X-axis. The first and second robots have first and second end-effectors coupled to the first and second Y-axis drive elements, respectively.

Abstract: A system for use in a device assembly process to aid in performing at least one device assembly operation is disclosed. The system may comprise: a moveable slider moveably coupled to a slider base to move components of the device in the assembly process; and an electronics module coupled to an end portion of the slider base. The electronics module may comprise: a driver to provide driver output to the moveable slider; and a controller that includes the driver to transmit control signals through the driver to control movement of the moveable slider. The moveable slider may move components of the device in the assembly process in which at least one device assembly operation is performed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexure based compliance device for use with an assembly device in an assembly process to assemble a device. The flexure based compliance device comprises: a coupling section configured for coupling to the assembly device; and a pair of double compound rectilinear flexures configured for coupling to the coupling section. The pair of double compound rectilinear flexures provide both axial and translational compliance to the assembly device in the assembly process.

Abstract: A system for use in a device assembly process to aid in performing at least one device assembly operation is disclosed. The system may comprise: a moveable slider moveably coupled to a slider base to move components of the device in the assembly process; and an electronics module coupled to an end portion of the slider base. The electronics module may comprise: a driver to provide driver output to the moveable slider; and a controller that includes the driver to transmit control signals through the driver to control movement of the moveable slider. The moveable slider may move components of the device in the assembly process in which at least one device assembly operation is performed.

Abstract: A disk clamp that can engage a disk hub to couple a disk media to a disk hub, the disk clamp having a body portion, and a groove formed in a surface of the body portion and extending at least in a circumferential direction substantially parallel to at least a portion of the circumference of the disk clamp; and a balance weight installed in the groove formed in the surface of the disk clamp, the balance weight having a quantity of material applied in the groove. A disk drive assembly using the disk hub and a method of correcting a drive imbalance using the disk hub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system comprising: an alignment pin to be positioned adjacent to the boss hole (BH) of an actuator arm (AA); an actuator coupled to the alignment pin to move the alignment pin; an imaging device; and a computing device that performs operations including: commanding the imaging device to produce an image of the position of the alignment pin relative to the BH of the AA; commanding the HGA to be positioned in the AA such that the boss of the HGA is adjacent to the BH of the AA; and, based on the image, commanding the actuator to move the alignment pin such that the alignment pin is concentric relative to the BH and to move the alignment pin through an opening of the boss of the HGA such that the boss of the HGA is concentric and aligned with the BH of the AA.

Abstract: Disclosed is low aspect ratio screw finder for receipt and optimal alignment of a screw. The screw finder may be used in conjunction with a complete screw bit assembly including a screw insertion assembly and a driver. The screw finder includes a screw guide, a screw guide sleeve, and a retraction mechanism. The screw guide is coupled to the screw guide sleeve for movement relative to the screw guide sleeve and provides a surface to abut against the screw to maintain the screw in an optimal orientation for movement from the tube into a bottom portion of the screw insertion assembly. The retraction mechanism retracts the screw guide towards the screw guide sleeve to allow the screw to enter the bottom portion of the screw insertion assembly and to allow the driver to extend through the bottom portion of the screw insertion assembly to engage the head of the screw.

Abstract: A disk clamp that can engage a disk hub to couple a disk media to a disk hub, the disk clamp having a body portion, and a groove formed in a surface of the body portion and extending at least in a circumferential direction substantially parallel to at least a portion of the circumference of the disk clamp; and a balance weight installed in the groove formed in the surface of the disk clamp, the balance weight having a quantity of material applied in the groove. A disk drive assembly using the disk hub and a method of correcting a drive imbalance using the disk hub.

Abstract: A method of picking and placing a workpiece relative to a disk drive may include steps of providing a robotically controlled tool, a servo motor assembly for moving the tool, at least one controller for controlling the tool and the servo motor assembly, and a machine vision assembly coupled to the controller and located relative to the tool so that a selected feature is within a field of view of the machine vision assembly while the tool is picking up the workpiece. The workpiece may be coupled to the tool, and the workpiece may be aligned with the selected feature of the disk drive using the machine vision assembly and the controller to control the servo motor assembly, such that the workpiece is aligned with the selected feature. The aligned workpiece may then be placed onto the selected feature of the disk drive.

Abstract: A floating head couples a screwdriver to a screw finder. The floating head includes a screwdriver attachment assembly that attaches to a screwdriver for driving a first rotation member (FRM). The floating head includes a screw finder attachment assembly that attaches to a bit of a screw finder such that driving a second rotation member (SRM) drives the bit. The floating head includes a ball shaft having a first end portion (EP) engaged in a first socket of the FRM and a second EP engaged in a second socket of the SRM. When the FRM is driven by the screwdriver, the ball shaft translates rotation of the FRM to the SRM. When the FRM and the SRM are displaced relative to one another, the ball shaft tilts such that the first EP maintains engagement with the first socket and the second EP maintains engagement with the second socket.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system comprising: an alignment pin to be positioned adjacent to the boss hole (BH) of an actuator arm (AA); an actuator coupled to the alignment pin to move the alignment pin; an imaging device; and a computing device that performs operations including: commanding the imaging device to produce an image of the position of the alignment pin relative to the BH of the AA; commanding the HGA to be positioned in the AA such that the boss of the HGA is adjacent to the BH of the AA; and, based on the image, commanding the actuator to move the alignment pin such that the alignment pin is concentric relative to the BH and to move the alignment pin through an opening of the boss of the HGA such that the boss of the HGA is concentric and aligned with the BH of the AA.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a vision based robotic system. The method includes engaging a calibration pin with a robotic tool and moving the calibration pin to a calibration block that includes at least one set of optical sensors having an optical transmitter to transmit an optical beam and an optical receiver to receive the optical beam. Further, the transmitted optical beam includes a center point. The method further includes: moving the calibration pin to the center point of the transmitted optical beam; determining a calibration pin center position relative to the robotic tool; and commanding a machine vision assembly having a camera to capture an image of a plurality of camera reading points of the calibration block and to determine a camera center position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of calibrating a vision based robotic system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first camera, a second camera, a calibration block having an alignment mark, and a robotic tool having an alignment fiducial. The method includes using the first camera and the calibration block to determine a first camera center position, using the second camera and the calibration block to determine a second camera center position, using the second camera and the robotic tool to determine a robotic tool center position, and calculating a first camera to tool offset value.

Abstract: A method of driving screws may include steps of providing a robotically controlled screw driver, a servo motor assembly for moving the screw driver, at least one controller for controlling the screw driver and the servo motor assembly, and a machine vision assembly coupled to the controller. The screw may be coupled to the screw driver, and the screw may be aligned with a threaded hole using the machine vision assembly and the controller to control the servo motor assembly, such that the screw is aligned with a center of the threaded hole. The aligned screw may then be driven into the threaded hole.