Abstract: A set-up tool for aiding vehicle sensor calibrations having a structure with a first and second vehicle contact points configured to contact a vehicle and establish a calibration axis. A substantially vertically projected flat blade laser may be placed in a position perpendicular to the calibration axis and used to align the set-up tool with a center of the vehicle. Once centered, the laser ma be transitioned to project a laser line, in coordination with a protractor having a base-line parallel to the calibration axis (which is now substantially parallel to a transverse axis of the vehicle), at a discreet angle away from the center of the vehicle. A target may then be placed along the laser line to aid in the calibration of vehicle sensors.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an articulated arm, the articulated arm comprising a first rigid link assembly and a second rigid link assembly. The articulated arm can be configured so that the second rigid link assembly rotates in relation to the first link assembly about a rotary axis. The articulated arm can include an actuator for causing rotary movement of the second rigid link assembly in relation to the first rigid link assembly about the rotary axis. The actuator can include a first fluid chamber, and a second fluid chamber. The articulated arm can include a fluid supply assembly for moving fluid into and out of the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning a rim of a wheel assembly to a wheel hub. The apparatus can include a wheel handler device that is structured to securely engage the wheel assembly. The apparatus can include one or more light emitting devices that project one or more light spots on the face of the wheel hub. The position of one or more light spots relative to another light spot(s) and/or to a reference feature on the face of the hub can provide an indication of the location, orientation, and/or alignment of at least the rim relative to the wheel hub.

Abstract: A robotic 3D printing system has a six degree of freedom (DOF) robot (12) that holds the platform (16) on which the 3D pad (15) is built on. The system uses the dexterity of the 6 DOF robot to move and rotate rue platform relative to the 3D printing head (18), which deposits the material on the platform. The system allows the part build in 3D directly with a simple printing head and depositing the material along the gravity direction. The 3D printing head is held by another robot (14) or robots. The robot movement can be calibrated to improve the accuracy and efficiency for high precision 3D part printing.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an articulated arm, the articulated arm comprising a first rigid link assembly and a second rigid link assembly. The articulated arm can be configured so that the second rigid link assembly rotates in relation to the first link assembly about a rotary axis. The articulated arm can include an actuator for causing rotary movement of the second rigid, link assembly in relation to the first rigid link assembly about the rotary axis. The actuator can include a first fluid chamber, and a second fluid chamber. The articulated arm can include a fluid supply assembly for moving fluid into and out of the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: Stripping structure strips insulation from ends of a plurality of leads of a lead bundle. Each lead includes a conductor member coated with the insulation. The structure includes a housing having wall structure defining a stripping chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the stripping chamber, and an outlet in fluid communication with the stripping chamber. A cover has an opening for receiving an end of the lead bundle in a sealing manner so that the leads thereof are received in the stripping chamber. Chemical stripping solution is in communication with the inlet. When the lead bundle is received through the opening with the leads in the stripping chamber and when the chemical stripping solution is provided though inlet and in the stripping chamber, the chemical stripping solution strips the insulation from the conductor members, with the stripping solution along with stripped insulation exiting through the outlet.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an articulated arm, the articulated arm comprising a first rigid link assembly and a second rigid link assembly. The articulated arm can be configured so that the second rigid link assembly rotates in relation to the first link assembly about a rotary axis. The articulated arm can include an actuator for causing rotary movement of the second rigid link assembly in relation to the first rigid link assembly about the rotary axis. The actuator can include a first fluid chamber, and a second fluid chamber. The articulated arm can include a fluid supply assembly for moving fluid into and out of the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning a rim of a wheel assembly to a wheel hub. The apparatus can include a wheel handler device that is structured to securely engage the wheel assembly. The apparatus can include one or more light emitting devices that project one or more light spots on the face of the wheel hub. The position of one or more light spots relative to another light spot(s) and/or to a reference feature on the face of the hub can provide an indication of the location, orientation, and/or alignment of at least the rim relative to the wheel hub.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor in magnetic communication with the stator. The stator and/or the rotor include a unitary structure having a plurality of laminations and a plurality of spacing structures integral with the plurality of laminations. Each lamination of the plurality of laminations is disposed adjacent to another lamination of the plurality of laminations. Each spacing structure of the plurality of spacing structures is disposed between adjacent laminations, and is constructed to space the adjacent laminations apart from each other.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an actuator having a housing and a piston assembly. The piston assembly can have a piston and a piston rod extending from the piston. In one embodiment, the housing can receive the piston and a portion of the piston rod. The piston assembly can define a piston assembly interior and a fluid reservoir can be located within the piston assembly interior. A chamber region within the interior of the housing can be separated by the piston assembly to define a piston side chamber and rod side chamber. The piston assembly can be moveable so that respective volumes of each of the piston side chamber and the rod side chamber are variable. For operation of the actuator by movement of the piston assembly within the interior of the housing, fluid can be moved between the reservoir and the chamber region.

Abstract: A robotic 3D printing system has a six degree of freedom (DOF) robot that holds the platform on which the 3D part is built on. The system uses the dexterity of the 6 DOF robot to move and rotate the platform relative to the 3D printing head, which deposits the material on the platform. The system allows the part build in 3D directly with a simple printing head and depositing the material along the gravity direction. The 3D printing head can be fixed relative to robot base, or moved in the X-Y plane with 2 or 3 DOF, or held by another robot or robots. The robot movement can be calibrated to improve the accuracy and efficiency for high precision 3D part printing.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an articulated arm, the articulated arm comprising a first rigid link assembly and a second rigid link assembly. The articulated arm can be configured so that the second rigid link assembly rotates in relation to the first link assembly about a rotary axis. The articulated arm can include an actuator for causing rotary movement of the second rigid link assembly in relation to the first rigid link assembly about the rotary axis. The actuator can include a first fluid chamber, and a second fluid chamber. The articulated arm can include a fluid supply assembly for moving fluid into and out of the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an actuator having a housing and a piston assembly. The piston assembly can have a piston and a piston rod extending from the piston. In one embodiment, the housing can receive the piston and a portion of the piston rod. The piston assembly can define a piston assembly interior and a fluid reservoir can be located within the piston assembly interior. A chamber region within the interior of the housing can be separated by the piston assembly to define a piston side chamber and rod side chamber. The piston assembly can be moveable so that respective volumes of each of the piston side chamber and the rod side chamber are variable. For operation of the actuator by movement of the piston assembly within the interior of the housing, fluid can be moved between the reservoir and the chamber region.

Abstract: A socket is provided for removing or installing a fastener having a hexagonally shaped portion. The socket includes a body having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second ends. First surfaces define a tool-receiving portion at the first end. The tool-receiving portion is constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a tool. Second surfaces define a socket portion at the second end. The socket portion is constructed and arranged to receive and engage the portion of the fastener therein. Holding structure is associated with the socket portion and is constructed and arranged to non-magnetically hold the portion of the fastener in the socket portion so as to not fall out of the socket portion, either due to friction or vacuum, without providing torque to the fastener when the socket is rotated during installation or removal of the fastener.

Abstract: A manufacturing system has one or more work cells that each performs one or more manufacturing processes. The system also has one or more mobile transport units (“MTUs”) that deliver transportable containers containing workpieces to and from said work cells. The MTUs deliver the containers to the work cells in a manner such that the workpieces are localized in the work cells. The manufacturing system also has a computer system that has status information for each of the one or more MTUs and uses the status information to control each of the one or more MTUs to deliver the transportable containers to and from the one or more work cells.

Abstract: Stripping structure strips insulation from ends of a plurality of leads of a lead bundle. Each lead includes a conductor member coated with the insulation. The structure includes a housing having wall structure defining a stripping chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the stripping chamber, and an outlet in fluid communication with the stripping chamber. A cover has an opening for receiving an end of the lead bundle in a sealing manner so that the leads thereof are received in the stripping chamber. Chemical stripping solution is in communication with the inlet. When the lead bundle is received through the opening with the leads in the stripping chamber and when the chemical stripping solution is provided though inlet and in the stripping chamber, the chemical stripping solution strips the insulation from the conductor members, with the stripping solution along with stripped insulation exiting through the outlet.

Abstract: A socket is provided for removing or installing a fastener having a hexagonally shaped portion. The socket includes a body having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second ends. First surfaces define a tool-receiving portion at the first end. The tool-receiving portion is constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a tool. Second surfaces define a socket portion at the second end. The socket portion is constructed and arranged to receive and engage the portion of the fastener therein. Holding structure is associated with the socket portion and is constructed and arranged to non-magnetically hold the portion of the fastener in the socket portion so as to not fall out of the socket portion, either due to friction or vacuum, without providing torque to the fastener when the socket is rotated during installation or removal of the fastener.

Abstract: A manufacturing system has one or more work cells that each performs one or more manufacturing processes. The system also has one or more mobile transport units (“MTUs”) that deliver transportable containers containing workpieces to and from said work cells. The MTUs deliver the containers to the work cells in a manner such that the workpieces are localized in the work cells. The manufacturing system also has a computer system that has status information for each of the one or more MTUs and uses the status information to control each of the one or more MTUs to deliver the transportable containers to and from the one or more work cells.