Abstract: Processing O-rings in an automated mass production system includes advancing an O-ring retainer toward a loading position in alignment with an output end of a feed device, 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, after loading the O-ring into the retainer, advancing the retainer away from the loading position toward an unloading position, and 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: Various systems and methods for maintaining a record for a workpiece processed by a CNC electronically synchronized cell of a manufacturing assembly line are disclosed herein. Example embodiments involve a cell controller and a part-processing control system. The cell controller can be configured to: initialize a cell controller record; initiate a part assembly task involving at least one electronically synchronized part-processing operation and upon completion of each operation, update an inspection identifier of the cell controller.

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 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: 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 diffusive memristor device and an electronic device for emulating a biological neuron is disclosed. The diffusive memristor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode formed opposite the bottom electrode, and a dielectric layer disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The dielectric layer comprises an oxide doped with a metal.

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: 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: A diffusive memristor device and an electronic device for emulating a biological synapse are disclosed. The diffusive memristor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode formed opposite the bottom electrode, and a dielectric layer disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The dielectric layer comprises silver doped silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy:Ag). In an alternate implementation, the dielectric layer comprises silver doped silicon oxide (Ag:SiO2). An electronic synapse emulation device is also disclosed. The synapse emulation device includes a diffusive memristor device, a drift memristor device connected in series with the diffusive memristor device, a first voltage pulse generator connected to the diffusive memristor device, and a second voltage pulse generator connected to the drift memristor device. Application of a signal from one of the first voltage pulse generator or the second voltage pulse generator allows the synapse emulation device to exhibit long-term plasticity.

Abstract: A diffusive memristor device and an electronic device for emulating a biological synapse are disclosed. The diffusive memristor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode formed opposite the bottom electrode, and a dielectric layer disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The dielectric layer comprises silver doped silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy:Ag). In an alternate implementation, the dielectric layer comprises silver doped silicon oxide (Ag:SiO2). An electronic synapse emulation device is also disclosed. The synapse emulation device includes a diffusive memristor device, a drift memristor device connected in series with the diffusive memristor device, a first voltage pulse generator connected to the diffusive memristor device, and a second voltage pulse generator connected to the drift memristor device. Application of a signal from one of the first voltage pulse generator or the second voltage pulse generator allows the synapse emulation device to exhibit long-term plasticity.

Abstract: A diffusive memristor device and an electronic device for emulating a biological neuron is disclosed. The diffusive memristor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode formed opposite the bottom electrode, and a dielectric layer disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The dielectric layer comprises an oxide doped with a metal.

Abstract: A texture tool comprising a body to which is coupled an upper cap and a lower cap. A ball holder fits in a socket defined by the body and the lower cap. The ball holder includes a plurality of balls which come into contact with a sheet of material to be embossed or imprinted.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-function tools, and particularly to a mechanism for extending and retracting pliers and the like into the handle. Along with the pliers the multi-tool may have various other implements including a full-size blade, a driver tool, a can opener, a punch tool and the like. Furthermore a lighting element, being either an LED or non-LED type mechanism, and either fixed in place or rotatable or flexible about the handle is comtemplated.

Abstract: A device for cutting pieces of material comprising a base, a bridge assembly and a lever arm. The bridge assembly includes a gear assembly operatively connected to the base. The lever arm is coupled to the gear assembly, and a linking member is coupled to the gear assembly; A material clamp is operatively connected to the linking member, and a cutting blade is operatively connected to the linking member. The movement of the lever arm of the first position towards the second position results in the gear assembly and the linking member cooperating to cause the material clamp to move towards the base and affix the position of pieces of material located between the base and the material clamp. The cutting blade comes into contact with and severs the pieces of material after the position of the pieces of material has been fixed by the material clamp.

Abstract: A texture tool comprising a body to which is coupled an upper cap and a lower cap. A ball holder fits in a socket defined by the body and the lower cap. The ball holder includes a plurality of balls which come into contact with a sheet of material to be embossed or imprinted.

Abstract: A shape cutting system for cutting a material having a surface. The shape cutting system includes a cutting unit and at least one template. The cutting unit includes a frame, a blade adjustment assembly and a blade assembly are coupled to the frame. The blade assembly is positioned at least partially within the frame such that a longitudinal axis of the blade assembly is substantially perpendicular to a lower support surface of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade retainer and a blade connected to the retainer. The blade adjustment assembly is positioned on a neck which is rotatable relative to the frame. A user is capable of accessing and replacing the blade assembly without altering the position of the blade adjustment assembly relative to the neck.