Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a multi-axis robot; a visible light projector; and a controller; wherein the workbench and the robot are located in a common workspace; the controller is configured to: determine a movement operation for the robot; and, using the determined movement operation, control the visible light projector to project a visible light indication onto at least one of a surface of the workbench and a surface of the workspace; the visible light indication indicates a limited area of the workbench and/or workspace, the limited area corresponding to a limited volume of space; and the movement operation is such that, if the robot performs the movement operation, the robot moves entirely within only the limited volume of space.

Abstract: An apparatus for track machining contains a fastening device, at least one machining device and at least one vibration decoupler operating between the at least one machining device and the fastening device and having adjustable stiffness and/or adjustable damping for at least partially decoupling a movement of the fastening device from a movement of the at least one machining device.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes at least one detection device for detecting soiling on a vehicle to be cleaned and at least one cleaning device for cleaning the vehicle. A control device controls the at least one cleaning device in dependence on the detected soiling. The at least one cleaning device includes at least one multi-axis robot for positioning a cleaning element relative to the vehicle. The cleaning apparatus enables simple, fast and reliable automatic cleaning of the vehicle.

Abstract: A processing system for carrying out track work includes a rail vehicle having a processing device and a monitoring device for defining and monitoring a permissible working space for the rail vehicle. The processing system further includes a position measuring device for determining a position of the rail vehicle. The rail vehicle is controlled to carry out the track work by using a control device in dependence on the determined position and the defined working space. A method for carrying out track work is also provided.

Abstract: A system for robot and human collaboration. The system comprises: a multi-axis robot; one or more torque sensors, each torque sensor being configured to measure a torque about a respective axis of the multi-axis robot; and a controller configured to: receive one or more torque measurements taken by the one or more torque sensors; compare the one or more torque measurements or a function of the one or more torque measurements to a threshold value; and control the multi-axis robot based on the comparison.

Abstract: A robotic system comprising: a multi-axis robot; one or more sensors located on the multi-axis robot; a damping system configured to apply a resistive force to the multi-axis robot, thereby to resist movement of the multi-axis robot; and a controller coupled to the one or more sensors and the damping system, the controller being configured to: receive sensor measurements from the one or more sensors; and control, based on the received sensor measurements, the damping system thereby to control the resistive force applied by the damping system to the multi-axis robot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a seal to a structure, for example sealing an aircraft fuel tank. The method comprises: providing a mould part; positioning the mould part against a surface of the structure thereby to create a mould cavity between the mould part and the surface; introducing a sealant into the mould cavity; curing the sealant within the mould cavity thereby to apply the seal to the surface; and removing the mould part from the surface with the seal applied thereto. The sealant may be a UV curing sealant and curing the sealant may comprise passing UV light through the mould part.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a coolant circuit through which a coolant can flow, a coolant compressor, a first evaporator, at least one second evaporator, a first suction line for leading the coolant from the first evaporator to the coolant compressor, a second suction line, a main line connected fluidically to suction lines at a connecting point, and at least one internal heat exchanger, through which coolant flowing from the at least one of the evaporators to the coolant compressor can flow. The internal heat exchanger is arranged in at least one of the suction lines and the connecting point is arranged downstream of the at least one heat exchanger.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a multi-axis robot; a visible light projector; and a controller; wherein the workbench and the robot are located in a common workspace; the controller is configured to: determine a movement operation for the robot; and, using the determined movement operation, control the visible light projector to project a visible light indication onto at least one of a surface of the workbench and a surface of the workspace; the visible light indication indicates a limited area of the workbench and/or workspace, the limited area corresponding to a limited volume of space; and the movement operation is such that, if the robot performs the movement operation, the robot moves entirely within only the limited volume of space.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a multi-axis robot; a visible light projector; and a controller; wherein the workbench and the robot are located in a common workspace; the controller is configured to: determine a movement operation for the robot; and, using the determined movement operation, control the visible light projector to project a visible light indication onto at least one of a surface of the workbench and a surface of the workspace; the visible light indication indicates a limited area of the workbench and/or workspace, the limited area corresponding to a limited volume of space; and the movement operation is such that, if the robot performs the movement operation, the robot moves entirely within only the limited volume of space.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a multi-axis robot; a visible light projector; and a controller; wherein the workbench and the robot are located in a common workspace; the controller is configured to: determine a movement operation for the robot; and, using the determined movement operation, control the visible light projector to project a visible light indication onto at least one of a surface of the workbench and a surface of the workspace; the visible light indication indicates a limited area of the workbench and/or workspace, the limited area corresponding to a limited volume of space; and the movement operation is such that, if the robot performs the movement operation, the robot moves entirely within only the limited volume of space.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; one or more sensors mounted to the workbench; a multi-axis robot comprising an end effector for holding an object; and a controller configured to: control the robot to move the object held by the end effector relative to the one or more sensors; control the one or more sensors to measure one or more physical properties of the object held by the end effector; and perform a validation process using the measurements taken by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A workbench system comprising: a workbench; a sensor system comprising one or more sensors, the sensor system configured to identify a user in a workspace in which the workbench is located; a controller operatively coupled to the sensor system and configured to: based on the identity of the user, determine a task to be performed by the user using the workbench system; and based on the identity of the user and the determined task, control one or more properties of the workbench.

Abstract: A system comprising: a workbench having a display; a body-wearable mobile device for example, a smartwatch worn by a user); and a controller configured to: receive data (for example, data measured by the body-wearable mobile device) from the body-wearable mobile device; using the received data, determine a task for a user of the workbench; and control the display based on the determined task. For example, the display may be controlled to display instructions for performing the determined task, or an indication that the user is not permitted to perform the determined task.

Abstract: A system for robot and human collaboration. The system comprises: a multi-axis robot; one or more torque sensors, each torque sensor being configured to measure a torque about a respective axis of the multi-axis robot; and a controller configured to: receive one or more torque measurements taken by the one or more torque sensors; compare the one or more torque measurements or a function of the one or more torque measurements to a threshold value; and control the multi-axis robot based on the comparison.

Abstract: A robotic system comprising: a multi-axis robot; one or more sensors located on the multi-axis robot; a damping system configured to apply a resistive force to the multi-axis robot, thereby to resist movement of the multi-axis robot; and a controller coupled to the one or more sensors and the damping system, the controller being configured to: receive sensor measurements from the one or more sensors; and control, based on the received sensor measurements, the damping system thereby to control the resistive force applied by the damping system to the multi-axis robot.

Abstract: An end effector for a robot having a threaded shaft; a motor coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate the shaft about its axis; a nut threaded onto the shaft; a feature for preventing the nut from rotating about the axis of the shaft; and an elongate member fixed at one end to the nut and extending from the nut in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft. The end effector may further include a container for containing a fluid having an elongate body portion having an opening at one end; and a reciprocable plunger extending into an opposite end of the body portion. A second end of the elongate member may be coupled to the plunger.

Abstract: An end effector for a robot comprising: a threaded shaft; a motor coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate the shaft about its axis; a nut threaded onto the shaft; means for preventing the nut from rotating about the axis of the shaft; and an elongate member fixed at one end to the nut and extending from the nut in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft. The end effector may further comprise a container for containing a fluid comprising: an elongate body portion comprising an opening at one end; and a reciprocable plunger extending into an opposite end of the body portion. A second end of the elongate member may be coupled to the plunger.

Abstract: A method for air conditioning an electric or hybrid vehicle includes preconditioning a high voltage accumulator of the electric or hybrid vehicle. The electric or hybrid vehicle has an interior and the high voltage accumulator is air conditioned with an air-conditioning unit having a determined cooling potential. The high voltage accumulator has a current HVS temperature. The interior has a current interior temperature. During the preconditioning, the high voltage accumulator is supercooled in a preconditioning mode with the air-conditioning unit to an HVS temperature that is below an HVS operating temperature.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a coolant circuit through which a coolant can flow, a coolant compressor, a first evaporator, at least one second evaporator, a first suction line for leading the coolant from the first evaporator to the coolant compressor, a second suction line, a main line connected fluidically to suction lines at a connecting point, and at least one internal heat exchanger, through which coolant flowing from the at least one of the evaporators to the coolant compressor can flow. The internal heat exchanger is arranged in at least one of the suction lines and the connecting point is arranged downstream of the at least one heat exchanger.