Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing, among other things, a wheelchair-assist robot for assisting a wheelchair user with everyday tasks or activities at work, at home, and the like. In an embodiment, the mobile wheelchair-assist robot includes a wheelchair interface component configured to exchange control information with a wheelchair controller. In an embodiment, a wheelchair-assist robot mount assembly is provided for, among other things, electrically and physically coupling a wheelchair-assist robot to an associated wheelchair.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing, among other things, a wheelchair-assist robot for assisting a wheelchair user with everyday tasks or activities at work, at home, and the like. In an embodiment, the mobile wheelchair-assist robot includes a wheelchair interface component configured to exchange control information with a wheelchair controller. In an embodiment, a wheelchair-assist robot mount assembly is provided for, among other things, electrically and physically coupling a wheelchair-assist robot to an associated wheelchair.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing, among other things, a wheelchair-assist robot for assisting a wheelchair user with everyday tasks or activities at work, at home, and the like. In an embodiment, the mobile wheelchair-assist robot includes a wheelchair interface component configured to exchange control information with a wheelchair controller. In an embodiment, a wheelchair-assist robot mount assembly is provided for, among other things, electrically and physically coupling a wheelchair-assist robot to an associated wheelchair.

Abstract: A robot system driven by mobile phone comprises a slave mobile phone for collecting robot information and processing the information; a central interface unit for signal processing conversion between the universal interface of the slave mobile phone and the mechanism component; an executing component for executing the command sent by the slave mobile phone; a master mobile or a remote control computer for remote control, by using a wireless network, sending command to the slave mobile phone and receiving information feedback from the slave mobile phone; input devices carried by the master mobile and the remote control computer as well as additional auxiliary input devices; and functional software of the slave mobile phone, the master mobile phone and the remote control computer. The robot system driven by mobile phone can be used to control a robot remotely, and can be popularized easily in homes in large scale.

Abstract: A robot, such an industrial robot, has an arm. The arm has a plurality of rotation members, a plurality of joints each rotatably and mutually connecting adjacent two rotation members, and a plurality of electric servo motors respectively driving the joints. In this robot, every operation cycle, an angular speed is calculated at which to drive each servo motor, and a speed of a monitoring portion set in each rotation member is calculated. It is then determined whether or not the speed at the monitoring portion is equal to or lower than a reference speed. When it is determined that the speed at the monitoring portion is over the reference speed, the angular speed of each servo motor is instructed to reduce such that the speed at each monitoring portion becomes the reference speed or lower. The servo motors are driven at the angular speed that has been reduced.

Abstract: A robot mechanism includes a link formed from a first segment abutting a second segment at opposing faces thereof, at least one tendon passing from the first segment into the second segment, wherein the first segment is held in contact with the second segment by tension applied to the at least one segment.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator includes an actuator, a first link and a second link coupled together at a joint, and a bearing rotatably disposed in the joint and having a concave outer race. At least one tendon is coupled between the actuator and the second link, the at least one tendon passes between the first link and the second link, and is routed over the concave outer race of the bearing when passing between the first link and the second link.

Abstract: A gripping device is described and includes a holder including a base and a conformable jamming element that has a conformable releasable surface-adhesive element secured onto its surface.

Abstract: A device for gripping a workpiece is described, and includes a holder including a base and a conformable jamming element. The conformable jamming element includes an air-impermeable pliable membrane containing filling material including magnetic particles, and is attached to the base. An electroadhesive element and a conformable releasable surface-adhesive element are secured to a surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A robotic tool changer ensures inherently safe operation by separating power sources for the “couple” and “decouple” operations of its coupling mechanism. The power for the decouple operation is available only when an attached robotic tool is safely disposed in its tool stand. Once the robotic tool leaves the tool stand, there is no power supplied to the coupling mechanism of the robotic tool changer to decouple the robotic tool from a robot arm. Accordingly, it is impossible for the robotic tool to inadvertently become disengaged from the robot arm—even if software were to erroneously assert a DECOUPLE signal, or otherwise initiate a decouple operation. Furthermore, since the design is inherently safe, neither interlock circuits, the redundancy of such circuits, nor the extensive and complex monitoring circuits necessary to ensure their proper operation, are necessary.

Abstract: A device for holding a workpiece includes a holder including a base including a magnetic element. A conformable jamming element attaches to the base and includes a closed impermeable pliable membrane containing magnetic particles. A controllable pressure device fluidly couples to the jamming element.

Abstract: A part holding assembly, an assembly system and a method of positioning a first part are disclosed. The part holding assembly is coupleable to a support structure. The part holding assembly includes a base adapted to be coupled to the support structure. The part holding assembly also includes a first pin extending outwardly away from the base to a distal end that is spaced from the base. The base is movable to position the first pin relative to a first part and to insert the distal end of the first pin through a first hole of the first part to locate the first part. The part holding assembly further includes a first magnet adjacent to the first pin. The first magnet is selectively magnetized to selectively secure the position of the first part relative to the base.

Abstract: A robotic gripper includes a gripper palm, a first pair of adjacent fingers extending from the palm, each finger in the first pair of fingers including a first link coupled to a second link by a rotatable joint, and a second pair of adjacent fingers extending from the palm, each finger in the second pair of fingers including a first link coupled to a second link by a rotatable joint. A web member is attached to the first pair of adjacent fingers, the web member having a web portion having a gripping face, the web portion disposed between a first one of the first pair of adjacent fingers and a second one of the second pair of adjacent fingers.

Abstract: A method for replacing an operation box and gloves for the same is provided, the operation box comprises a housing, a glove, a first sealing member, a second sealing member and a cover plate; the housing comprises a chamber, at least one operation window disposed on a side wall of the housing; the first sealing member is configured to seal the glove outlet edge portion and the side wall; the second sealing member is disposed on an inner surface of the side wall of the housing; the cover plate is disposed inside the chamber, the cover plate and the second sealing member are configured to jointly seal the operation window.

Abstract: A foldable knife with multiple switching modes comprises a knife handle, a blade and a switch device. The knife handle has a resisting elastic plate, a positioning plate and a top cover. The resisting elastic plate has an elastic portion. The positioning plate is connected to the resisting elastic plate and has an elastic arm extended in the positioning plate. The top cover is mounted on the positioning plate and has a slide slot. The slide slot is formed on the top cover. The blade has a pressing rod and a manual pushing rod which are respectively formed on a surface of the blade towards the positioning plate. The switch device is mounted in the slide slot and has a pushing block mounted through the top cover, and the switch device is used to switch between an assisted opening mode and a manual opening mode.

Abstract: A band cutter for removing bands or rings from tubing joints such as those on and associated with plumbing fittings, in particular where the band or ring has been used to secure plastic plumbing pipe or tubing over a fitting. The band cutter includes a main tool body defining an upper portion and a lower portion, a fixed jaw situated on the upper portion of main tool body, a moveable lower jaw independently slideably attachable to the main tool body and situated below the fixed jaw and above the lower portion. The band cutter includes a moving means adapted to move the lower jaw toward and away from the fixed jaw, and a cutting blade situated within and extending downwardly and outwardly from the fixed jaw in a direction toward the lower jaw. The band cutter is adapted to clamp the band of the banded fitting between the jaws as the lower jaw is moved by the moving means toward the fixed jaw so that as the fitting and band is moved toward the fixed jaw the band is pressed against the blade.

Abstract: A shaving head (3) for a shaving apparatus comprises: a support structure (33) including a coupling structure (29) for coupling the shaving head to the main housing (2) of the shaving apparatus (1); a shaving unit (8) comprising a shaving unit frame (27) and a skin contacting face (12) and at least two cutting units (10) each having an external cutting member (16) and an internal cutting member (20) which is rotatable relative to the external cutting member; a pivot structure (44, 46) for allowing the shaving unit to pivot relative to the support structure; and a central driving member (24) arranged to be driven by the motor (6) when the shaving head is coupled to the main housing.

Abstract: A stem removing tool for cutting the stems from vegetables, herbs, and the like. The stem removing tool includes a pair of elongated arms pivotally secured to one another at a common pivot point. Each arm includes a handle disposed on a first end thereof and a rotary blade disposed on a second end thereof, wherein the pair of blades are parallel to one another. The blades are able to rotate along a surface and over an object, such as the rib of a lettuce leaf, thereby removing the rib therefrom with a single use. A spring is secured between the pair of elongated arms on the second ends thereof so as to allow the blades to compress together when the handles are compressed together and spread apart when the handles are released from one another.

Abstract: A cutting device is disclosed that is configured and operable to assist in the removal of a wrapper from a wrapped roll of coins. The cutting device includes a housing defining a coin wrapper tray. A first, second, and third opening are located in a base of the coin wrapper tray. A first roller is positioned in the first opening, a circular cutter is positioned in the second opening, and a second roller is positioned in the third opening. A wrapped roll of coins can be positioned in the coin wrapper tray and when rotated, the circular cutter places an incision in the wrapper so that the coins can be removed from the wrapper.

Abstract: A slicing assembly slices food into a plurality of slices of a selectable thickness in one motion. The assembly includes a base configured to be positioned on a support surface such that a food item is positionable on a top of the base. A selectable one of a plurality of cutting members is interchangeably coupled to the base such that the selected one of the cutting members is movably coupled to the top of the base. Each cutting member has a respective plurality of slicers. The slicers of each cutting member are uniquely spaced relative to each other cutting member wherein each cutting member is configured for slicing food in an associated thickness when a selected one of the cutting members is moved downwardly toward the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a punch for punching polymeric motor vehicle components, in particular bumpers, comprising a machine frame (1), at least one device for fixing a polymeric motor vehicle component (2) on the machine frame (1), and at least one punch device (3), wherein the punch device (3) comprises at least one punching tool (4) and at least one punching die (5). According to the invention, the punching tool (4) and/or the punching die (5) is/are fastened to a receiving device (6) of a movable carrier (7, 8), wherein the carrier (7, 8) has at least one further receiving device (6) for fastening at least one further processing apparatus (9, 10, 20, 30), such that the punch can be set to a new, different processing step involving the further processing apparatus (9, 10, 20, 30) by a movement of the carrier (7, 8).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for securing a guide bar to a chainsaw body. In some embodiments, a chainsaw may include a mounting stud, a side cover and the retention member. The mounting stud may extend away from a bar mount pad of a chainsaw body and be dimensioned to be received in a slot of a guide bar when the guide bar is mounted to the chainsaw body. The side cover may be selectively mountable to the chainsaw body in a closed configuration in which the mounting stud is disposed between the bar mount pad and the side cover. The retention member may be coupled to the chainsaw body and positioned to retain the guide bar against the bar mount pad when the mounting stud is received in the slot of the guide bar. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

Abstract: An improved miter saw, including a base, a workbench, a stop plate, a swing arm, a motor, a cutting assembly, and an extension platform. The workbench is rotationally disposed on the base. The swing arm is rotationally disposed on the rear of the workbench. The stop plate is disposed on the rear of the base. The extension platform is disposed on two sides of the base. The upper surface of the extension platform and the supporting surface of the base are in a same plane. The extension platform is movably connected to the base through a guide rod. The extension platform comprises an L-shaped limit block and a recess corresponding to the L-shaped limit block. The L-shaped limit block is adapted to turn over in the recess horizontally or vertically along the length direction of a workpiece mounted on the workbench for cutting.

Abstract: A miter box includes, in a first direction, a through opening having a shape adapted to the cross-section of an element to be cut.

Abstract: Method of delivering compositions to organic substrates, particularly lumber. Method involves heating a target zone of the substrate and then applying the composition to the surface of the substrate wherein the temperature of the composition is lower than that of the target zone of the substrate. Compositions include biocidal, strength modifiers, waterproofing and polymers.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a three-dimensional article from a pulverulent substrate including at least a main substrate and at least an energy transferring vector, the process using at least one high energy source of a determined wavelength for melting the pulverulent substrate. The three-dimensional article manufactured from the process and the layer manufacturing system are also described.

Abstract: A Hatschek process for the production of profiled fiber cement plates is provided. The process comprises the steps of: (i) providing an endless fiber cement multilayered slab stacking at least one monolayer of a first type having a first width and at least one monolayer of a second type of monolayers having a second width, the at least one monolayer of a second type of monolayers extending in transverse direction beyond the at least one monolayer of a first type of monolayer: (ii) accumulating at least one layer of the endless fiber cement multilayered slab on a profiled accumulator roll having a recess along at least part of its circumference whereby the at least first monolayer is provided within the recess;(iii) removing the accumulated slab from the accumulator roll; and (iv) curing the uncured fiber cement plate.

Abstract: This document describes systems and processes for forming improved synthetic molded slabs suitable for use in living or working spaces (e.g., along a countertop, table, floor, or the like).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process, whereby a build platform for application of build material is provided and a support frame is arranged around the build platform, to which said support frame at least one device for dosing the particulate material and one device for bonding the particulate material is attached via the guiding elements and the support frame is moveable in a Z direction, which essentially means perpendicular to the base surface of the build platform. In so doing, the device provides a material feeding device having a particle material container to supply particulate material in batches from the storage area to the dosing apparatus and to do so with the least possible amount of shearing forces and without significant interaction with the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process, whereby a build platform for application of build material is provided and a support frame is arranged around the build platform, to which said support frame at least one device for dosing the particulate material and one device for bonding the particulate material is attached via the guiding elements and the support frame is moveable in a Z direction, which essentially means perpendicular to the base surface of the build platform. In so doing, the device provides a material feeding device having a particle material container to supply particulate material in batches from the storage area to the dosing apparatus and to do so with the least possible amount of shearing forces and without significant interaction with the atmosphere.

Abstract: As a lower forming plate 8, a forming plate having: a lower plate main body 10 constituted from an electrically conductive material; and a lower embedded electrode 12 embedded in the lower plate main body 10, the lower embedded electrode 12 being electrically insulated from the lower plate main body 10 by an insulator 14 and being embedded so as for a portion thereof to be exposed on the surface of the lower plate main body 10 making contact with a lower lining paper sheet 16 is used.

Abstract: A durable, moisture-resistant gypsum product is provided with smooth furnish which comprises a laminated glass fiber mat in which glass fibers are compressed and cross-linked with a thermosetting polymeric resin. Methods for making these gypsum products and glass fiber mats are provided as well.

Abstract: A portable asphalt recycling device comprising: a base; a rotatable drum unit secured to the base; a hopper secured to the rotatable drum unit used to load and unload materials from within the drum unit; a burner secured to the rear of the drum unit to heat the materials; one or more corkscrew fins located within the drum unit, the fins being operable in the mixing and folding of the material and also being operable in pulling the material to the back of the drum unit for complete heating and mixing and pushing the material from the back of the drum unit to the front of the drum unit for unloading; wherein the material within the drum unit does not come into contact with a flame produced by the burner; and a thermostatic heating sensor device located within the drum unit used to measure the temperature of the material.

Abstract: A tile cutter having a base frame with a base plate and a guide which is disposed above the base plate and along which a slide carrying a cutting tool is displaceable in order to produce a score on the surface of a tile resting on the base plate, and having a breaker jaw device which is gear-coupled to the slide and is lowered onto the surface of the tile in the end phase of the displacement of the slide in order to break the tile along the score. The breaker jaw device and the slide interact with one another via a control flank arrangement in order to lower the breaker jaw device.

Abstract: Provided is a technology capable of producing a paste with desired viscosity. A twin-screw extruding kneader includes: a housing; two rotational shafts arranged inside the housing; and paddles arranged around each rotational shaft. A paddle length L1 and a clearance C1, and a paddle length L2 and a clearance C2 are set to satisfy a conditional expression shown in the following Math. 1, the paddle length L1 being the sum of thicknesses of all the paddles arranged around the rotational shaft in a stiffly kneading zone, the clearance C1 being the smallest gap width between the paddle arranged in the stiffly kneading zone and the housing, the paddle length L2 being the sum of thicknesses of all the paddles arranged around the rotational shaft in a diluting zone, the clearance C2 being the smallest gap width between the paddle arranged in the diluting zone and the housing. (L1/C1)/(L2/C2)?1.4 ??[Math.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high performance polymer and nanotube composite is used to produce a nylon resin polymer with favorable material properties over traditional resin polymers. A plurality of tungsten sulfide nanotubes is combined with a plurality of nylon resin pellets which are ground up into a nylon resin powder. A heterogeneous mixture of the nylon resin powder and the plurality of tungsten nanotube is heated within a plastic extrusion machine such that the nylon resin powder melts and envelopes the plurality of tungsten sulfide nanotubes. With the plurality of tungsten sulfide nanotubes suspended in the fluid nylon resin, the heterogeneous mixture is extruded from the plastic extrusion machine as a pultrusion. The pultrusion is segmented into a plurality of polymer composites as the plutrusion solidifies from cooling for various materials applications.

Abstract: A method for making a root section (7) of a wind turbine blade (5), the method comprising: providing a fibre preform (14) comprising the steps of: providing at least one first ply of dry reinforcing material (15); placing a stiffening strip (25) on the at least one first ply of dry reinforcing material; placing at least one second ply of dry reinforcing material on the stiffening strip to form a stack; and binding the stack together along binding rows (16); the method further comprising placing the fibre preform on a curved mould surface such that the binding rows and the stiffening strip are orientated in a chordwise direction; wherein the stiffening strip has a stiffness such that the stack is self-supporting so that the stack does not buckle when laid on the curved mould surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating plastic parisons, with a transport device which transports the plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path, and with at least one heating device, wherein the heating device has at least one first radiation source which emits thermal radiation as well as at least one reflector device which reflects at least a proportion of the thermal radiation emitted by the radiation source in the direction of the plastic parisons. The reflector device can be attached to the radiation source and has a support and a reflection component which bears against the support on at least one region and is suitable for reflection of the radiation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recycling broad goods material into a flaked feed material. The broad goods material includes reinforcement fibers and thermoplastic material. The recycling method includes applying heat and pressure to impregnate the reinforcement fibers at a filament level with the thermoplastic material to form an impregnated fiber material. The method also includes cooling the impregnated fiber material, and cutting the cooled impregnated fiber material into flakes to produce the flaked feed material.

Abstract: An injection mould component for moulding the outer surface of a preform neck, which allows improved cooling of the preform node inside the mould, while in the same time reducing the mould cycle time. A related production process of said injection mould component, which allows the section of the cooling channels to be optimized, determining a more effective cooling, is also described.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method for the combined manufacturing and filling of plastic containers in a one step process. The molding apparatus and method utilize a mold having an inner cavity with surfaces presenting hydrophobic properties thereby enabling a resultant container to have flawless appearance.

Abstract: A system and method for automated manufacture of prosthesis shells using removably mountable mandrel is described. The mandrels are mounted onto cassettes, which are then moved through various dipping, devolatilization and curing steps by a robot, improving the uniformity of the shells and reducing cost of manufacture. The cassettes may include a motor to rotatably drive spindles upon which the mandrels are mounted on the cassette. The motor may be driven by a battery housed within the cassette to provide for untethered use of the cassette.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus for performing an imprint process which includes molding of imprint material on a substrate with a mold and releasing of the mold from the molded imprint material, the apparatus including a substrate holder configured to hold the substrate, a mold holder configured to hold the mold, a driving device configured to perform driving, for the releasing of the mold, of at least one of the substrate holder and the mold holder, and a detector configured to detect completion of the releasing of the mold by the driving device.

Abstract: A method of sub-ambient pressure processing of blow-molded polymer foams and skin-over-foam sandwich panel configurations for lightweight components having improved structural properties. The method can create either skinned or un-skinned foams that offer smooth interior and exterior surfaces, zero or controlled surface porosity, skins of pre-defined thickness, and foam cells that are expanded and oriented normal to the material plane, effectively spherical or polyhedral in nature, and offering improved bending and compressive strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to advancements in injection moulding and in particular to a method and apparatus for co-injection moulding articles of complex non symmetrical geometry. The method forms a multilayer injection moulded article comprising an outer skin of a first material and a central core of a second material which is encapsulated by the outer skin. The first and second materials are injected in a single stream into a cavity of an injection mould, with the second material encased within the first material. The flow of the stream is controlled by means of flow paths within the mould cavity such that both the first and second materials are present in at least one first area of the mould cavity and that only the first material is present in at least one second area of the mould cavity. The flow paths include at least one primary flow path in the first mould cavity area which divides into at least two secondary flow paths.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a substrate-integrated gasket, the method integrating a fiber substrate which is constructed by a pulp fiber having cellulose as a main component and a gasket body which is constructed by a rubber-like elastic body according to a rubber impregnation, wherein a plurality of substrate-integrated gaskets are obtained by executing an injection molding by plural stages of rubber metal molds. Further, the rubber material is filled in plural stages of metal mold cavities by passing the rubber material through the fiber substrate in which a rubber material flow channel in the metal mold is closed at its injection pressure. The invention can reduce a man hour for removing burr and cleaning a metal mold by suppressing generation of rubber burr at the molding time and can reduce an amount of disposal of a molding material, thereby achieving a good manufacturing efficiency.

Abstract: A process for making a multilayered article, the process comprising the steps of: (A) Providing a mold comprising: (1) A mold housing comprising (a) at least one injection port, and (b) defining a mold cavity within which are positioned two deformable, pre-molded polymeric sheets; and (2) A removable, hollow core equipped with at least one vent, the removable, hollow core positioned between and space apart from the two polymeric sheets; (B) injecting under high pressure a viscous, crosslinkable, thermoplastic polymer into the mold cavity between the two polymeric sheets and around the removable core, (C) Drawing a vacuum on the mold cavity through both the vent in the mold housing and the vent in the removable, hollow core before, during and/or after the polymer has been injected into the mold; (D) Forming a less than fully cured multilayered article in the mold cavity; and (E) Removing the less than fully cured multilayer article from the mold cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a valve pin in an injection molding system, comprising: an actuator having a piston disposed within a master chamber, the piston being slidable upstream and downstream within the master chamber having a seal that forms a seal surface with a complementary interior surface of the master chamber, the seal surface forming opposing upstream and downstream fluid drive chambers, a bleed port extending through the interior surface of the master chamber at a position on the interior surface of the master chamber where the bleed port is: either disposed immediately downstream of the complementary interior surface of the master chamber that forms a seal with the seal surface of the piston and communicates with a downstream fluid drive chamber when the piston is in a fully upstream position, or is disposed immediately upstream of the complementary interior surface of the master chamber that forms a seal with the circumferential seal surface of the piston and communicates with an upstream fluid

Abstract: An injection mold assembly for injection molding an object includes a first mold tool having a first tool surface and a second mold tool having a second tool surface. The first and the second tool surfaces are cooperatively configured to define a mold cavity between the tool surfaces for an injection molding of an object. The first mold tool has a tool element with a first side that has the first tool surface, and with a second side opposite the first side. Multiple fins extend from the second side of the tool element. A base supports the fins. The tool element, the fins and the base define a coolant flow cavity at the second side of the tool element. A method of designing the mold assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for storage and transmission of recipe data (process parameters) for the molding of articles in an injection molding apparatus. A controller includes a flow control microcontroller (MCU) that receives recipe data from a recipe storage microcontroller (MCU) mounted to a mold of an injection molding machine, the recipe storage MCU storing the recipe data defining process parameters for the molding of articles in the mold. The flow control MCU executes instructions for controlling valve pin motions according to the recipe data. In one embodiment, a human operator interface is provided for transmitting data to and/or from at least one of the recipe storage and flow control MCU's, allowing the operator to monitor, modify and/or control the process parameters during a molding cycle and/or to create a modified or new recipe for subsequent storage on the recipe storage MCU.