Abstract: A blade processing (e.g., sharpening) device includes two sets of overlapping edge processing rings Inner diameter surfaces of the edge processing rings define a notch suitable for effectively processing a blade with a convex cutting edge profile. Certain types of edge processing rings are movable relative to one another to adjust an edge processing angle of the notch. Certain types of blade processing devices also can also process blades with concave cutting edge profiles. The rings may be contained at least partially within a protective housing. A blade can be processed by inserting a blade through a blade insertion opening in the housing and into the notch while a handle of the blade remains outside the housing. By grasping the handle, the blade can be manually reciprocated within the notch during edge processing.

Abstract: A method for blocking an optical lens (100) on a holding unit (200) thanks to a thermoplastic material layer (310) comprising the steps of: a) providing around the holding unit (200) a removable part (500) comprising an upper part surface (510) which is arranged so as to extend the upper assembling surface (210) of the holding unit and not to contact the bottom lens surface (120); b) providing a predetermined volume of a thermoplastic material; c) orientating the lens (100) in a desired spatial configuration; d) positioning the lens (100) contacting the thermoplastic material of step b) at a soften or melted state and pressing the lens (100) so as to keep the lens spatial configuration constant and to let the thermoplastic material flow from the upper assembling surface (210) of the holding unit to at least a part of the upper part surface (510) of the removable part (500); e) removing the removable part.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for cutting a glass sheet, continuously supplied after a melting and solidification process, into quadrangular glass substrates. The glass sheet cutting device includes two or more cutters for cutting a glass sheet into quadrangular glass substrates, a defect inspector for scanning the glass sheet to three-dimensionally check defect positions in a length direction, a width direction and a thickness direction of the glass sheet, a position adjuster for moving at least one of the cutters to a portion of the glass sheet at which few defects are distributed, and a controller for informing the position adjuster of positions of the cutters based on the scanned results received from the defect inspector.

Abstract: A carrier for a double-side polishing apparatus comprising at least: a metallic carrier base that is arranged between upper and lower turn tables having polishing pads attached thereto and has a holding hole formed therein to hold a wafer sandwiched between the upper and lower turn tables at the time of polishing; and a ring-like resin insert that is arranged along an inner peripheral portion of the holding hole of the carrier base and is in contact with a peripheral portion of the held wafer, wherein an inner peripheral end portion of the holding hole of the carrier base has an upwardly opening tapered surface, an outer peripheral portion of the ring-like insert has a reverse tapered surface with respect to the tapered surface of the holding hole of the carrier base, and the resin insert is fitted in the holding hole of the carrier base through the tapered surface.

Abstract: A quick replacement device of an abrasive belt wheel is disposed on a belt sander. The belt sander has an abrasive belt wheel box. The abrasive belt wheel box is provided with two spaced fixing seats. Two ends of the abrasive belt wheel are provided with brackets relative to the fixing seats. The brackets and the fixing seats are fixed through fixing members. Through the fixing members, the abrasive belt wheel can be assembled to or disassembled from the abrasive belt wheel box quickly, providing a simple and quick replacement effect. The time to replace the abrasive belt wheel can be shortened so as to enhance work efficiency and economic efficiency.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes forming one or more grooves in a component that comprises a substrate with an outer surface. The substrate has at least one interior space, and each groove extends at least partially along the substrate and has a base. The manufacturing method further includes forming one or more access holes through the base of a respective groove, to connect the groove in fluid communication with the respective hollow interior space. The manufacturing method further includes forming at least one connecting groove in the component, such that each connecting groove intersects at least a subset of the one or more grooves. The manufacturing method further includes disposing a coating over at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate, such that the groove(s) and the coating together define one or more channels for cooling the component.

Abstract: A method of making a near-net superhard material body includes preparing granules from a mixture of superhard powder, binders, and fluids, compacting the granules to form a soft green complex-shaped body, heating the soft green body in a furnace to form a hard green body free from residual binders, embedding one or more of the hard green bodies in a containment powder or a containment means and forming a pressure cell, sintering the cell at high pressure and high temperature, and removing the containment powder from the cell or removing the inserts from the containment means to reveal one or more near-net bodies.

Abstract: A bench vice includes a fixed vice body, a movable vice body, a screw rod, a screw nut, a quick-action mechanism, and an operating handle. The quick-action mechanism controls the screw rod and screw nut to engage or disengage so as to move slowly or quickly. The operating handle operates the quick-action mechanism. The movable vice body is assembled with the screw rod into an assembly, and both the quick-action mechanism and the operating handle are arranged on the front end of the fixed vice body. Since the quick-action mechanism and the operating handle are arranged on the front end of the fixed vice body, the operator can operate more conveniently, and thereby the working efficiency is improved.

Abstract: Tools having provisions associated with a wrench and a vise are described. The tools can include lateral support members extending from the handle that increase stability during use as a vise. The support members can be removed and/or placed in a non-use position when the tool is used as a wrench. The tool can also include support plates that provide a clearance space between a workpiece and a movable jaw of the tool. Various other features of the tools are described.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a handle, a driving head, an engaging member, a spring and a controlling knob. The handle has a receiving groove, a transverse hole in one lateral side of the handle, and a longitudinal hole in a bottom of the receiving groove. The driving head has a connecting portion pivotally connected to the handle. The engaging member is movably received in the longitudinal hole, and has a guiding cutout in a lateral side thereof. The spring is interposed between a bottom of the longitudinal hole and the engaging member. The controlling knob has an abutting block received in the guiding cutout of the engaging member. The abutting block is substantially oblong in shape such that rotational movement of the controlling knob drives the engaging member to be disengaged from the driving head.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a wrench body, a ratchet assembly and a C-ring. The wrench body has a driving head at one end. The driving head has a cavity therein and a retaining groove defined in an inner periphery of the cavity. The ratchet assembly is mounted in the cavity of the driving head. The C-ring is configured to retain the ratchet assembly in place and defines an outer portion and an inner portion. The C-ring has two free ends, and at least one of the two free ends has an oblique face with a pointed edge towards an inside of the C-ring, which is allowed to pry the C-ring moving inward to be detached.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench includes: a wrench main body including ahead section and a shank body, at least one recess being formed on a wall face of one side of the shank body, a top face of the shank body being inward depressed to form a platform, a rear end of the shank body being inward recessed to form a cavity for placing cells therein, a through hole being formed on the shank body in communication with the platform and the cavity; at least one torque sensor disposed in the recess; and an electronic operation/control device disposed on the platform. The outward protruding volume of the operation/control device is reduced to minify the total volume of the wrench and the platform and the recess enhance the flexion of the shank body.

Abstract: A tool for crimping a ring member on a pipe is provided. The tool includes a first arm having a plurality of slots on a first side and a second slot on a second side. Each slot of the plurality of slots is a different size diameter, and the at least one second slot has a different size. The tool further includes a second arm operably coupled to rotate. The second arm having a plurality of slots on a third side and at least one fourth slot on a fourth side. Each of the plurality of slots are sized and positioned to cooperate with each other when in the first position to crimp the ring member. The at least one fourth slot is sized and positioned to cooperate with the at least one second slot when in the second position to crimp the ring member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft having a first end comprising a beveled surface. A second end of the shaft includes a gripping member. The apparatus additionally includes a channel formed on the beveled surface, wherein the channel comprises an opening, and wherein the opening traverses the beveled surface at a constant vertical position relative to an angle of the beveled surface.

Abstract: A valve spring compression and valve guide seal remover system is a hand tool that is able to grip a valve stem while compressing the valve spring to release and replace the valve stem seals of motorcycle engines without having to remove the head from the engine or the engine from the motorcycle frame.

Abstract: A shock-reducing claw hammer includes a hammerhead, a handle and a restraining element. The hammerhead includes a hitting portion formed at an end and two claws formed at another end. The handle is connected to the hammerhead and formed with a bore, a gap in communication with the bore, and a reduced portion so that the bore is located between the gap and the reduced portion. The restraining element includes a flat body and two end tabs extending from the flat body. The flat body is supported on the handle. One of the end tabs is movably inserted in the wide slit. The other end tab is fitted in the narrow slit.

Abstract: A wrench that has an adjustable wrench head, a wrench handle, and an attachment means for attaching the wrench handle to the wrench head. The wrench head has an orifice configured to control the rotation of a work-piece such as a nut or bolt. The wrench handle has an attachment section and a gripping section. The attachment section is formed for attachment with the wrench head and has a hole with a central axis extending in a direction towards the wrench head. The gripping section is formed for gripping by a user and connects with the attachment section beside the central axis, whereby, when the wrench handle is viewed from an end view thereof, the gripping section is nonaligned with the central axis of the attachment section at the connection of the gripping section with the attachment section. The wrench handle is formed for at least partial rotation about the axis of the attachment section.

Abstract: A tele-operation system enabling a robot arm to move by following a motion of a motion of a hand of a user without an additional mechanical apparatus, the tele-operation system including a slave robot having a robot arm, a master console configured to detect a gesture of a user, and to control the slave robot from a remote place so that the slave robot moves by following the gesture of the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and/or a method of telepresence based inventory pick and place operations through actuator controlled robotic arms affixed to each row of a shelf. A method includes mounting a robotic arm at an end of a row of a shelf of inventory on a set of rails affixed to the row of a shelf. The robotic arm is permitted to move horizontally along the row of the shelf. The robotic arm is repositioned along the three axes using a set of actuators. A haptic motion of a human user is mirrored that is remotely using a positioning device (e.g., human may feel the feedback of the remote arm as it touches the objects). An item is placed on a counting platform in front of the robotic arm. The items are placed automatically in the designated location down through a transport means when a pick operation is completed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to reduce energy consumed when a rotary apparatus is used and to suppress abrasion and breakage on the rotary apparatus and a driving apparatus which drives the rotary apparatus. Provided is a rotation adjustment apparatus (1) comprising a rotary apparatus (10) which has a plurality of members coupled to each other via a plurality of rotation axes, the rotary apparatus providing a rotational movement of one of the members rotating around the rotation axis with respect to another one of the members; and a rotation restraining mechanism (30, 72) which restrains at least one of a plurality of rotational movements provided by the rotary apparatus.

Abstract: A prediction model for predicting a mobile robot state is constructed to represent a state change of the mobile robot in a prediction interval of a predetermined duration; time-series data on a control input to ensure stability of the mobile robot is obtained in the prediction interval using a predetermined stability evaluation criterion and a constraint condition based on a mechanical balance; a center-of-gravity trajectory of the mobile robot is obtained based on the time-series data and prediction model; a slack variable for relaxing a constraint is introduced into a constraint condition; a slack variable is introduced into the stability evaluation criterion such that the variable becomes zero when a solution to a stable trajectory is obtained under the constraint condition and a slack variable value is generated when the trajectory diverges under the constraint condition; and positions of contact points are changed so as to cancel the generated value.

Abstract: The present invention applies to a mobile robot which can have a human appearance and sophisticated functions enabling it to execute missions. To enable communications internal to the robot to be optimized and allow for a versatility that is both physical (possible substitution of parts of the robot) and software (replacement of programs to adapt it to new missions), an architecture with three computer levels is provided. The highest level comprises the intelligence of the robot which generates commands which are transmitted by an intermediate computer to low-level cards which control the sensors and actuators. Communication between the intermediate computer and the low-level cards is managed by at least one specific secure communication protocol.

Abstract: A method for controlling a redundant robot arm includes the steps of selecting an application for performing a robotic process on a workpiece with the arm and defining at least one constraint on motion of the arm. Then an instruction set is generated based upon the selected application representing a path for a robot tool attached to the arm by operating the arm in one of a teaching mode and a programmed mode to perform the robotic process on the workpiece and movement of the arm is controlled during the robotic process. A constraint algorithm is generated to maintain a predetermined point on the arm to at least one of be on, be near and avoid a specified constraint in a robot envelope during movement of the arm, and a singularity algorithm is generated to avoid a singularity encountered during the movement of the arm.

Abstract: A robot includes a base, a first arm rotatably connected to the base around a first rotating axis, a second arm rotatably connected to the first arm around a second rotating axis orthogonal to the first rotating axis, a third arm rotatably connected to the second arm around a third rotating axis parallel to the second rotating axis, a first angular velocity sensor provided in the first arm and having an angular velocity detection axis parallel to the first rotating axis, and a second angular velocity sensor provided in the second arm and having an angular velocity detection axis parallel to the third rotating axis.

Abstract: A method of commanding a remote vehicle includes executing a command on a controller of the remote vehicle based on a kinodynamic fixed depth motion planning algorithm to use incremental feedback from evaluators to select a best feasible action. The method also includes determining servo commands corresponding to the best feasible action for one or more actuators of a drive system or a manipulation system of the remote vehicle and commanding the one or more actuators of the remote vehicle based on the servo commands. The best feasible action includes actions within a fixed time horizon of several seconds from a current time each time a feasible action is selected.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a status of a component of a device are provided. An example method includes triggering an action of a component of a device, and responsively receiving information associated with the action of the component from a sensor. The method further includes a computing system having a processor and a memory comparing the information with calibration data and determining a status of the component based on the comparison. In some examples, the calibration data may include information derived from data received from a pool of one or more devices utilizing same or similar components as the component. The determined status may include information associated with a performance of the component with respect to performances of same or similar components of the pool of devices. In one example, the device may self-calibrate the component based on the status.

Abstract: A robot apparatus that performs the work of attaching a cable includes a gripper that grips the cable having first and second ends, the first end being fixed; an arm main body that guides the second end of the cable being gripped by the gripper to the interior of a guide area; a force sensor that is provided on the arm main body and detects that the gripper has come into contact with the second end of the cable; a camera that captures an image of the guide area when the force sensor detects that the gripper has come into contact with the second end of the cable; and an image processor that detects the posture of the second end of the cable based on the captured image. The robot apparatus performs the work of attaching the cable in accordance with the detected posture of the connector.

Abstract: One or more images of a physical environment may be received, where the one or more images may include one or more objects. A type of surface feature predicted to be contained on a portion of one or more surfaces of a single object may be determined. Surface features of the type within regions of the one or more images may then be identified. The regions may then be associated to corresponding objects in the physical environment based on the identified surface features. Based at least in part on the regions associated to the corresponding objects, a virtual representation of the physical environment may be determined, the representation including at least one distinct object segmented from a remaining portion of the physical environment so as to virtually distinguish a boundary of the at least one distinct object from boundaries of objects present in the remaining portion of the physical environment.

Abstract: A control system for a mobile robot (10) is provided to effectively cover a given area by operating in a plurality of modes, including an obstacle following mode (51) and a random bounce mode (49). In other embodiments, spot coverage, such as spiraling (45), or other modes are also used to increase effectiveness. In addition, a behavior based architecture is used to implement the control system, and various escape behaviors are used to ensure full coverage.

Abstract: A robot control device includes: an internal force estimating unit; a storage unit in which, in each small region of a rotational operation region of a plurality of joints of a robot arm, an internal force estimated by the internal force estimating unit is subtracted from an output of the force sensor in a state in which the robot arm is not in contact with an external environment, thereby storing a force correction amount; a force correction amount determining unit in which a force correction amount corresponding to each of the current angles of the plurality of joints of the robot arm is determined; and a contact force calculating unit in which a contact force when the robot arm is in contact with an external environment is calculated by subtracting an internal force and the force correction amount from a current output of the force sensor.

Abstract: A robot includes a base, a first arm which is rotatable around a first rotating axis with respect to the base, a second arm which is rotatable around a second rotating axis orthogonal to the first rotating axis, a third arm which is rotatable around a third rotating axis parallel to the second rotating axis, a first angular velocity sensor provided in the first arm, and a second angular velocity sensor provided in the third arm. The angle between a detection axis of the first angular velocity sensor and the first rotating axis is a predetermined first angle. The angle between a detection axis of the second angular velocity sensor and the second rotating axis is a predetermined second angle.

Abstract: A method of operation of a stepper motor, especially as used in connection with a picker assembly employed in a data storage library and a picker assembly that may utilize the stepper motor.

Abstract: A robotic gripper. Each of two gripper fingers is attached to a bearing carriage. Each bearing carriage defines a rack gear and is adapted to ride on a bearing rail. A single pinion gear has two gear elements. Each of the two gear elements are meshed with one of the two rack gears so as to drive the two bearing carriages in opposite direction upon rotation of the pinion gear. A worm gear is fixed to the single pinion gear. A worm screw is meshed to the worm gear and adapted to cause rotation of the worm gear and the single pinion gear and a gripping action or a releasing action of the two gripping fingers, depending on the rotation of the worm screw. A motor is adapted to drive the worm screw in a first rotary direction and a second rotary direction.

Abstract: A compliant underactuated grasper includes a palm base and two fingers. Each of the fingers comprises: a proximal phalanx; a distal phalanx; a compliant flexure joint connecting the distal phalanx to the proximal phalanx; and a pin joint connecting the proximal phalanx to the palm base, the pin joint constraining angular movement of the proximal phalanx relative to the palm base to rotation about a pin pivot axis. The grasper further includes at least one actuator to move the fingers. The grasper has fewer actuators than degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a folding knife is provided. More specifically, the locking mechanism is a two-piece backlock that maintains the folding knife's extended position and prevents the blade from inadvertently closing when the knife is in use in the extended position and impedes the folding knife from inadvertently opening when the knife is in a closed position of storage. The locking mechanism generally comprises a backlock, a toggle, and a biasing member. The toggle rotates between two positions and engages with the tang of the blade and the backlock.

Abstract: A razor having a pivotable blade unit which is biased into a rest position by a biasing plunger. The razor includes a stabilizing bore in which a penetrating portion of the biasing plunger is configured to reciprocate. The largest cross-section of the penetrating portion has a shape which differs from the shape of the smallest cross-section of the stabilizing bore in order to lower the contact area between the penetrating portion of the biasing plunger and the stabilizing bore.

Abstract: An interchangeable head size precision razor device allows for selectively interchanging thin width razor heads to facilitate precise styling. The device includes a handle having a top end and a bottom end. The handle is elongated between the top end and the bottom end. A connector is coupled to and extends from the handle proximate the top end of the handle. A plurality of razor heads is provided. Each razor head has a unique length extending between opposite lateral sides of the razor head. Each razor head has a respective socket. The connector is couplable to the socket of each razor head wherein the razor heads are interchangeably couplable to the connector.

Abstract: A novel application of the atomic layer deposition (ALD) process for producing a conformal coating on a razor blade is disclosed where a uniform, conformal, dense coating is deposited on an entire surface of a blade flank and at least a portion or an entire surface of a blade body. To improve the shaving ability of the coated blade edge (e.g., decrease the blade tip radius), the ALD-produced coating may be etched during, after, or both during and after, the ALD process.

Abstract: A cutter apparatus for cutting a workpiece of an absorbent article that is being transported in a transport direction, includes: a cutter roller having a cutter blade projecting from an outer circumferential surface thereof; and an anvil roller that receives the cutter blade at an outer circumferential surface thereof disposed to face the outer circumferential surface of the cutter roller. While rotating mutually in the transport direction, the cutter roller and the anvil roller cut the workpiece by allowing the workpiece to pass between the rollers. In at least one of the cutter roller and the anvil roller, a dynamic-balance correction section is provided which corrects the dynamic balance of the roller so that the sum of the values of balance quality (mm/sec) defined in JIS B 0905 at one end and the other end of the roller in a rotational-axis direction is 6 or less.

Abstract: An adhesive film includes a film-like adhesive layer and a pair of separators sandwiching the adhesive layer. The outer edges of both separators extend outward beyond the outer edge of the adhesive layer, and a blade is used to form a notch on the adhesive layer side of the heavy release separator, along the outer edge of the adhesive layer. The thickness of the heavy release separator is between 50 ?m and 200 ?m, the average notch depth is between 5 ?m and 45 ?m and the standard deviation for the notch depth is no greater than 15 ?m. Specifying the notch depth allows complete cutting of the adhesive layer with the blade, while also limiting release problems between the heavy release separator and the adhesive layer.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for cutting and/or etching articles (4) having a flat surface on which designs and/or writings (11A, 11B, 11C) are reproduced has an operating group (5) arranged above a work plane (2), which work plane (2) is provided with an upper surface (3) for receiving the articles. The operating group is movable along the work plane (2) in order to operate on the articles (4) for cutting and/or etching the articles (4). A first optical device detects designs and/or writings (11A, 11B, 11C) reproduced on the articles arranged on the work plane (2). The apparatus (1) has a second optical device (9) arranged with respect to the surface (2) such as to detect the orientation as well as the position of the articles (4) on the work plane (2) as well as the designs and/or the writings (11A, 11B, 11C) reproduced on the articles.

Abstract: The slicing machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the device (18; 28) for setting the cutting thickness of the product to be sliced can be actuated via an adjusting device disposed in the installation space (B; B?), wherein the passage region of the device (18; 28) through the machine housing (11; 21) is sealed at least against splash water.

Abstract: A device for a waste stripping unit fitted with two rotating tools which cooperate to strip at least one item of waste which originates from a blank of a plate element (4) which passes through the unit and between the two tools. At least one tool has pins that remove the waste items. At least one part (39) is inserted between the two tools and which forms a support for the blank and also opens a passage for the stripped off waste. The part is shaped and positioned in accordance with the layout of the blank.

Abstract: A saw guide for increasing a gap between deck boards is an apparatus that includes a base panel, a blade hole, a front guide tab, a back guide tab, a binding clamp, and an alignment rail. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a circular handheld saw to more precisely widen the gap between two deck boards. The circular handheld saw is mounted onto the base panel by the binding clamp. The blade of the circular handheld saw is positioned within the blade hole, and the alignment rail is used to properly orient the blade. The front guide tab and the second guide tab are located on opposite sides of the base panel and are used to guide the cutting direction of the circular handheld saw.

Abstract: Treated wood, wood preservative compositions, and methods for treating wood generally include applying to the wood a wood preservative composition comprising a boron containing compound and a pH-reduced black liquor comprising soluble lignin, wherein the boron-containing compound is soluble in the pH-reduced black liquor and wherein the pH-reduced black liquor is derived from a carbonation process or an acid addition process of black liquor having phase-separated solid lignin and/or dense liquid lignin removed therefrom, and drying the wood.

Abstract: Electric saw being powered by an external power supply through a multicore cable. The multicore cable includes electrical wires for supplying power to the motors of the electric saw and communication wires for data communication between the electric saw and the power supply. Two motors of the electric saw are three phase permanent magnet motors, with an outer rotor and an inner stator. Each of the two motors has three Hall Effect sensors located around the outer rotor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a shaping process for making pellets of a thermoplastic extrudable resin composition. The resin composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer, plasticizer and optionally further additives. The plasticizer comprises a component which is solid at room temperature. The process is run at a temperature above the melting point of the plasticizer and below the melting/plastification temperature of the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anionically modified microfibrillated plant fibers used for obtaining a thermosetting resin molding material having excellent mechanical strength, a method for manufacturing the same, a molding material containing the anionically modified microfibrillated plant fibers and a thermosetting resin, and a method for manufacturing the same. Specifically, the present invention provides a molding material containing anionically modified microfibrillated plant fibers that are anionically modified in the presence of a base by a carboxylic acid represented by formula (I): X—(CH2)n—COOH (I), wherein X represents halogen and n is 1 or 2, and/or by a salt thereof, and a thermosetting resin, and the molding material contains the anionically modified microfibrillated plant fibers in an amount of 10 to 900 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the thermosetting resin.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing composite sheets based on PVC and a network of long fibers, said process comprising the following steps: dispersing PVC in powder form in said network; subjecting the dispersion to an alternating electric field with a sufficient intensity and for a sufficient time in order to distribute the powder in the network; and heating the dispersion under pressure until the powder forms a continuous matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed is a casting mold comprising at least two adjoining molds that enclose a hollow space, the cavity, which is accessible from the outside via at least one inlet duct and into which liquid casting material can be injected or pressed, and at least one vent opening that extends from the cavity to the outer surface of a mold, points approximately in the direction in which the hardened cast part is removed from the mold, and is closed by a pin-type breather. The face of the breather facing the cavity is perforated by small air holes which are permeable to air while retaining the liquid casting material and which are connected to the outer surface of the breather.