Abstract: A removable magazine may include a plurality of connection elements. The connection elements are arranged in a plurality of chambers from which they can be unloaded individually and specifically. Further, a setting device is disclosed that may operate in combination with this removable magazine.

Abstract: A machining center includes a rectangular base; two walls disposed on two sides of a top of the base respectively; two parallel rails disposed on a top of each wall, the rails extending in X-direction; two sliding members each slidably disposed on the rails on each wall; two parallel rail members disposed on a top of each sliding member, the rail members extending in Y-direction; a transverse beam having a first end secured to one sliding member and a second end slidably disposed on the other sliding member; and a sliding element slidably mounted on a front surface of the transverse beam. The second end of the transverse beam may move relative to one sliding member in response to heat buildup in the transverse beam.

Abstract: A handheld work apparatus has an electric motor and a voltage source for operating the motor. A manual actuation element provided on a handle of the apparatus is operated by a user and is provided for activating the motor. The actuation element is connected to a control unit which controls the energy supply from the source to the motor as a function of an operating signal of the actuation element. If the control unit is in a blocking state, the energy supply to the motor is blocked independently of the operating signal of the actuation element. After receiving a control signal, the control unit switches from the blocking state to a standby state to release an energy supply to the motor. The control signal is derived from a combination of an actuation stroke and an actuation time (?TB) of the actuation element. A method for activating the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine tool for implementing machining with rotation, the machine tool includes a first rotor, an enclosure, a first rail, a second rail, and a coupler. The first rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The first rotor is surrounded with the enclosure. The first rail is disposed on the first rotor. The second rail is disposed on the enclosure so as to be brought into alignment with the first rail at a rotational position. The coupler moves along the first rail and the second rail. The coupler is to engage with the first rail and the second rail in a first state and to engage with the second rail without engaging with the first rail in a second state.

Abstract: A surfacing apparatus supported adjacent a substantially vertical surface of a structure for applying an even and uniform texture to the surface of the structure using a selectively adjustable force exerted on a texturing means to engage the surface of the structure. The surfacing apparatus is suited for horizontal and vertical movement in controlled prescribed paths under controlled and prescribed pressure from the adjustable tensioning means.

Abstract: A surfacing apparatus supported adjacent a substantially vertical surface of a structure for applying an even and uniform texture to the surface of the structure using a selectively adjustable force exerted on a texturing means to engage the surface of the structure. The surfacing apparatus is suited for horizontal and vertical movement in controlled prescribed paths under controlled and prescribed pressure from the adjustable tensioning means. The surfacing apparatus can include a texturing head that can be configured to conform to the contour of a curved work surface to apply an even and uniform texture thereon.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a grinding method for grinding of non-circular workpieces with an improved productivity and quality of the resulting workpiece. The method comprises a first and a second stage. The rotational speed profile of the workpiece in the first stage is controlled with the purpose of maintaining a pre-selected maximum surface temperature of the workpiece during said first stage, and grinding of the workpiece in said second stage is performed while controlling an aggressiveness number of said second stage so as to achieve an intended final surface quality. The present disclosure also relates to a method for determining the processing parameters of such a grinding method wherein the first and the second stage of the grinding method are iterated to thereby determine the processing parameters leading to a high productivity and desired quality of the workpiece after grinding.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus polishes a periphery of a substrate. This polishing apparatus includes a rotary holding mechanism configured to hold the substrate horizontally and rotate the substrate, plural polishing head assemblies provided around the substrate, plural tape supplying and recovering mechanisms configured to supply polishing tapes to the plural polishing head assemblies and recover the polishing tapes from the plural polishing head assemblies, and plural moving mechanisms configured to move the plural polishing head assemblies in radial directions of the substrate held by the rotary holding mechanism. The tape supplying and recovering mechanisms are located outwardly of the plural polishing head assemblies in the radial directions of the substrate, and the tape supplying and recovering mechanisms are fixed in position.

Abstract: [Problem] To enable efficiently grinding a workpiece of a hard brittle material, a difficult-to-cut material, or others at a moderate high load. [Solution Means] When surface-grinding a workpiece by a grinding wheel, a grinding load is monitored while the grinding wheel is reduced in cut-in speed when the grinding load rises and the cut-in speed is increased when the grinding load falls. Respective cut-in speeds with which the grinding wheel has a slower cut-in speed at a larger grinding load have been set in a manner corresponding to a plurality of respective load thresholds of the grinding load, and after starting grinding at a predetermined speed, the grinding wheel is decelerated or accelerated to a corresponding cut-in speed every time the grinding load rises or falls to a predetermined load threshold.

Abstract: A CMP method uses a slurry including colloidal metal oxide or colloidal semiconductor oxide particles (colloidal particles) in water. At least one particle feature is selected from (i) the colloidal particles having a polydispersity >30%, and (ii) mixed particle types including the colloidal particles having an average primary size >50 nm mixed with fumed oxide particles having average primary size <25 nm. A substrate having an alumina surface is placed into a CMP apparatus, and CMP is performed with a rotating polishing pad and the slurry to polish the alumina surface. The polydispersity is determined by a polydispersity formula for a distribution width (w) involving width w1 and width w2 at a second larger particle size. The polydispersity formula=(w2?w1)×100/dav which includes 63% of a total of the colloidal particles by volume and day is an average particle size of the colloidal particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reversing machine that reverses a substrate upside down. The reversing machine includes: a first arm pair configured to mount a substrate thereon; a second arm pair facing the first arm pair; an opening/closing mechanism configured to open/close the second arm pair so as to grip the substrate mounted on the first arm pair; and a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the first arm pair and the second arm pair around a predetermined axis that is set inside the first arm pair and the second arm pair and extends along an extension direction of the first arm pair and the second arm pair such that the substrate is reversed upside down.

Abstract: A grinder includes a motor, a housing, a spindle and a cover. The spindle protrudes downward from the housing, is driven by the motor, and thereby rotates. The cover is provided on the spindle in the circumferential direction and at least partially covers a tool accessory, which is mounted on the spindle. The cover is configured such that at least one part deforms and/or is composed of an elastic material.

Abstract: A grinder includes a motor, a housing that houses the motor, a spindle that projects from the housing and is driven by the motor, and thereby rotates relative to the housing, and a wheel cover that is disposed on an outer-circumference side of the spindle and is configured to cover a portion of a tool accessory attached to the spindle. The grinder also includes a holding device for holding the wheel cover on the housing such that the arrangement and position of the wheel cover around the spindle can be changed but such that the wheel cover is not readily removable from the housing.

Abstract: A grinder (100) includes a motor (12), a housing (4, 6, 30), a spindle (24), a first cover (120), and a second cover (170). The spindle protrudes downward from the housing, is driven by the motor, and thereby rotates. The first cover is provided in the circumferential direction of the spindle, is fixed to the housing, and at least partially covers a tool accessory (40), which is mounted on the spindle, from above. The second cover is detachably mounted on the housing (6) independently of the first cover.

Abstract: A grinder includes a motor, a housing, a spindle and a cover. The spindle protrudes downward from the housing, is driven by the motor, and thereby rotates. The cover at least partially covers a tool accessory mounted on the spindle. The cover includes a first cover part and a second cover part. The first cover part is fixed to the housing and at least partially covers the tool accessory from above. The second cover part is held such that it is capable of moving relative to the first cover part. The grinder is configured such that the area of the tool accessory covered by the cover changes in accordance with the relative movement.

Abstract: Blasting apparatus are disclosed relating to abrasive blasting that include a blasting pot and a blast pot discharge assembly connected to the blasting pot below the blasting pot. The blast pot discharge assembly may contain an elbow section and an eccentric reducer section and may also have an injector in the elbow section that injects liquid into the elbow section toward the eccentric reducer section.

Abstract: A nozzle, a device, and a method for high-speed generation of uniform nanoparticles allow a particle generation gas formed of carbon dioxide to pass through the nozzle, thereby forming uniform nanoparticles at high speed. An orifice that adjusts an opening and closing cross-sectional area of a throat of the nozzle is provided to cause uniform nuclei generation without an additional cooling device, a dilating portion that has a cross-sectional area and a dilation angle increasing toward an outlet side of the nozzle is provided to grow the nuclei through a first dilation portion (having a relatively gradual dilation angle) and thus cause particle generation, and the generated particles are accelerated through a second dilating portion that has a steeper dilation angle than the first dilating portion.

Abstract: A novel device for attaching a sanding pad to the detachable sanding head of a multi-use power tool is disclosed. An anchor is provided which mates with a recess in the face of the sanding head of a multi-use power tool. The anchor is inserted into the recess through an affixed sanding pad. The anchor engages the affixed sanding pad and compresses it between the walls of the recess to assist in securing the sanding pad.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of making articles having portions of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a surface of a substrate and polycrystalline diamond compacts made using the same. In an embodiment, a molding technique is disclosed for forming cutting tools comprising polycrystalline diamond portions bonded to the outer surface of a substrate.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus includes a support body that projects in a sideways direction of a body, together with a clamp arm, which is disposed rotatably in facing relation to the support body. On the support body, a support member, which extends in a horizontal direction, is disposed detachably with respect to a coupling hole of the body, whereas a connecting body, which interconnects a pair of arm members, is disposed detachably on an end of the clamp arm. A clamp release mechanism, which releases a clamped state when the clamp arm is locked, is disposed in the body, and is configured to press a joint of a driving force transmission mechanism that is accommodated in the body toward the side of a drive unit.

Abstract: A tensioning device and method of use is disclosed, the tensioning device helps tighten a rotationally free screw including a head and an expanding nut, wherein the screw retains an article to a surface through an aperture in the surface. The tensioning device includes an extension and an arcuate element, wherein a user grasps the extension and positions the arcuate element about the screw and underneath the screw head then manually exerting an axial force to tension the screw causing frictional contact of the expanding nut to an opposing hidden surface thereby allowing the screw to be tightened as against the nut and securing the article to the surface.

Abstract: A single piece housing surrounding individual ratchet key segments providing a clamping ratcheting wrench that is capable of being opened and closed without slipping the wrench over the end of a nut to be tightened or loosened. This wrench overcomes many problems because it may be used on a nut that is in a very tight position where a traditional wrench would not fit, nor would a conventional wrench be capable of ratcheting. The ratchet is effected by individual ratchet segments that are held in place when the wrench is opened. One of the true advantages of the various aspects is that the ratchet can be opened and closed once the ratchet segments are aligned, such that the segments are secured in place to allow the wrench to be opened up without having all the segments fall out of the wrench.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ratchet wrench consisting of socket head at one end, an extended arm in the middle and a pivoting extension arm having an extended handle grip at the opposite end. The socket wrench is designed in a manner to install and tighten nuts onto machine bolts and break loose and remove nuts wherein the nuts are in a confined or recessed area making it difficult to reach with conventional ratchet wrench extension mechanisms.

Abstract: A wrench structure for small-distance operations comprises that of: a wrench, comprising a wrench head, a central portion and a rear end of which having an operation area and a slot area with a first and second latching grooves that are vertical, parallel and overlapped to each other, and each of the latching grooves having a lateral angle offset; a driving device, comprising a ratchet member disposed in the operation area, an outer ring portion of the ratchet member being plural driving teeth; a latching device, comprising a first and second latching members, two front end surfaces of the latching members having plural teeth individually, the latching members being in the latching grooves, the latching members being connected with the plural driving teeth individually, a lateral angle offset being between the latching members; and an elastic device, disposed in the slot area for urging the latching members.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating and tightening or loosening a threaded device utilized in connection with threaded members. The apparatus includes a reciprocating anvil which is impacted by a rotating hammer to reciprocate the anvil into a lug to rotate a threaded device.

Abstract: A wire brush, a side-post wrench, and a top-post wrench which are capable of pivoting coaxially around the upper end of the device to be concealed within the handle comprises an all-in-one battery maintenance device. The lower end provides a heavy, solid base which may be safely used to tap the battery cables into the proper position on the posts of a top-post battery.

Abstract: Described herein is a tool for removing a wear ring, the tool comprising: a base; a leg base; a spreader disc comprising: a top, bottom, and sloped edge; a plurality of legs comprising: a first end coupled to the leg base, and a saw tooth shaped end; a plurality of spreader bolts, passing though the base and threaded into the spreader disc; and a puller bolt, passing through the base and spreader disc; and threaded into the leg base.

Abstract: An adapter assembly is used with a pipe alignment tool for aligning a pipe flange having circumferentially spaced bolt apertures therein with a mating annular surface locating circumferentially spaced threaded fasteners therein. The pipe alignment tool has a clamp member secured about the pipe flange and one or more supporting members mounted on the clamp member so as to protrude axially beyond the pipe flange towards the mating annular surface. The adapter assembly includes i) a mounting body arranged to be mounted to extend in a circumferential direction about at least some of the threaded fasteners of the mating annular surface and ii) a cylindrical supporting surface located externally on the mounting body and adapted to be engaged by the supporting members of the pipe alignment tool to allow for axial and rotational adjustments between the pipe flange and the mating annular surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a driving-in device, comprising a handheld housing, a piston element received in a piston guide for transmitting energy from a propelling charge to a securing element to be driven, and a front part which is removably connected to the piston guide. The front part and the piston guide can be moved relative to each other parallel to a central axis (A) of the piston element, and the front part is released from the piston guide by rotating the front part relative to the piston guide by a release angle, wherein a torque barrier of a securing element is overcome upon rotating by the release angle.

Abstract: A method employing an apparatus in conjunction with a hammer-drill to penetrate composite metal and non-metal structure or structures including, for example, thick metal or rebar encountered during concrete, rock or masonry boring operations without requiring a change in drill equipment.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for a reciprocating device is provided. The bushing assembly includes a hollow bushing housing, a collet guide member, and an adjuster mechanism. The hollow bushing housing has a substantially cylindrical shape and an angled inner sidewall. The collet guide member is disposed radially inward from and contacts the angled inner sidewall of the hollow bushing housing. The adjuster mechanism contacts a lower surface of the collet guide member and urges the collet guide member along the angled inner sidewall of the hollow bushing housing.

Abstract: A tool holder for a rotating and chiseling portable power tool is disclosed. A hollow spindle surrounds, coaxially with a working axis, a receiving space for receiving a tool. The hollow spindle has at least one cutout in the radial direction. An insert is inserted into the cutout in the radial direction. The insert has a rib that protrudes into the receiving space in the radial direction. A channel is arranged within the cutout and extends along the working axis. The channel is open into the receiving space and is bounded by the insert and an inner face of the cutout.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power tool and battery pack assembly including a battery pack (18) for connection with the power tool (1) to provide power for the operation of the power tool (1) when connected thereto. The battery pack (18) includes a plurality of power cells and connection means (40, 42) are provided to allow the selective supply of power at least a first or second voltage level to the power tool (1) from the battery pack (18).

Abstract: A screwdriver has a handle, a cap, a shaft, and multiple screw bits; wherein the handle has two ends. The cap and the shaft are respectively disposed at the two ends of the handle. The multiple screw bits are received inside the handle. The handle has multiple chambers to contain the screw bits that differ in specifications. The handle has multiple first positioning structures. The cap has multiple second positioning structures complementary to the first positioning structures. Because the first positioning structures and the second positioning structures are engaged with each other, the cap cannot be rotated inadvertently, thereby preventing the screw bits dropping out from the handle inadvertently.

Abstract: A wearable manufacturing assistance device (1) for supporting a manufacturing tool (3), the manufacturing assistance device (1) includes a body unit (7) including a fastener (11) for fastening the body unit (7) to the back (13) of a technician (5) in a wearing position (15), and an arm member (9) which has an attachment end (19) attached to the body unit (7) and a tool end (21) opposite to the attachment end (19), wherein at the tool end (21) a mounting device (23) for mounting the manufacturing tool (3) to the arm member (9) is provided. While the wearable manufacturing assistance device (1) is fastened to the back (13) of the technician (5) and is in a wearing position (15), the arm member (9) extends from the attachment end (19) at the body unit (7) over a shoulder (17) and laterally past a head (27) of the technician (5).

Abstract: A jig assembly (10) for location with respect to a first item of furniture, such as a door or drawer front, to which a second item of furniture, such as a handle, is to be secured. The jig assembly (10) comprises a first member in the form of first block (12) and a second member in the form of second block (14), the first block (12) and the second block (14) being configured to be coupled together by a spacer (16). The spacer (16) may comprise, may be identical to, or may correspond to, a handle (18) corresponding to that which is to be secured to the door or drawer front.

Abstract: An extended-reach tool system may include a gimbal positioned adjacent a surface opening; an extended-reach arm having a tool and engaging the gimbal; a sensor system for measuring a position of the arm relative to the gimbal and a position and spatial orientation of the tool relative to the opening; a computer control that converts one or both of the rotational and linear measurements from the sensor system into spatial location representations for virtual representations of 3-D models of the workpiece and tool, determines a position and orientation of the tool relative to the opening and workpiece, and adjusts the virtual representations of the 3-D models of the workpiece and tool as the arm and tool move relative to the workpiece, representing a real-time orientation of the tool relative to the workpiece; and a display for displaying the virtual representations of the 3-D models of the workpiece and tool.

Abstract: In one aspect of the teachings presented herein, an autonomously-navigating mobile robot moves to a designated location and detects the presence and relative positioning of a compatible wheeled cart, based on recognizing one or more characteristic physical features of the cart from sensor readings taken by the robot. The robot moves into a position of gross alignment with the cart, based on the detected relative position of the cart, which means that the robot accommodates carts that are not properly positioned or oriented for pickup. The robot takes additional sensor readings referenced to the same or additional characteristic features of the cart and moves into a position of fine alignment with the cart, whereupon it latches to the cart and transports it via rolling conveyance to a designated destination location. The cart preferably includes a normally-on brake that is automatically disengaged by virtue of the robot latching to it.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring a micro device or an array of micro devices to or from a substrate are disclosed. In an embodiment, a remote center robot allows on-the-fly alignment between a micro pick up array and a target substrate. The remote center robot may include a plurality of symmetric linkages that move independently and share a remote rotational center. In an embodiment, the remote rotational center may be positioned at a surface of the micro pick up array to prevent damage to the array of micro devices during transfer.

Abstract: A humanoid-type robot comprises two elements and an articulation with at least one degree of freedom linking the two elements, the articulation allowing a travel in a given range in operational operation, a first of the two elements being intended to come into contact with an abutment belonging to a second of the two elements at the end of the range. According to the invention, the robot further comprises at least one switch. The switch is configured to actuate an electrical contact when a force exerted by the first element against the abutment exceeds a given force.

Abstract: A minimally invasive manipulating system and a manipulating apparatus for instruments are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a frame and at least one instrument carrier including a holding section for an instrument arm. The instrument carrier is movably mounted to the frame and arranged to be coupled with at least one drive. The instrument carrier is at least sectionally rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The holding section comprises a driving interface that involves at least one transmission port. An instrument drive is assigned to the transmission port. The instrument carrier comprises a transmission section in which at least one transmission element is arranged that is configured for motion transmission between the instrument drive and the transmission port. The at least one transmission element is arranged concentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis. The transmission port is arranged off-center with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A measured mark is arranged on a link of an articulated robot. A camera for measuring a position of the measured mark is arranged at a position distant from the articulated robot. A control apparatus of the articulated robot changes posture of the articulated robot, measures positions of the measured mark respectively before and after a change of the posture by the camera, and calculates an actual deflection amount of the link based on a movement amount between the position of the measured mark measured before the change of the posture and the position of the measured mark measured after the change of the posture.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for generating a spatio-temporal object inventory based on object observations from mobile robots and determining, based on the spatio-temporal object inventory, monitoring parameters for the mobile robots for one or more future time periods. Some implementations relate to using the spatio-temporal object inventory to determine a quantity of movements of objects that occur in one or more areas of the environment when one or more particular criteria are satisfied—and using that determination to determine monitoring parameters that can be utilized to provide commands to one or more of the mobile robots that influence one or more aspects of movements of the mobile robots at future time periods when the one or more particular criteria are also satisfied.

Abstract: A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a swarm of mobile robots are disclosed. In one aspect, the robots cover a domain main of interest. Each robot receives a density function indicative of at least one area of importance in the domain of interest, and calculates a velocity vector based on the density function and a displace vector relative to an adjacent robot. Each robot moves to the area of importance according to its velocity vector. In some aspects, the robots together perform a sequence of formations. Each robot mimics a trajectory as part of its performance by switching among a plurality of motion modes. Each robot determines its next motion mode based on a displacement vector relative to an adjacent robot.

Abstract: A measurement system able to perform measurement by a simpler manner when performing measurement a plurality of times for a plurality of targets. The measurement system utilizes the light receiving device to measure targets fastened to the machine tool. The robot is moved so that the difference between a target on a light receiving surface of the light receiving device and an image acquired by the light receiving device in the state where the machine tool is stopped at each stop position and the robot is placed in the measurement position and posture becomes within a predetermined error. A plurality of stop positions and a plurality of end point positions and postures after the movement are used as the basis to simultaneously find the error of the mechanical parameters of the robot and the relative relationship between the robot coordinate system ?b and the machine tool coordinate system ?m.

Abstract: A device for aligning a robotic arm with an end-effector is provided. The device may include a spherical tool and a receiver. The spherical tool may include a spherical end portion and a distal base portion configured to releasably couple to the end-effector. The receiver may include a plurality of arms and a proximal base portion configured to releasably couple to the robotic arm. Furthermore, the arms may be configured to receive the spherical end portion and include one or more indicators configured to track alignment between the robotic arm and the end-effector.

Abstract: Systems and methods to predict and present availability and value of retail spaces in shopping malls. Robots are dispatched to temporary retail spaces to collect at least a portion of operation data stored in a database with leasing data of temporary retail spaces in a mall, tenant coordination data, and subscriber data. A web-based application predicts availability of the temporary retail spaces in the mall based on the leasing data, the tenant coordination data, and the operation data. The web-based application includes an interactive plan of the mall as a user interface for subscribers to access data related to the temporary retail spaces, and process applications for leasing the temporary retail spaces.

Abstract: A robot apparatus includes an output unit that displays an image including an object on a screen, an input unit that receives an operation performed by a user for specifying information relating to an approximate range including the object in the image, an object extraction unit that extracts information regarding a two-dimensional contour of the object on the basis of the specification received by the input unit, and a position and attitude estimation unit that estimates information regarding a three-dimensional position and attitude of the object on the basis of the information regarding the two-dimensional contour.

Abstract: A robot includes a body and a bumper. The body is movable relative to a surface and includes a first portion of a sensor. The bumper is mounted on the body and movable relative to the body and includes a backing and a second portion of the sensor. The backing is movable relative to the body in response to a force applied to the bumper. The second portion of the sensor is attached to the backing and movable with the backing relative to the first portion of the sensor in response to a force applied to the bumper. The sensor is configured to output an electrical signal in response to a movement of the backing. The electrical signal is proportional to an amount of displacement of the second portion relative to the first portion.