Abstract: A tool includes a switch and a handle. The switch is configured to cause an electric component to operate. The handle is held by a hand to manipulate the switch. The switch includes a switch manipulation part to be manipulated, and a load sensor. The load sensor is configured to receive a pressing force through the switch manipulation part. The load sensor includes a pressure-sensitive conductive elastic member in which conductive particles are dispersed in a non-conductive elastic material.

Abstract: A tool includes a switch and a controller. The switch is configured to cause an electric component to operate. The switch includes a switch manipulation part and a load sensor. The switch manipulation part is configured to manipulate the switch. The load sensor is configured to detect a load corresponding to a pressing force according to a manipulation of the switch manipulation part. The controller is configured to correct an output corresponding to the load detected by the load sensor. The switch is configured to cause the electric component to operate based on the output corrected by the controller.

Abstract: A screwdriving including a housing with a handle section and a motor housing section. A longitudinal axis of the handle section is at an offset angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the motor housing section. A motor is housed in the motor housing section. An output tool holder is selectively driven by the motor. A user actuatable trigger activates the motor. The screwdriver further includes a bit holder rotatably held on the housing, the bit holder including a first section which includes a plurality of bit retainers; and a second section including a plurality of detents. The screwdriver further includes a pin which engages with the plurality of detents to hold the bit holder in one of a plurality of rotational positions.

Abstract: A circular, cylindrically shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on the outer surface into which tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments in which tools rest when engaged with the handle. Each contoured compartment is of a size and dimension which corresponds to one or more tool sizes. Each contoured compartment is formed about a corresponding receiving hole. A lock is positioned over the contoured compartment to irremovably confine the short leg of the hexagonal wrench within the contoured compartment. Hexagonal shaped tools other than wrenches are able to be used with the handle of the present invention such as screwdrivers and socket wrenches. A tool container stores the tools and the tool handle.

Abstract: A hand tool provides a user with an ergonomic structure that allows simple and effective contact with even opposed surfaces. The hand tool is an extended element having multiple components. The tool further has: a tool head; a connection system connected to the tool head; a pole secured at its distal end to the connection system; a pole having on its proximal end a hand grip area. The pole includes a stem unit having a bend within the stem unit between 8 and 30 degrees from linear along the pole.

Abstract: A tool holder is provided for at least one universal joint to be assembled thereto, the universal joint includes a plug and a socket which are movable relative to each other, and the tool holder includes a main body and a positioning member. The main body includes a hanging portion and an assembling portion, and the assembling portion is protrudingly formed with at least one first engaging block. The positioning member is assembled to the main body and extends toward the assembling portion to form at least one second engaging block opposite to the at least one first engaging block, wherein the at least one first engaging block and the at least one second engaging block are for being fitted and engaged with the plug and the socket of the universal joint.

Abstract: Truck toolboxes are disclosed. Methods of making and using truck toolboxes are further disclosed.

Abstract: A robot control system comprising a plurality of robots and a worker terminal that is capable of sending operation commands to a plurality of robots, by using wireless communications. The worker terminal has: an identification part that identifies a target robot to be used for work, from among a plurality of robots; a reception part that receives operation instructions for the robot from a worker; and a wireless communications part that sends operation commands to only the robot identified as the target robot by the identification part, when an operation instruction is received by the reception part.

Abstract: A robotic snake comprising a plurality of friction anchors, a plurality of segments and a plurality of servo motors are disclosed. Each of the plurality of segments includes a first link and a second link connected at a first joint, a third link connected to the first link at a second joint, a fourth link connected to the second link at a third joint, a fifth link connected to the third link at a fourth joint. The simultaneous rotation of third link and fourth link of each of the plurality of segments results in a translational movement and/or a rotational movement. A plurality of servo motors is configured to rotate plurality of joints. The fifth link of one segment and first link of next segment of the each of the plurality of segments act as a quaternary link serially connects each of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: A humanoid robot with a body joined to an omnidirectional mobile ground base, equipped with: a body position sensor, a base position sensor and an angular velocity sensor to provide measures, actuators comprising at least 3 wheels located in the omnidirectional mobile base, extractors for converting sensored measures into useful data, a supervisor to calculate position, velocity and acceleration commands from the useful data, means for converting commands into instructions for the actuators, wherein the supervisor comprises: a no-tilt state controller, a tilt state controller and a landing state controller, each controller comprising means for calculating, position, velocity and acceleration commands based on a double point-mass robot model with tilt motion and on a linear model predictive control law, expressed as a quadratic optimization formulation with a weighted sum of objectives, and a set of predefined linear constraints.

Abstract: A manual feed apparatus of a robot comprises an interference calculation apparatus configured to calculate an operable range in which the robot can operate without causing interference. The interference calculation apparatus includes an operation range setting part configured to judge a position at which the robot can operate without interfering with a peripheral object and set the operable range. The operation range setting part calculates the operable range during a period when the robot is stopped. The interference calculation apparatus calculates an operation allowable range in a direction in which the robot operates based on the operable range. The robot control apparatus executes control for reducing a speed of the robot when the operation allowable range is smaller than a predetermined judgement value.

Abstract: A robot system includes a detector for detecting the position and posture of a workpiece; a robot for performing a predetermined operation on the workpiece; and a robot control device. The robot control device includes an area divider for dividing an operation area into a plurality of areas; an area determiner for determining in which area the workpiece is present; a learning controller for learning an operation speedup ratio to speed up an operation by varying speed or acceleration on an area-by-area basis in which the workpiece is present; a memory for storing the position of the workpiece and the operation speedup ratio; and a controller that performs the operation on a new workpiece using the learned operation speedup ratio when the operation has been learned in the area having the new workpiece, and makes the learning controller learn the operation speedup ratio when the operation has not been learned.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robot having a drive arrangement with at least one drive includes determining an actual velocity of the robot, determining a target velocity for the robot, and determining a damping drive parameter based on a difference between the target velocity and the actual velocity. The target velocity is determined based on at least one of a predetermined maximum velocity, a predetermined minimum velocity, or a first distance of the robot from at least one predetermined boundary. The drive arrangement of the robot is then controlled based on the damping drive parameter.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for moving a manipulator in space along a predefinable movement path with a plurality of individual movements to be carried out one after another in a predefined order, wherein, during the movement of the manipulator along the movement path, during and/or after each individual movement carried out, a reverse movement path is determined, along which, from an intermediate position which the manipulator has reached during and/or after the individual movement carried out last, the manipulator can traverse the individual movements previously carried out, backward in each case and in an order opposite to the predefined order, and to an apparatus having manipulator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling human-machine collaborations include a generalizable framework that supports dynamic adaptation and reuse of robotic capability representations and human-machine collaborative behaviors. Specifically, a method of feedback-enabled user-robot collaboration includes obtaining a robot capability that models a robot's functionality for performing task actions, specializing the robot capability with an information kernel that encapsulates task-related parameters associated with the task actions, and providing an instance of the specialized robot capability as a robot capability element that controls the robot's functionality based on the task-related parameters.

Abstract: An automated data center management system includes one or more equipment racks housing at least one server farm equipment, each of the at least one server farm equipment having a respective attachment point, a spare equipment repository having at least one replacement equipment, and a hardware management robot. The hardware management robot includes a robotic arm having an interface point, the interface point configured to couple to the attachment point. A hardware management controller is communicates with the hardware management robot, the hardware management controller including at least one processor, and non-transitory computer readable media having encoded thereon computer software comprising a set of instructions to receive a service request indicating a server farm equipment needing service, determine a location of the server farm equipment, generate a path to the location of the server farm equipment, and transmit the path to the hardware management robot.

Abstract: A humanoid robot with a body joined to an omnidirectional mobile ground base, and equipped with: a body position sensor and a base position sensor to provide measures, actuators comprising at least 3 wheels located in the omnidirectional mobile base, extractors for converting the measures into useful data, a controller to calculate position, velocity and acceleration commands from the useful data using a robot model and pre-ordered position and velocity references, means for converting the commands into instructions for the actuators, wherein the robot model is a double point-mass model, and wherein the commands are based on a linear model predictive control law with a discretized time according to a sampling time period and a number of predicted samples, and expressed as a quadratic optimization formulation with: a weighted sum of objectives and a set of predefined linear constraints.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for specifying safety rules for robotic devices. A computing device can determine information about any actors present within a predetermined area of an environment. The computing device can determine a safety classification for the predetermined area based on the information. The safety classification can include: a low safety classification if the information indicates zero actors are present within the predetermined area, a medium safety classification if the information indicates any actors are present within the predetermined area all are of a predetermined first type, and a high safety classification if the information indicates at least one actor present within the predetermined area is of a predetermined second type. After determining the safety classification for the predetermined area, the computing device can provide a safety rule for operating within the predetermined area to a robotic device operating in the environment.

Abstract: A machine that is capable of assembling a copy of itself from a feedstock of parts is described. The machine operates on a lattice or grid on which it is able to move and from which it receives power and control signals. The machine (assembler) is composed of modules that each perform some functionality. In the simplest case, only three module types are needed: a linear step module, a gripper, and an anchor. The linear step module is capable of moving from one lattice location to the next, the gripper module is capable of gripping other modules, and the anchor module is capable of attaching the machine to the grid. With these three primitives it is possible for this simple machine to move on the grid using inchworm-like motions, pick up other modules, and assemble a copy of itself.

Abstract: A wearing-type movement assistance device includes a frame to be worn on an upper limb of a wearer, a drive unit provided in each of joints of the frame, a biomedical signal detection unit detecting a biological potential signal of the wearer, a joint angle detection unit detecting an angle of each joint, and a control unit controlling the drive unit based on the biological potential signal and the angle of each joint. The frame includes a vertical frame, a shoulder frame that is laterally provided in a shoulder width direction from an upper end of the vertical frame, a first arm frame having one end coupled to the shoulder frame via a shoulder joint unit, and a second arm frame having one end coupled to the other end of the first arm frame via an intermediate joint unit and the other end connected to an elbow joint unit.

Abstract: An injection container storage box device that stores a plurality of cylindrical injection containers randomly loaded includes: a housing of which the upper and lower ends are open; and an opening/closing plate disposed in a lower end portion of the housing so as to freely slide to open and close a lower end opening, on which the injection containers are placed, wherein the opening/closing plate includes a corrugated surface in which a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions alternate continuously in a predetermined direction and the injection containers are put into a toppled state using the corrugated surface.

Abstract: A cleaning robot that performs cleaning while travelling a space to be cleaned, the cleaning robot including: a travelling unit that moves the cleaning robot; a cleaning unit that cleans the space to be cleaned; an image capturing unit that captures an image viewed from the cleaning robot; a voice input unit to which a user's voice instructions are input; and a controller obtaining the user's motion instructions through the image capturing unit and determining a restricted area in which entry of the cleaning robot is prohibited and/or a focused cleaning area to be intensely cleaned by the cleaning robot based on the user's motion instructions or the user's voice instructions when the user's voice instructions are input through the voice input unit. The restricted area and the focused cleaning area may be input to the cleaning robot through the user's voice and motion.

Abstract: The robotic surgical finger and controller with tactile feedback is a remotely controllable robotic finger for surgical examination and procedures, for example, that provides real-time temperature and pressure feedback to the user, as well as friction feedback for detecting texture, slippage and the like. The robotic finger includes a plurality of joined segments simulating a human finger, and a sensor module mounted on each of the segments. A control sheath receives a finger of a user's hand and includes at least one joint angle sensor in communication with a plurality of servomotors for driving angular movement of the plurality of segments of the robotic finger. A plurality of tactile feedback modules are further mounted in the control sheath for providing temperature, pressure and friction feedback signals to the user's finger based on measurements made by the sensor modules of the robotic finger. A hand using multiples fingers is further provided.

Abstract: A hand member forms a hand of a robot arm for transferring a semiconductor wafer. The hand member is a U-shaped member on which the semiconductor wafer is placed. The hand member includes at least one fitting portion on which a frictional holding member for holding the semiconductor wafer is fitted sideways, on each of an inner edge and an outer edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stack gripper. The stack gripper provided in a robot to pick up and transport a box stack includes a fixing frame connected to a robot, a fixing panel provided at a lower portion of the fixing frame, a horizontal pressing member provided at the lower portion of the fixing frame to face the fixing panel and to be moved horizontally on the fixing frame, a vertical pressing member provided at a lower portion of the fixing frame to be moved vertically, and a fork member provided at the fixing frame to face the vertical pressing member and to be moved horizontally on the fixing frame.

Abstract: A lockable connector device and system is described. An example lockable connector device includes a first spherical body connected to a first end of a shaft and a plurality of appendages connected to a second end of the shaft. The appendages partially encase a second spherical body and an actuator connected to the appendages, where the actuator is comprised of synthetic muscles that compress to lock the second spherical body.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a multi-track bearing folding knife or folding tool. In various embodiments, a folding knife may comprise a handle having a first side with a first side inner surface and a second side with a second side inner surface and a blade rotatably coupled to the handle, where the blade is configured to rotate from a closed position and an open position. A multi-track bearing may be disposed between the handle and the blade. The multi-track bearing may include a first plurality of balls positioned along a first circular path and a second plurality of balls positioned along a second circular path. The balls of the multi-track bearing may protrude from both a first side of the bearing and a second side of the bearing to contact two surfaces. A first guide and a second guide may be formed by a periodic rotation of the blade.

Abstract: A rotary electric shaver according to the present invention includes an outer blade whose upper surface functions as annular shaving surfaces having multiple hair inlets formed therein, and an inner blade that has a small blade which rotates while coming into sliding contact with a lower surface of the outer blade. The inner blade is an integral structure using a metal material, and has a projection in which an upper surface side is a convex portion and a lower surface side is a concave portion at a center position in a radial direction. An upper end portion of an inner blade drive shaft directly engages with the concave portion so as to be disengageable therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaving head comprising at least one cutting unit (7, 7A, 7B). The cutting unit comprises a ring-like skin-supporting tilting member, being tillable relative to a shaving head main body (4, 8) about a first tilting axis, an external cutting member, an internal cutting member, and a retainer. According to the invention, the retainer is a multi-purpose retainer in that it provides simultaneously a locking function, a secondary tilting function and an anti-floating function. By virtue of the multi-purpose retainer, the shaving device delivers a high shaving performance and is also easy to clean.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hair cutting appliance (10), a blade set (20) for a hair cutting appliance (10),and to an integrally formed metal-plastic composite stationary blade (22) for said blade set (20).

Abstract: A punch tool for forming holes or apertures in workpieces is described. The tool includes a primary cylinder containing a movable ram and a secondary cylinder containing another movable ram. The primary and secondary cylinders are in hydraulic communication with each other. The primary cylinder is releasably engageable with a powered press tool and various dies or punches can be attached at the secondary cylinder. Also described are systems of powered tools and the punch tools, and methods of forming holes in workpieces using the punch tools.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a punch mechanism disposed along a media path at a punch point at which a hole is to be punched through a punch location on a media sheet advancing along the media path. The punch mechanism includes a rotatable punch arm having a punch head, and a punch motor for rotating the punch arm. As the punch location on the advancing media sheet approaches the punch point, speed of the punch motor is controlled to adjust a rotational speed of the punch arm based on feedback signals associated with each of the punch motor and a media path motor used to advance the media sheet such that the punch head arrives at the punch point at substantially the same time as when the punch location on the media sheet arrives at the punch point.

Abstract: A slicing machine may include a machine housing, which holds a drive motor for driving a rotating slicing blade. The slicing blade separates individual slices from preferably elongated foodstuffs, wherein these slices are deposited in a delivery area of the slicing machine. In the delivery area, a weighing device is provided, which determines the weight of the separated slices. To ensure that the slicing machine can be universally employed while having a compact design, it is provided that the slicing machine is of modular design in that the weighing device is configured as a separate modular unit, which can optionally be mechanically rigidly connected to the machine housing or can be removed therefrom.

Abstract: A wall hole punch device is provided. The punch device has a wall-engaging surface, a floor-engaging surface, and a punch. The punch has a punching end, which generally has an angled face for pushing the chad downwardly and away from the hole. The bottom of the punching end is high enough to clear typical base plates when the punching device is used as intended. The top of the punching end is low enough so that the hole can be covered by baseboards of conventional height. A method of punching holes in walls and a method of drying walls using the device are also provided.

Abstract: A drywall or similar planar material cutting tool is provided that aids in the achieving of clean and square cuts with minimal debris and/or breakage to the drywall material edge. The apparatus defines a generally J-shaped engagement channel, or combinations of J-shaped channels, to engage the edge of a drywall sheet, and a centrally affixed handle located perpendicular to the bottom surface of the J-channel and generally in a parallel plane to the drywall sheet being cut. The unique configuration allows pressure applied to the handle to be uniformly transferred to the J-channel which, in turn, applies a uniformly distributed shear force. The applied force is perpendicular to the plane of the drywall sheet and, at all times, parallel to the pre-applied score mark thereby resulting in a clean snap break of the board with an improved edge quality.

Abstract: A portable power tool, in particular a hand-held planing machine, includes at least one workpiece contact unit and at least one handle unit. The workpiece contact unit has at least one workpiece contact surface, and the handle unit has at least one main handle. The main handle has at least one maximum distance point that, in a direction extending at least substantially perpendicularly to a workpiece contact surface, has a maximum distance from the at least one workpiece contact surface. The maximum distance is less than 150 mm.

Abstract: A log splitter having an activation lever and a safety lever that defines a pawl configured to engage with a detent associated with the activation lever in an unactivated position so that the activation lever cannot be rotated unless the safety lever is first rotated out of a safety position to remove the pawl from the detent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible high-density fiberboard which is essentially free of formaldehyde and isocyanates and comprises 70 to 90% by weight of straw fibers, and 30 to 10% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer and one or more optional additive(s). Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing such a flexible high-density fiberboard comprising the steps of providing straw fibers, providing a thermoplastic elastomer in powder form, optionally providing one or more additive(s), dry mixing the straw fibers, the thermoplastic elastomer powder and optionally the one or more additive(s), such that a mixture comprising 70 to 90% by weight of the straw fibers, and 30 to 10% by weight of the thermoplastic elastomer and one or more of the optional additive(s) is obtained, extruding the obtained mixture at a temperature such that the thermoplastic elastomer powder is in a molten state, and pressing the extruded mixture.

Abstract: A system of 3D printing using a high temperature 3D print head that functions as a “modified ink jet” printer. The print head has the ability to print high temperature material such as metal, silicon carbide, and other high temperature material as opposed to inks or plastics. The print head is fabricated from a high temperature material to maintain structural integrity while operation at temperatures above the melting temperature for the material that is being printed.

Abstract: The present application provides methods and apparatus for processing ceramic fibers for the manufacture of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). One method may include providing at least one frame including a planar array of unidirectional ceramic fibers extending across a void thereof. The method may further include at least one of depositing a coating on the ceramic fibers of the at least one frame via a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process and impregnating the ceramic fibers with a slurry including a ceramic matrix precursor composition to form at least one CMC prepreg. In some embodiments, the ceramic fibers of the planar array may include a coating, and the method may include impregnating the coated ceramic fibers with a slurry including a ceramic matrix precursor composition to form at least one CMC prepreg.

Abstract: A method for forming spheroidal particles including inducing flow of a slurry of particles and a reactant through one or more orifices, detaching an amount of the slurry from the slurry flow following exit from the one or more orifices, the detached amount forming a slurry body, forming the slurry body into a spheroidal shape, contacting the spheroidally shaped slurry body with a coagulation solution to form a stabilized spheroidal particle and drying and/or sintering the stabilized spheroidal particle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elastic composite comprises forming a preform from a filler filled one-dimensional elastic structure that comprises a filler and a matrix material forming a pattern that provides elasticity to the one-dimensional elastic structure; and forming the elastic composite from the preform via one or more of the following: sintering; compression molding; or hot isostatic pressing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a part. The part is heated with the part at least partially surrounded by a surface of a tooling system, while a heatsink system is positioned relative to the part. A thermal conduction between the heatsink system and the part is changed during heating of the part.

Abstract: A binder material activating device to activate a binder material on a fibrous substrate, the binder material activating device including a heat exposing device to expose the fibrous substrate with the binder material to heat. The heat exposing device includes a non-focused light source to provide a non-focused light beam and an optics device to be arranged in between the fibrous substrate to be exposed to heat and the light source to focus the non-focused light beam onto the fibrous substrate. Further, a preforming device includes the binder material activating device.

Abstract: Methods related to inductive heating in extruders. In some embodiments, a method for heating a feedstock or liquid material can include providing a heating body having inlet and outlet orifices connected via a passage or passages or mixing chamber to define a nozzle, and forming a magnetic loop with a coil of conductive wire wound through the center and around the outside of a core of magnetic but electrically non-conductive or low-conductivity material. The method can further include a high-frequency alternating current applied to the coil, producing a magnetic flux locally heating the nozzle. Some embodiments have passive regulation or limiting of nozzle temperature by selection of a core material with an appropriate Curie temperature.

Abstract: Described are in-mold coated products such as vehicular components, in-mold coating methods, and in-mold coating compositions, involving the use of aqueous acrylic copolymer dispersions, desirably self-crosslinking.

Abstract: A system including a mold having a fluoropolymer wherein the mold defines a plurality of cavities having a predetermined shape and a cross-sectional dimension less than about 100 micrometers; a roller; a surface in cooperation with the roller to form a nip point configured to receive the mold, wherein the nip point is further configured to receive a substantially liquid composition and accelerate entry of the substantially liquid composition into the cavity.

Abstract: Provided are induction heating cells including pressure bladders used for supporting dies and methods of using these induction heating cells. A pressure bladder may be disposed between a die and a bolster of the cell. Even when the bolster is deformed during operation of the cell, the pressure bladder continues to provide uniform support to the die thereby preserving integrity of the die and prevents its cracking or braking. As such, the cell may be operated at a higher processing pressure inside the cavity formed by the die without further strengthening the bolster. The bolster is allowed to deform without compromising the integrity of the die. The deformation of the bolster is compensated by the shape change of the pressure bladder. The number and/or position of the bladders in the cell may depend on the shape of processed parts.

Abstract: A continuous forming apparatus for molding foam material into foam products that includes a first endless belt and a second endless belt that cooperates with the first endless belt to mold the foam material. The continuous forming apparatus may also include a first plurality of cleats and a second plurality of cleats opposed to the first plurality of cleats that support the first endless belt and the second endless belt respectively. The first plurality of cleats may include a three-dimensional abutment surface that provides transverse and lateral support to the first endless belt. Additionally, the continuous forming apparatus may include a first frame disposed to support the first plurality of cleats, a second frame disposed to support the second plurality of cleats, and a drive mechanism for imparting motion to the first endless belt, the second endless belt, the first plurality of cleats, and the second plurality of cleats.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional image includes: a print function unit that forms a first print image on one surface and a second print image on a region of another surface of a thermally expandable sheet with a photothermal conversion material; and an image processing unit that sets a density of the photothermal conversion material in the second print image based on a density of the photothermal conversion material in the first print image. The second print image is a mirror image of the first print image, and the region of the other surface corresponds to the first print image of the one surface. A three-dimensional image of the first print image is formed by selectively expanding a thermally expandable layer with thermal energy according to the density of the photothermal conversion material in the second print image when the sheet is irradiated with light from the other surface.