Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous machining system, which comprises an electrochemical machining module, a separating module, and a vibration reducing module. The electrochemical machining module performs an electrochemical machining to a material strip for forming a plurality of components on the material strip. The separating module separates the plurality of components from the material strip. Thereby, the machining time is saved, and thus achieving the purposes of continuous machining and mass production. The vibration reducing module is located between the electrochemical machining module and the separating module. The vibration reducing module can ease the vibration of the material strip. Consequently, the influence of vibration on the electrochemical machining precision of the material strip machined by the electrochemical machining module may be minimized.

Abstract: A brazed end cover assembly for a gas turbine combustor using Au—Ni braze is disclosed. The end cover assembly may include an end cover with openings, a flow insert, first and second gaps between the end cover and the flow insert, and first and second braze joints formed at the first and second gaps, wherein the braze materials used comprises Au and Ni. A method of brazing a flow insert into an end cover is also disclosed. The method may include providing an end cover and a flow insert with first and second gaps therebetween; applying a braze material to an outer surface of the flow insert, wherein the braze material comprises Au and Ni; inserting the flow insert into the end cover; heating the assembly to a brazing temperature for some time; and cooling the resulting brazed assembly to room temperature.

Abstract: A method for joining a first metal part (11) with a second metal part (12), the metal parts (11,12) having a solidus temperature above 1100 QC. The method comprises: applying a melting depressant composition (14) on a surface (15) of the first metal part (11), the melting depressant composition (14) comprising a melting depressant component that comprises at least 25 wt % boron and silicon for decreasing a melting temperature of the first metal part (11); bringing (202) the second metal part (12) into contact with the melting depressant composition (14) at a contact point (16) on said surface (15); heating the first and second metal parts (11,12) to a temperature above 1100 QC; and allowing a melted metal layer (210) of the first metal component (11) to solidify, such that a joint (25) is obtained at the contact point (16). The melting depressant composition and related products are also described.

Abstract: A collision sensing system includes an outer housing with a ball roller mounted thereto, a piston, a lower housing, and an electro/mechanical switch assembly having a contact ring. The piston includes a helical groove on its exterior and a tongue extending from a lower end thereof. The ball roller is positioned within the helical groove of the piston. The lower housing has a semi-spherical portion and a groove aligned with the piston tongue. A contact pin assembly extends through the piston and includes a contact pin positioned to contact the contact ring. The collision sensing system is configured such that deflection of a welding torch mounted to the lower housing misaligns the tongue and groove, slides the helical groove along the ball roller, thereby lifting the piston and breaking contact between the contact pin and contact ring.

Abstract: A non-transferred plasma arc system, which is provided with a non-transferred plasma torch (1) that is provided with a non-consumable electrode (101) as a negative electrode and an insert chip as a positive electrode, the insert chip being cooled by a circulated coolant (W) and the insert chip releasing a plasma arc onto a workpiece. The plasma arc torch (1) comprises a TIG welding torch (100) that is provided with the non-consumable electrode (101), whereby an arc is generated between the workpiece and said electrode (101), and a torch nozzle (105), which releases a shield gas toward an arc-generated weld pool of the workpiece. The plasma arc torch (1) is provided with an attachment (51) that is detachably attached to the TIG welding torch (100) while surrounding the periphery of the torch nozzle (105) and that functions as the insert chip, whereby a non-transferred plasma arc is inexpensively and easily used.

Abstract: Application of the machine for flash-butt welding of rails with one rod, which connects two tong-type clamping devices is widening greatly the functional capabilities at its service, both in welding of separate rails and also in repair of rail tracks under the field conditions and in hard-to-reach places such as railway switches and frogs, the underground tracks, rails, which are laid side by side at a close distance, etc., not changing the optimum process and quality of the welded joints.

Abstract: A recoater that is two-dimensionally driven is cooled by a simple structure. A three-dimensional laminating and shaping apparatus includes at least one material spreader that spreads a material of a three-dimensional laminated and shaped object, a temperature measurer that measures a temperature of the material spreader, at least one cooler that cools the material spreader and is provided at a standby position at which the material spreader stands by while the material is not spread, and a controller that controls the material spreader. The controller moves the material spreader to the standby position to bring the material spreader and the cooler into contact with each other.

Abstract: A laser system includes a buffer material at an entry surface of a substrate in which laser-induced channels are formed. The laser beam propagates through the buffer material and impinges the substrate with a central axis of the laser beam at an oblique angle of incidence. The buffer material has a refractive index that may be closer to that of the substrate than is the refractive index of the atmosphere, such as air, in which the laser system operates. The buffer material facilitates forming laser-induced channels at relative large angles with respect to the substrate surface by attenuating energy loss or other effects on the laser beam that are normally caused by the mismatch in refractive index between the environment and the substrate in the absence of the buffer material.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention relates to a device (1, 2, 3) for laser nanomachining a sample made of a material having a given transparency band, the device comprising: a focusing module (203, 703) allowing a nondiffracting beam (210, 710) to be generated, along a focusing line generally oriented along the optical axis of the focusing module, from a given incident beam; first means (202, 702) for emitting a first light pulse (I1) of spectral band comprised in the transparency band of said material, able to generate in said material, after focusing by said focusing module, a plasma of free charges along said focusing line via multi-photon absorption, thus forming a “plasma channel”; and second means (202, 702) for emitting at least one second electromagnetic wave (I2) of spectral band comprised in the transparency band of said material, which wave(s) is/are intended to be spatially superposed on said plasma channel in order to heat said material via absorption by the free charges of the plasma.

Abstract: A grain-oriented magnetic steel sheet includes grooves each of which extends in a direction intersecting a transportation direction, the grooves being formed at predetermined pitches PL in the transportation direction by laser beam irradiation, in which a relationship between a standard deviation value D and the pitch PL satisfies the following expression (1), the standard deviation value D being a standard deviation of distances between a linear approximation line, which is obtained from a center line of each of the grooves in a groove width direction by a least-squares method, and respective positions on the center line, and an average angle formed between tangent lines of the respective positions on the center line and a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction is more than 0° to 30°. [Expression 1] 0.

Abstract: A laser processing machine for carrying out hole-forming on a plate-shaped workpiece is provided. A first program storage that stores a plurality of hole-forming programs and a second program storage that stores a plurality of cutout piece drop programs are also provided. A program selector that selects, from the second program storage, a cutout piece drop program associated with a hole-forming program selected from the first program storage to form the hole on the workpiece. A working head controller that controls a laser processing head according to the hole-forming program and the cutout piece drop program that are selected is also provided. A motion path of the processing head after forming the hole on the workpiece and a jetting condition of assist gas to an inside of the outline from the processing head on the motion path are programmed in each of the plurality of cutout piece drop programs.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing parts that includes a base having therein one or more motors, an electrical power input port and a connector for connection to a general purpose programmable controller, and including a removable part holding and aligning (or presenting) fixture which can hold and rotate one or more parts to a specific location. The machine can include a tool for performing a process on a part. The machine can include a programmed general purpose controller that can control the operation of the machine during a manufacturing process.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a forging die with improved wear resistance, hot-work tool steel is obtained in which Al is added as a de-oxidizing agent during manufacture of the hot-work tool steel in a sufficient quantity such that it is only partially consumed during the de-oxidizing process, leaving Al in a range of greater than 0.015 weight percent after the de-oxidizing process. The forging die is shaped from the hot-work tool steel. By a subsequent nitriding process, a hardened surface is created on the forging die by heating in a nitriding atmosphere by interaction with the Al to improve a hardened surface on the hot-work forging die resulting in an improvement in wear resistance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating an integral assembly formed from a transparent member and a housing formed at least in part of a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy. The methods and systems create integral transparent member and amorphous metal alloy-containing parts using thermoplastic molding techniques in which the amorphous metal is molded to the transparent member in a thermoplastic, not liquid, state.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to adjustable fixtures. A number of adjustable length cylindrical pins can be utilized to form a conformal support structure in accordance with a workpiece having any number of variations. At least three fixed length pins having heights lower than the adjustable length pins, can be interspersed with the adjustable length cylindrical pins to define an orientation at which the workpiece is held. Because the adjustable length pins have an uncompressed height greater than the fixed length pins, each of the adjustable length pins can be compressed in accordance with a bottom surface of the workpiece when the workpiece is pressed against the fixed length pin. In this way a conformal support structure can be formed that supports the workpiece during a machining operation.

Abstract: An assembly which provides a rotating work surface extension. The assembly may be attached or fixed to an existing work space platform. An assembly comprising interchangeable rotating work surface extensions is disclosed, along with a system comprising such an assembly and a method of positioning a workpiece utilizing such an assembly.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning device has a more simple structure and a low cost. The workpiece positioning device includes a movable base on which a workpiece is placed, drive mechanisms for moving the movable base, a vision sensor for repeatedly detecting the current position of the workpiece placed on the movable base, a difference calculating part for calculating the difference between the current position and the target position each time the current position is detected by the vision sensor, a difference determining part for determining whether the difference is within an allowable range, and a drive controller for controlling the drive mechanisms so as to stop the movement of the movable base when it is determined that the difference is within the allowable range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for measuring dimensions of a back boring cutter. The device is formed by a measuring portion (1), a connecting portion (2) and a clamping portion (6). The measuring portion (1) has a first horizontal through hole (7), a horizontal hole (5) and a vertical hole (4). The clamping portion (6) comprises a second horizontal through hole (7?), a side wall of the second horizontal through hole (7?) is provided with a bolt hole (8), and a bolt (3) passes through the bolt hole (8) to install and fix a to-be-measured back boring cutter. One end of the connecting portion (2) is fixed on the measuring portion (1), while the other end is fixed on the clamping portion (6). The device and the method of the present invention have the advantages that simple measurement of important dimensions of the back boring cutter is realized, and dimension detection of the back boring cutter is simpler and more accurate.

Abstract: A device for determining a penetration depth in a drilled hole which is drilled into a workpiece (W) from a workpiece surface (WO) with a drill of a drilling machine. The device contains at least one light source for projecting a light field is provided onto a workpiece (W) to be processed by the drilling machine. The light source is positioned with respect to the drilling machine in such a way that a center axis (L) of the light source runs at an angle (a) with respect to a central axis (L) of the drilling machine, and at least a first blocking element for partially covering the light source is provided, said blocking element forming a reference on the light field.

Abstract: An apparatus for sharpening a cutting implement includes a base assembly and first and second clamping members pivotably supported by the base assembly. The clamping members each have an inside surface, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion, where the second inside surface faces and is spaced apart from the first inside surface. The clamping members are adapted to pivot to clamp a cutting implement between the inside surfaces. A clamping assembly attached to the base assembly includes a cam member movably supported by the base assembly, a follower assembly disposed in operational engagement with the cam member and with the proximal end portions of the first and second clamping members. A handle is operatively connected to the cam member, where operating the handle moves the cam member, thereby moving the follower assembly and pivoting the first and second clamping members.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ophthalmic lens, includes the steps of providing, mounting and blocking a substrate (10) on a machining support unit (65), surfacing an upper face (12) of the substrate, edging a peripheral edge (13) of the substrate, wherein the machining support unit includes a surfacing member (40) and an edging member (30) which are separable, the surfacing member having a cavity (51) in which the edging member is located during the step of surfacing, the surfacing and edging members being configured so that the substrate is mounted and blocked on the machining support unit in a first predetermined position for the surfacing and the edging and, between the steps of surfacing and edging, the method further includes the step of withdrawing the surfacing member from the machining support unit by retaining the substrate on the edging member.

Abstract: A buffing apparatus for buffing a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes: a buff table for holding the substrate, the buff table being rotatable; a buff head to which a buff pad for buffing the substrate is attachable, the buff head being rotatable and movable in a direction approaching the buff table and a direction away from the buff table, and an internal supply line for supplying process liquid for the buffing to the substrate being formed inside the buff head; and an external nozzle provided separately through the internal supply line in order to supply the process liquid to the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chemical-mechanical wafer polishing device having an elastic membrane including a circular action plate portion, a membrane circumferential wall portion extending from a circumferential edge of the action plate portion along a direction perpendicular to a plate surface, and a chamber formed between the action plate portion and the membrane circumferential wall portion. The membrane includes a cooling channel portion having an action plate bottom surface section, and a supply penetration section penetrating the action plate portion such that one end is connected to the action plate bottom surface section and the other end is exposed to the upper side of the action plate portion. The chemical-mechanical wafer polishing device includes a cooling fluid supply portion having a cooling fluid supply tube connected to a free end of the supply penetration section, and providing a cooling fluid to the cooling channel portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid-replacing structure of multifunctional saw, including a head housing, a tool rest and an output device, wherein the output device comprises an output shaft. It also includes a quick-change device that consists of a rapid-replacing buckle, an eccentric block, a movable rod, a collet chuck, a tensioning rod and a compression spring. The rapid-replacing buckle and the eccentric block are connected with the top of the head housing through a straight pin. The movable rod is arranged in the output shaft, with its top end closely connected to the eccentric block and its bottom end connected to the tensioning rod by screw thread. The rapid-replacing structure of the multifunctional saw can realize the purpose of blade removal and replacement simply by shifting the rapid-replacing buckle on the upper side of the head housing, without using other auxiliary means, so it is simple and fast to operate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for smart automation of robotic surface finishing of a three-dimensional surface of a work piece is described. A three-dimensional motion path is created along the surface of the work piece. A variable contact force profile is specified along the three-dimensional motion path. The three-dimensional motion path is modified based on the specified variable contact force profile. The surface of the work piece is finished using one or more surface finishing tools along the modified three-dimensional motion path. The surface of the work piece includes at least a flat region and a curved region.

Abstract: Grooves are formed on an exterior surface of a component. The grooves are formed proximate to one another such that the grooves diffract light. The exterior surface is processed to reduce the sharpness of peaks between the grooves, reduce differences between the peaks and valleys of the grooves, and/or roughen the grooves. The processing reduces diffraction caused by the grooves such that light reflected from the grooves is not substantially color-shifted (e.g., is or is near the color of the reflecting surface). In various implementations, the processing may include dry blasting, etching, abrasive blasting, burnishing, grinding, ablation, an/or any other process capable of reducing the sharpness, reducing the differences, and/or roughening the surface. In implementations where dry blasting is used, the dry blasting may use ceramic beads as a blast material.

Abstract: To obtain a circulation-type blasting device which enables stable processing for a long period of time even in a case that an elastic abrasive of which abrasive grains are attached to a surface of an elastic core are used. A circulation-type blasting device is provided with a device for recycling an elastic abrasive for recycling all or a part of elastic abrasive used in a cyclic way, and the device for recycling the elastic abrasive is provided with a mixing unit for mixing recovered abrasives recovered from an abrasive recovery unit and abrasive grains introduced from an abrasive grain supplying unit in a gas flow by introducing the abrasive grains and the recovered abrasive in the gas flow to generate a solid-gas biphase flow, and a combining unit composed of at least one bent space to which the solid-gas biphase flow is introduced.

Abstract: An angle impact tool includes a handle assembly extending along a first axis, a prime mover in the handle, an output shaft rotatable about the first axis, and a work attachment connected to the handle assembly. An output drive is supported in the work attachment for rotation about an output axis perpendicular to the first axis. A gear assembly including a spur gear is positioned within the work attachment to transfer torque from the prime mover about the first axis to the output drive about the output axis. An impact mechanism is positioned within the work attachment and includes a hammer and an anvil. The hammer rotates under the influence of the prime mover and is operable to periodically deliver an impact load to the anvil. The output drive rotates about the output axis under the influence of the impact load being transmitted to the output drive by the anvil.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench having a flexible positioning structure includes a drive bar, a rotary head, and a locking button. The drive bar includes a fork arm, an axial hole, and a radial hole communicating with the axial hole. The rotary head is pivotally connected to the fork arm; the rotary head includes a round housing, a plurality of positioning recesses disposed on the round housing, and a pivot axis passing through the rotary head and two ends of the fork arm. The pivot axis is perpendicular to the radial hole. The locking button includes a flexible fastener inserted through the radial hole and a latch bar disposed in the axial hole. The flexible fastener is flexibly movable in association with movement of the latch bar, so that the latch bar is engaged with or released from any of the positioning recesses.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for driving an implant and applying counter torque. For example, a driver can include a handle, a driver shaft, and a counter torque shaft, the counter torque shaft being laterally offset from the driver shaft. A distal end of each shaft can mate with a specific type of implant and/or anatomy. The shafts can be removed and replaced from the device, allowing a user to select shafts having particular lengths and/or mating tips. In use, distal ends of the shafts can be fixed or constrained relative to one another and to an implant such that the counter torque shaft cannot orbit around the driver shaft. Rotating the handle can rotate the driver shaft, driving the implant. This can cause the counter torque shaft to try to orbit around the driver shaft, but the fixed/constrained ends restrict this motion, applying the counter torque.

Abstract: A torque-limiting device may include a shaft extending axially through upper and lower shanks and a spring to connect to a nut. The upper and lower shanks may be under a force from the spring and further configured to selectively engage within a predetermined torque limit and disengage at above the predetermined torque limit. Accordingly, the shaft may receive torque up to the predetermined limit as provided by a user operating a handle of the torque-limiting device. The torque-limiting device may be disposable, reusable, economical, and have high torque capabilities. The shaft may include a lumen extending there through, and through which a variety of devices and materials may be delivered to a workpiece.

Abstract: A wrench with multiple display windows includes a body, two side display window lighting modules and a main display window lighting module. The two side display window lighting modules are illuminated synchronously with each other. The two side display window lighting modules are corresponding to each other. The two side display window lighting modules, are illuminated toward a first optical axis and a second optical axis. The side display window lighting module includes side display window lighting elements configured to generate side display window colors which are turned on or turned off according to the torque. The main display window lighting module is connected to the body and illuminated toward the first optical axis. The main display window lighting module includes main display window lighting elements configured to generate main display window colors which are turned on or turned off according to the torque.

Abstract: An adapter for a power tool includes a housing, a tool-side connector, and a battery-side connector in electrical communication with each other. The tool-side connector is configured to couple to a power tool, and the battery-side connector is configured to couple to a battery pack. The adapter also includes a communication interface configured to couple with an external device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a state of the power tool, operate in a data transmission mode when the power tool is in the idle state, operate in a pass-through mode when the power tool is in the active state, and switch between the data transmission mode and the pass-through mode based on the state of the power tool.

Abstract: An adapter for a power tool including a housing, a tool-side connector, and a battery-side connector in electrical communication with each other. The tool-side connector is configured to couple to a power tool, and the battery-side connector is configured to couple to a battery pack. The adapter also includes a communication interface configured to couple with an external device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a state of the power tool, operate in a data transmission mode when the power tool is in the idle state, operate in a pass-through mode when the power tool is in the active state, and switch between the data transmission mode and the pass-through mode based on the state of the power tool.

Abstract: A fork seal driver tool includes two half-cylindrical pieces and a rotating retaining ring which rotates to hold the half-cylindrical pieces together.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a modular fixture for a rotor shaft assembly and a system for rotor-bolt nut removal. The modular fixture includes a plurality of arcuate plates that is annularly arranged about a common centerline. Each arcuate plate includes a plurality of jack legs that extends from and perpendicular to a bottom side surface of the respective arcuate plate of the plurality of arcuate plates. The system includes the modular fixture and a vertical drill. The vertical drill is connected to at least one arcuate plate of the plurality of arcuate plates. The vertical drill includes a vertically adjustable drive shaft and a bit that is connected to an end of the vertically adjustable drive shaft. In use, the bit cuts or turns a rotor-bolt nut or may core a rotor bolt of a rotor shaft assembly.

Abstract: A fastener and a fastener installation device which enables cables to be installed in hard to reach places safely and quickly. The fastener including a body forming a loop; a first connector formed at a first end of the body; and a second connector formed at a second end of the body; wherein the first connector is complementary with the second connector. The first connector of the first fastener connects with a second connector of a second fastener and the second connector of the first fastener connects with a first connector of a third fastener to form a chain of fasteners. The installation device including a hollow body and a cap rotatably mounted to an end of the hollow body which includes an aperture allowing a top fastener to pass through the aperture when the cap is in a first position.

Abstract: A driving tool, such as a nailer, includes a compression piston slidably disposed within a compression cylinder. An electric motor and a crank mechanism reciprocally drive the compression piston within the compression cylinder, and a sensor directly or indirectly detects the position of the compression piston. Prior to the start of a driving operation, a return operation is performed to move the compression piston to its bottom dead center when the sensor detects that the compression piston is located at a position other its bottom dead center.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connection device or tool (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 1110, 2110, 3110, 4110) to connect a first tool (80, 90) to a second tool (90,80), the connection device or tool (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 1110, 2110, 3110, 4110) comprising at least one shell member 30 which clamps a first end to said first tool (80, 90) and a second end of said at least one shell member 30 to engage with said second tool (90,80), whereby relative rotation between said first tool and second tool is prevented, and axial separation of said first tool (80, 90) and second tool (90,80) is prevented or is assisted in being prevented. This results in a safer combination of the first tool (80, 90) and second tool (90,80), and allows for a one handed operation of the combination.

Abstract: A C-shaped element wide enough to be engaged by two adult-sized hands is attached to the upper ends of a Y-shaped yoke using two pistons which engage dual elastomeric springs to permit the shock of the impact endured by the attached tool to be abated. The C-shaped element is arcuate to allow the hands to work more effectively in tandem and to allow the force lines to be directly up and down the arms of the user.

Abstract: The rotary tool workbench cradle embodiment is a structural configuration that uniquely provides dual panel support to the collar and the housing of the rotary tool, utilizing a V-notched, slidable and ratcheted back panel to incrementally elevate the housing of the rotary tool for horizontal positioning. Accessories mounted in the collet of the rotary tool are aligned parallel to the workbench or table top providing a more effective means for a horizontal placement of the cutting tool surface to be sharpened. The parallel alignment of the grinding surface of the rotary tool accessory and the workbench surface to which a tool to be sharpened (chisel, knife, scissors) can be held or mounted, provides for sharpening with more precision. Moreover, the device facilitates the horizontal seating of the rotary tool for the young and for amateurs. Both hands are freed to more safely and effectively secure the workpiece.

Abstract: A grasp management system is described. The grasp management system may be configured to determine a grasp strategy for a robotic manipulator. Information about an initial state of an object may be accessed. Information about a final state of the object may also be accessed. The final state may enable a subsequent interaction with the object. An anticipated pose space may be determined that enables the subsequent interaction with the object. An initial pose for the robotic manipulator may be determined based at least in part on the anticipated pose space. The initial pose may be used by the robotic manipulator to grasp the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for training and/or operating a robotic device to perform a target task autonomously. The target task execution may be configured based on analysis of sensory context by the robot. Target action may comprise execution of two or more mutually exclusive actions for a given context. The robotic device may be operable in accordance with a persistent switching process. For a given sensor input, the switching process may be trained to select one of two or more alternative actions based on a prior action being executed. Switching process operation may comprise assigning priorities to the available tasks based on the sensory context; the task priorities may be modified during training based on input from a trainer. The predicted task priorities may be filtered by a “persistent winner-take-all process configured to switch from a current task to another task based on the priority breaching a switching threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to robot collision avoidance. One method may include: receiving robot instructions to be performed by a robot; at each of a plurality of control cycles of processor(s) of the robot: receiving trajectories to be implemented by actuators of the robot, wherein the trajectories define motion states for the actuators of the robot during the control cycle or a next control cycle, and wherein the trajectories are generated based on the robot instructions; determining, based on a current motion state of the actuators and the trajectories to be implemented, whether implementation of the trajectories by the actuators prevents any collision avoidance trajectory from being achieved; and selectively providing the trajectories or collision avoidance trajectories for operating the actuators of the robot during the control cycle or the next control cycle depending on a result of the determining.

Abstract: An object gripping system includes a position and orientation measurement unit configured to measure a position and an orientation of at least one target object based on an image obtained by capturing the at least one target object. A selection unit is further provided to select at least one holdable target object based on the position and orientation. A determination unit determines, as an object to be held, a holdable target object based on a priority set, when assembling the holdable target object to an assembly destination object, and a controlling unit controls a holding unit to hold the object to be held, which is determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: An automated assembly apparatus includes an assembly robot, which has a plurality of hands of different heights and an XY-axis moving unit movable in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of operation base units which have operation bases and Z-axis moving unit capable of moving the operation bases in a vertical direction. The automated assembly apparatus further includes a control unit which raises in advance, before the assembly robot reaches above the operation bases, the operation bases by the Z-axis moving unit to positions where the operation bases do not interfere with the plurality of hands.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile robot having a reflector including: a reflector detachably provided at a side of a front surface of a body of the mobile robot; and an infrared sensor including: an infrared transmitter emitting infrared light to the reflector and an obstacle; and an infrared receiver receiving both the infrared light reflected from a line on a floor after being reflected from a wing of the reflector and the infrared light reflected from the obstacle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to a subsea structure during cleaning, maintenance, or inspection of the structure surface are provided. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a pair of grasping hooks that are raised and lowered when driven by a motorized drive. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a rigid holder having a mechanical stop and connected to a swing arm, the swing arm configured to rotate inward, but not outward beyond the mechanical stop. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a plurality of linked segments in series, each connected at a plurality of pivot points. A pair of wires passes through the plurality of linked segments and connects to a pair of pulleys that extend or retract the wires, thereby rotating the plurality of linked segments.

Abstract: A purpose is to prevent a first connection piece string from colliding against a second connection piece string in a robot arm mechanism including a linear extension and retraction joint.

Abstract: Folding knife embodiments are disclosed herein comprising a blade operable to pivot relative to a handle, between an open position and a closed position, a blade-locking member disposed in the handle and being moveable in a first direction between an unlocked position and a locked position to retain the blade in at least one of the open or closed positions. The folding knife may further comprise a safety member mounted on the blade-locking member and being moveable relative thereto in a second direction between a release position and a safety position. Wherein when the safety member is in the safety position, the safety member and the blade-locking member are blocked from moving in the first direction, and wherein when the safety member is in the release position, the safety member and the blade-locking member can be moved in the first direction to move the blade-locking member to the unlocked position.