Abstract: A centering mechanism for retaining an object, wherein the centering mechanism has a locking mechanism, having at least a first tangential surface. Furthermore, the centering mechanism can be used in conjunction with a mechanism for retaining an electronic device or an electronic device in a case. The structure of the centering mechanism and the locking mechanism allows for the locking mechanism to further actuate and lock the centering mechanism, such that an object retained therein is secured and aligned.

Abstract: A mortise and tenon jig includes a base plate, a router support plate attached to an upper surface of the base plate such that the router support plate includes an opening, and a guide attached to the router support plate. The guide may include a first end and a second end. The first end includes a mortise guide surface, and the second end includes a tenon guide surface. The mortise and tenon jig also includes a first configuration where the mortise guide surface is aligned with the opening and a second configuration where the tenon guide surface is aligned with the opening.

Abstract: A numerical-control machine tool is provided and includes a load-bearing beam which extends horizontally, has two axial ends resting in sliding manner on two lateral shoulders that rise from a basement and extend horizontally side by side so as to define a longitudinal corridor orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the beam; a spindle-holding carriage which is movable on the load-bearing beam parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam; a spindle-holding shaft which is fixed to the spindle-holding carriage in a vertical position, and is movable on the spindle-holding carriage parallel to its longitudinal axis; a front wall and a rear wall that close the two ends of the longitudinal corridor; an upper cover which closes the longitudinal corridor at the top; and an ambient conditioning unit which is adapted to bring and maintain the temperature of the air present inside the machining chamber around a given target value.

Abstract: A workpiece simulation part estimates the amount of movement of the workpiece from drive information and estimates the current position of the workpiece by adding the amount of movement to the previous position of the workpiece, the drive information being generated for, among at least one actuator, an actuator that is assumed to constrain the workpiece under the constraint conditions. A sensor simulation part uses the current position of the workpiece to generate sensor simulation information. An input/output switching part transmits the drive information to the workpiece simulation part and transmits the sensor simulation information as alternate information of the sensor information to the control-program execution part.

Abstract: A manufacturing fixture process, and associated device for practicing the disclosed process, includes supporting a component during manufacturing by at least one rest pad, and sensing and transmitting a force signal exerted on the rest pad by the component during manufacturing by at least one sensor associated with the at least one rest pad. The process further includes clamping the component onto the rest pad by a clamping component configured to rigidly hold the component, receiving and monitoring the force exerted on the rest pad by a force monitoring system configured to receive and monitor the signal indicating the force exerted on the rest pad, as well as determine whether the force exerted on the rest pad is within a predetermined range, exceeds the predetermined range, and/or is below the predetermined range, and outputting the force exerted on the rest pad with an output device.

Abstract: The polishing apparatus includes: a holding section that holds a material to be polished; the polishing body that polishes the material to be polished held by the holding section; the head that supports the polishing body via the elastic mechanism; a driving mechanism that causes the head to be moved in a Z coordinate direction; and a control unit that is connected to the driving mechanism and controls the driving mechanism. A load measurement device to measure a load applied to the polishing body is attached to the head, and the load measurement device is connected to the polishing body via the elastic mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for selectively texturing concrete surfaces are provided. An example method of providing a surface portion of an architectural precast concrete wall panel with an abraded texture is provided. The method includes a step of spraying a surface portion of an architectural precast concrete wall panel with an aqueous-based particulate abrasive mixture under conditions adequate to at least partially abrade the surface portion. An example sprayer system for abrading a concrete surface is also provided. The system includes an aqueous-based particulate abrasive mixture dispenser including a spray nozzle arrangement. The system also includes a material communication assembly in abrasive flow communication with the aqueous-based particulate abrasive mixture dispenser. The system also includes a dispenser positioning arrangement.

Abstract: A multi-functional wrench having an adjustable construction that allows the nut or bolt engaging surfaces of the wrench to be located at different angles or positions relative to a handle in order to allow the wrench to be used in otherwise difficult to reach areas. The wrench optionally includes a secondary handle removably connected to a preferably arcuate, multi-functional wrench body that is, in turn, removably connectable to a desired wrench head which includes a work-engaging fitting. The multi-functional wrench has a body that is archial or curved in shape and includes at least one drive post or ratchet and a plurality of sockets that are useful for many applications. The wrench is particularly useful to manipulate the body of straight stop and angle stop compression valves connectable to plumbing under sinks, behind toilets and inside cabinets, as well as nuts and bolts.

Abstract: In a rack and pinion mechanism 80, a driving-side pinion gear 83 and a driven-side pinion gear 86 are provided to be coaxially rotatable relative to each other within a predetermined angle range. Because of this construction, in a case where a time when a driver 3 reaches an advancing end position and contacts an advancing end damper 19 deviates from a time when a weight device 5 reaches a retracting end position and contacts a moving end damper 7, an excessive external force is not applied to engaging teeth 81a and 82a by relative rotation of the pinion gears 83 and 86. Thus, due to this construction, durability of the rack and pinion mechanism 80, where end impacts are absorbed through elastic deformation, is improved.

Abstract: A hammer including a housing and a piston arranged for reciprocating movement within the housing is disclosed. The hammer further includes a head assembled on the housing and defining a chamber for holding a pressurized gas and a wall configured to abut the housing and defining a gas discharge passage extending between the chamber and the housing. A plug is positioned in the gas discharge passage and configured to move or deform under pressure of the pressurized gas in the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic hammer, and more specifically, to a low-noise hydraulic hammer, wherein an impact bar that is accommodated inside of a piston is inclined so as not to contact the inside of the piston thereby preventing cracks, and a noise insulating material or a heat sink is installed inside the piston or outside the impact bar, thereby reducing noise and improving heat radiation performance.

Abstract: An attachment device for use with a hand tool having a handle portion with a distal end includes a connection member having a connection point, and a receiver coupled to and extending axially from the connection member to define a central channel having an open end. The receiver is configured to receive at least a portion of the handle portion within the central channel via the open end. The receiver is configured to permit the insertion of the handle portion into the central channel while restricting the removal of the handle portion therefrom.

Abstract: A tool organizer and method of making the same is provided which allows a user to quickly and easily store tools and other items of various sizes, shapes and configurations. The customizable organizer includes a depressible core capable of maintaining an impression of an object that is pressed into it. The organizer also includes a covering material such as a fabric, flock or elastomeric coating, which protects the outer surface of the core, and also provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance. A tacky adhesive is applied on an upper surface of the core so that when a tool or other item is pressed into the covering material that overlay the core, the tacky adhesive maintains the covering material in close conformity to the customized impression of the tool or other item created in the organizer.

Abstract: A panel installation tool is provided that includes a first portion configured to releasably engage with a panel, a second portion attached to the first portion and configured to releasably engage a structural component to retain the first portion with respect to the structural component, and a location indicator configured to enable marking on a panel surface a location through which a retaining element may be used to retain the panel to the structural component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-robot gradient-based adaptive navigation are provided.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first time-parameterized path for the first robotic device, and an indication of a second robotic device having a second time-parameterized path that overlaps with the first time-parameterized path at a first location. The method also includes executing, by the first robotic device, a first portion of the first time-parameterized path before reaching the first location, wherein execution of the first portion corresponds to a first rate of progress of the first robotic device along the first time-parameterized path. The first robotic device then receives a communication signal from the second robotic device indicating a second rate of progress of the second robotic device along the second time-parameterized path. The method then includes the first robotic device determining a difference between the first rate of progress and the second rate of progress, and modifying execution of the first time-parameterized path based on the determined difference.

Abstract: To provide an angle detection method with which a control for positioning an output shaft using an input shaft encoder and output shaft encoder at a high accuracy and a torsional feedback control can be realized and an angle detection apparatus that executes the angle detection method. In a robot arm constituted by an input shaft encoder, an output shaft encoder, a motor, a reduction gear, and the like, an output shaft encoder detection error is corrected by setting rotation position information using a periodicity of rotations of the input shaft encoder as a reference. When the input/output shaft encoder detection error is corrected in this manner, the control for positioning the output shaft at a high accuracy and the torsional feedback control can be realized.

Abstract: A method for load balancing of robots includes: receiving, by a first task server configured to manage a first spatial region, a task to be performed by a robot; determining, by the first task server, that the task cannot efficiently be performed within the first spatial region; finding, by the first task server, a second task server configured to manage a second spatial region to which the task can be assigned; and sending, by the first task server, the task to the second task server.

Abstract: A method of controlling a robot system including an articulated robot and a control device is provided. The articulated robot includes links connected by joints, motors configured to drive the joints respectively, and detection devices configured to detect rotation amounts of the joints respectively. The control device controls the motors. The method includes the steps of, by the control device, recording movement information of the joints based on outputs of the detection devices; when detecting an abnormality in the operation of the articulated robot, determining presence or absence of a failure in the articulated robot based on the movement information recorded in at least a period from before detection of the abnormality until detection of the abnormality; and specifying a failure portion of the articulated robot if it is determined that there is a failure in the articulated robot in the step of determining.

Abstract: A control device which controls a robot having a moving part includes: a processor which is configured to cause an end effector provided on the moving part to move an insertion object, bring the insertion object into contact with an insertion hole provided in an insertion target object in the state where the insertion object is tilted from a center axis of the insertion hole, and subsequently insert the insertion object into the insertion hole.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g.

Abstract: An electronic device, capable of being placed on a cradle, may include a camera module configured to acquire an image, a sensor module configured to sense information regarding an orientation of the electronic device, a processor configured to determine a target orientation of the electronic device based on the acquired image and a communication module configured to transmit the information regarding the orientation of the electronic device and information regarding the target orientation of the electronic device to the cradle.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus acquires an image of multiple objects, acquires positions and orientations of the objects based on the image, and decides the holding order of the objects based on the positions and orientations and a direction that is set.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus including a lower linearly driven effector structure with spaced paddles, and an upper linearly driven end effector structure with spaced paddles and no rotating joints above a paddle of the lower end effector structure. A drive subsystem is configured to linearly drive the lower end effector structure and to linearly drive the upper end effector structure independent of the lower end effector structure.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for determining a location of an object that is being manipulated or processed by a robot. The technique includes capturing a digital image of the object while the object is disposed by the robot within an imaging space, wherein the digital image includes a direct view of the object and a reflected view of the object, detecting a visible feature of the object in the direct view and the visible feature of the object in the reflected view, and computing a first location of the visible feature in a first direction based on a position of the visible feature in the direct view. The technique further includes computing a second location of the visible feature in a second direction based on a position of the visible feature in the reflected view and causing the robot to move the object to a processing station based at least in part on the first location and the second location.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for the post-treatment of dry adhesive microstructures. The microstructures may be post-treated to comprise mushroom-like flaps at their tips to interface with the contact surface. In some aspects, a change in material composition of the microstructures in a dry adhesive may affect mechanical properties to enhance or diminish overall adhesive performance. For example, conductive additives can be added to the material to improve adhesive performance. In other aspects, microstructures comprising conductive material may allow for pre-load engagement sensing systems to be integrated into the microstructures.

Abstract: A robot having anatomical robot joints with convex surfaces significantly less in average overall curvature than their corresponding concave surfaces; having single lobe, double lobe, or saddle shapes; and held together by flexible bands that allow rocking, slipping, and twisting types of motion.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, and/or manufacture configured for and/or resulting from, and/or a method for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, an air beam configured to be dynamically moved, the air beam having an inflatable gas bladder, a first tube substantially surrounding the gas bladder, and one or more axial reinforcements.

Abstract: A horizontal multi-joint robot includes: a first joint capable of swiveling around a first axis; a second joint capable of swiveling around a second axis that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first axis; and a duct connected between the first joint and the second joint. The first joint has a first connecting portion forming a predetermined angle relative to the first axis. The second joint has a second connecting portion forming a predetermined angle relative to the second axis. The duct has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the first connecting portion. The second end is connected to the second connecting portion.

Abstract: A cutlery implement having a blade and resilient handle is disclosed. The blade has a proximal end, an opposed distal end, a cutting edge and a spine. The spine is disposed on a top side of the blade portion and generally opposed to the cutting edge. The cutlery implement also includes a handle coupled to the blade proximate the distal end of the blade. The handle includes an upper handle portion and a lower handle portion. The upper handle portion is disposed at or near the spine of the blade, and the lower handle portion is coupled to the upper handle portion. Either the upper handle portion or the lower handle is formed from a resilient polymer material, and the other is formed of a generally rigid material. A cavity containing a gel is defined between the lower handle portion and the upper handle portion.

Abstract: Afforded are thinning shears optimal for cutting crosswise hair growing along the scalp, as well as crosswise hair disturbing the passing of a comb through hair bundles. The thinning shears, in thinning shears furnished with a comb blade and a bar blade for haircutting, are characterized in that the comb blade is longer than the bar blade, and the tip-edge of the comb blade is corner-rounding processed. Adopting this configuration makes it possible to set the tip-edge portion of the comb blade on a scalp and slide the comb blade heading in the direction that the hair grows, to efficiently thin out crosswise hair such as would disturb combing, without injuring the scalp.

Abstract: A novel guard structure of a razor is shown including rows of elongated hard plastic protrusions having rounded (e.g., not sharp or pointed) tips arranged on a tip curved profile. The rounded valleys between the protrusions are also arranged on a curved profile which may be different than that of the tip curved profile. The valleys encompass an inner protrusion volume which increases going back to front end of the guard structure. Preferably, the front end volumes are larger than the back end inner protrusion volumes to assist in trapping and distributing shaving aid. In one embodiment having six protrusions, the inner protrusion volume between a second and third protrusion is the largest, while a volume between first and second protrusion is the second largest volume. The guard structure is disposed in front of the blades formed within the housing and may extend past the front end of the housing.

Abstract: A sheath for a knife includes a main body that includes a top face, a front face and a pair of side faces. The front face is wider than the side faces. The sheath includes a cavity that is defined by the main body. The cavity includes an opening in the top face and is configured to receive at least a portion of the knife. The sheath includes a latch that is disposed in the main body. The latch is spring loaded and has a projection as least partially positionable within the cavity.

Abstract: A mandoline slicer includes a slicing ramp with a rearward and forward portion defining an opening. A main slicing blade is mounted to the forward slicing portion. A spiral slicing insert is configured to fit within the opening, and includes a circular support, a spindle, and a spiral slicing blade positioned inside the circular support. In some versions, the insert is invertible, having a second spiral slicing feature on a lower side.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a cutter. The cutter includes a first blade and a second blade, and cuts a printing medium by causing the first blade to be in frictional contact with the rotatable second blade to be moved, in which a rotation center of the second blade is disposed on a first blade side with respect to a moving surface of the first blade.

Abstract: A saw guide can include pivotally connected arcuate sections having a plurality of slots formed therein to receive and guide saw blades as they cut a workpiece, such as a pipe or tube. The slots are of varying width so that the saw guide can be used with different saws. For example, the saw guide can include a first slot sized to receive and guide the blade of a reciprocating saw, and a relatively narrower second slot, sized to receive the blade of a portable band saw. The saw guide can include a locking mechanism to securely hold the saw guide on the workpiece, and a stopping mechanism for preventing the saw blade from cutting into the saw guide.

Abstract: A method for lubricating a radial bearing of a food cutter assembly is disclosed. The method can include receiving a supply of water at a housing for rotationally mounting a spindle body having a rotational axis, where the housing includes a radial bearing proximate to a thrust disc of the spindle body. The thrust disc can include opposing surfaces extending radially from the rotational axis of the spindle body and a circumferential surface between the opposing surfaces. The water can be directed through fluid passages extending from a port in the housing through the radial bearing to the spindle body and across the opposing surfaces and the circumferential surface to the spindle body. The spindle body may be rotated while the water is directed through the fluid passages to create a water film between the housing and the spindle body that reduces friction between the housing and the spindle body.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a machine and system for support removal and a laser-sintered component compatible with same. A laser-sintered component may have a component surface and at least one laser-sintered support extending from the component surface. A press may move a cutting surface along a cutting path adjacent to the component surface. The cutting surface has a shape complementary to the component surface and at least one cutting edge positioned to separate at least one laser-sintered support from the component surface as the cutting surface moves along the cutting path.

Abstract: An alignment tool for connection to a work component and for use in aligning the work component with a work piece, wherein the work component has at least a first reference surface that extends in a first direction. The alignment tool includes a body having at least a first reference surface that extends in the first direction and having at least one work piece guide surface that extends in a second direction that is perpendicular to the at least first reference surface, and a clamp assembly connected to the body and extending in the second direction past the at least first reference surface of the body, wherein when the alignment tool is to be connected to the work component, the clamp assembly is movable to engage the work component and to draw together and hold in abutting engagement the respective first reference surfaces of the alignment tool and work component.

Abstract: The invention relates to powered cutting apparatus which includes a cutting unit mounted on one or more slide members and provided to perform a cutting action on a workpiece mounted on a base to which the one or more slide members are attacked by support legs. The apparatus includes at least one fence with a contact surface for the workpiece and the fence can be selectively positioned on any of a plurality of guide means provided on the base to aid in the performance of the cutting action.

Abstract: A digital decorating machine for ceramic products, including a conveyor, suitable to transport the products to be decorated (P) along a feed direction (A), and a plurality of decoration modules, positioned over the conveyor and adjacent to each other along the feed direction (A). The modules include respective printing heads provided with nozzles for ejecting a fluid to be delivered on the surface of the products to be decorated (P); the conveyor includes a movable member for supporting the products to be decorated (P), suitable for translating them along the feed direction (A). The conveyor includes at least a supporting surface, located along a respective flank of the movable member, including in turn a plurality of predetermined positioning zones for the removable engagement of respective coupling portions of the decoration modules.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and system for treating concrete in mixing drums of delivery vehicles having automated rheology (e.g., slump) monitoring systems programmed to dose fluids into concrete based on the monitored rheology. The present invention takes into account a Revolution-To-Discharge value (“RTD”) which reflects drum rotations needed to move concrete towards and through the mixing drum opening from which concrete is discharged, and also takes into consideration a Volume-Per-Revolution-Upon-Discharge (“VPRUD”) value which reflects the relation between the rate of discharge and rheology (e.g., slump) of concrete upon discharge. The invention is especially useful for reclaiming concrete in the drum after delivery and can confirm rheology based upon peak (maximum) discharge pressure. The present inventors found surprisingly that discharge pressure readings are useful for recalibrating automated rheology monitoring systems as well as for reporting and/or treating the remainder concrete.

Abstract: In an ingot cutting apparatus that cuts an ingot using a plurality of stretched wires, load sensors are provided on the new wire side and the old wire side of the ingot, and loads applied to the new wire side and the old wire side of the ingot are measured using the load sensors on the new wire side and the old wire side. When measuring the loads, for example, the center of moment about the X-axis that is the running direction of the wire is calculated. When the deviation from the center of gravity of the ingot is greater than or equal to a reference value, notification for replacement of the wire, control of the conveying speed of the wire, control of the pressing speed of the ingot, and so forth are performed through a control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting thermoplastic material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a heated manifold and at least one heating element disposed within the heated manifold. The heated manifold defines a plurality of cavities, a pump supply passage, and a discharge passage. The plurality of cavities are spaced apart from one another, and each receives particles of thermoplastic material from a hopper. The particles of thermoplastic material are melted within the plurality of cavities. The pump supply passage receives molten thermoplastic material from the plurality of cavities and supplies the molten thermoplastic material to a pump. The discharge passage receives pressurized molten thermoplastic material from the pump and is in fluid communication with a dispenser. The heating element transfers heat substantially throughout the heated manifold.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mold according to the first aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: placing a base material of semiconductor or metal that reacts with sulfur hexafluoride in a reactive ion etching apparatus; supplying a mixed gas of sulfur hexafluoride and oxygen thereto; making the base material undergo a plasma dry-etching process such that oxides are scattered on a surface of the base material, etching advances on the surface of the base material while the oxides function as etching masks, and thereby a fine surface roughness is formed on the surface of the base material; and irradiating the fine surface roughness with an ion beam such that shapes of protrusions of the fine surface roughness can be adjusted.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a technique for improving the ionic conductivity by introducing an electric field concept to a process for preparing an ion exchange membrane and deflecting an ion channel within an ion exchange membrane in one direction, and specifically to a device for fabricating an ion exchange membrane and a method therefor in a roll-to-roll manner and a casting manner with a deflected ion channel which can improve the ionic conductivity of the ion exchange membrane by reducing a travelling distance of the ions in the deflected ion channels.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluorescent silicone film contains: steps of: A. mixing optical silicone and fluorescent powders so as to produce a mixture, and adding liquid to the mixture; B. vacuuming, degassing and feeding the mixture into an accommodation cavity of a mold; C. placing the mold into a planetary centrifugal mixer so as to centrifuge the mixture; D. forming the fluorescent silicone film in the accommodation cavity; and E. solidifying and removing the fluorescent silicone film from the mold. In the step of A, the optical silicone and the fluorescent powders are mixed at a ratio of 100:10 to 100:25. In the step of B, the accommodation cavity is closed after feeding the mixture. In the step of D, the fluorescent silicone film has a silicone layer and a fluorescent powder layer which are formed in the accommodation cavity in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) manner.

Abstract: Method for preparing a chitosan-based porous layer The present invention relates to a method or preparing a chitosan-based, neutralized compressed porous layer, comprising the following steps: —a) a chitosan solution is prepared, —b) said solution is poured into a mold in order to form a layer, —c) the layer obtained in b) is lyophilized so as to obtain a porous layer, —d) said porous layer obtained in c) is compressed, —e) the compressed porous layer obtained in d) is neutralized by means of an NH4OH solution. It also relates to an implant comprising a layer obtained according to such a method.

Abstract: A core mold component defining a lower surface of the injection mold set corresponding to the lower surface of the annular component is heated to a base temperature. A cavity mold component defining the upper surface of the injection mold set corresponding to the Class A surface of the annular component is heated to a higher temperature than the base temperature. Faces of two streams of metallic resin, including the metallic resin flakes, injected into the mold set are caused to come together at the knit line. Metallic resin flakes are caused to flow into inboard and outboard overflow cavity through respective inboard and outboard gates positioned adjacent the knit line.

Abstract: There is provided a manufacturing method for molding a liquid supply member by using a first mold and a second mold in which the first mold is capable of being slid relatively to the second mold, the method including a first molding step of performing injection molding to form a first and second component parts of the liquid supply member at different positions from each other, an evacuating step of sliding the formed second component part in a direction intersecting with a direction of sliding of the first mold relative to the second mold and with a direction of the opening and the closing the first and the second mold, a contacting step of bringing the formed second component part into contact with the molded first component part, and a second molding step of performing injection molding to join the first component part and the second component part.