Abstract: An exoskeleton designed to be worn by a user is generally configured to support and transfer the load supported by the head, the neck and/or the torso (shoulders, chest and/or back) of the user down to the ground. The exoskeleton is generally passive and includes at least three interconnected sections: torso, hip, and leg sections. Each of the sections generally includes of a plurality of interconnected rigid members which form the load-bearing structure of the exoskeleton. When a user wears the exoskeleton, load normally carried by the head, neck and/or torso of the user is at least partially supported and transferred to the ground by the exoskeleton, thereby reducing the load effectively supported by the user itself. The leg sections of the exoskeleton are designed to ensure that the load is entirely transferred to the inner side of the feet, in accordance with human biomechanics.

Abstract: There is provided a mounting structure for an apparatus for taking out a molded product, the mounting structure being configured to reduce a burden imposed on a worker required to mount the apparatus for taking out a molded product. Upright wall portions of a pair of side plates are formed with a work window. Extended wall portions are formed with a work assist window. The work window is formed to have a size that allows a worker, who is at a location at which the worker can insert bolts into three through holes in a first through hole row, to insert bolts into three through holes in a second through hole row without changing the worker's location.

Abstract: A monitoring device of a robot system includes: an external force detecting portion configured to detect external force acting on a robot; an area determining portion configured to determine whether or not a predetermined portion of the robot is located within a predetermined area; a force monitoring portion configured to detect collision of the robot based on a first monitoring criterion including at least monitoring of the external force acting on the robot, and when the area determining portion determines that the predetermined portion of the robot is not located within the predetermined area, detect the collision based on a second monitoring criterion not including the monitoring of the external force; and a stop signal generating portion configured to, when the force monitoring portion detects the collision, generate a stop signal of the robot 2 and supply the stop signal to the control device.

Abstract: An arithmetic processing unit 40 estimates a possible existence region of a specific state quantity by performing polyhedron projection processing for finding a projection region obtained by projecting a convex polyhedron to a subspace representing the specific state quantity, where the convex polyhedron is within a space configured with the contact reaction forces of a plurality of contacting portions (13, 23) of a mobile robot 1 and the specific state quantity as variable components and where the convex polyhedron is specified by a mechanical relation between the contact reaction forces and the specific state quantity and by a linear inequality representing a contact reaction force constraint condition.

Abstract: Methods for automated robotic movement for a robotic device using an electronic computing device are presented, the methods including: causing the electronic computing device to establish a working zone; measuring distances to all obstacles in the working zone thereby detecting all obstacles in the working zone; establishing a coverage path that accounts for all detected obstacles; executing the coverage path such the robotic device covers the working zone at least once; if a new obstacle is detected, establishing an adapted coverage path that accounts for the new obstacle; and executing the adapted coverage path. In some embodiments, methods further include: bypassing the new obstacle; and returning to the coverage path.

Abstract: A domestic robotic system includes a robot and data storage operable to store data defining a boundary of a working area, the robot includes a payload actuable to perform work on a portion of the working area adjacent the robot, at least one processor, a first positioning system, one or more sensors operable to sense directly the boundary of the working area and a current distance of the robot thereto, a second positioning system, which uses data from the sensors. The processor is programmed to operate in (i) an area coverage mode, wherein the processor, using the first positioning system and the stored data defining the boundary of the working area, navigates the robot around the working area, with the payload active, and (ii) a boundary proximity mode, wherein the processor, using the second positioning system, navigates the robot around the working area, in proximity to the boundary.

Abstract: A robot controlled by a controller includes a recording part that records sensor information on a sensor, and a transmission part that transmits the sensor information to the controller or an external apparatus.

Abstract: A production system includes a robot, a robot controller, and a person detection part. The controller includes first speed comparison unit that has the function of activating a power cutoff unit so as to stop an operation of the robot when a current speed exceeds a predetermined reference speed; and an external-force comparison unit that has the function of activating the power cutoff unit so as to stop the operation of the robot when a current force applied to the robot exceeds a predetermined reference force. The controller disables the functions of the first speed comparison unit and the external-force comparison unit while the person detection part detects the absence of the operator in the cooperative operation space.

Abstract: A method of automatic shoe lacing is proposed to include steps of: (a) capturing, by a camera system, at least two images of shoelace holes of a shoe from different positions relative to the shoe; (b) acquiring, by a computer device through conducting an analysis according to the at least two images of the shoe, coordinates of the shoelace holes relative to a robotic arm; and (c) the robotic arm lacing the shoe according to the coordinates acquired in step (b).

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for using fluorescent coatings to aid in robotic handling of items. In one embodiment, an image is captured. An item in the image is recognized from the image based at least in part on a fluorescence of the item relative to its surrounding environment caused by exposure of a fluorescent marking of the item to a radiation source. A robotic arm is operated relative to the item in response to recognizing the item.

Abstract: A robot teaching device allowing a user to operate an enable switch provided on the robot teaching device in a similar manner regardless of the user's dominant hand. A hand-held robot teaching device includes an enable switch built-in includes a main body including a holding portion that is configured to be held by one hand, and an enable switch operating section that is provided on the holding portion and is configured to be operated by a reference switching motion of a hand holding the holding portion in a reference position. The enable switch operating section includes a switching motion specifying mechanism that makes the reference switching motion in the reference position easier than another motion.

Abstract: A hand intended for a humanoid robot comprises a palm and at least one finger articulated to the palm, the finger comprising at least one phalanx and an articulation linking the phalanx to the palm, the phalanx extending in a main direction. According to the invention, the articulation comprises an elastic joining piece allowing several degrees of freedom. The hand comprises motorization means for a degree of freedom in rotation out of the degrees of freedom made possible by the joining piece, the motorized degree of freedom in rotation allowing a relative movement about an axis at right angles to the main direction of the phalanx. The other degrees of freedom out of the degrees of freedom made possible by the joining piece are not motorized.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping at least one deformable food product, includes: a chamber, a depressurization system for depressurizing the chamber, a fluid connection connecting the depressurization system to the chamber, and at least one perforated plate (246) defining a receiving surface (248) for receiving the deformable food product, the perforated plate (246) having at least one perforation opening into the receiving surface (248) and into the chamber.

Abstract: A gripping device 18 is provided at the front end of an arm of an assembly robot 2. The gripping device 18 includes a pair of grippers 20 and 22 capable of opening and closing. The side configured to come into contact with a part 4, of each gripper 20, 22 includes a pressure-sensitive sensor 24. The pressure-sensitive sensor 24 includes a first electrode and a second electrode serving as a pair of electrodes and an intermediate layer formed of rubber or a rubber composition between the pair of electrodes. The intermediate layer is configured to generate electricity when deformed by contact with an object (part 4). The side configured to come into contact with the object, of the intermediate layer is subjected to a surface modification treatment and has a higher hardness than the opposite side.

Abstract: To obtain a force detection device and a robot light in weight and having excellent detection accuracy, a force detection device includes a first member, a second member joined to the first member, and a piezoelectric element joined to the second member. A material forming the first member is different from a material forming the second member. The first member is formed in a plate shape. The piezoelectric element and the second member are disposed at an end portion of the first member. A through-hole is formed in the center portion of the first member.

Abstract: A safety blade for use with a knife assembly having a handle with a cutting head engagement portion, the safety bade comprising (a) a blade body, a bade attachment having a first inner edge and a second inner edge, a first blade shield, a second blade shield, a first blade cutting edge, and a second blade cutting edge, and (b) a handle adaptor having a body portion and a handle engagement portion with a handle securing mechanism. The first blade cutting edge is positioned between the first blade shield and the first inner edge, and the second blade cutting edge is positioned between the second blade shield and the second inner edge.

Abstract: The present invention is a multipurpose machete assembly comprising of a no tool removable handle/scales, a ferrocium rod or bottle with cap holder or mount and a multi-purpose blade. The blade has a spur knife for precision work, a gut hook, a spear point/digging point, a recessed area for holding dirt, a cooking pan, a special toothed high efficiency saw, a hook/gaff, a forward lanyard hole, a hammer/pommel/knob, a flat area for scrapping, a long strait or flat section for using as a draw knife, and holes through blade for processing cordage.

Abstract: A rotary electric shaver 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 small blade is formed so that an inner blade base plate is partially erected, and is disposed in at least two rows on a circumference close to an outer periphery and on a circumference close to an inner periphery. There is provided a movable inner blade that has a movable small blade which is vertically movable along a front end surface in a rotation direction of the small blade, with respect to the predetermined small blade.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a razor head component that includes the steps of providing a strip of material elongated along a first direction (X), the strip having first and second rounded extremities parallel with the first direction (X). The strip includes a first portion having a first extremity, a second portion having a second extremity, and an intermediate portion intermediate the first and second portions, bending the intermediate portion of at least a part of the strip about a bending axis, and fixing a razor blade onto the second portion of the part.

Abstract: A trimming blade system has a front and includes a supporting plate, a blade, and a cover plate. The blade has a cutting edge facing forwardly toward the front of the trimming blade system. The trimming blade system has a comb provided with teeth which project forwardly toward the front of the trimming blade system and which overlap the cutting edge. Each of the teeth has an upper face, two lateral faces, and a lower face. The lower face of each of the teeth is joined to the lateral faces by opposite chamfered faces.

Abstract: A razor blade substrate having a substrate that includes a blade edge portion having a profiled geometry which is covered by a strengthening coating deposited on the razor blade substrate at least at the blade edge portion. The strengthening coating covering the blade edge tip, having a profiled geometry and having a tapering geometry with two coating sides converge toward a blade edge tip. The strengthening coating includes a strengthening layer made of a titanium- and boron-containing material.

Abstract: System and methods for performing a full cut and a partial cut of paper are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a system comprises a paper cutter system comprising a motor operable to move in either a first direction or a second direction. The paper cutter system also comprises a movable blade. The paper cutter system also comprises a cutter mechanism configured to move the blade to perform a full cut of paper when the motor moves in the first direction and move the blade to perform a partial cut of paper when the motor moves in the second direction.

Abstract: A travelling planetary cutter (10), comprising: a cutting head assembly (11) comprising a rotating cutting assembly (30) comprising a blade guide block (32) carrying a cutting blade (34), wherein the blade guide block (32) is disposed for axial movement on a cutting block (33) so that cutting blade (34) may be moved towards and away from bearings (36) disposed on the cutting block (33); a blade cam block (42) also comprising part of the rotating cutting assembly (30) and itself comprising a blade cam (44) defining a cam surface (45), wherein axial movement of blade cam (44) of blade cam block (42) in direction (43) forces cam surface (45) to act upon a bearing (46) on blade guide block (32) to cause blade guide block (32) to move towards a workpiece to be cut (14) until cutting blade (34) engages workpiece (14) against bearings (36) while cutting blade (34) is rotated as part of rotating cutting assembly (30) to cut workpiece (14) wherein a speed of rotation of cutting blade (34) is maintained constant even w

Abstract: A method for aligning a substrate and an apparatus for cutting a substrate using the same are provided. In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for aligning a substrate comprises a stage on which the substrate is seated and reference pins provided to project from an upper surface of the stage. Each reference pin has a substrate support surface which supports one side of the substrate. An upper end of the substrate support surface is formed so as to project further toward the substrate than a lower end thereof.

Abstract: Machines and methods suitable for performing cutting operations on products to yield a reduced-size product, for example, slicing and strip-cutting elongate food products. Such a method includes simultaneously delivering products to annular-shaped cavities of a rotating impeller. The products are simultaneously delivered with a feed unit that has a feed chute extension that protrudes into an interior of the impeller. The feed chute extension defines feed chutes that are aligned with the annular-shaped cavities of the impeller and direct the products to circumferential series of pockets within the annular-shaped cavities. The products are held within the pockets by centrifugal force as the products are carried past a slicing knife to form a first longitudinal cut through each of the products during a rotation of the impeller and to produce therefrom a substantially longitudinally sliced product.

Abstract: A device for processing substrates uses a separation system. Processed substrates can be separated into one or more waste parts and at least one blank. Improved flexibility for treating substrates is provided. The separation system comprises a transport cylinder and a stripping cylinder associated therewith. The transport cylinder has first openings and has a detachably secured packing having depressions in which perforations are formed, with at least one perforation covering at least one first opening. The stripping cylinder has a detachably secured packing having raised areas that correspond to the depressions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making an aperture web, comprising moving a micro-textured web through a first member comprising male elements and a second member comprising discontinuous female elements, wherein the male elements are arranged in a staggered pattern, and have a shape to form quadrilateral apertures in the micro-textured web. The present invention also relates to a method for making an aperture web, comprising forming microtextures on a web, and continuously moving the web through a first member comprising male elements and a second member comprising discontinuous female elements, wherein the male elements are arranged in a staggered pattern, and have a shape to form quadrilateral apertures in the micro-textured web.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a cutting line setting processor to set a cutting line to extend in a predetermined direction from a first endpoint on an outline of a target object located on a top sheet and to be located within a non-effective region, a first determination processor to determine whether a first angle between the outline of the target object and the cutting line, with the first endpoint located at an intersection of the outline and the cutting line, is equal to or smaller than a predetermined determination angle that is an acute angle, and a shape change processor to, when the first angle is determined to be equal to or smaller than the determination angle by the first determination processor, change the shape of the cutting line such that the first angle is greater than the determination angle.

Abstract: Extension rails for table saws are disclosed. Some of the disclosed extension rails can be attached to a table saw without a user having to manipulate a lever or knob. Extension rails particularly relevant to portable table saws such as jobsite and bench-top table saws are disclosed, including extension rails that can provide 48? or more of cutting capacity on jobsite and/or bench-top table saws. A method of attaching extension rails to a table saw is disclosed that does not require the use of a tool or the manipulation of a knob or clamp.

Abstract: Control systems are disclosed for power tools such as table saws, miter saws, band saws, hand-held circular saws, jointers, shapers, routers, and up-cut saws. The control systems include systems to turn power tools on and off, and to control the supply of power to motors. The systems to turn power tools on and off may include dual switches that must be operated together to turn a power tool on. The systems to provide power to motors may include dual relays in series implemented with methods to minimize arcing and welding of the relays. The systems described herein may be implemented in power tools equipped with active injury mitigation technology.

Abstract: Table saws are disclosed. The table saws can include a blade, an arbor, an arbor block, an elevation carriage, and a latch that connects the arbor block and the elevation carriage. The arbor block can have a first position in which the latch connects the arbor block and the elevation carriage, and a second position in which the latch does not connect the arbor block and the elevation carriage. The arbor block can pivot from the first position to the second position upon the occurrence of a retraction force. The table saw can include an actuator to cause the occurrence of the retraction force, and detection electronics to detect contact between the blade and a person. Woodworking machines with detection and reaction systems are also disclosed. A reaction system can include an explosive that causes retraction of a cutting tool.

Abstract: A safety system for powered cutting tools includes a miter saw safety device. Embodiments of the miter saw safety device may be positioned on one or both sides of the rotating saw blade and include a pivotable support arm and a support plate that is repositionable relative to the support arm. In some embodiments the support plate is biased toward the guide fence of the miter saw. The device enhances the capabilities of miter saw to make precise cuts safer, faster and easier.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating wood products including lumber, plywood and other engineered wood products comprising the steps of contacting a composition comprising a polypropylene glycol, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a polyether polyol having low solubility in water, or a polytetrahydrofuran, or hydrophobic polyether polyol, with the wood product. The invention also provides wood products comprising a polypropylene glycol, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a polyether polyol having low solubility in water, or a polytetrahydrofuran, or hydrophobic polyether polyol, that have greater dimensional stability compared to an untreated wood product.

Abstract: A bamboo laminated lumber is provided having structural characteristics meeting or exceeding dimensionally equivalent wood based components. The bamboo laminated lumber is formed from bamboo laminated elements laminated and joined together to form dimensional lumber and engineered lumber components. The bamboo laminated lumber element comprises a combination of linear bamboo starter boards being halves of timber bamboo canes pressed flat with the inner pith surfaces laminated together with the grain aligned and skewed bamboo starter boards being halves of timber bamboo canes pressed flat with the inner pith surfaces laminated together with the grain offset from centerline at a specified angle. Top and bottom linear bamboo starter boards are laminated to a central skewed bamboo starter board yielding a bamboo laminated lumber element.

Abstract: A method for producing an engineered wood board. The method includes production of the substrate and application of a fluid to an application area of the substrate by means of an applicator, where the monitoring of the application occurs by means of an infra-red camera such that an inhomogeneity of the application can be detected.

Abstract: A method for treating in particular viscous, paste-like materials in a housing (1) with kneading elements (2, 3), in which at least one kneading element (2, 3) is to be monitored.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a resin pellet and a process to make said resin pellet. The resin pellet comprises a major polyester comprising a catalytic titanium compound, and a minor polyester comprising a phosphorus compound. The major polyester is present in a first compartmentalized zone of the resin pellet and the minor polyester is present in a second compartmentalized zone of the resin pellet.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology may include a method of making a thermoplastic composite strand. The method may include melting a reactive thermoplastic resin to form a molten reactive resin. The method may also include fully impregnating a plurality of continuous fibers with the molten reactive resin in an impregnation device. The method may further include polymerizing the molten reactive resin to form a thermoplastic resin matrix. In addition, the method may include cooling the thermoplastic resin matrix to form a thermoplastic composite strand.

Abstract: A tool including a tool body, the tool body including a substrate having a tool-side surface, an intermediate layer positioned over the tool-side surface, and an outer layer positioned over the intermediate layer, the outer layer including a metallic material.

Abstract: A vent hole cleaning system is disclosed. The cleaning system is comprised of a housing containing a work table and a support column. The system further comprises a robotic arm mounted on the support column. Further, a subsystem is mounted at an end, opposite to the support column, of the robotic arm. The subsystem may comprise a scanner configured to generate a contour profile of a mold. Further, a vision system may be mounted on the subsystem. The vision system may be communicably connected to the scanner. Further, the system may comprise a cleaning head communicably connected to the vision system and the scanner to enable precision positioning on the mold.

Abstract: To better control part quality of 3D printed parts, the temperature of an extruder filament using a secondary heat source is provided. A heat source, such as an infrared heat source, can be used to heat the filament of a 3D printer to the optimum temperature that will enhance welding of the filament to a substrate that it is being printed on or to. Such an optimum temperature can be based upon, in part, the temperature of the substrate. A controller or other intelligent control can be used to receive temperature readings of the substrate and/or filament and then can adjust the temperature of the heating source to optimize the temperature of the filament to better combine the filament to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for material handling and mold filling is provided which directs the flow of molten plastic material from an extruder and allocates the molten material to a plurality of nozzles through the use of independently operated, variable valves. The method therefore provides independent streams of molten plastic material having variable temperatures and flow rates or volumes to particular sections or regions of the mold. This independent temperature or flow of molten plastic material facilitates the complete, rapid and accurate filling of the molds, reducing turbulence and other temperature or flow-related imperfections in the finished components. A method of using a multiphase material handling system is also disclosed for expeditious sequential and simultaneous filling and pressing of the mold and extracting the completed component from the system.

Abstract: A system for inductively heating a workpiece may include an induction coil, at least one susceptor face sheet, and a current controller coupled. The induction coil may be configured to conduct an alternating current and generate a magnetic field in response to the alternating current. The susceptor face sheet may be configured to have a workpiece positioned therewith. The susceptor face sheet may be formed of a ferromagnetic alloy having a Curie temperature and being inductively heatable to an equilibrium temperature approaching the Curie temperature in response to the magnetic field. The current controller may be coupled to the induction coil and may be configured to adjust the alternating current in a manner causing a change in at least one heating parameter of the susceptor face sheet.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing sustainable products with a blown, foam structure, wherein a mass comprising at least natural polymers such as starch is passed under pressure into a mold cavity (4) or through a mold die, and the mass is heated in the mold in a manner such as to stabilize the foamed structure to form the product, wherein the method comprises prefoaming of the mass prior to injection in the mold. Preferably, the prefoamed mass is kept under pressure until insertion in the mold. The invention further relates to an apparatus to be used in said method.

Abstract: A bio-sensor circuit for detecting characteristics of a substance placed thereupon, the bio-sensor circuit has: a printed circuit having at least one electrically conductive contact sensor on a surface of the printed circuit, the electrically conductive contact sensor including a biochemical agent; and an electrically insulative coating affixed to the surface of the printed circuit, the electrically insulative coating having a well associated with the electrically conductive contact sensor, thereby leaving the electrically conductive contact sensor exposed through the electrically insulative coating, the electrically insulative coating being a resinous compound formed by injection molding. An electrochemical change resulting from the interaction of the substance to be characterized and the biochemical agent creates a detectable electrical potential at the electrically conductive contact sensor. A system and method of creating such a circuit via injection molding is also provided.

Abstract: An injection molding machine for injecting a molten resin into a cavity of a molding die clamped in a die clamping unit via a nozzle formed in a heating cylinder to form a resin article includes a drive source. The drive source is configured to move the nozzle between a first position with the nozzle coupled to the molding die and a second position with the nozzle decoupled from the molding die. The drive source is also configured to pull out the molding die from the die clamping unit and to push the molding die into the die clamping unit.

Abstract: A mold for use with an injection molding machine includes a body having a surface and a ring protruding from the surface for aligning the body and a platen. The ring defines a right circular cylinder having a protruding end, the protruding end having subtracted therefrom a generally wedge-shaped portion, the protruding end forming a tapered end.

Abstract: An injection mold that has an injector mold plate with a first injector mold plate face and an opposite second injector mold plate face, an ejector mold plate having a first ejector mold plate face and an opposite second ejector mold plate face, with the first injector mold plate face faces the first ejector mold plate face, at least one tempering medium channel connecting a tempering medium inlet of the injection mold to a tempering medium outlet of the injection mold, wherein the at least one tempering medium channel traverses an area of at least one of the second injector mold plate face and/or the second ejector mold plate face and defines a free opening in the respective mold plate face along at least a length of the at least one tempering medium channel.

Abstract: A coextrusion feedblock is disclosed having a housing, a central extrusion channel, a coextrusion channel, a rotatable combining plane, a rotatable profile actuator, and a profiled bar mounted removably on the rotatable profile actuator. The central extrusion channel and the coextrusion channel pass through the housing. The rotatable combining plane and the rotatable profile actuator are positioned on opposite sides of the coextrusion channel so as to confront each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to extrusion die systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the cyclical extrusion of materials to generate small sized grain features, generally in the range of nanosized grain features, in a tubular or profile shape, in which the individual nanolayers possess pores and/or polymer crystals oriented parallel to the extrusion flow direction and including products with enhanced permeation properties.