Abstract: Provided is a manipulator including: a link; a joint unit configured to rotate the link; and a distance sensor configured to detect an obstacle entering in a monitoring space that is determined so as to include at least a rotating direction side of the link, the distance sensor being installed so that a sensing direction faces a direction parallel to a surface of the link. Further, provided is a moving robot including the aforementioned manipulator.

Abstract: A plurality of robots each has a plurality of control modes including an automatic mode, a manual mode, and a corrected automatic mode in which the robot operates based on a task program while being sequentially corrected by the operator's manipulation. A first robot performs a first work to a work target in one of the corrected automatic mode and the manual mode, location data of the work target in a robot coordinate system of the first robot is acquired. Based on the location data of the work target in the robot coordinate system of the first robot and a relative relation between the robot coordinate system of the first robot and the robot coordinate system of the second robot, location data of the work target in a robot coordinate system of a second robot is corrected.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system (1) and method for instructing a robot. The system (1) comprising an immersive haptic interface, such that operator interaction with a master robot arm (2) is reflected by a slave robot arm (3) arranged for interaction with a workpiece (4). The interaction of the slave robot arm (3) is reflected back to the master robot arm (2) as haptic feedback to the operator. The dynamic system is continually simulated forward and new commands are calculated for the master robot arm and the slave robot arm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to automated cleaning systems for vehicles. In one example, a vehicle is provided that includes a drive system, a passenger cabin, and a vehicle cleaning system. The vehicle cleaning system includes a vacuum unit and a robotic manipulator. The robotic manipulator includes an arm including a plurality of arm sections and a gripper unit positioned at a distal end of the arm. The robotic manipulator is connected to the vacuum unit such that the arm provides a vacuum path between the vacuum unit and the gripper unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor accepts a captured image generated by capturing an image of a target object, detects identification information for identifying the target object by processing the captured image, and generates a combined image that is the combination of the captured image and the identification information and causes a display apparatus to display the combined image. In the combined image, the identification information is superimposed on the target object in the captured image.

Abstract: Described herein are assistant robots that anticipate needs of one or more people (or animals). The assistant robots may recognize a current activity, knowledge of the person's routines, and contextual information. As such, the assistant robots can provide or offer to provide appropriate robotic assistance. The assistant robots can learn users' habits or be provided with knowledge regarding humans in its environment. The assistant robots develop a schedule and contextual understanding of the persons' behavior and needs. The assistant robots may interact, understand, and communicate with people before, during, or after providing assistance. The robot can combine gesture, clothing, emotional aspect, time, pose recognition, action recognition, and other observational data to understand people's medical condition, current activity, and future intended activities and intents.

Abstract: A walking training robot according to the present disclosure includes: a main body part; a handle part disposed on the main body part for being griped by the user; a detecting part detecting a handle load applied to the handle part; a walking supporting part determining a load applied by the walking training robot to a walking exercise of the user based on the detected handle load; a moving device including a rotating body and controlling the rotating body to move the walking training robot based on the determined load of the walking training robot; a posture estimating part estimating a foot-lifting posture of the user based on the detected handle load; a training scenario generating part correcting a training scenario causing the user to perform a foot-lifting exercise, based on the foot-lifting posture; and a presenting part presenting an instruction to the user based on the training scenario.

Abstract: Described herein are assistant robots that observe signs of core health, health dangers, and/or signs of medical distress in a home or at work. As such, the assistant robots can take actions to prevent dangerous situations, diagnose health problems, respond to requests for help, and provide regular treatments or analysis of a person's medical state. The assistant robots can learn users' habits or be provided with knowledge regarding humans in its environment. The assistant robots develop a schedule and contextual understanding of the persons' behavior and needs. The assistant robots may interact, understand, and communicate with people before, during, or after providing assistance. The robot can combine gesture, clothing, emotional aspect, time, pose recognition, action recognition, and other observational data to understand people's medical condition, current activity, and future intended activities and intents.

Abstract: A method of aligning a substrate contact material to a substrate material includes determining a hardness of a substrate material. The method further includes matching a hardness of a substrate contact material to the hardness of the substrate material. The method further includes adding the substrate contact material to a plurality of contact structures of a substrate handling device, wherein the substrate handling device comprises an edge and a planar surface, a first contact structure of the plurality of contact structures extends from the edge, and a second contact structure of the plurality of contact structures extends from the planar surface.

Abstract: A robot control device includes a processor that is configured to calculate, based on magnitude of a target force in force control performed based on an output of a force sensor, a direction of the target force, a position where the force control is started, a posture in which the force control is started, and peculiar information including values of a plurality of allowable torques corresponding to a plurality of joints included in the robot, values of a plurality of torques generated in the plurality of joints when the force control is executed at the magnitude of the target force and in the direction of the target force in the position where the force control is started and the posture in which the force control is started.

Abstract: A control device controlling a robot including a robot arm, a drive section causing the robot arm to pivot around a pivot axis, a shaft that is provided at a position of the robot arm different from the pivot axis and that moves parallel to the pivot axis, and an angular velocity sensor that is provided in the robot arm and that detects angular velocity around an axis orthogonal to an axial direction of the pivot axis and parallel to a plane including the pivot axis and an axis of the shaft, the control device includes a processor that is configured to control the robot, wherein the processor is configured to perform feedback control on the drive section based on the angular velocity.

Abstract: A device (10) is placed on an object (30). A reference feature of the object (30) is aligned with a reference feature of the device (10). Based on signals transmitted between at least one measurement point of the device (10) and a further device (20), a position of the at least one measurement point is measured. The position of the object (30) is then determined based on the measured position of the at least one measurement point and based on information on arrangement of the at least one measurement point in relation to the reference feature of the device (10).

Abstract: An omnidirectional multi-finger asynchronous gripper for a casting robot, includes a connecting seat, an arc-shaped support, a mounting seat, longitudinal clamping devices, transverse adjusting devices and transverse clamping devices. The omnidirectional multi-finger asynchronous gripper is mounted to a tail end of the casting robot through the connecting seat; each longitudinal clamping device can independently and longitudinally clamp a casting or a mold core, is adjustable in spacing through the transverse adjusting devices, can automatically adapt to castings or mold cores with different outlines and can realize effective fitting-type adaptive clamping of specially-shaped castings and mold cores; and the transverse clamping devices are used for transversely and independently clamping the casting or mold core and a clamping position or angle can be adjusted through a swinging angle adjuster.

Abstract: An item with fibers may be picked up and placed using a tool head with hooks that engage the fibers. The tool head may comprise at least one hook portion and at least one contact surface adjacent to the hook portion. The hooks that engage the fibers may extend from the hook portion. The tool head may be actuatable between at least a first configuration that permits the hooks to engage the fibers and a second configuration that does not permit the hooks to engage the fibers. An item may be picked up at a starting location with a tool head in the first configuration and placed at a placement location by moving the tool head and then actuating the tool head to the second configuration.

Abstract: An adaptive control method includes steps of: storing N number of different speed setting values; assigning an i-th one of the speed setting values to serve as a target speed value; sampling, when the gripping module is performing a first action in a steady state period, a feedback voltage signal resulting from the gripping module to obtain Stall Guard Values (SGVs); averaging the SGVs to obtain an average SGV; and calculating, based on the average SGV and a predetermined SGV deviation, a Stall Guard Threshold (SGT) for subsequent control of the electric gripper.

Abstract: A tool exchange device includes a male member and a female member. The male member is attached to a side of a main body of an apparatus. The female member is attached to a side of a tool. The male member and the female member includes a plurality of coupling portions mechanically connected to each other, and a connector portion that connects a power supply path arranged in the main body and the tool to each other. The plurality of coupling portions and the connector portion are provided in each of joining surfaces of the male member and the female member. The plurality of coupling portions are arranged around the connector portion.

Abstract: A hand includes a pair of finger members disposed separated by an interval and relatively movable in an interval direction, a finger drive unit that moves at least one of the finger members in the interval direction, a pair of holding pads that are provided on the respective finger members, and are supported to face each other and to be rotatable around an axis extending in the interval direction, and a pressing member that is provided to be movable in a direction intersecting a radial direction, at a position separated from the axis in the radial direction, and presses a surface of a workpiece held between the holding pads.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel soft collet including a gripping part made of an elastic material and a connection part. The gripping part includes at least two fingertips matched with each other for gripping. A finger gap is formed between the fingertips, and a finger cavity is arranged inside each fingertip. The connection part includes a communication chamber which is communicating with each finger cavity. The connection part is provided with a communication port communicating with the communication chamber. The fingertip includes an inner wall close to the finger gap and an outer wall remote from the finger gap. The thickness of the inner wall is smaller than that of the outer wall, or the elastic modulus of the inner wall is smaller than that of the outer wall.

Abstract: A method for constructing a robotic arm includes positioning a wire in a formation zone for the robotic arm; and forming a body of the robotic arm in the formation zone around the wire such that the body of the robotic arm encloses at least a portion of the wire.

Abstract: A modular electric hair cutting device that has a housing, a hair-cutting module contained in a first end of the housing, the hair-cutting module has blades for cutting hair, the hair-cutting module having at least one sensor coupled to and configured for detecting a temperature of the hair-cutting module, and a cooling module contained in a second end of the housing, the cooling has a fan and cools the internal components of the housing. Further, the modular electric hair-cutting device has a processor that receives data indicative of a temperature from the at least one sensor contained in the hair-cutting module and compares the temperature to a threshold temperature, and the processor activates a first fan if the temperature is greater than the threshold temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a grooming system having an adaptive lighting system (70) and a personal care appliance (50), particularly a hair cutting appliance, the adaptive lighting system (70) comprising at least one sensor (74, 76, 78, 80) that is arranged to detect an illumination-indicative value in the vicinity of a treatment head (54) of the appliance (50), at least one light source (72, 110, 134) that is arranged to illuminate a treatment zone, a lighting control unit (86, 102) operatively coupled with the at least one sensor (74, 76, 78, 80) and the at least one light source (72, 110, 134), wherein the lighting control unit (86, 102) is arranged to control the at least one light source (72, 110, 134) dependent on the illumination-indicative value detected by the at least one sensor (74, 76, 78, 80), and wherein the lighting control unit (86, 102) is arranged to increase a target illumination level when a detected actual illumination level is low, and to decrease a target illumination level when

Abstract: A razor has a handle with an articulable joint intermediate the cutting blade and the portion of the handle grasped by a user. The joint includes a spring mounted around a pivot pin which in combination with a resilient sleeve disposed over the joint urges the joint to an initial position in resistance to a force applied by the user during shaving.

Abstract: A shaving razor system with a handle and a shaving razor cartridge mounted to the handle. A flexible electrical bridge with a portion positioned within the handle extends from the handle to the shaving razor cartridge. The flexible electrical bridge has a loop between the shaving razor cartridge and the handle.

Abstract: A blade grip assembly includes a blade having at least one cutting edge and at least one blade grip coupled to the blade. The blade grip includes a body and a plurality of teeth extending from the body. The plurality of teeth is on a plane different from a plane of the blade when the blade is in an unflexed position.

Abstract: A razor blade cartridge includes: a housing: a razor blade fixedly mounted in the housing including: an edge that is elongated in a direction orthogonal to shaving direction, the edge includes a cutting edge formed in a single arch and opposing rear and front faces, wherein the cutting edge extends along a longitudinal direction which is orthogonal to shaving direction; a connection portion extended and bent from the edge toward a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and orthogonal to the shaving direction, the connection portion having faces continuous with the front and rear faces of the edge respectively; and a support portion extending from the connection portion in the direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the shaving direction, the support portion supporting the edge and the connection portion, the connection portion and the support portion are a single body.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods in which a utility knife includes a blade guard rotatably covering the cutting edge of a blade. The blade guard can be locked and unlocked by a primary mechanism. In addition or alternative to the primary mechanism, the blade guard can be set to provide a maximum exposure of the cutting edge for cutting, a minimum exposure of the cutting edge, a maximum retraction of the blade guard over the cutting edge after performing work, or a minimum retraction of the blade guard. The tensive force required to rotate the blade guard and expose the cutting edge can also be adjusted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cutting device and a method for cutting-off a length of a continuous strip to form a tire component, wherein the cutting device includes a cutting member for cutting the continuous strip at a cutting position and a feeding member that is movable in a feeding direction for feeding the length of the continuous strip in the feeding direction past said cutting position, wherein the feeding member is retractable in a retraction direction. The cutting device further includes a manipulator for retaining the length as the feeding member is retracted in the retraction direction, wherein the cutting position is located on the manipulator and wherein the cutting member and the manipulator are movable together in the feeding direction to cut-off of the length of the continuous strip at the cutting position on the manipulator while moving the length of the continuous strip in the feeding direction.

Abstract: A front end feeding device 23 between a cutter 10 and a fixed-length feeding hand 30 that feeds a strip member 5 on an upstream side of the cutter 10 feeds a front end of the strip member 5 a short distance to a downstream side of the cutter 10, a front end grasping hand 60 on the downstream of the cutter 10 holds the front end of the strip member 5 fed the short distance, the fixed-length feeding hand 30 holds a part of the strip member 5 fed the short distance on the upstream side of the cutter 10, the front end grasping hand 60 and the fixed-length feeding hand 30 synchronously feed the strip member 5 a long distance to the downstream side, and the cutter 10 cuts the strip member 5 having been fed the long distance.

Abstract: A system for controlling registration on a pouch knife machine of a longitudinally extending bandolier of content containing pouches separated by transverse seal seams moving along a feed path, with each pouch having a measurement reference. The machine includes a knife mechanism, a friction drag mechanism, and a friction drag adjustment mechanism. The system includes an optical reference, an optical image sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an actual position of the measurement reference relative to an optical reference, determine an alignment input based upon the actual position of the measurement reference relative to the optical reference, determine an alignment difference between a target position and the alignment input, and generate an adjustment command to change the position of the bandolier along the feed path after the alignment difference exceeds the operating range for the target position.

Abstract: A method of forming an opening in a nipple for a baby bottle, comprising: inserting the nipple in a holder having an opening formed therein, the nipple positioned within the opening so that an area of the nipple where the opening is to be formed is positioned in a bottom area of the opening, the holder preventing deformation of the nipple in the area where the opening if to be formed; inserting a cutting device in an interior section of the nipple; contacting and stretching an interior wall of the nipple where the opening is to be formed by the cutting device; and penetrating the interior wall of the nipple forming the opening.

Abstract: According to a method for production of a fracture-split connecting rod, a connecting rod having one large and one small connecting-rod eye is introduced into a holding jig and therein the connecting rod is fracture-split in the region of the large connecting-rod eye, so that the connecting rod is subdivided into a rod part and a cap part, and then the rod part and the cap part are removed from the holding jig once again, wherein the rod part and the cap part are clamped together with a clamping element, especially before they are removed as a whole from the holding jig.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hot knife, which includes a blade, a heat source, a handle, and a power source. The blade includes a central portion extending along a central axis, two wing portions integrally extending outwardly from two opposite sides of the central portion in a radial direction of the central axis, and a chamber defined by inner walls of the central portion and two wing portions. The heat source is disposed in the chamber and is adapted to supply heat to the blade. The handle is attached to the blade. The power source is disposed in the handle and is electrically connected to the heat source.

Abstract: A method for dividing panel-shaped workpieces, which comprise wood or a wood substitute substance as a material, into in each case a plurality of smaller workpieces. A panel-shaped workpiece that is to be divided is initially divided by saw cuts into a plurality of rectangular strip-shaped workpieces with a first pair of opposing narrow sides and a second pair of opposing narrow sides, the first narrow sides being longer than the second narrow sides. In a further method step, the strip-shaped workpieces are divided by a plurality of milling tools simultaneously with cuts parallel to the second narrow sides into the smaller workpieces.

Abstract: A multifunction plate of wood repair apparatus includes a feeding device for moving raw plates of wood; a cutting and gluing device disposed downstream of the feeding device for cutting front and rear ends of each plate of wood and joining adjacent plates of wood together as a unit of predetermined size by gluing; a repairing device disposed downstream of the cutting and gluing device for identifying locations of damaged areas of the plates of wood, the repairing device including an upper mold, a female mold under the upper mold, a chips exiting device under the female mold, a lower mold under the chips exiting device, and a drive device under the lower mold and operatively connected to both the upper mold and the lower mold; and a collecting device disposed downstream of the repairing device for collecting the repaired plates of wood.

Abstract: This method for manufacturing a high-density strand board enables high-density strand boards to be formed by using about the same press pressure as press pressures required to form strand boards with common densities, so that the high-density strand boards can be produced without using special facilities and equipment. A pretreatment process P2 is performed on strands 5 before pressing. The pretreatment process P2 is comprised of a first treatment process P2a and a subsequent second treatment process P2b. At least one of beating, high-frequency treatment, high-temperature high-pressure treatment, high-water pressure treatment, repeated deaeration and dehydration treatment, and chemical treatment is performed in the first treatment process P2a, and roll pressing or flat press pressing is performed in the second treatment process P2b. A strand board B with a density of 750 to 950 kg/m3 is formed by using a press pressure of 4 N/mm2 or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to integrated core-shell investment casting molds that provide a filament structure corresponding to a cooling hole pattern in the surface of the turbine blade, stator vane, or shroud. The disclosure also relates to the forming of a ceramic coating on at least a portion of the shell of the core-shell casting mold.

Abstract: A device (100) for compacting a layer (MT) of powder material; the device (100) comprises a movable surface (12), which is designed to convey the layer (MT) of powder material in a predefined feeding direction (F); a compacting belt (22) positioned over the transport surface (12); a pressing station (40, 45, 50, 55), which is designed to press the compacting belt (22) towards the transport surface (12), so as to press the layer (MT) of powder material; and an expansion countering station (80), which is designed to counter the expansion of the layer (MT) of powder material downstream of the pressing station (40, 45, 50, 55) and comprises a pusher delivering a gas under pressure to create a pushing gas cushion (STR; STR*) on the compacting belt (22).

Abstract: This invention provides a de-molding system of ceramic parts manufactured by freeze-casting comprising a mold (9), wherein the mold (9) comprises an upper opening (95) and a lower opening (94), wherein the upper opening (95) is adapted to receive a colloidal suspension (92), and one of the openings is adapted to allow the passage of a manufactured ceramic part (92), characterized by comprising at least one main de-molding element (80) adapted to actuate a ceramic part manufactured (92) through an opening in the mold (9). In addition, the invention provides a mold cooling system for the manufacturing of ceramic parts by freeze-casting comprising: a source (1) of cooling gas; a cooling gas cooling medium (7) fluidically connected to the cooling gas source (1); and a cooling cell (5), fluidly connected to the cooling gas cooling medium (7), comprising a mold (9) in its interior, wherein the cooling cell (5) comprises a refrigerated cooling gas injection opening.

Abstract: Methods of wellbore cementing are provided. A method of analyzing a solid particulate including: measuring a water requirement of the solid particulate; and determining an approximation of specific surface area of the solid particulate from the water requirement.

Abstract: A method of producing a bioplastic granulate on the basis of sunflower seed shells or sunflower seed hulls. In the method, ground sunflower seed shells/sunflower seed hull material is provided, wherein the particle size is in the region of 3 mm or less, preferably in the region of 0.01 to 1 mm, preferably in the region of 0.1 to 0.3 mm. A plastic material is provided, which is compounded with the sunflower seed shells/sunflower seed hull material, wherein the compounding operation is preferably effected in an extruder, preferably a double-screw extruder. The compounded material is chopped at the end of the extruder section with a tool with the addition of water, wherein the water is at a temperature of preferably more than 50° C., preferably about 80 to 90° C., to cool down the compound material. During the compounding operation, the compounding material is subjected to atmospheric degassing and/or vacuum degassing.

Abstract: A method for producing a rubber member according to the present invention includes the steps of: supplying a rubber composition to a cylinder provided in an extruder; extruding the rubber composition to a downstream side of the cylinder while kneading the rubber composition in an internal space of the cylinder that includes a plurality of protruding members protruding from an inner wall surface of the cylinder; compressing the rubber composition at least once in the step of extruding the rubber composition to the downstream side; discharging a gas generated from the compressed rubber composition to outside of the cylinder; discharging, through a discharge outlet of the cylinder, the rubber composition after the gas has been generated; and molding the rubber composition that has been discharged through the discharge outlet into a predetermined rubber member shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing powdery plastic particles having as spherical a structure as possible, wherein a starting product (30) made of plastic, in particular a viscous to solid starting product (30), is brought into contact with a smooth surface (24) of a body (20), which is moved at a speed v of at least 5 m/s relative to the starting product (30). In the contact area (34) between the starting product (30) and the body (20), the starting product (30) is heated locally, and is flung in powdery form out of the contact area in the direction of movement of the body (20).

Abstract: A melting device includes a container capable of melting a material supplied in a free-flowing state and storing the material in a liquid state. The container includes a first storage section for storing the material in the free-flowing state, a second storage section for storing the material in the liquid state, and a dividing section provided between the first storage section and the second storage section and configured to hold back the material, when the material is in a non-molten or free-flowing state and to allow passage of the material from the first storage section into the second storage section, when the material is in a molten or liquid state.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for making prepregs are disclosed. A method may include depositing a resin material onto a surface of a fiber bed and forming a number of discrete resin regions thereon. A distance between the resin regions may be measured to provide desired exposed portions of the surface to facilitate permeation of air through the exposed portions of the surface in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the fiber bed during a curing process of the prepreg.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a primary molded body includes a semiconductor chip that has a detector for detecting a physical quantity, and a primary molded resin having a resin material; a housing component includes an insertion hole for inserting the primary molded body; and a secondary molded resin, which is made of a resin material, that integrally covers a region exposed from the insertion hole, the region being a part of a surface of the primary molded body, and a part of a region of a surface of the housing component including a region surrounding the insertion hole. A part of the primary molded body including the semiconductor chip is in the insertion hole.

Abstract: A hybrid mold includes (a) an Invar® eggcrate structure, (b) an Invar® interim working surface and (c) a CF composite material overlay. The eggcrate and interim working surface are welded or otherwise connected together to form a unitary base mold. The CF overlay is bonded to the interim working surface. The CF overlay is easily reconfigurable and can be replaced without destroying the integrity of the base mold.

Abstract: A heat insulating plate includes a base material and a reinforcement member attached to the base material. The base material is obtained by forming a sheet-shaped glass fiber cloth having a thickness of 0.5 mm. Further, twelve reinforcement members are attached to one base material. The reinforcement members have a role of ensuring the strength of the heat insulating plate by being in contact with the plate and the platen on the upper and lower end faces. The reinforcement members are formed in a stripe shape and are formed of a metal material having a thickness of about 1 to 10 mm, The metal material having excellent compressive strength and bending strength, such as iron, stainless steel, or titanium alloy, may be adopted.

Abstract: Damage of the outer surface of a rubber hose due to friction can be prevented while the sealing performance and the productivity are ensured. The following components are provided: a pipe 11 whose one end is connected to a vulcanization pipe and in which pressed liquid is pumped from an inlet 11a disposed at the side face of the other end side; an annular member 12 which is attached to the pipe 11 so as to close an opening of the other end side of the pipe 11, and includes a hole 12a whose diameter is larger than the outer diameter of a rubber hose and in which the rubber hose passes through; and a pump which pumps more liquid than the liquid discharged outside the pipe 11 through the gap between the hole 12a and the rubber hose into an inlet 11a.

Abstract: An imprint method for forming a pattern of an imprint material on a substrate includes irradiating the imprint material with light to increase a viscosity of the imprint material on the substrate with a mold and the imprint material being in contact with each other, aligning the substrate and the mold with each other while changing and increasing a control gain to be used in a controller, which is configured to control relative positions of the mold and the substrate so as to reduce a displacement based on a result of detection of the displacement between the substrate and the mold, in such a manner that the control gain increases with the mold and the imprint material being in contact with each other, and curing the imprint material by irradiating the imprint material with light.

Abstract: A forming apparatus having a degree of freedom in shaping for forming a three-dimensional structure is provided. A forming apparatus (30) forms a three-dimensional structure (5), which includes a shaped article and a colored portion that colors a surface of the shaped article, by laminating layers, and it can switch between a first operation mode dedicated to shaping the shaped article and a second operation mode of full-color coloring the surface of the shaped article using full colors simultaneously as the shaping of the shaped article.