Abstract: A position correction method includes: a step of opposing a hand to a target by moving the hand such that the hand becomes in a predetermined first initial posture; a first position detection step of detecting a position of the target from a rotation angle of a rotation axis when the target blocks a detection light by swinging the hand; a step of opposing the hand to the target by moving the hand such that the hand becomes a predetermined second initial posture different from the first initial posture; a second position detection step of detecting a position of the target from the rotation angle of the rotation axis when the target blocks the detection light by swinging the hand; and a correction amount arithmetic step of obtaining rotation angle correction amounts of the second axis and the third axis based on a difference between the position of the target acquired in the first initial posture and the position of the target acquired in the second initial posture.

Abstract: A method of correcting a position of a robot includes: a correction step of rotating an arm around a first axis to detect a rotation angle around the first axis when a target blocks detection light, and locating the first axis, a third axis, and the target on an identical straight line by rotating the arm and/or a hand around the first axis, a second axis, and/or the third axis based on a detection result; and a correction amount arithmetic step of obtaining rotation angle correction amounts of the second axis and the third axis based on the rotation angle of each rotation axis acquired after the correction step in a first posture.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a servo calibration method as well as an apparatus and a robot using the same. The method includes: obtaining data of a position sensor on a motor shaft of the servo; obtaining data of a position sensor on an output shaft of the servo; determining whether a clutch protection has been performed on the servo based on data of the position sensor on the motor shaft and data of the position sensor on the output shaft; and calibrating a position of the motor shaft based on the data of the position sensor on the output shaft, if the clutch protection has been performed on the servo. Through the present disclosure, the problem in the prior art that the process of the calibration is cumbersome can be solved.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a servo output shaft angle calibration method and a robot using the same. In the method, when a servo output shaft rotational angle calibration instruction is obtained, an output shaft of a servo is controlled to move in a preset rotational direction, a current angle of the output shaft of the servo is obtained when it detects that the output shaft of the servo has rotated to an end point and has a stalling, and then a preset end point angle is updated as the current angle of the output shaft of the servo, so as to take the current angle of the output shaft of the servo as the new end point angle, thereby realizing the calibration of the end point angle of the output shaft of the servo. In this manner, the entire calibration process requires no manual intervention.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot that self-travels along a traveling shaft and is provided with a position detection sensor at a distal end, a support member that has a plurality of reference positions juxtaposed and supports a workpiece, a plurality of calibration members that are juxtaposed along the traveling shaft, and a control device, in which the calibration members each have a calibration position, and the control device is configured to cause the robot to move by a predetermined first distance along the traveling shaft, calibrate position coordinates of the robot based on position coordinates of the calibration positions detected by the position detection sensor, and subsequently calibrate position coordinates of the workpiece based on position coordinates of the reference positions detected by the position detection sensor.

Abstract: A robot system including a robot, a marker unit, a sensor, storage device, and a control device. The robot performs an operation with regard to a workpiece. The marker unit is attached to a measurement object and includes a base section and a plurality of markers attached to the base section. The sensor detects identification information and three-dimensional positions of the plurality of markers. The storage device stores teaching data including operation data and attachment position data indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification information of each of the markers and an attachment position of the corresponding marker. The control device calculates a three-dimensional position of the measurement object based on the three-dimensional positions of the plurality of markers and the attachment position data and controls the robot based on the three-dimensional position of the measurement object and the operation data so as to make the robot perform the operation.

Abstract: A method for efficiently ascertaining output signals of a sequence of output signals with the aid of a sequence of layers of a machine learning system, in particular a neural network, from a sequence of input signals. The neural network is supplied in succession with the input signals of the sequence of input signals in a sequence of discrete time increments. At the discrete time increments, signals present in the network are in each case further propagated through a layer of the sequence of layers.

Abstract: A robot includes an operation control unit that selects a motion of the robot, a drive mechanism that executes a motion selected by the operation control unit, an eye control unit that causes an eye image to he displayed on a monitor installed in the robot, and a recognizing unit that detects a user. The eye control unit causes a pupil region included in the eye image to change in accordance with a relative position of the user and the robot. A configuration may be such that the eye control unit causes the pupil region to change when detecting a sight line direction of the user, or when the user is in a predetermined range.

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: The present disclosure provides a joint control method for a serial robot and a serial robot using the same. The method includes: performing a analysis on an end joint in the plurality of joints, and calculating the force of the previous joint acting on the end joint; performing a analysis on each of the other joints in the plurality of joints, and calculating the force of the previous joint acting on the joint; obtaining an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of each joint after obtaining the force of the previous joint acting on the joint, and calculating a torque corresponding to each joint; and projecting the torque corresponding to each joint to a motor corresponding to the joint to obtain a torque to be applied to the motor at a current time. In this manner, which improves the tracking precision of the end joint while reduces the tracking error.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for controlling a robot. The apparatus includes an active force detector configured to detect an active force, to which a natural force caused by a physical interaction between a user and a robot and not reflecting an operation intention of the user is applied, applied by the user to the robot operating through the physical interaction with the user, a compensator configured to determine a compensation force for actively compensating for the natural force applied to the active force by using a method of optimizing an internal parameter of a predefined dynamics model, and a controller configured to determine an operation instruction for controlling an operation of the robot from a result obtained by applying the compensation force determined by the compensator to the active force detected by the active force detector and operate the robot.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an acceleration compensation method for a humanoid robot as well as an apparatus and a humanoid robot using the same. The method includes: calculating an angular acceleration of each joint and calculating a six-dimensional acceleration of a centroid of a connecting rod corresponding to the joint in an absolute world coordinate system, if the humanoid robot is in a single leg supporting state; calculating a torque required by the angular acceleration of each joint of the humanoid robot; determining a feedforward current value corresponding to the torque of each joint; and superimposing the feedforward current value on a control signal of each joint to control the humanoid robot. In this manner, the influence of the acceleration can be effectively suppressed, the rigidity of the PID controller of the humanoid robot can be reduced, thereby improving the stability of the entire humanoid robot.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to robot technology, which provides a robot pose estimation method as well as an apparatus and a robot using the same. The method includes: obtaining, through an inertial measurement unit, initial 6DoF pose data; performing a first correction on the initial 6DoF pose data based on pose data obtained through an auxiliary sensor to obtain corrected 6DoF pose data; obtaining, through a 2D lidar sensor disposed on a stable platform, 3DoF pose data; and performing a second correction on the corrected 6DoF pose data based on the 3DoF pose data to obtain target 6DoF pose data. In this manner, the accuracy of the pose data of the robot is improved, and the accurate pose estimation of the robot is realized.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an assistive robot system. The assistive robot system includes a lifting mechanism, a movable arm assembly coupled to the lifting mechanism, a container tilting arm assembly, a processing device communicatively coupled to the lifting mechanism and the movable arm assembly, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium causes the processing device to transmit a command to the lifting mechanism to cause the lifting mechanism to move the movable arm assembly such that the container tilting arm assembly makes contact with a container and transmits one or more signals to the movable arm assembly to cause the movable arm assembly to extend in a system longitudinal direction such that the container within the movable arm assembly is pivoted against the container tilting assembly to tilt the container within the movable arm assembly.

Abstract: A robotic end-effector to provide an anthropomorphic hand with a dorsal actuation system. The hand has a substantially planar palm and fingers extending from the palm and capable of flexion and extension relative to the palm. The dorsal actuation system is supported on the palm and fingers, with actuators positioned at a dorsal side of the palm and links positioned at a dorsal side of the fingers.

Abstract: A robotic end-effector to provide conformal object interaction. The end-effector has at least one finger with an inner portion or engaging side and one or more degrees of freedom. A jamming conformal pad is on the inner portion of the at least one finger. The jamming conformal pad has a compliant configuration in which the jamming conformal pad is compliant and configured to distribute across a surface of an object and, if contoured, infiltrate into any variations (e.g., indentations) in the surface, defining a conformal engaging surface configured to match and mate with the surface. The jamming conformal pad has a stiff configuration in which the jamming conformal pad is stiff or relatively stiff as compared to the jamming conformal pad in the compliant configuration, and which substantially maintains a shape of the conformal engaging surface.

Abstract: A finger of a robotic hand includes a palm portion, a fixed phalanx fixed to the palm portion, a first movable phalanx rotatably connected to the fixed phalanx, a second movable phalanx rotatably connected to the first movable phalanx, a first pulling member to pull the first movable phalanx so as to rotate the first movable phalanx with respect to the fixed phalanx, a second pulling member to pull the second movable phalanx so as to rotate the second movable phalanx with respect to the first movable phalanx, and an actuator to pull the first pulling member.

Abstract: A finger mechanism for a robot, an artificial hand, and the like, wherein a fourth bone member (14) of the bone members of the finger mechanism and corresponding to the distal phalanx comprises: a support portion (15) that is rotatably coupled to a third bone member corresponding to the middle phalanx by a rotational shaft (g5); and a nail portion (16). The nail portion (16) can freely rotate about a shaft (g7) at a right angle or a near right angle to the rotational shaft (g5), and a return mechanism (17) to return the rotated nail portion (16) to a reference position is provided between the support portion (15) and the nail portion (16). In this manner, in response to the amount of force applied to the fourth bone member (14), it is possible for only the nail portion (16) to rotate in a direction to easily grasp an object to be held.

Abstract: An inspection crawler, and systems and methods for inspecting underwater pipelines are provided. The system includes the inspection crawler having a housing with a first side, an opposing second side, a power source, and a controller. The crawler includes an inspection tool, at least two pairs of latching arms, each latching arm including a rolling element, and at least two pairs of driving wheels. The system also includes at least one communication unit configured to communicate with the inspection crawler and to communicate aerially with one or more remote devices and, and at one sea surface unit. The inspection crawler can further include a connecting structure connecting the front and back portions of the crawler, and configured to elongate and shorten the inspection crawler.

Abstract: An end effector system is disclosed for a robotic system that includes a primary acquisition system that includes a primary end effector, and a secondary retention system that substantially surrounds at least a portion of the primary acquisition system, wherein at least a portion of the primary acquisition system may be drawn up within at least a portion of the secondary retention system such that the primary end effector system may be used to select an object from a plurality of objects, and the secondary retention system may be used to secure the object for rapid transport to an output destination.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments are and include at least an apparatus, system and method for providing a vacuum ejector for use with an end effector. The apparatus, system and method may include at least an end effector and a vacuum chamber for gripping an element during semiconductor processing.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments are and include at least an apparatus, system and method for providing a vacuum grip for an end effector. The apparatus, system and method may include at least a vacuum draw eyelet connectively associated with a vacuum at a base portion thereof, and having a larger cross-sectional circumference at a topmost portion thereof than at the base portion; an extending cup foam portion including a receiving portion suitable for receiving therewithin the larger cross-sectional circumference of the topmost portion; and a wire clip having two legs inserted along a cross-sectional plane of the extending cup foam portion, the two legs being suitable to compress the receiving portion into frictional contact at two tangent points on a second cross-sectional circumference of the vacuum draw eyelet below the larger cross-sectional circumference.

Abstract: A robotic hand includes a palm, a thumb and four fingers that are connected to the palm; a first driving assembly to drive the thumb to rotate, a second driving assembly and a third driving assembly to respectively drive two of the four fingers to rotate; and a fourth driving assembly to drive the other two of the four fingers to rotate. The first driving assembly, the second driving assembly, the third driving assembly, and the fourth driving assembly are received within the palm.

Abstract: A robotic end-effector to provide both magnetic and mechanical finger grip. The end-effector has one or more magnets coupled to a palm, each of the one or more magnets having a magnet face to magnetically attach to a ferromagnetic object. The magnet face(s) define(s) a magnetic engagement surface with the magnet and the palm disposed on a proximal side of the magnetic engagement surface. A finger is pivotally coupled to the palm to grip the ferromagnetic object or an other object. The finger has a deployed configuration in which the finger is disposed distally with respect to the magnetic engagement surface and opposes the palm or the magnet face to grip the ferromagnetic object or the other object. The finger has a retracted configuration in which the finger is disposed proximally with respect to the magnetic engagement surface along with the magnet and the palm, and in which the magnetic face forms an outermost contact surface.

Abstract: A pneumatic claw-controlling apparatus includes a claw, an air supply, a high-pressure channel, a medium-pressure channel and a low-pressure channel. The claw is normally in an opened position and movable to a closed position by working air. The air supply releases the working gas according to an air-supply signal. The high-pressure channel is operable to adjust the working gas to a high pressure and communicate the air supply with the claw according to a high-pressure signal. The medium-pressure channel is operable to adjust the working gas to a medium pressure and communicate the air supply with the claw according to a medium-pressure signal. The low-pressure channel is operable to adjust the working gas to a low pressure and communicate the air supply with the claw according to a low-pressure signal. The releasing channel is operable to block the claw from the atmosphere according to a vent-stopping signal.

Abstract: A joint of a robot includes a first servo assembly having a first housing and a first servo arranged within the first housing and comprising an output shaft; an ankle support having two ends rotatably connected to the first housing; and a bearing assembly to connect one of the two ends of the ankle support to the first housing. The bearing assembly includes a first connecting member fixed to the first housing, a second connecting member fixed to the one of the two ends of the ankle support, and a bearing to rotatably connect the first connecting member to the second connecting member. The other one of the two ends of the ankle support is connected to the output shaft of the first servo.

Abstract: A robotic arm assembly includes a main body, a number of servos arranged within the main body, each of which has an output shaft, and a rotary connection member connected to the output shaft of one of the servos at a first end of the main body. The rotary connection member defines a through hole allows cables to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulically driven joint for a robot, which comprises a screw-in cartridge rotary direct-drive electro-hydraulic servo valve and a vane oscillating hydraulic cylinder special for a robot motion joint, the screw-in cartridge rotary direct drive electro-hydraulic servo valve is hereinafter referred to as a hydraulic cartridge rotary direct-drive valve and the vane oscillating hydraulic cylinder special for the robot motion joint is hereinafter referred to as a vane oscillating cylinder, a valve body installation cavity is prefabricated at one end of a center of a center rotating shaft of the vane oscillating cylinder, a shape of the valve body installation cavity is manufactured according to a shape of a plug-in portion of the hydraulic cartridge rotary direct-drive valve, and the hydraulic cartridge rotary direct-drive valve is plugged into the valve body installation cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly backdrivable robotic forceps that can have up to 7 degrees of freedom (DOF) similar to the human wrist/hand and that enables 7 DOF force estimation for use in minimal invasive robotic surgical systems and a robotic forceps control system and method allowing force feedback teleoperation (bilateral) of said robotic forceps. The robotic forceps mechanism is a structure capable of bilaterally controlled motion and having the capability to mimic the hand movements of a surgeon and reflection of the forces on the forceps tip to the surgeon's control interface. Control and estimation of forces applied on the forceps tip can be achieved thanks to the novel backdrivable structure of the robotic forceps mechanism and the control system and method presented here.

Abstract: Systems and methods for swapping mobile robot batteries on battery charging stations are disclosed herein. An example system may comprise at least one mobile robot, wherein the mobile robot may be optionally coupled to a modular component, and wherein the mobile robot and the modular component may each have robot batteries configured to be detachably removed from the mobile robot and the modular component. An example system may also comprise at least one battery charging station for receiving robot or modular component batteries for charging, and also for providing charged batteries to mobile robots or modular components. Finally, the system may comprise a service provider and a network that may be used to manage data and handle interactions between the mobile robots and the battery charging stations.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a level of wear of at least one blade of a razor cartridge, which includes a sensing unit measures an electrical parameter including one of (i) a total resistance of the at least one blade measured across a length of the at least one blade, and (ii) an electrical conductance of the at least one blade measured across the length of the at least one blade. A processing unit compares the measured electrical parameter to a reference electrical parameter and determines a level of wear of the at least one blade based on an amount of deviation of the measured electrical parameter from the reference electrical parameter. Information regarding the determined level of wear of the at least one blade is provided to a user by at least one of (i) a light indication, (ii) an aural indication, and (iii) a haptic indication.

Abstract: Cutting heads and machines equipped therewith. The cutting heads include axially-spaced annular-shaped structural members and circumferentially-spaced support segments between the structural members. Each support segment has a leading edge and a trailing edge, a knife support surface defined on an inner surface region adjacent the leading edge of the support segment, and a gate located adjacent the trailing edge of the support segment. A knife assembly is located adjacent the leading edge of each support segment. Each knife assembly includes a holder opposing one of the knife support surfaces of the support segments and adapted to clamp a knife between the holder and knife support surface. The cutting head may further have camming units that secure the support segments between the structural members, camming units that clamp the knives to the knife support surfaces, and/or adjustment pins that deflect the gates of the support segments.

Abstract: Discussed is an apparatus for notching an electrode sheet for an electrode tab, the apparatus including: a transfer unit including first and second transfer rollers to continuously transfer the electrode sheet at regular intervals; a jig unit disposed between the first and second transfer rollers, and supporting a non-coating portion of the electrode sheet; and a notching unit to notch the non-coating portion supported on the jig unit, wherein the jig unit includes: a rotation member provided between the first and second transfer rollers and rotated in a direction perpendicular to a transfer direction of the electrode sheet; and two or more jigs provided on an outer circumferential surface of the rotation member to support the non-coating portion disposed between the first and second transfer rollers.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus for perforating a web capable of making at least one plurality of holes in a zone of the web in a precise way and without imperfections or lacerations in the web. The present invention also relates to a process for perforating the web capable of making at least one plurality of holes in a zone of the web in an efficient way and without snags occurring. The present invention also relates to a machine for producing sanitary absorbent articles comprising at least one perforating apparatus.

Abstract: A system for dismantling a pallet includes a feed system configured to convey the pallet along a direction of travel. The feed system has a measuring station and a staging area. The measuring station is configured to obtain dimensions of the pallet. A saw is configured to dismantle the pallet. A manipulator includes a robotic arm. The manipulator is configured to move the pallet from the staging area to the saw for dismantling.

Abstract: A wood splitting aid and a method of use thereof. In one embodiment, the aid includes an upper receptacle positioned above a lower receptacle. A connector assembly secures the upper and lower receptacles together. A resilient member is provided on an upper end of a partially flexible side wall of the upper receptacle. Wood is placed within a cavity defined by the upper receptacle's side wall. When wood in the cavity is split by a chopping tool, force from the chopping tool is partially absorbed by the resilient member, is partially transferred to the flexible side wall, and subsequently transfers to the lower receptacle and then to the surface upon which the aid rests. An enlarged diameter base is engaged with the lower receptacle if the aid is to sit on soft ground. An adjustable base is engaged with the lower receptacle when the aid is placed on inclined ground.

Abstract: A process for binding lignocellulosic material comprising the steps of a) bringing lignocellulosic material into contact with a methylene bridged polyphenyl polyisocyanate composition and b) subsequently allowing said material to bind wherein said polyisocyanate composition has a surface tension below or equal to 46 mN/m.

Abstract: A resin powder for manufacturing paper or non-woven fabric has a volume average particle diameter that is equal to or less than 50 ?m, and an absolute value of an average charging amount that is in a range of 5 (?C/g) to 40 (?C/g).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ceramic photosensitive resin based anti-precipitation three-dimensional (3D) printing apparatus, including a trough having a light transmitting area at the bottom, a projector directly below the light transmitting area, a printing platform directly above a containing cavity of the trough, a first lifting drive device for driving the printing platform into or out of the containing cavity, a lifting frame, a disturbing wheel mounted on the lifting frame and protruding downward from the lifting frame, a second lifting drive device for driving the lifting frame together with the disturbing wheel to reciprocate in the containing cavity, a rotating motor located outside the containing cavity and having an output shaft passing through the trough in a sealed manner, a friction driving wheel located in the containing cavity and mounted on the output shaft, and a friction driven wheel mounted coaxially with the disturbing wheel.

Abstract: A monolithic structure containing several physical structures with features in the size range of 0.1-5000 micrometers. At least one of the physical structures contains of 3-dimensional surfaces, at least one of which is curved. Further, at least two of the 3-dimensional surfaces have varying orientations with respect to an external surface of the monolithic structure. A method of making a monolithic structure. The method includes generating computer aided design (CAD) files suitable for additive manufacturing of physical structures required for a monolithic structure. Utilizing the generated CAD files and specified materials, the physical structures containing features in the size range of 0.1-5000 micrometers are fabricated by additive manufacturing, At least one of the physical structure has 3-dimensioal surfaces wherein at least one of the 3-dimensional surface is curved and at least two of which have varying orientations with respect to an external surface of the monolithic structure.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a set of cast stones includes a set of spray stations, a set of fill stations, a set of vibration tables, a drying rack, and a demolder connected to the drying rack. A controller is connected to each of the set of spray stations, the set of fill stations, the set of vibration tables, the drying rack, and the demolder, each of which has a set of sensors connected to the controller. The set of spray stations include a set of release stations and a set of color stations. A mold is sprayed with a release product, a set of colors, and then filled with a cementitious material. Once vibrated, the cementitious material is dried to form the set of cast stones, which is then automatically released from the mold utilizing the demolder.

Abstract: A mixer is disclosed including a sealed mixing chamber having an interior, and a rotating mixing bowl within the interior of the sealed mixing chamber. A stand operatively supports the sealed mixing chamber. The stand includes: a foundation, a mixing chamber base movably coupled to the foundation and positioning the sealed mixing chamber at an angle relative to horizontal, and a linear actuator system configured to move the mixing chamber base relative to the foundation in at least one linear direction. A rotating mixing head is operatively positioned and sealingly disposed within the sealed mixing chamber, the rotating mixing head rotating within the rotating mixing bowl. The mixer and a related method provide for ceramic suspension mixing with reduced cooling and possibly without cooling the suspension.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a characteristic of a cement slurry at a cementing unit, including regulating a characteristic of the cement slurry employing a closed loop feedback arrangement in the cementing unit, and adjusting a gain of the closed loop feedback arrangement in response to sampling an error of the characteristic.

Abstract: A combined cutting and bevelling machine (10) for slabs of stone or stone-like material comprises a workpiece support bench (30) and a work unit (16) provided with a cutting unit (50) and a bevelling unit (40), wherein the cutting unit (50) comprises a cutting spindle (51) and the bevelling unit (40) comprises a bevelling spindle (41).

Abstract: A method for generating a thermoset Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite preform includes: dispensing, from a print head of a 3D-printer, a dual-cure resin coated fiber including a dual-cure resin with a ultra-violet (UV)-curable component and a thermally-curable component; curing, during the dispensing of the dual-cure resin coated fiber, the UV-curable component with a UV light source such that the dual-cure resin coated fiber is partially cured and contacting lengths of the partially-cured dual-cure resin coated fiber bond together; and positioning the print head during the dispensing and curing of the dual-cure resin coated fiber to three-dimensionally print the thermoset FRP composite preform.

Abstract: A process for shaping a fibrous preform includes the insertion of each attachment tab of a fibrous texture into a corresponding aperture of an impregnation mandrel, the attachment by a removable retaining device of each tab inserted into each aperture against a surface of the impregnation mandrel, the winding under tension of the fibrous texture on the impregnation mandrel in order to obtain a fibrous preform.

Abstract: For the exact lateral continuous positioning of material plies on a forming tool, a positioning device is provided to position a material ply on a forming tool during a production of a fiber composite component, comprising a positioning unit for positioning the positioning device in relation to a surface of the forming tool, a movement unit for moving the positioning device along a predetermined movement route along the forming tool, a route position detection unit for detecting the current route position of the positioning device on the movement route, and a material ply positioning unit for positioning the material ply in a direction transverse to the movement direction in dependence on the current route position detected by the route position detection unit.

Abstract: A method is for recycling a roll of artificial turf. The method includes the steps of processing the roll of artificial turf to yield a mixture of a quantity of infill and a quantity of synthetic fibers, the quantity of infill having rubber, sand, and debris, passing the mixture through one or more screens to extract a percentage of the quantity of synthetic fibers from the mixture and yield a first remaining mixture, and substantially separating the first remaining mixture into pieces of rubber of a first volume, pieces of rubber of a second volume greater than the first volume, sand, debris, and the remaining percentage of the quantity of synthetic fibers.

Abstract: Systems for manufacturing bulked continuous carpet filament from polymer, where the systems are configured for: (1) melting polymer (e.g., derived from post-consumer PET bottles) to create a first single stream of polymer melt; (2) separating the first single stream of polymer melt into multiple streams of polymer melt; (3) exposing the multiple streams of polymer melt to a pressure of between about 0 millibars and about 5 millibars; (4) allowing the multiple streams of polymer melt to fall into a receiving section of a melt processing unit; (5) recombining the multiple streams of polymer melt into a second single stream of polymer melt; and (6) providing the second single stream of polymer melt to one or more spinning machines that are configured to form the second single stream of polymer melt into bulked continuous carpet filament.

Abstract: The present technology relates to systems and methods for cleaning a compression molding system. In particular, a system including a first roller carrying a cleaning tape is provided. The system further includes a second roller configured to dispense the cleaning tape along a compression molding structure. The tape is removably adhered to the structure and subsequently removed, thereby removing foreign debris such as dust and/or other particles from the compression molding structure.