Abstract: There is provided a control device to control the track of a mobile body in accordance with the accuracy of obtained information regarding the external environment, the control device including: a current point calculation unit that calculates a current position of a mobile body; a target point calculation unit that calculates a target position to which the mobile body moves; and a track control unit that controls a track on which the mobile body is caused to move from the current position to the target position on the basis of an external environment recognition accuracy.

Abstract: A motion planning method for robot arms includes: calculating an arm angle range of each pose of a tail end of a robot arm in the motion trajectory; calculating a start arm angle value of a start pose of the tail end of the robot arm in the motion trajectory; calculating an arm angle proportion according to the start arm angle value and the arm angle range of the start pose; identifying an abruptly changing arm angle range in the arm angle range of each pose according to a upper boundary curve and a lower boundary curve; calculating an arm angle of a pose corresponding to the abruptly changing arm angle range; calculating arm angles corresponding to the other poses according to the arm angle proportion; and calculating an angle of a joint of the robot arm.

Abstract: A remote control manipulator system includes a manipulator controlled remotely by an operator; a camera to capture an image including the manipulator; a posture sensor to detect posture data; an action instruction inputter with which the operator inputs an action instruction instructing action to move or stop the manipulator; a control device including a structural data storage to store manipulator structural data representing a structure of the manipulator, a model image generator to generate a model image with referring to the structural data storage and the posture data, and a presentation image generator to generate a presentation image by superimposing a model image on the captured image; and a display to display the presentation image.

Abstract: A system for performing interactions within a physical environment including a robot base, a robot base actuator that moves the robot base relative to the environment, a robot arm mounted to the robot base, the robot arm including an end effector mounted thereon and a tracking system that measures a robot base position indicative of a position of the robot base relative to the environment. A control system acquires an indication of end effector destinations, determines a robot base position, calculates a robot base path extending from the robot base position in accordance with the end effector destinations to allow continuous movement of the robot base along the robot base path in accordance with a defined robot base path velocity profile and uses the robot base path to cause the robot base to be moved along the robot base path in accordance with the robot base path velocity profile.

Abstract: A system for performing interactions within a physical environment including a robot base, a robot base actuator that moves the robot base relative to the environment, a robot arm mounted to the robot base, the robot arm including an end effector mounted thereon and a tracking system that measures a tracking target position indicative of a position of a target mounted on the robot base. A control system acquires an indication of an end effector destination, determines a tracking target position at least in part using signals from the tracking system, determines a virtual robot base position offset from the robot base and calculates a robot base path extending from the virtual robot base position to the end effector destination, using this to control the robot base actuator to cause the robot base to be moved along the robot base path.

Abstract: Provided are dynamic region division and region passage identification methods and a cleaning robot. The dynamic region division method includes: acquiring environment information collected by a robot when working in a first region; determining whether the robot has completed a work task in the first region, when a presence of a passage entering a second region is determined based on the environment information; and complementing a boundary at the passage to block the passage, when the work task is not completed. According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, the occurrence probability of repeated sweeping and miss sweeping is reduced, and the cleaning efficiency is high. In addition, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application relies on the environment information collected during the work, rather than relying on historical map data, so that the environmental adaptability is high.

Abstract: A robotic semantic system includes one or more smart robotic devices, which may be configured as a stack of modules including a mobility module and one or more sensor modules. A plurality of robotic modules is communicatively coupled to one another, and use variable semantic coherent inferences to allow the devices to perform semantic augmentation.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a processor that is programmed to determine and cause work site measurements for user specified points in the work site to be graphically displayed in order to provide geometrically appropriate tool selection assistance to the user. The processor is also programmed to determine an optimal one of a plurality of tools of varying geometries for use at the work site and to cause graphical representations of at least the optimal tool to be displayed along with the work site measurements.

Abstract: An electronic guide dog includes: a main frame, front drive wheels disposed on both sides of a front portion of the main frame, and rear drive wheels disposed on both sides of a rear portion of the main frame, wherein the front drive wheels and the rear drive wheels are connected to the main frame through front arms and rear arms, respectively; wherein the electronic guide dog further comprises: a head frame hinged to a front of a top end of the main frame, wherein a signal receiving board is provided on the head frame; a drive mechanism comprising a rear drive motor; a swivel obstacle avoidance mechanism comprising an infrared sensor provided on a front side of the main frame, a left front drive motor and a right front drive motor; an identification braking mechanism; a front arm swing mechanism; and an auxiliary support mechanism.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically generating a planogram for a store includes: dispatching a robotic system to autonomously navigate within the store during a mapping routine; accessing a floor map of the floor space generated by the robotic system from map data collected during the mapping routine; identifying a shelving structure within the map of the floor space; defining a first set of waypoints along an aisle facing the shelving structure; dispatching the robotic system to navigate to and to capture optical data at the set of waypoints during an imaging routine; receiving a set of images generated from optical data recorded by the robotic system during the imaging routine; identifying products and positions of products in the set of images; and generating a planogram of the shelving segment based on products and positions of products identified in the set of images.

Abstract: A robot includes a microphone configured to receive sound signals, and one or more controllers configured to determine a reference sound pressure level of background noise based on a sound signal received at a first time point via the microphone, detect occurrence of a sound event based on the reference sound pressure level and a sound pressure level of a sound signal received at a second time point via the microphone, recognize an event corresponding to the detected sound event, and control an operation of the robot based on the recognized event.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a soft-bodied finger, a soft-bodied gripper and a soft-bodied robot. The soft-bodied finger includes a fingertip (1), a finger junction (2), a flexible joint (3), a fingerboard (4) and a flexible shoulder (5). A plurality of flexible joints (3) and a plurality of flexible shoulders (5) are disposed at intervals on an upper portion of the fingerboard (4), between the fingertip (1) and the finger junction (2). An empty chamber inside the flexible joint (3) is formed as an air bag (31), and an empty chamber inside the flexible shoulder (5) is formed as an air channel communicated with the air bag (31). At least two groups of air channels are disposed in the soft-bodied finger.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible and includes a first portion contacting a workpiece, a second portion opposing the first portion, and a granular material provided between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion includes a concave portion and a convex portion. The concave portion is recessed in a first direction. The first direction is from the first portion toward the second portion. The convex portion is provided around the concave portion and protrudes in a second direction. The second direction is the reverse of the first direction. The concave portion has a groove having a ring configuration recessed outward from a center of the gripper.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper, a sensor, a pump unit, and a controller. The gripper is flexible and has a granular material provided in an interior of the gripper. The sensor is connected to the interior. The sensor detects a pressure or a flow rate of a gas. The pump unit is connected to the interior. The controller performs at least a first operation of causing the gripper to contact a workpiece and causing the gripper to operate, and a second operation of separating the gripper from the workpiece and causing the gripper to operate. In at least a portion of the second operation, the controller sets a pressure of the interior to be different from a pressure external to the gripper.

Abstract: A cutting device is disclosed. The cutting device has a housing assembly, a cutting assembly that is movably disposed in the housing assembly, the cutting assembly being movable in a first axis, between a retracted position and an extended position, and an urging member disposed between the housing assembly and the cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a cutting member. The cutting assembly includes an end assembly, which is actuatable in the first axis, and a movable member that is movable relative to the cutting assembly. When the end assembly is actuated, the urging member biases the cutting assembly in the first axis toward the retracted position. When the end assembly is actuated, the end assembly moves the movable member in a second axis that is different from the first axis.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a blade retaining member that is elongated in a longitudinal direction, a recess disposed in the blade retaining member, the recess having a first portion extending in the longitudinal direction and a second portion extending in a radial direction, a protruding portion that extends from the blade retaining member in the longitudinal direction, and a protrusion disposed on the protruding portion. The recess is a first attachment portion configured to removably attach the removably-attachable blade cartridge to a first cutting device. The protrusion is a second attachment portion configured to removably attach the removably-attachable blade cartridge to a second cutting device.

Abstract: A folding knife is provided with a power storage device that can be charged and recharged by a charge component that wirelessly receives power from a remote source. In some embodiments, the folding knife can have a device that consumes energy such as a light, a camera, a microphone, an audio speaker, etc. The power storage device and the charge component can be positioned in a scale of the handle where the substantially planar shapes of the scale, the power storage device, and the charge component are oriented in a common direction. In some embodiments, the cavities, recesses, and channels in the first scale that house these components and linking wires are strategically positioned to leave a reinforcing area that provides strength and stiffness to the handle. Various features are also described herein that improve safety of the charging system.

Abstract: A sewer's multi-tool assembly for performing multiple sewing tasks with a single tool includes a pair of scissors that is hingedly coupled together for cutting fabric. A pair of magnets is provided and each of the magnets is coupled to a respective one of the scissors. Each of the magnets magnetically engages a sewing machine when the scissors are positioned on the sewing machine. In this way the scissors are inhibited from falling off the sewing machine. A pair of grips is each coupled to a respective one of the scissors for transporting the object without cutting the object. Each of the grips is spaced apart from each other when the scissors are closed such that neither of the grips impedes the scissors from closing and thusly cutting. A seam ripper is coupled to a respective one of the grips for ripping seams.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hair cutting device (10) comprising a cutting unit (30) having a guard (40) moveable relative a blade carrier (32) to vary a cutting length within a cutting length range. The cutting device (10) has an actuator (16) moveable between first and second positions to move a follower element (50) and the guard (40) between corresponding first and second positions to vary the cutting length between two extreme length settings. The cutting unit (30) is pivotable relative a housing unit (12) of the cutting device (10) between an open position and a closed position for cutting. The follower element (50) is configured to cooperate with the actuator (16) so that, when the cutting unit (30) is in the open position with the follower element (50) and guard (40) in the first position, but the actuator (16) is in the second position, pivoting movement of the cutting unit (30) to the closed position causes the actuator (16) to drive the follower element (50) and the guard (40) to the second position.

Abstract: A hand-held cutting tool includes a handle and one or more embedded blade cutters at a distal end portion of the handle, the cutter(s) each having a channel within which a blade with a cutting edge is secured/held, one of the channels including a protrusion shaped to laterally redirect an item to be cut in relation to a side wall of the channel and/or being provided in part by a wing portion of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A method of forming an oral product includes gripping a rod of oral product material with a gripping device, indexing the rod forward to have a leading end of the rod abut a stop at a first location, cutting a leading portion of the rod to create an oral product, moving the stop to a second location to allow the oral product to fall, moving the stop back to the first location, and repeating the process. A machine for forming an oral product can include a cutting device adapted to cut through a rod of plastic material, a stop spaced from the cutting device, the stop being adapted to be moved from a first location to a second location, a gripping device adapted to hold and index a rod towards the stop, and a load cell positioned to receive oral products cut from a rod by the cutting device.

Abstract: A movement controller controls a feed mechanism to move a vibration device relative to a workpiece. A vibration controller controls vibration of piezoelectric elements of the vibration device. The vibration controller acquires a status value indicating a vibration control status and detects contact between a cutting tool and the workpiece or the like based on a change in the status value. The vibration controller acquires at least one among energy consumption required for the vibration and a resonance frequency as the status value. The vibration controller determines a relative positional relationship between the cutting tool and a rotation center of the workpiece based on coordinate values of at least two contact positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting food products is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cutting head comprising a cutting tool that is rotatable between a plurality of positions to change the cutting thickness of the cutting tool. The cutting head also includes a biasing element that biases the cutting tool in a position, and a moveable stop configured to cooperate with the biasing element to maintain the first cutting tool at any of the plurality of positions. The biasing element may be a mechanical spring.

Abstract: Methods of trimming fiber reinforced polymer composite workpieces are provided which use a pure waterjet discharged from a cutting head in liquid phase unladened with solid particles at an operating pressure of at least 60,000 psi and in combination with other cutting parameters to provide a final component profile without delamination, splintering, fraying or unacceptable fiber pullout or fiber fracture.

Abstract: An alignment tool is disclosed for connection to a work component and for use in aligning the work component with a work piece to establish a repeatable set up for cutting or routing of the work piece, and wherein the alignment tool provides for parallel and square alignment of the work component relative to first and second edges of the work piece that are perpendicular to each other. Use of the parallel and square alignment tool aligns the work component for an operation parallel to the second edge of the work piece and the operation may be conveniently repeated on further work pieces without need to measure and mark the work pieces. Optional use of first and second parallel and square alignment tools along opposed second and third edges of a work piece that are perpendicular to a first edge provides for greater accuracy for operations having a greater length.

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: The invention relates to a handheld workpiece milling device with error self-correction based on augmented reality technology which includes a base, a control box, a milling mechanism, a control handle, and a direction and distance detecting mechanism. The base is provided with a transparent plate, a through groove, a screw hole, and a support platform. The controller, the battery and the display are arranged in the control box from bottom to top. The milling mechanism includes a housing, a motor, a rolling drum and a support rod 34. The control handle is respectively provided with a plurality of control buttons. The direction and distance detecting mechanism includes a first -shaped plate, an angle sensor, a tension spring, and a second -shaped plate, and a roller.

Abstract: The double reed gouger, is a machine that has been used as a means to accurately and effectively remove excess material from within the concave structure of the split and measured double reed cane. This machine process is essential to the production of the double reed, when inserted into applicable instrument, is able to reproduce a specific vibration from within the cane to enable the player to easily and without much effort perform notes with ease of vibration and accuracy of pitch. The double reed gouging machine particularly for the Oboe, Oboe D?amore, English horn and Bassoon Family of instruments is in need of major upgrades to it's usefulness, accuracy and comfort by way of modern machining and design. This is a continuation of such efforts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a wood-based board, a wood-based board as use of a liquid coating composition comprising at least one particulate filler material and at least one binder for in-line coating of wood-based boards.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a building material having excellent durability. [Solution] A building material has a convex part formed on a surface thereof, the convex part including a first lateral surface part and a second lateral surface part corresponding to the first lateral surface part. The building material is formed from a mixture containing a hydraulic material, an admixture, and a plant-based reinforcing material, and the plant-based reinforcing material at least in the convex part is distributed in the mixture with the hydraulic material and the admixture attached to the plant-based reinforcing material. A distribution of the plant-based reinforcing material in the first lateral surface part and a distribution of the plant-based reinforcing material in the second lateral surface part are substantially the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet press process and admixture components for making concrete slabs (flags), curb (kerb) units, panels, boards, and other flat shapes, whereby colloidal silica and at least one alkanolamine and optional rheology control components are employed to provide an ideal combination of pressing time, green strength, surface definition, stack-ability, final concrete strength, and permeability. Stack-ability can be expressed in terms of minimum deflection or non-eccentricity of the units while standing on thickness edges at distances apart less than width or standing height. A wet press process typically involves introducing a highly fluid concrete mix into a mold, applying hydraulic pressure to consolidate the concrete (e.g.

Abstract: A coating method of a board for producing a concrete product and a board coated by the same are proposed. The coating method is advantageous in that the whole surface of a board can be rapidly coated and dried to prevent surface corrosion of the board and to prevent further corrosion on a damaged surface of the board, thus improving the durability of the board and the quality of the produced concrete products. The coating method includes: removing residues existing on an outer surface of the board by blowing high-pressure air to an upper surface and a lower surface of the board for producing a concrete product; coating by spraying coating liquid to the outer surface of the board from which the residues have been removed; and drying the coating liquid by blowing high-pressure air to the outer surface of the board.

Abstract: A cutting chamber housing for an underwater pelletizer having an inlet for cooling fluid and an outlet for cooling fluid with pellets. The cutting chamber housing encloses a cutting device having a rotary drive and a cutting head with rotating cutting knives. An extrusion head having a perforated plate projects into the cutting chamber housing. The cutting chamber housing has a stationary upper housing half and a movable lower housing half along a separation plane arranged at an oblique angle so that the cutting chamber housing can be opened at least downwards along the separation plane. Features such as slide rails, swivel joints, or rotary joints can be added to enable easy opening of the cutting chamber housing.

Abstract: A preform for a container has a hollow cylindrical main body having a first thickness, a hollow cylindrical thick portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, and a curved end portion. Inner surfaces of the main body, the thick portion, and the end portion form a cavity.

Abstract: A preform for a container has a hollow cylindrical main body having a first thickness, a hollow cylindrical thick portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, and a curved end portion. Inner surfaces of the main body, the thick portion, and the end portion form a cavity.

Abstract: Provided in one implementation is a method that includes introducing a volume of raw material into a chamber of a cavitation machine. The raw material can include a mixture comprising a powder and a solvent. The powder can have a first average particle size in the raw material. The method includes applying a hydrodynamic cavitation process to the raw material to produce a product material. The powder can have a second average particle size, smaller than the first average particle size, in the product material. The method includes causing the product material to exit the cavitation chamber and drying the product material to remove the solvent. Apparatus employed to apply the method are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a blind hole in a wall of a multi-section tank during manufacture includes inserting a thin, flexible composite spacer ring in a hole in a composite material between mating parts of a soluble tool. The composite spacer ring is cured to the composite material during curing and maintains the hole between sections of the tank once completed.

Abstract: The present system is configured to absorb, using a fluid medium in a reservoir, electromagnetic radiation to heat the fluid medium. The fluid medium may then conduct heat into a mold cavity formed by interior mold surfaces of at least two mold pieces. The fluid medium may heat up to, but not beyond, a phase transition temperature of the fluid medium, reducing instances of accidental damage to moldable material in a mold cavity during thermally-accelerated curing of the moldable material. In some instances a mold may be placed in liquid contained by the reservoir. In some instances, a mold may have integral reservoirs in individual mold pieces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a structured grain on the surface of a thermoplastic having continuous-fiber reinforcement by a textile sheet, where a mixture of at least one fiber material and of at least one thermoplastic is heated and pressed in a mold to a temperature above the softening point of the thermoplastic, where a structured grain has been applied on the internal side of the mold. The at least one fiber material comprises continuous fibers and takes the form of a regularly arranged textile sheet. The textile sheet and the structured grain on the internal side of the mold are oriented in relation to one another in a manner such that during the pressing procedure the textile sheet and the structured grain on the internal side of the mold are mutually superposed.

Abstract: To provide a film capable of suppressing both of formation of wrinkles when a release film is suction-attached to a cavity surface in compression molding, and formation of wrinkles when the cavity bottom surface to which the release film has been suction-attached is raised; and a method for producing a semiconductor element by using said film. A laminated film 1 comprises a layer 3 of shrinkable film, of which the storage elastic modulus E? at 180° C. is at least 70 MPa, and the thermal shrinkage in 30 minutes at 180° C., with reference to 20° C., in each of the machine direction (MD) and the transverse direction (TD), is at least 3%, and a fluororesin layer 5 present on one side or both sides of the shrinkable film layer 3.

Abstract: A method for reconditioning a rollable wheel includes coupling a polymeric wheel to a reconditioning system, the polymeric wheel having an outer surface including an abraded area, the abraded area having a first average surface roughness, and applying heat to the abraded area of the outer surface with one or more heater of the reconditioning system, such that a substantial portion of the abraded area is transformed to have a second average surface roughness, the second average surface roughness less than the first average surface roughness.

Abstract: An installation and method for producing coated plastic components, having a first plastic manufacturing device and at least a second plastic manufacturing device for producing plastic components and a coating device for the surface coating of plastic components. The coating device has a first coating line which is associated with the first plastic manufacturing device and at least a second coating line which is associated with the first and/or second plastic manufacturing device. The first and/or second plastic manufacturing device is preferably an injection molding device or an additive manufacturing device.

Abstract: Process for producing a molded article, comprising a long fiber thermoplastic composite sheet (1) and a short fiber filled thermoplastic (2,3) component, preferably injected over the surface of the composite sheet, that are thermoformed.

Abstract: An insert-molded container in which a secondary container made of transparent synthetic resin is integrally provided to the outside of a primary container, the secondary container includes a gate mark, and a vapor-deposited layer is provided on the outer surface of the primary container in a peripheral area of the gate mark is manufactured by a manufacturing method of insert-molded container. The method includes: a cover attaching step of attaching a cover member made of transparent synthetic resin to the outer surface of a part of the primary container where a vapor-deposited layer is provided; a placing step of placing the primary container in a mold with the cover member facing a gate; and an insert molding step of injecting a transparent synthetic resin material from the gate.

Abstract: A device to thermoform a composite component and injection over-moulding a shape on one face of the composite component in a mould. The mould includes a paired shaping die and punch between them defining a closed cavity. The shaping die is mounted on a transfer device. The transfer device includes a loading/unloading station to load/unload a blank onto/from the shaping die, and an injection and mould-closure station to close the mould and to inject between the punch and the shaping die. The shaping die includes a network of inductors to heat its moulding surface and a cooling network to cool the moulding surface by a circulation of a fluid. The loading/unloading station includes a placement device to place a radiating element facing the moulding surface of the shaping die.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus (10) comprising a signal converter (1500) interconnected to a machine controller (MC) of an injection molding machine (IMM) that generates standardized signals (VPS), the signal converter (1500) receiving and converting the standardized signals (VS) to a command signal (MOPCS, PDCVS) that is compatible with a signal receptor or interface of an electrically powered actuator (940e, 941e, 942e) or a signal receptor, interface or driver of a proportional directional control valve (V, V1, V2) that drives a fluid driven actuator (940p, 941p, 942p) to respectively operate the electrically powered actuator (940e, 941e, 942e) or the proportional directional control valve (V, V1, V2) to move in a direction that operates to either begin an injection cycle and to end an injection cycle.

Abstract: A system for programming a protection device for a molding machine includes a controller for actuating a plurality of molding machine actuators in an actuation sequence, each distinct actuation constituting a respective machine component actuation of an associated machine component. An HMI is operable to: present a GUI specific to a chosen machine component actuation; and for each of a plurality of other machine component actuations, define within the GUI, based on operator input, a rule specifying a state of the chosen machine component actuation relative to a state of the other machine component actuation for preventing interference between the two machine component actuations. The controller is configured, based on the rules defined within the GUI, to trigger an action, upon violation of any one of the rules, for reducing a risk of interference between the chosen machine component actuation and a respective one of the other machine component actuations.

Abstract: An interface device, coloring agent and method for imparting color to food material during the decorating of foods. This interface device, coloring agent and method for imparting color to food material during the decorating of foods can be used to impart color from solid, liquid or semi-liquid coloring compounds to a wide variety of food material such as frosting and icing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preform device for positioning extruded rubber mixtures, characterized in that the preform device consists of an inlet module (2) and an outlet module (3), wherein both the inlet module (2) and the outlet module (3) each have a base surface (11, 12) and a contact face (19, 21) opposite the base surface (11, 12, 13), and wherein the surface of the contact face (19, 21) of the inlet module (2) is smaller than the surface of the base surface (11, 12) of the inlet module (2). The invention also relates to an extruder mold system for molding extruded rubber mixtures into a complete rubber element (40), having the preform device and at least one final forming device, and to a corresponding extruder system (22).

Abstract: According to the present invention, devolatilization of a synthetic resin formed from a polymer or synthetic rubber can be improved and the synthetic resin can be foamed at a low temperature by injecting a devolatilization agent through a devolatilization agent injection nozzle provided in a downstream end segment cylinder of a cylinder assembly. In a vented twin-screw kneading extrusion apparatus and extrusion method according to the present invention, a devolatilization agent, which is injected through a downstream end devolatilization agent injection nozzle provided on a downstream end segment cylinder constituted by a segment cylinder positioned on a downstream end of a cylinder assembly, is dispersed in molten resin in the downstream end segment cylinder and kneaded by a downstream end kneading portion such that the molten resin is foamed by the devolatilization agent and then extruded.