Abstract: A teach pendant for teaching a robot includes an operation unit disposed on a first surface of the teach pendant, to perform an input operation; a display unit disposed on the first surface; and a camera disposed on a second surface opposite the first surface of the teach pendant. An image captured by the camera is displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: A machine learning system builds and uses computer models for identifying how to evaluate the level of success reflected in a recorded observation of a task. Such computer models may be used to generate a policy for controlling a robotic system performing the task. The computer models can also be used to evaluate robotic task performance and provide feedback for recalibrating the robotic control policy.

Abstract: A machine learning system builds and uses computer models for identifying how to evaluate the level of success reflected in a recorded observation of a task. Such computer models may be used to generate a policy for controlling a robotic system performing the task. The computer models can also be used to evaluate robotic task performance and provide feedback for recalibrating the robotic control policy.

Abstract: A stand device for arranging in an operating room and for locally moving a medical device can incorporate a braking device having at least one brake to adjust a degree of freedom of movement of the medical device or a support system holding the device, wherein the stand device can further comprise a control device connected to the braking device to evaluate an external force acting on the stand device or a movement caused by the external force and configured to control the braking device and to adjust the degree of freedom of movement. The medical device can be moved without operating a switch/pushbutton. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to control devices and a methods for positioning the medical device.

Abstract: A method for avoiding collisions between two robots providing first movement information related to a first robot movement; determining for a plurality of second robot movements whether they involve a risk for collision between the first and second robots; and executing one of the second robot movements. Information about a movement of one robot enables a robot controller of another robot with an overlapping work area to select among available robot movements an appropriate one that does not involve a risk for collision between the two robots.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot, a teach pendant having an operator interface, and a robot controller with a computer and associated hardware and software containing a virtual representation of the robot and the environment. The system employs a method for avoiding collisions including moving a manipulator arm along an actual path in an environment containing objects constituting collision geometry. Operator input is entered into the teach pendant, whereby the operator is able to directly control motion of the robot along the actual path. A recent history of the motion of the robot is recorded, and a predicted path of the robot is developed based on the input entered into the teach pendant and the recent history of the motion of the robot. Real-time collision checking between the predicted path and the collision geometry is performed while the operator manually controls the robot using the teach pendant.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to operation of a robotic system to transfer an object from a source to a destination. The robotic system may implement one or more motion plans or portions thereof to operate a picking robot to grip and lift the object and place a transfer tray under the lifted object. The robotic system may further implement the one or more motion plans or portions thereof to place the object on the transfer tray and laterally displace the transfer tray and the object thereon toward the destination. The robotic system may operate a placement mechanism to transfer the object from the transfer tray to the destination.

Abstract: The electronic device manufacturing apparatus includes a cable holding tool, a work stage, a robot section, a first position detector, a second position detector, and a controller. The first position detector detects positions in a two-dimensional plane direction of the cable held by the cable holding tool and the connector of the electronic device held by the work stage. The second position detector detects positions in a height direction of the cable held by the cable holding tool and the connector of the electronic device held by the work stage. The controller controls the robot section based on the detection result of the first position detector and the second position detector.

Abstract: Techniques for systems and methods that provide for utilizing a robotic system to type commands that correspond to voice commands using a keyboard of a device are described herein. In embodiments, an image of a device may be received from a camera. A keyboard region of the device may be determined based on a keyboard detection algorithm that uses the image. One or more characters in a portion of the image that corresponds to the keyboard region of the device may be detected based on a character detection algorithm. The one or more characters may be grouped into one or more groups based on the portion of the image. A character of a portion of character associated with a group may be edited based on an error detection algorithm.

Abstract: This specification relates to robots and audio processing in robots. One aspect of the subject matter includes: a body and one or more physically moveable components; a plurality of microphones; one or more processors; and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the robot to perform operations. The operations can include: obtaining map data of an environment of the robot; selecting a test location from the map data; navigating to the selected test location; receiving a sound wave propagating through the environment of the robot; computing one or more acoustic transfer functions for the test signal, wherein each acoustic transfer function represents how the test signal was transformed by the environment of the robot during its propogation through the environment of the robot; and storing each of the transfer functions in association with the test location.

Abstract: A robot includes a gripping member configured to move and pick up the object, a camera affixed to the gripping member such that movement of the gripping member causes movement of the camera, the camera configured to measure and store data related to intensity of light and direction of light rays within the environment, an image processing module configured to process the data to generate a probabilistic model defining a location of the object within the environment, and an operation module configured to move the gripping member to the location and pick up the object.

Abstract: An active clamping device for holding a container in a container treatment device, for example for holding a beverage container by a neck section, includes two clamping arms and a pre-tensioning element. Each clamping arm has a holding section for holding the container that is to be held, and a control section for interacting with a control cam to actively displace each holding section. The pre-tensioning element pre-tensions the holding sections in a predetermined position. The clamping arms and the pre-tensioning element are formed as a single piece. A clamping arm and a container treatment device are also provided.

Abstract: A buoyancy module for use with a water environment robotic system of the type having an underwater robotic vehicle having a winch has a buoyancy configuration which can be selectively altered. The system includes a module that is configured to be repeatedly, selectively buoyantly engaged and buoyantly disengaged with the underwater robotic vehicle. A tether is connected to the module and is extendable and retractable in response to operation of the winch. Extending and retracting the module can buoyantly engage or buoyantly disengage the buoyancy module with the underwater robotic vehicle according to the operation of a state controller. By engaging and disengaging the buoyancy module, the buoyancy of the underwater robot can be selectively altered. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand mechanism includes three-dimensional cams and claw portions configured to open and close in association with a rotary motion of the three-dimensional cams and achieves a compact and multifunctional configuration. A rotor shaft is a hollow shaft provided with a hollow shaft hole, is assembled in communication with a through hole formed in a cam base portion of a cam pedestal member, and is provided with a functional part in the hollow shaft hole.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a robotic picking arm using estimated seal quality metrics. A plurality of candidate contact points for holding an item using a suction device of the robotic picking arm, based on captured images of the item and an n-dimensional surface model of the item. An expected seal quality metric for a first one of the candidate contact points, by processing the n-dimensional surface model of the item and physical properties of the suction device of the robotic picking arm. Based on the expected seal quality metric, embodiments can determine whether to retrieve the item from the storage container by holding the item at the first candidate contact point using the suction device of the robotic picking arm.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible. A plurality of granular materials is provided in an interior of the gripper. The gripping tool grips a workpiece by depressurizing the interior of the gripper in a state in which the gripper is caused to contact the workpiece. A diameter of at least a portion of the granular materials is less than 1774 ?m.

Abstract: A failure diagnosis device applicable to a mechanical device provided with a motor as a source to drive a motion axis, and configured to acquire a moving position of the motion axis and a disturbance torque value applied to the motion axis every predetermined period, and to diagnose that a failure is occurring when the disturbance torque value is larger than a failure determination threshold, includes a disturbance torque selector configured to calculate a change from a reference value of each of the acquired disturbance torque values, and to accumulate the disturbance torque values except each disturbance torque value having the change from the reference value equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold, and a failure diagnosis unit configured to diagnose a failure of the mechanical device by using the disturbance torque values accumulated by the disturbance torque selector.

Abstract: A winder includes an attachment to an external portion of a glove port fitted on a closed vacuum chamber, to roll a glove or a bag carried by the glove port outside the chamber.

Abstract: A new and improved cutting instrument is provided having an enhanced coating. The coating includes titanium, chromium, nitrogen and carbon elements and provides increased wear resistance. The coating can be applied to a variety of metal and non-metallic substrates, which include scissors and knife blades.

Abstract: A treating system includes a controller and a treating device having a treating unit for treating a part of a body of a subject. An imaging arrangement is configured to obtain image data. The controller is configured to analyze the image data to identify a boundary between the part of the body of the subject and the environment around the part of the body; and determine the position of the treating device relative to the part of the body of the subject based on a position of the boundary in the image data.

Abstract: A heat delivery element for a shaving razor with a face plate having a skin contacting surface and an opposing inner surface. A heater having a heater track is positioned between an upper dielectric layer and a lower dielectric layer. A heat dispersion layer having a lower surface directly contacts the inner surface of the face plate. An upper surface of the heat dispersion layer directly contacts the lower dielectric layer of the heater.

Abstract: Provided is a razor cartridge assembly including: one or more razor blades, each having a cutting edge, a blade housing configured to accommodate the one or more razor blades in a longitudinal direction of the blade housing, and a connector configured to be coupled to a back of the blade housing, wherein the blade housing includes a rib disposed at the back of the blade housing and positioned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the connector includes an inner cantilever and an outer cantilever opposite the inner cantilever, wherein the inner cantilever and the outer cantilever are configured to engage with the rib to couple the blade housing and the connector together.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel solution and process comprising a modified solvent for providing enhanced blade edge attributes.

Abstract: A food processing system includes a food processor wherein an initial operation of said food processor is configured to cut a food item in a first, generally vertical direction and a later operation of said food processor is configured to cut said food item in a second direction. The second direction is distinct from the vertical direction.

Abstract: A manual craft cutting machine comprises a housing, a template, a press roller, a retainer, a backing plate, and a drive mechanism. The press roller is composed of a first press roller and a second press roller. The press roller is rotated under restriction of the retainer. The retainer comprises a positioning retainer and a sliding retainer. The positioning retainer is provided with a slide groove. The sliding retainer is inserted in the slide groove and movable along the slide groove. The sliding retainer comprises a first sliding retainer rotatably connected with the first press roller and a second sliding retainer rotatably connected with the second press roller. The manual craft cutting machine further comprises a press roller spacing adjustment mechanism. The press roller spacing adjustment mechanism comprises a shift adjusting mechanism for adjusting a large spacing between the press rollers and a fine adjustment mechanism for adjusting a fine spacing between the press rollers.

Abstract: A glass panel unit manufacturing method includes a punching step and a pillar mounting step. In the punching step, a punch punches at least one of a plurality of portions from a base material of a sheet to form at least one pillar. Each of the plurality of portions is surrounded by a corresponding one of a plurality of loop-shaped grooves in the base material. In the pillar mounting step, the at least one pillar is mounted on a surface of a first substrate including a glass pane.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an improved method of sawing wood and an improved sawmill capable of producing vertical grain lumber. Vertical grain lumber is a preferred lumber for use, for example, in trim applications. The improved method and improved sawmill both utilize a track having a carriage, the carriage has a vertical blade and a horizontal blade. The vertical blade and the horizontal blade travel on the carriage down the track. The log is then rotated for another length of lumber to be cut. In a preferred embodiment the sawmill utilizes a skewer for adjusting the log. In a preferred embodiment the log is held by a lathe that can be moved. In a preferred embodiment the log is placed on a skewer before it is engaged by the lathe.

Abstract: When the protruding length of a cutting blade 11 protruding below a lower surface of a base 2 of a portable machining device 1 is set to its maximum length, at least a part of a controller 31 for controlling an electric motor 12 is configured to be located behind a handle 14 in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, the controller 31 is disposed so as to be tilted in the left-to-right direction or in the up-to-down direction with respect to the cutting blade 11. Because of this configuration, the height of the handle 14 can be restricted and at the same time the controller 31 can be disposed in a compact manner.

Abstract: A blade attachment, configured to be coupled to a power tool, enables two parallel cuts to be made simultaneously. The blade attachment includes an intermediate portion, configured to be coupled to the power tool, and two blade portions, configured to be coupled to opposite sides of the intermediate portion. The two blade portions are formed to mirror one another and are arranged to be opposite and parallel to one another on the blade attachment. Each of the blade portions includes an interface leg, which is coupled to the intermediate portion, and a blade leg, which extends downwardly from the interface leg at an angle. Each blade leg includes a plurality of teeth configured to make a cut.

Abstract: A system and its use for treatment of freight in a vacuum, having a chamber 1 for receiving a loaded container 9 having an external length CLa, an external width CBa and an external height CHa, wherein the chamber 1 has two side walls 11, 12 arranged opposite to a bottom 13 and top 14 and arranged opposite to a front wall 15 and back wall 16, and wherein a direction system XYZ is at right angles; and a conveying element 2 for parking and moving a container 9 relative to chamber 1 from a first position P1 outside the chamber 1 into a second position P2 inside the chamber 1; and a driving device 8 for moving between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

Abstract: A manufacturing line includes a tape of green material that is directed through a furnace so that the furnace burns off organic binder material and then partially sinters the tape without the use of a setter board. Sintered articles resulting from the manufacturing line may be thin with relatively large surface areas; and, while substantially unpolished, have few sintering-induced surface defects. Tension may be applied to the partially sintered tape as it passes through a second furnace on the manufacturing line to shape resulting sintered articles.

Abstract: A method for producing a skin-covered molded article including filling polypropylene-based resin expanded beads in a hollow space of a thermoplastic resin skin and feeding steam into the hollow space to fusion-bond the expanded beads together, the expanded beads showing specific DSC characteristics involving a specific high temperature peak(s) with specific heat of fusion.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyolefin-carbon nanomaterial composite which contains oriented electrically conductive pathways. The method involves milling a polyolefin with particles of a carbon nanomaterial, molding to forma composite plate, and subjecting the composite plate to an AC voltage. The AC voltage forms oriented electrically conductive pathways by partial dielectric breakdown of the composite. The presence of the oriented electrically conductive pathways gives the polyolefin-carbon nanomaterial electrical and thermal conductivity higher than the polyolefin alone.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a composite product has a first folded layer with a first and second superposed portion extending from a respective first and second free end to a first bend connecting the first and second superposed portions, and a second folded layer with a third and fourth superposed portion extending from a respective third and fourth free end to a second bend connecting the third and fourth superposed portions, wherein the first and second folded layers are laid adjacent to each other in order that the second portion of the first folded layer is in contact with the third portion of the second folded layer, the first and second folded layers being oriented with respect to each other in order to extend from a first side including the first, second, third and fourth free ends to a second side including the first and second bend.

Abstract: To provide a resin mold which is excellent in adhesion to a substrate, excellent in release properties from a transfer material resin, further excellent in durability of the resin mold itself, and which endures repetition transfer to the transfer material resin, a resin mold of the invention is a resin mold having a fine concavo-convex structure on the surface, and is characterized in that the fluorine element concentration (Es) in a resin mold surface portion is the average fluorine element concentration (Eb) in the resin forming the resin mold or more.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device (100) for making an object. The device (100) comprises a vessel (44) for receiving a radiation hardenable material (42). The device (100) comprises a fabrication platform assembly (7) comprising a fabrication platform (8) and having a first mode in which an orientation of the fabrication platform (8) is adjustable and a second mode in which the orientation of the fabrication platform (8) is fixed, and configured for positioning at the vessel (44) in the second mode to form a layer of the radiation hardenable material when so received between the fabrication platform (8) and a wall (46) of the vessel (44). The device (100) comprises a radiation source (48) arranged to illuminate the layer of radiation hardenable material when so formed to form one of a plurality of layers of the object.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods for compensating for shrinkage of a polymeric material in a mold during curing operations. Embodiments of the method include providing a mold comprising a molding cavity defining an interior mold volume separated from an exterior environment and introducing a volume of polymeric material into the molding cavity. Such methods further include impeding the development of a void in the volume of polymeric material by, either: isolating the volume of polymeric material within the molding cavity from the exterior environment, or reducing the interior mold volume of the molding cavity to at least substantially consume a volume of polymeric material shrinkage. Such methods further include curing the polymeric material to form a molded polymeric form.

Abstract: A method of bonding a thermoplastic component to a carpeted component is provided. The method includes providing a base component, a thermoplastic component and a fibrous carpet or mat between the components. The carpet has a large number of cavities. The carpet is made of a thermoplastic material adapted to bond to the thermoplastic component in response to heat at the interface between the thermoplastic component and the carpet. The method also includes heating the thermoplastic component and the carpet at the interface between the thermoplastic component and the carpet for a period of time to soften the carpet. The method finally includes pressing the components and the softened carpet together under a pressure to cause the softened carpet to flow and at least partially fill the cavities. The carpet at the interface is transformed into a solid bonding layer to bond the components together to create a finished structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flow field plate includes mixing graphite and resin materials to provide a mixture. The mixture is formed into a continuous flow field plate, for example, by ram extrusion or one or more press belts. The continuous flow field plate is separated into discrete flow field plates. Flow field channels are provided in one of the continuous flow field plate and the discrete flow field plates.

Abstract: A failure module includes a support element. A reinforcing element is disposed on the support element. The support element is chemically compatible with the reinforcing element. A homogeneous chemical bond is formed between the support element and the reinforcing element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a trim element for vehicles which has a genuine carbon appearance, comprising a carbon fiber layer which is arranged on an exposed side of the trim element and is visible from the outside, and which is made of a fiber structure composed of prefabricated carbon fibers with interstices, with the method comprising at least the process step of wet impregnating the prefabricated carbon fiber layer with an aqueous polymer dispersion based on polyurethane, acrylate or polyvinyl acetate or a mixture thereof, so that the polymer dispersion penetrates at least partially into the carbon fiber layer, increasing the suitability thereof for penetration of a coating into the interstices of the fiber structure of the carbon layer.

Abstract: Hot-runner manifolds that contain one or more types of non-melt channels in addition to melt channels, and injection-molding systems containing such hot-runner manifolds. The differing types of non-melt channels include: coolant channels for carrying a coolant for cooling the tips of hot-tip nozzles, for example, during hot latching operations; heating-fluid channels for carrying a heating fluid for heating melt within melt channels within the hot-runner manifolds; and actuation-fluid channels for carrying actuation fluid to valves of valve-actuated nozzles. In each case, nozzles can be formed unitarily monolithically with the hot-runner manifolds and one or more of the various types of non-melt channels can be continuously routed within such unitary monolithic nozzles. Freeform fabrication processes can be used to form hot-runner manifolds of the present disclosure, which often contain complex/intricate internal passageways that form the various types of melt and non-melt channels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a guide bushing for the guiding and sealing of a closing needle of a needle valve nozzle of an injection moulding apparatus, the guide bushing having a main part and a fastening element, wherein the main part has a through-opening for the closing needle, wherein the through-opening comprises at least one guiding portion, which encloses the closing needle with slight movement play, wherein the through-opening comprises at least two expansion portions, whose diameter in each case is larger than that of the at least one guiding portion. The guide bushing moreover comprises a fastening element, which is securable to the main part, wherein a seal element is arranged between the fastening element and the main part, bearing against the entire circumference of a closing needle inserted into the through-opening.

Abstract: Provided is a screw that is for use in an injection molding machine and that makes it possible to benefit from the kneading effect of a multi-start screw while minimizing the received friction resistance. The screw for an injection molding machine is provided with a first stage 20 on the upstream side and a second stage 30 on the downstream side. The screw for an injection molding machine is characterized in that: the first stage 20 is provided with a compression section 22 comprising a main scraper 25 and an auxiliary scraper 26 having a smaller outer diameter than the main scraper 25; and the second stage 30 is provided with a multi-start screw section 31, said multi-start screw section being provided on the upstream side and comprising a plurality of scrapers, and a fin kneading section 32 provided downstream from the multi-start screw section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for supplying at least one molding device (2) with a polymerizable mixture of at least two reactants. According to the invention, said supply device comprises: a buffer tank (10) suitable for receiving said polymerizable mixture via an inlet (101) of said buffer tank, a supply circuit (11), looped with said buffer tank, to convey the polymerizable mixture to an inlet (110) of said at least one molding device and including, beyond said inlet of the molding device, a return pipe (115) connected to the inlet of the buffer tank for sending a portion of the polymerizable mixture from said return pipe, and a filling pipe (42) of said buffer tank, connected to said inlet of said buffer tank, separate from the return pipe, wherein said buffer tank is also suitable for receiving said polymerizable mixture or at least one of said reactants from said filling pipe.

Abstract: A micro-voided film comprising high density polyethylene having a molecular weight of at least about 200,000, and low aspect ratio filler having a mean particle size from about 1 to about 25 microns. The film has a thickness of from about 10 to about 75 microns and a void fraction of from about 0.60 to about 0.75. The micro-voided film is made by a process comprising extruding the composition into a film having a thickness of from about 50 to about 300 microns, and orienting the extruded film using a high stalk, blown film process. The process produces a stabilized high stalk for increasing the production rate of blown, high molecular weight polyethylene, while increasing the film's physical and mechanical properties. The high stalk can be stabilized by application of high velocity, low volume flow rate of air over the interior and exterior surfaces of the extruded film.

Abstract: A method for producing magnet-polymer pellets useful as a feedstock in an additive manufacturing process, comprising: (i) blending thermoplastic polymer and hard magnetic particles; (ii) feeding the blended magnet-polymer mixture into a pre-feed hopper that feeds directly into an inlet of a temperature-controlled barrel extruder; (iii) feeding the blended magnet-polymer mixture into the barrel extruder at a fixed feed rate of 5-20 kg/hour, wherein the temperature at the outlet is at least to no more than 10° C. above a glass transition temperature of the blended magnet-polymer mixture; (iv) feeding the blended magnet-polymer mixture directly into an extruding die; (v) passing the blended magnet-polymer mixture through the extruding die at a fixed speed; and (vi) cutting the magnet-polymer mixture at regular intervals as the mixture exits the extruding die at the fixed speed. The use of the pellets as feed material in an additive manufacturing process is also described.

Abstract: Extrusion head 1 for manufacturing hose-like parisons from an extruded plastic material, which are made up from at least one first layer and a second layer, wherein the extrusion head 1 comprises the following: a first manifold 15 with a connection 2 for a first extruder, a second manifold 19 with a connection 8 for a second extruder 3, a first flow channel 17 with an annular first outlet opening 18 for producing a first layer, wherein the first flow channel 17 is fed by the first manifold 15, a second flow channel 21 with an annular second outlet opening 22 for producing a second layer, wherein the second flow channel 21 is fed by the second manifold 19, and a mixer 27 within the second flow channel 21 with a connection 54 for introducing a foaming agent.

Abstract: A liquid blow-molding method for molding a delamination container from a resin container material. The resin container material includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and an ambient air introduction hole. The delamination container includes an outer layer body and an inner layer body, which is laminated on the inner side of the outer layer body in a manner such that the inner layer body is separatable from the outer layer body. The liquid blow-molding method includes the container molding step of molding the container material into the delamination container by supplying a pressurized liquid into the container material; and the inner layer body separation step of separating the inner layer body from the outer layer body by sucking the liquid out of the delamination container.

Abstract: A heating embossing roll has a base surface on which a plurality of embossing portion is formed. An elongated material passes between the heating embossing roll and a heating flat roll so that the elongated material is pressed by the embossing portions of the heating embossing roll. The embossing portion is formed to have a height from the base surface that varies by section.