Abstract: A developer container includes a container body, a transport unit, a support unit, and a protrusion. The container body includes a cylindrical accommodating space that accommodates a developer, and a discharge port. The transport unit transports the accommodated developer toward the discharge port by a transport blade. The transport blade moves so as to pass closely to an inner wall of the accommodating space. The support unit rotatably supports a rotating shaft of the transport unit. The support unit includes a connecting component that connects to an external element to receive external rotational power. The protrusion protrudes inward from the inner wall. When the transport unit reversely rotates in an opposite direction to a rotational direction in transporting the developer, the transport blade passes in contact with the protrusion and vibrates so as to touch the inner wall of the accommodating space.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and an intermediate transfer unit including an intermediate transfer belt, the intermediate transfer unit being provided as being attachable to and removable from the apparatus main body by sliding movement in a first direction. The apparatus main body includes a main body-side guide portion for guiding the intermediate transfer unit along the first direction. The intermediate transfer unit includes a side frame including a frame portion extending like a frame with the first direction being defined as a longitudinal direction thereof, the side frame being provided adjacently to the intermediate transfer belt in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a unit-side guide portion to be engaged with the main body-side guide portion. The unit-side guide portion is provided not to protrude outward relative to the frame portion in the second direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image holding body, a transfer member, and a controller. The image holding body holds an image formed of toner. The transfer member is brought into contact with a continuous medium so as to transfer the image held by the image holding body to the continuous medium, and the transfer member is able to be brought into contact with and separated from the image holding body. The controller causes the transfer member to be separated from the image holding body, and after that, causes the image holding body to move so as to detect an inspection image formed on the image holding body, thereby adjusting, as image quality adjustment, a deviation of a position of the image or a deviation of density of the image to be formed.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a stationary member, a roller, an endless belt, a pressure rotator, and a lubricant applicator. The endless belt is stretched over the stationary member and the roller. The pressure rotator is disposed opposite the stationary member via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the pressure rotator and the endless belt on the stationary member. The lubricant applicator contacts the roller over an entire length of the roller in an axial direction of the roller. The lubricant applicator contacts an inner surface of the endless belt and has an axial length equal to or greater than an axial length of the stationary member.

Abstract: A fixation apparatus includes an endless fixation belt, a pad portion, an opposing rotating body, a heat source, a tensioned support portion, a support portion, and an opposing portion. The tensioned support portion supports the fixation belt under tension. The support portion is arranged downstream from a fixation nip portion in a direction of rotation of the fixation belt, and supports the fixation belt from an inner circumferential side of the fixation belt. The opposing portion is arranged as being opposed to an outer circumferential surface of the fixation belt with a space being interposed. The support portion includes a contact area where the support portion and an inner circumferential surface of the fixation belt are in contact with each other. The opposing portion is arranged as being opposed to the contact area.

Abstract: A fixation apparatus includes a fixation belt, an opposing rotating body, and a nip forming member. A nip most upstream portion corresponding to a most upstream portion of a fixation nip portion in a direction of transportation of a recording medium is defined in the nip forming member. The nip forming member includes a curved nip upstream portion which is provided at the nip most upstream portion and projects with respect to the opposing rotating body. The nip upstream portion is shaped to produce a speed difference between a side of a toner image where the toner image and the fixation belt are in contact with each other in a thickness direction of the recording medium and a side of the toner image where the toner image and the recording medium are in contact with each other in the thickness direction.

Abstract: A sliding member contains a resin and a fibrous filler. The dynamic friction coefficient of a surface of the sliding member in an in-plane direction A of the surface is 0.08 or more lower than the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface in an in-plane direction B angled at 90 degrees with respect to the in-plane direction A.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a heat source, a pressing member, a nip formation member, a reflector, and a support. The heat source is configured to heat the fixing rotator. The pressing member is configured to form a nip with the fixing rotator. The nip formation member is disposed inside a loop of the fixing rotator and opposed to the pressing member to form the nip between the fixing rotator and the pressing member. The reflector is configured to reflect heat from the heat source. The support is configured to secure the reflector. The support is in contact with the reflector at at least one end portion in a longitudinal direction of the support.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes an endless belt, a heating member configured to heat the belt, a detection unit configured to detect temperature of the heating member, a signal line connected to the detection unit, a holding member configured to hold the temperature detecting member, and an urging member configured to urge the temperature detecting member toward the heating member. The holding member includes a through hole for leading out the signal line and a contact portion being in contact with the signal line at a position located, in a width direction of the belt, between the through hole and the temperature detecting member and located, in an urging direction of the urging member, at a same position with a connecting portion between the signal line and the temperature detecting member or at a position closer to the heating member than the connecting portion.

Abstract: A heater includes a base and at least one resistive heat generator mounted on a face of the base. At least one electrode supplies power to the at least one resistive heat generator. A conductor couples the at least one electrode with the at least one resistive heat generator. A slide layer covers the at least one resistive heat generator and the conductor. The slide layer includes a projecting portion that defines a surface of the slide layer. The projecting portion is defined by a film thickness of at least one of the conductor and the at least one resistive heat generator. The projecting portion includes an upstream projection disposed opposite a lateral end of the base in a longitudinal direction of the base and a downstream projection disposed downstream from the upstream projection in a rotation direction of an endless belt that slides over the heater.

Abstract: A fuser includes a rotatable member, a belt, a pressure member, and a sliding member. The pressure member sandwiches the belt together with the rotatable member to form a nip portion. The sliding member is sandwiched between an inner peripheral surface of the belt and the pressure member. The sliding member includes a front surface, which faces the inner peripheral surface of the belt. The front surface includes a plurality of first dimples and a plurality of second dimples. The first dimples are arranged in a first zone, which corresponds to the nip portion. The second dimples are arranged in a second zone, which corresponds to a portion of the sliding member outside the nip portion. Each of the first dimples is of a shape that can release lubricant more easily than each of the second dimples.

Abstract: A fuser may include a rotatable member, a belt, a pressure member, and a sliding member. The belt and rotatable member may form a nip portion. The sliding member may be sandwiched between an inner peripheral surface of the belt and the pressure member. The sliding member may include a front surface, which faces the inner peripheral surface of the belt. The front surface may include a plurality of dimples designed to catch lubricant that moves along ridges between the dimples.

Abstract: A fixing member includes: a base containing a polyimide resin; an elastic layer disposed on the base and containing silicone rubber; and a bonding layer that is disposed between the base and the elastic layer, is a cured product of a composition containing an organic titanate compound, and contains a component originating from the organic titanate compound in an amount of from 5% by mass to 95% by mass inclusive.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet and conveys the sheet through a conveying path. The image forming apparatus includes a color detection sensor which detects a detection image formed on the sheet for generating an image forming condition and a white reference plate used to calibrate the color detection sensor. The white reference plate is arranged opposite to the color detection sensor with the conveying path interposed therebetween at a position where the white reference plate is not concealed by the sheet when viewed from the color detection sensor when the sheet is conveyed to the conveying path. The detection image is formed on a white reference plate side of the sheet. The color detection sensor reads the white reference plate and is calibrated according to a read result.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a power supply board, a driver board, and an engine control board. The driver board includes a plurality of switching elements each configured to supply and shut off a power supply for each of a plurality of distributed power supply voltages supplied from the power supply board. The plurality of switching elements includes a first switching element, to which the power supply voltage is to be applied from the power supply board, and a second switching element, to which the power supply voltage output from the first switching element is to be applied in a distributed manner. The engine control board is configured to performs failure diagnosis of the first switching element when the image forming apparatus is activated, and performs failure diagnosis of the second switching element in a case where an abnormality has occurred in any one of a plurality of loads.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method, apparatus, and system for determining image quality of a printer or similar image forming device. A first graphic pattern and a second graphic pattern may be printed on sets of N?1 test pages. The second graphic pattern may have the same colorant coverage as the first graphic pattern, though the two patterns may have different orientations and different locations on the page. The patterns may partially overlap in page location. Total colorant coverage may be compared between the set of N first test pages and the set of N second test pages. If the colorant coverage is different between the sets, the image forming device may be assigned an abnormal operating status.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing section, storage, a first calculation section, a comparing section, and an executing section. The developing section contains toner and develops an electrostatic latent image with the toner. The storage stores coverage rates. The first calculation section calculates a first coverage rate and a second coverage rate. The comparing section compares the first coverage rate with the second coverage rate. The executing section executes a running-in operation based on a result of comparison by the comparing section. The first coverage rate includes one or more coverage rates stored earlier in the storage than the second coverage rate. The second coverage rate includes coverage rates of a specified number of latest images individually formed on the specified number of sheets. The running-in operation is driving the developing section.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a first conveyance part conveys a sheet, a detection unit detects a leading edge of the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance part, a second conveyance part is provided downstream of the detection unit in a conveyance direction of the sheet and conveys the sheet, a measurement unit measures a conveyance time of the sheet from when conveyance of the sheet by the first conveyance part is started until the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the detection unit, and an estimation unit estimates a remaining lifetime of the second conveyance part based on the conveyance time measured by the measurement unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, detachably connected to a consumable product including a plurality of function units integrated with each other, includes an acquisition unit that acquires a life of each of the plurality of function units and a setting unit that sets an operation in a case where each acquired life reaches a preset value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a charging section that charges a surface of the image carrier; an electrostatic charge image forming section that forms an electrostatic charge image on the charged surface of the image carrier; a developing section that has a container containing an electrostatic charge image developer and develops the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier into a toner image using the electrostatic charge image developer, the electrostatic charge image developer including toner for electrostatic charge image development, the toner containing toner particles and an external additive; a transfer section that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to a surface of a recording medium; a cleaning section that has a cleaning blade with which the cleaning section cleans the surface of the image carrier; and a lubricant supplying section that has a lubricant supplying member that supplies a lubricant to the contact por

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cleaning member formed by an elastic body, and a member to be cleaned in which toner added with an external additive adheres to a surface, and the toner is to be cleaned by the cleaning member being in contact with the surface, wherein the cleaning member has a protrusion disposed on a cleaning surface extending from a contact part with the member to be cleaned, and facing a side where the toner is to be cleaned, of the member to be cleaned.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment may include: an apparatus body; a first cover attached to the apparatus body to open and close a first opening of the apparatus body; a second cover attached to the apparatus body to open and close a second opening of the apparatus body; an image forming section in the apparatus body configured to form a latent image and including a first contact part; a second contact part provided to the apparatus body and opposed to the first contact part; a withdrawing mechanism that moves along with movement of the first cover to bring the second contact part into contact with and separated away from the first contact part; and a withdrawal holding mechanism that moves along with movement of the second cover and holds the separation of the second contact part from the first contact part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a first apparatus and a second apparatus. A cable-side connector of an electrical cable extending from the second apparatus is connected to a first-apparatus-side connector provided in the first apparatus. The cable-side connector is provided on a side of the first apparatus. The image forming apparatus comprises an opening portion provided in the first apparatus and through which the cable-side connector is connectable to the first-apparatus-side connector from an outside of the first apparatus; a lid that covers the opening portion; an attaching portion provided on the lid so as to attach the lid to the first apparatus; an engaging portion provided on the lid so as to be disengageably engaged with the opening portion; an outlet portion provided on the lid and through which the electrical cable extends to the outside of the first apparatus; and an attachment member attached to the electrical cable.

Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.

Abstract: Provided is a cartridge that includes a photosensitive member unit, a development unit that moves with respect to the photosensitive member unit so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, a regulating member that is movable between a regulating position at which the regulating member contacts the photosensitive member unit and the development unit to regulate movement of the development unit from the first position to the second position and a nonregulating position at which movement of the development unit is not regulated, and an urging member that urges the regulating member to move the regulating member from the nonregulating position to the regulating position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge which is dismountable from the main assembly without deteriorating usability performance in a predetermined direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of an image bearing member, the main assembly being not provided with the mechanism for moving the main assembly side engaging portion in the rotational axis direction in response to the opening and closing operation of the main assembly cover of the main assembly. With the movement of the cartridge in such a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the image bearing member in the dismounting of the cartridge from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member movable in a direction parallel with the rotational axis of the image bearing member enters a inside of a recess of the main assembly side engaging portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to receive a rotational force from the main assembly side engaging portion.

Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for

Abstract: An image forming device that prints a first image using first toner and prints a second image using foil on a sheet of paper, includes: a former that forms a first toner image by the first toner of the first image on the paper and forms a second toner image by second toner different from the first toner of the second image on the paper; a fixer that fixes the first toner image and the second toner image formed on the paper; a melter that melts the second toner out of the first toner and the second toner fixed to the paper; and a foil printer that prints the second image by bonding the foil to the melted second toner.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided relating to far field hologram viewing devices. A method of designing and manufacturing a far field hologram is provided. Holographic light patterns with minimal spurious pixel errors in the hologram response may be produced without requiring a tight tolerance on the relative positions of the hologram and an observer's eye. Far field viewing devices, and methods for making the same, that employ multiple unit holograms each having differing noise characteristics that superpose in a way to reduce the effects of spurious pixel errors while maintaining good overall noise performance.

Abstract: A method of generating a color image of a sample includes obtaining a plurality of low resolution holographic images of the sample using a color image sensor, the sample illuminated simultaneously by light from three or more distinct colors, wherein the illuminated sample casts sample holograms on the image sensor and wherein the plurality of low resolution holographic images are obtained by relative x, y, and z directional shifts between sample holograms and the image sensor. Pixel super-resolved holograms of the sample are generated at each of the three or more distinct colors. De-multiplexed holograms are generated from the pixel super-resolved holograms. Phase information is retrieved from the de-multiplexed holograms using a phase retrieval algorithm to obtain complex holograms. The complex hologram for the three or more distinct colors is digitally combined and back-propagated to a sample plane to generate the color image.

Abstract: A display for displaying a wide Field of View (FoV) scene including a holographic image within the scene, including a first Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) and an optical system for producing a first holographic image at a center of a displayed scene, and a second image display for producing at least a first additional image adjacent to the first holographic image. In some embodiments an augmented reality display is used for the displaying of the first holographic image at the center of a field of view and the second image adjacent to the first holographic image. In some embodiments a virtual reality display is used for the displaying of the first holographic image near the center of a field of view and the second image adjacent to the first holographic image. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A spiral timepiece spring with a two-phase structure, made of a niobium and titanium alloy, and method for manufacturing this spring, including producing a binary alloy containing niobium and titanium, with niobium: the remainder to 100%; titanium between 45.0% and 48.0% by mass of the total, traces of components among O, H, C, Fe, Ta, N, Ni, Si, Cu, Al, of between 0 and 1600 ppm by mass of the total individually, and less than 0.3% by mass combined; applying deformations alternated with heat treatments until a two-phase microstructure is obtained including a solid solution of niobium with ?-phase titanium and a solid solution of niobium with ?-phase titanium, the ?-phase titanium content being greater than 10% by volume, with an elastic limit higher than 1000 MPa, and a modulus of elasticity higher than 60 GPa and less than 80 GPa; wire drawing to obtain wire able to be calendered; calendering or winding.

Abstract: An analog display device, including: a display; a processor; and an operation member, wherein the display changes a display content by the movable display performing the movement operation, the processor causes the movable display to perform a fast-forward movement operation and display a plurality of display contents in order in accordance with a first input operation, the processor stops the fast-forward movement operation in accordance with a second input operation, and when the processor causes the movable display to perform the fast-forward movement operation, the processor determines a fast-forward movement speed of the movable display in at least a part of switching between display contents which are adjacent to each other in an order of display to a high movement speed which is larger than an average movement speed of the movable display during a round of display of the plurality of display contents.

Abstract: A device having one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to acquire time information by performing one or more of a first acquisition operation to control a communicator to communicate with an external device to receive signals including the time information, and a second acquisition operation to control one or more radio wave receivers to receive transmission radio waves with signals including the time information.

Abstract: According to various example embodiments, a wearable electronic device is provided, the wearable electronic device including a metal housing used as an antenna radiator and electrically connected to a communication circuit, at least one metal strap coupled to at least one region of the metal housing, and a non-conductive member comprising a non-conductive material disposed between the metal strap and the metal housing, wherein the non-conductive member electrically insulates the metal strap and the metal housing.

Abstract: Provided is a wristwatch provided with a display unit with which the top and bottom of a display can be inverted when being observed, and vibration transferring units for cartilage conduction provided respectively in the vicinity of the distal end of the radius and in a part in contact with the distal end of the ulna when being worn. The wristwatch is provided with an operating portion which is located at the back of the hand when being worn. The orientation whereby the top and bottom of the display unit are in an upright condition is determined on the basis of an acceleration detected by an acceleration detecting unit, and a determination is performed on the basis of a mean value of gravitational acceleration to determine whether the wristwatch is being worn with the operating portion facing up or down.

Abstract: With regard to a learning method for a smartwatch to prevent a metal hand from lightening the screen by unintended touch, a mainboard chip firstly finds and learns points which unintendedly touch the screen. Then, the mainboard chip reserves the time Tm which leads to unintended touch on the screen. The mainboard chip judges the present state: at the reserved time Tm, if the display screen is in an ON state, the display screen will keep the ON state. If the display screen is in an OFF state, the display screen will keep the OFF state.

Abstract: In some examples, a method includes determining, by a controller in a system, a result of a first control loop based on a first sensed signal in a first instance and determining, by the controller, a result of a second control loop based on a second sensed signal in a second instance. The method also includes clamping, by the controller, the result of the second control loop to be equal to the result of the first control loop in the first instance and clamping, by the controller, the result of the first control loop to be equal to the result of the second control loop in the second instance. The method further includes outputting, by the controller and to a component of the system, a control signal based on the result of the first control loop.

Abstract: A controlling and monitoring control application associated with one or more work operations of one or more utility devices is disclosed. The controller is programmed for controlling one or more external work operations associated with one or more utility devices. An I/O board is connected in communication with the primary controller having a module with a plurality of device-specific control applications associated with one or more device-specific work operations. The housing of the controller includes one or more cable access points for plugging a cable into the controller. The cable access points are sealed to prevent water from entering into the housing. A mounting bracket assembly provides flexibility for mounting the controller at various orientations and/or positions. The controller also includes a DC control circuit for controlling backlight luminance over the entire dimming ratio.

Abstract: Processes and systems for preparing sections of pipeline pipe for machine processing to form pin and box ends for assembly into pipelines using mechanical press-fit pipe joints. The prepared pipe sections are prepared to be fully measured and documented during both manufacturing and assembly. Installed pipelines include pipeline data monitoring systems coupled to a pipeline data management center for receiving, archiving, and analysis of the data records to aid in administration, operation and management, and troubleshooting of pipelines.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a method, and a program capable of causing a system to efficiently learn a method of controlling a person. A control learning system calculates a reward based on an input objective state of a control target and a state of the control target based on a sensing result of the control target. The control learning system performs reinforcement learning using the calculated reward and the state of the control target to select a better action for bringing the control target closer to the objective state. The control learning system executes the selected action for the control target. For example, the present disclosure can be applied to a control learning system including a terminal and a cloud system.

Abstract: The present approach employs a context-aware simulation platform to facilitate control of a robot remote from an operator. Such a platform may use the prior domain/task knowledge along with the sensory feedback from the remote robot to infer context and may use inferred context to dynamically change one or both of simulation parameters and a robot-environment-task state being simulated. In some implementations, the simulator instances make forward predictions of their state based on task and robot constraints. In accordance with this approach, an operator may therefore issue a general command or instruction to a robot and based on this generalized guidance, the actions taken by the robot may be simulated, and the corresponding results visually presented to the operator prior to evaluate prior to the action being taken.

Abstract: A method and system for processing information from a control panel in a building management system validates programming data of the control panel and then a monitoring station responding to the information from the control panel if its programming data was validated. A server system can be used for this validation. The proposed system can provide a lightweight system for validation to avoid problems arising from incorrectly configured panels sending false alarms to monitoring stations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the operation of devices within a home or other property based upon electrical usage data. With customer knowledge or consent, a home controller may retrieve and analyze electrical usage data corresponding to a device, such as by comparing it to certain threshold data. If the analysis results in a trigger condition, the controller may generate a command, and transmit the command to the device for implementation, allowing modification of device operation to address any issues indicated in the electrical usage data. The controller may also notify a home owner/occupant. As a result, faulty devices may be managed prior to their faults causing damage to the device and/or the property, and/or property owners may be timely prompted to investigate, repair, and/or replace a failing device. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon the risk mitigation/prevention functionality.

Abstract: A method for controlling an operation of a machine exhibiting symmetries in dynamics of the machine, a cost of the operation of the machine, and constraints on the operation of the machine performs iteratively a control optimization until a termination condition is met to produce an optimal control input and controls the machine according to the optimal control input.

Abstract: A schedule data acquisition requestor requests and acquires schedule data from a sub controller. When a modification to the acquired schedule data is made, a schedule data update requestor sends the modified schedule data to the sub controller and requests an update. A schedule data update processor sends a permission notification to a main controller in response to the update request and writes the modified schedule data onto its own flash memory. Conversely, when a rejection notification is sent from the sub controller, the schedule data update requestor displays a warning message and new schedule data on a screen.

Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods and/or computer program products that facilitate automating home control are provided. In one embodiment a computer-implemented method comprises: using a voice recognition component to identify user identification by analyzing voice signatures; using a face recognition component to determine user identification by analyzing facial features; using an authentication component to verify user identification and authorize control access to functionality of one or more automated home control systems; using a communication component to facilitate communication between the one or more automated home control systems and one or more devices; using a service component to execute a set of functions based on authorized user commands and information communicated from the one or more devices; and using a machine learning component to learn user preferences by correlating a set of functions with the authorized users commands.

Abstract: A position correcting system, method and tool for guiding a tool during its use based on its location relative to the material being worked on. Provided is a system and tool which uses its auto correcting technology to precisely rout or cut material. The invention provides a camera which is used to track the visual features of the surface of the material being cut to build a map and locate an image on that map used to reference the location of the tool for auto-correction of the cutting path.

Abstract: A method of providing additive manufacturing includes the steps of (a) developing a plurality of layers to result in a final shape product, (b) developing a space filling algorithm to develop a path, (c) estimating a temperature at a location along the path in an existing direction of the path, and (d) comparing the estimated temperature to a desired temperature and altering the existing direction of the path should the estimated temperature differ from the desired temperature by a predetermined amount. An additive manufacturing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part, such as a pickup and placement of the shoe part with a pickup tool.