Abstract: A method for a robot to autonomously interact with elevator controls comprising: while physically traversing a route to a target location within an environment, determining that the route includes navigating to a particular floor that is different than a current floor of the robot; navigating to a set of one or more elevators along the route; identifying a location of an elevator call button corresponding to the set of one or more elevators; navigating to the location of the elevator call button and pressing the elevator call button, wherein pressing the elevator call button comprises: rotating the robot in place until a vertical structure faces the elevator call button; extending or retracting the vertical structure until a button pushing element is aligned with the elevator call button; moving towards the elevator call button and causing the button pushing element to press the elevator call button.

Abstract: A system for serving a plate on a table includes a robot including a movable base, a body on the movable base, a first pair of arms connected to the body and including a first arm and a second arm; and a first plate holder including a first and a second connectors, the first and second connectors to engage the first and second arms, respectively.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a fibrillar, directional adhesive assembly, a gripper, and a robot including a gripper. In one embodiment, the fibrillar, directional adhesive assembly includes a carriage, a layer of fibrillar, directional adhesive, and at least one load component. The carriage may have a first lateral side and a second lateral side adjacent to the first lateral side and the at least one load component may connect the layer of fibrillar, directional adhesive to the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The load component may be capable of loading shear force from the carriage to the layer of fibrillar, directional adhesive along a first direction and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A gripping mechanism which grips an object includes a main body section, a first gripping section, and a second gripping section. The first and second gripping sections are connected, with a space therebetween, to the main body section. The first gripping section includes a first roller and a first frame. The first frame houses the first roller. The first gripping section grips a first portion of an object between an outer surface of the first roller and an inner surface of the first frame using gravity acting on the first roller. The second gripping section includes a second roller and a second frame. The second frame houses the second roller. The second gripping section grips a second portion of the object, differing from the first portion, between an outer surface of the second roller and an inner surface of the second frame using gravity acting on the second roller.

Abstract: An end manipulator for picking packages is provided. An example end manipulator includes a vacuum plate coupled to a machine where the vacuum plate includes a first set of vacuum cups. Further, the end manipulator includes a grasper plate movably coupled to the machine. The grasper plate moves between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the grasper plate aligns with the vacuum plate such that the grasper plate abuts the vacuum plate. In the extended position, the grasper plate extends out from the vacuum plate. In some examples, when the grasper plate is in the retracted position, the end manipulator is configured to pick and place a first type of package. Further, in some examples, when the grasper plate is in extended position, the end manipulator is configured to pick and place a second type of package.

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: A system including a programmable motion device and an end effector for grasping objects to be moved by the programmable motion device is disclosed. The system includes a vacuum source that provides a high flow vacuum such that an object may be grasped at an end effector opening while permitting a substantial flow of air through the opening, and a dead-head limitation system for limiting any effects of dead-heading on the vacuum source in the event that a flow of air to the vacuum source is interrupted.

Abstract: A robot arm comprising a plurality of limbs articulated relative to each other, the robot arm extending from a base to a distal limb carrying a tool or an attachment point for a tool, the distal limb being attached by a revolute joint to a second limb, and the robot arm comprising a motor having a body and a drive shaft configured to drive rotation of the distal limb relative to the second limb about the revolute joint, wherein the body of the motor is fast with the distal limb.

Abstract: Embodiments of present disclosure relate to a plastic-based, bulk, antimicrobial structural member of a robot. Such bulk antimicrobial plastic solution can meet the hygienic requirement and the mechanical performance requirement of a structural member of a robot simultaneously. Meanwhile, it may reduce the overall weight of the robot.

Abstract: An attachment device includes a robot-engaging portion having a recess formed in an outer surface thereof for receiving a finger of a robot. The attachment device also includes a tool-engaging portion coupled to the robot-engaging portion. The tool-engaging portion is configured to be coupled to a tool that is to be used by the robot to perform a task. A damping member is positioned at least partially between the robot-engaging portion and the tool-engaging portion. The damping member is configured to be adjusted to vary a magnitude of oscillations that are transferred from the tool-engaging portion to the robot-engaging portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to environment monitoring and associated monitoring device, in which region-level environmental conditions are obtained and are detected by a plurality of sensors installed in a plurality of regions of a space enclosing electronic devices. Additionally, respective region priorities of the plurality of regions are determined based at least in part on the region-level environmental conditions, a region priority indicating a probability of occurrence of a risk event within a corresponding region. Furthermore, a movement path of a moveable monitoring device through the plurality of regions is determined based on the region priorities for detecting device-level environmental conditions associated with the electronic devices, and a moveable monitoring device and a system are disclosed.

Abstract: A control unit causes a sensor to start sampling at a plurality of start timings different from each other. The control unit combines sampling signals obtained by the start of the sampling at the different start timings, and detects a malfunction of an apparatus in accordance with the combined sampling signal.

Abstract: A tool for removing a head or knot of a cable bundling device includes a housing, an opening, and a cutting element disposed within the opening. The housing defines the opening and a funneling element is position within the opening to direct the object to be cut towards an exposed cutting edge of the cutting element. The opening and funneling element are sized and arranged to accommodate the head or knot of the cable device while preventing any undesirable articles from being exposed to the cutting edge. The funneling element includes a wedge shape to prove improved access between the cable tie and the cutting edge.

Abstract: A razor cartridge including a housing; a trailing blade assembly mounted to the housing and including a trailing blade with a blade tip; a leading blade assembly mounted to the housing in front of the trailing blade assembly and including a leading blade with a blade tip; and a skin support element affixed to the leading blade assembly and extending towards the blade tip of the trailing blade assembly. A horizontal length of the skin support element may be greater than a distance from a trailing part of the skin support element to the blade tip of the trailing blade assembly.

Abstract: A razor handle includes a handle body extending in a longitudinal direction. The handle body includes a first material having a front portion and a rear portion. The razor handle further includes a connecting portion for connection to a razor cartridge. The connecting portion extends from the front portion of the handle body. The handle body includes a supporting element which contributes to a relative movement between the front portion and the rear portion of the handle body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cutting machine knife designed for kiss-cut cutting of a sticker. A sticker backing includes a backing layer and an adhesion-reducing layer. The sticker includes a cover layer and an adhesive layer releasably adhered to the adhesion-reducing layer. The cutting machine knife includes a holding section for inserting the cutting machine knife into a knife holder of the cutting tool, a longitudinal axis disposed at a right angle to a cutting direction, a blade having a cutting edge and a back. The cutting edge, when viewed in a plane defined by the cutting direction and the longitudinal axis, forms with the cutting direction a first angle which is less than 90° and an intermediate zone between the cutting edge and the back which, again when viewed in said plane, encloses with the cutting direction a second angle which is between 130° and 170°.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a mount flange having a mount land that has a surface for holding a cutting blade as a consumable part, a changing apparatus for changing cutting blades, and a moving unit for moving the changing apparatus between a changing position for changing cutting blades and a retracted position. The changing apparatus includes a rotational shaft, a first holder for holding a used cutting blade, the first holder having a first holding surface facing in an outward direction from the rotational shaft perpendicularly to the rotational shaft, and a second holder for holding a replacement cutting blade, the second holder being disposed in a position angularly spaced a predetermined angle from the first holder around the rotational shaft, the second holder having a second holding surface facing in an outward direction from the rotational shaft perpendicularly to the rotational shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a die cutting insert comprising a punch shoe having an angled guide surface. The die cutting assembly further comprises a trim punch arranged at least partly along the angled guide surface, such that the trim punch is movable along the angled guide surface between a first, extended position and a second, retracted position. In further aspects, the invention relates to a die cutting assembly and a method of cutting sheet metals.

Abstract: A power saw tool, in particular a hand-held circular saw, includes at least one cutting depth setting unit and at least one locking unit. The cutting depth setting unit is configured to set a cutting depth. The locking unit is configured to at least one of block and deactivate the cutting depth setting unit in at least one operating state. The locking unit is mounted so as to be at least partially movable on the cutting depth setting unit.

Abstract: A method of treating wood includes subjecting the wood to a vacuum environment, and thereafter contacting the wood under positive pressure with an aldehyde and an isocyanate, both the aldehyde and the isocyanate being in liquid form.

Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing a multi-material structure for a reactionary process includes forming a first material from a first binder and a first active agent and depositing a first layer including the first material onto a build platform. The method also includes forming a second material from a second binder and a second active agent and depositing a second layer including the second material onto the build platform. The second material is in contact with the first material. The method further includes adhering the second material to the first material to form the multi-material structure for use in the reactionary process. The first material provides a first reaction during the reactionary process and the second material provides a second reaction during the reactionary process.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) methods and devices for high-melting-point materials are disclosed. In an embodiment, an additive manufacturing method includes the following steps. (S1) Slicing a three-dimensional computer-aided design model of a workpiece into multiple layers according to shape, thickness, and size accuracy requirements, and obtaining data of the multiple layers. (S2) Planning a forming path according to the data of the multiple layers and generating computer numerical control (CNC) codes for forming the multiple layers. (S3) Obtaining a formed part by preheating a substrate, performing a layer-by-layer spraying deposition by a cold spraying method, and heating a spray area to a temperature until the spraying deposition of all sliced layers is completed. (S4) Subjecting the formed part to a surface modification treatment by a laser shock peening method.

Abstract: Provided is a resin particle producing method including: a fiber aggregate producing step of directly joining fibers containing a thermoplastic resin with each other to obtain a fiber aggregate; and a particle forming step of forming the fiber aggregate into particles to obtain resin particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a mould system (66) for manufacturing at least two preforms for moulding a wind turbine blade. The preforms include at least one preform of a first shape and at least one preform of a second shape. The preform mould structure (68) has a moulding surface (70) of variable shape such that the shape of the moulding surface (70) can be varied at least between a first and a second configuration by using actuators.

Abstract: A multi-part compression mold for forming a complex part having a desired fiber alignment, and methods therefor, are disclosed. The multi-part mold comprises at least three sections. Specific arrangements of fiber-bundle-based preforms are introduced to more than one of the mold sections of the multi-part mold, and subjected to compression molding. The arrangements of preforms, in conjunction with the multi-part mold, result in a complex part having fibers that substantially align with anticipated principle stress vectors that arise in the complex part, when in use.

Abstract: A method of producing a fiber-reinforced resin by press-molding a prepreg preform contains a reinforcing fiber and a thermosetting resin, the method including (a) a preform production step of producing a preform; (b) a placement and preheating step of placing the preform in a mold and preheating the preform; (c) a pressing step of changing the preform into a product shape; and (d) a curing step of curing the preform while pressurizing the preform, wherein, at start of the pressing step (c), a degree of cure ?e of the thermosetting resin in a specific part of the preform is higher than a degree of cure ?i of the thermosetting resin in a region other than the specific part of the preform.

Abstract: A method for producing a structural component having a foam structure formed by foaming a foamable material, includes the following steps: additively building a receiving component that reproduces the outer geometry of the structural component to be produced at least in some sections, in particular completely, and having a receiving space for receiving foamable material; introducing at least one foamable material into the receiving space of the receiving component; and carrying out at least one measure for foaming the foamable material introduced into the receiving space of the receiving component so as to form the foam structure.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a foam molded body that can make a shape of bubbles close to a perfect circle. According to the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a foam molded body, including a step of forming a foam parison from a melt-kneaded resin obtained by melting and kneading a raw material resin and a foaming gas in a cylinder of an extruder and molding the foam parison to obtain the foam molded body, wherein the foaming gas contains 0.1 to 1.0% of argon, is provided.

Abstract: A foam molded article having excellent shock resistance and inhibited from swelling, and a method for producing the foam molded article. The foam molded article has a bottom portion and a side face portion. The bottom portion has a cross-section including, in order, a first skin layer, a first foam layer, a belt-like resin layer, a second foam layer and a second skin layer. The diameter of the bottom portion is 20 mm or more. The thickness of the bottom portion is 2.0 mm or more. The angle between the bottom portion and the side face portion is 40° or more and 89° or less. The foam molded article satisfies: B/3?A?3B; A represents a length between an opposite surface of the bottom portion to a side where the side face portion is disposed and an upper end of the side face portion, and B represents the bottom portion diameter.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a timepiece element, such as an applique, to be mounted on a timepiece component, such as a dial of a timepiece, includes producing a blank of the timepiece element from an injection overmoulding of injectable material into a cavity of a mould. The cavity is defined by the association of at least one impression of a first part of the mould with a second part of the mould including an inlet orifice of the cavity for injecting the material into the cavity. The method also includes finishing the timepiece element including applying a coating on the blank of the timepiece element overmoulded on the second part, and withdrawing the finished timepiece element from the second part, which includes breaking an injection point connecting the timepiece element to the second part in preparation for mounting thereof on the timepiece component.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a base plate for a keyboard includes the steps of: a) providing a mold assembly including a female mold and a male mold, b) preparing a composite laminate which includes a carbon fiber layer and a thermoplastic resin layer, and which is formed with a plurality of positioning holes, c) disposing the composite laminate in the female mold, and combining the female and male molds, and d) injecting a plastic material to form positioning blocks which binds to the thermoplastic resin layer and integrates with the composite laminate to form the base plate.

Abstract: An additive feeder system is presented which is operable for use in a plastic injection molding machine including an injection component and a clamping component. The additive feeder system includes a feeder control unit, a feeder supply mechanism and feeder dosage control mechanism. The additive feeder system is operable to provide a specific dosage of the additive materiel in real-time for mixing with the raw material to achieve desired product characteristics. The additive feeder system may be applied to injection molding and extrusion, such as molding processes, plastic molding processes, blow molding, compression molding, extrusion molding, injection molding and laminating, and comprising additive feeders, for example for color mixing and nutrient supplements.

Abstract: Injection molding system comprising at least one first actuator-system (D1, D2, D3), the first actuator system comprising: at least one piston drive having at least two pressure line connectors (CP2, CP3) to drive a piston to open or close a molding nozzle, pressure lines (L1, L2) connectable to a changeover valve (V) having a pressure line connector (P) and tank line connector (T) and at least two changeover pressure line connectors, wherein the first changeover valve pressure line connector (CV1) is connectable to a first pressure line (L1) and the second changeover valve pressure line connector (CV2) is connectable to a second pressure line (L2), wherein the second pressure line (L2) is connected to the second pressure line connector (CP2) of the piston drive, an electronically adjustable flow control valve having a first pressure line connector and a second pressure line connector, wherein the first pressure line connector of the adjustable flow control valve being connected to the first pressure line (L1

Abstract: A flow rate adjusting device includes a main body portion having a first opening portion to which a molten material is supplied, a second opening portion from which the molten material is discharged, a supply flow path communicating with the first opening portion and the second opening portion, and a cross hole intersecting the supply flow path; and a shaft-shaped valve portion disposed inside the cross hole.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printing cylinder. The method comprises providing a moulding apparatus comprising a cylindrical moulding vessel defining a moulding cavity (101). The vessel comprises at least one inlet for the ingress of moulding material. The method comprises performing an injection moulding operation comprising: injecting moulding material through the at least one inlet to substantially fill the moulding cavity with moulding material; and effecting hardening of the moulding material within the vessel (102). The method comprises removing the printing cylinder (103). At least part of the injection moulding operation is performed in the presence of an active pressure being applied to the moulding cavity.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) drawing pen can include a housing that has a port that permits insertion of a strand of material into the housing, an actuator for controlling a movement of the strand, and a nozzle assembly configured to permit the strand to be extruded out of the 3D drawing pen in a form that retains its shape against gravity in free space to draw a 3D object.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping an extrudable material comprises a sleeve, comprising a first sleeve end, a sleeve inlet at the first sleeve end, a second sleeve end, opposite the first sleeve end, and a sleeve outlet at the second sleeve end. The extrudable material enters the sleeve through the sleeve inlet and exits the sleeve through the sleeve outlet. The apparatus further comprises an actuation mechanism, selectively operable to change at least one of a size or a shape of the sleeve outlet. The sleeve is sufficiently flexible to enable the actuation mechanism to change at least one of the size or the shape of the sleeve outlet. The sleeve is insufficiently stretchable to enable the actuation mechanism to stretch the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing technology for manufacturing seepage irrigation pipe with alternating effluent sections and non-effluent sections, and in particular, to the field of underground seepage irrigation in agriculture and forestry. The processing technology combines the production unit for water-effluent pipes with the production unit for non-effluent pipes, and produces the seepage irrigation pipeline by adjusting the raw material ratios, controlling the spindle speed, spindle acceleration time, and spindle deceleration time of the two pipeline production units, to generate a seepage irrigation pipe with alternating effluent sections and non-effluent sections.

Abstract: A twin-screw extruder is provided in which screws have different rotational speeds depending on the process of treating the raw material and in which degradation of the raw material is less likely to occur. Twin-screw extruder 1 has two screws 3, 5 that extend in parallel to each other. Each screw 3, 5 has cylindrical upstream screw 31 and downstream screw 35, wherein upstream screw 31 has shaft hole 315 that extends in longitudinal direction X and screw flight 316 on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and downstream screw 35 includes large diameter portion 353 having screw flight 357 on an outer circumferential surface thereof and small diameter shaft portion 351 that has a smaller diameter than large diameter portion 353, wherein small diameter shaft portion 351 of downstream screw 35 is inserted into shaft hole 315 of upstream screw 31. Upstream screw 31 and downstream screw 35 can be independently rotated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermolysing organic material. The method comprises steps of: A) feeding the material in a single-screw extruder (100), the extruder comprising —a cylindrical rotor member (1) having diameter (D) and length (L) and comprising a feeding zone (14), —the rotor member (1) arranged in a barrel (2), —the cylindrical surface of the rotor member (1) carrying cavity/cavities and/or projection(s) (5) arranged in helically extending rows, —the helically extending row(s) of the rotor member (1) having a pitch (P) and depth (d) in the feeding zone (14) of the rotor member, wherein —the relation of the depth (d) to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. d:D, is not more than 1:20, and —the relation of the pitch (P) of the rotor member to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. P:D, is not more than 1:4, B) heating the material in the single-screw extruder (100) to a flowable state, and C) thermolysing the material.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a heater for converting a filament of extrusion material into thermoplastic material. The heater has a channel configured to change the cross-sectional shape of the filament to a cross-sectional shape that has a greater surface area than the surface area of the filament before the heater receives the filament. The channel of the heater can also be configured to drive the center portion of the filament toward the heated walls of the channel and to mix thermoplastic material in the channel while exposing the center portion of the filament to the heated wall of the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods of additive manufacturing are provided. The apparatus may include at least one frame for supporting at least one print head configured to deposit fluidic additive manufacturing material layer by layer, at least one reservoir in communication with the at least one print head, the at least one reservoir being configured to contain the additive manufacturing material, a printing table including at least one printing region for supporting at least one removable substrate for printing at least one three-dimensional object, the at least one removable substrate is made from a material other than the additive manufacturing material, and at least one processor configured to: control a rotational movement between the at least one print head and the printing table; and control vertical movement between the at least one print head and the printing table.

Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional modeling material used for a fused deposition modeling three-dimensional printer. The three-dimensional modeling material has a multilayer structure and contains, in respective different layers, a thermoplastic resin (A) having a shear storage elastic modulus (G?) of 1.00×107 Pa or less as measured at 100° C. and 1 Hz and a thermoplastic resin (B) having a shear storage elastic modulus (G?) of more than 1.00×107 Pa as measured at 100° C. and 1 Hz.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to three-dimensional (3D) printed fluoropolymer-based energetic compositions and 3D printing methods for making the 3D printed fluoropolymer-based energetic compositions.

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional object includes: (a) providing an apparatus comprising a radiation source, a carrier, and a movable belt positioned therebetween, with the belt comprised of an optically transparent material, and with the belt permeable to a polymerization inhibitor; (b) applying a polymerizable liquid to a first surface of the belt, and contacting a second surface of the belt to the polymerization inhibitor, (c) contacting a portion of the first surface to the carrier or the three dimensional object so that the belt adheres thereto with the polymerizable liquid positioned therebetween; (d) irradiating the polymerizable liquid with actinic radiation through the belt from the radiation source to polymerize the polymerizable liquid positioned therebetween; then (e) optionally separating the belt from the carrier or the three dimensional object; and then (f) repeating steps (b) through (e) until the three dimensional object is completed.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system and method for improving the certainty of removing or etching excess substrate from a stack of printed substrate slices to arrive at a 3D object. The approach includes printing a pseudo image as a shell layer around a desired object slice with less polymer (e.g., thermoplastic) material than the 3D object solid layer slice. This slows the etching process when this pseudo image is reached. The pseudo image may be printed to surround the object polymer image on a printed substrate sheet as a shell that provides notice during the excess substrate removal/cleaning process that the desired polymer image is nearby and extra care must be taken to avoid removal of the desired polymer image. The pseudo image may have a 3D patterned surface that can be recognized by a person doing the sandblasting or recognized automatically by an automated 3D object finisher.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects is disclosed, utilising an independently operable printing sled (350) for sintering fusible powder and an independently operable powder distribution sled (300) for depositing a layer of fusible powder on the sintered layer. Since the printing sled and the powder distribution sled are independently operable, the time between sintering and deposition can be altered, dependent on the printing conditions and materials, resulting in an enhanced bond between the layers of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A 3D printer for printing consumable items, the 3D printer comprising: a print head arranged to position nozzles of a plurality of liquid dispensers to define a regular polygon around a first Z axis; an actuator device operable to dispense a portion of liquid from each liquid dispenser; a print bed comprising a print zone, the print zone comprising a plurality of print locations arranged to define a regular polygon around a second Z axis; a translation device operable to move the print bed relative to the print head along X and Y axes; and a rotation device operable to cause relative rotation between the print zone and the print head such that, with the first Z axis aligned with the second Z axis, the actuator is operable to dispense liquid from each liquid dispenser onto a respective print location and thereafter the rotation device is operable to cause relative rotation between the print zone and the print head to place each print location in registration with a different one of the nozzles.

Abstract: An example of a method for three-dimensional (3D) printing includes applying a build material composition to form a build material layer. The build material composition includes a glass core coated with a polyamide material. Based on a 3D object model, a fusing agent is selectively applied on a portion of the build material composition, and a detailing agent is selectively applied on another portion of the build material composition. The build material composition is exposed to radiation to fuse the portion to form a layer of a 3D part.

Abstract: A 3D printing tool and assembly for dispensing multiple materials includes a barrel holder assembly having at least two barrel orifices extending from a top end of the barrel holder assembly through to a bottom end of the barrel holder assembly, where at least one of the at least two barrel orifices is oriented at an angle from the vertical. A method for operating the 3D printing tool includes positioning a first material distribution barrel within a first barrel orifice, where a first barrel tip is disposed at a first end of the first material distribution barrel. The method further includes dispensing building material from the first material distribution barrel when the first material distribution barrel is substantially vertically oriented and a second material distribution barrel is oriented at an angle from the vertical.