Abstract: Effective human-robot collaboration (HRC) requires extensive communication among the human and robot teammates, because their actions can potentially produce conflicts, synergies, or both. An augmented reality-driven, negotiation-based (ARN) framework is provided for HRC, where ARN supports planning-phase negotiations within human-robot teams. Experiments in an office environment, where multiple mobile robots work on delivery tasks, where the robots could not complete the tasks on their own, but sometimes need help from their human teammate, making human-robot collaboration necessary. In comparison to a non-AR baseline, ARN significantly improved the human users' work efficiency, and their cognitive load, while reducing the overall task completion time of the whole team.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an implant plan, defining a range of motion for a surgical tool based on the implant plan, adjusting, by an actuator and based on the range of motion, a passive joint coupled between the actuator and the surgical tool, and allowing manual movement of the surgical tool through the range of motion via rotation at the passive joint.

Abstract: Structural members and methods for manufacturing 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: A robot includes a base attached to an end of a robotic arm, a conveyor fixed to the base, and a holder to hold a workpiece and place the workpiece on a transferring surface of the conveyor. The holder includes a pivot shaft extending along the conveyor in a transferring direction of the conveyor, and reciprocatable or telescopic in the transferring direction, a pivoting structure attached to the pivot shaft so as to be reciprocatable in the transferring direction, and pivotable centering on the pivot shaft in a plane in which a width direction perpendicular to the transferring direction intersects with a height direction perpendicular to the transferring direction and the width direction, and a holding structure upstream of the pivoting part in the transferring direction to hold the workpiece.

Abstract: A modular end effector with a base with at least one connection element, a manipulator, in particular interchangeable with the connection element connected is disclosed. The position of the connection element and/or the position of the manipulator within the connection element can be changed so that the manipulator can be used in different positions relative to a base to create a versatile modular end effector.

Abstract: A single-layer three-section rail-type planar robot containing a double parallelogram, is composed of a stationary platform, a motion platform and three branched chains with the same structure connecting the stationary platform and the motion platform, the stationary platform is provided with three planar curved rails, each planar curved rail is connected to the motion platform through a branched chain, and each branched chain includes a slider, two link bars I arranged in parallel, two link bars II arranged in parallel, and link bar III, select one revolute joint I in each branched chain to form three revolute joints I as the main driving joint or three sliders as the driving parts.

Abstract: A displaying apparatus includes a virtual environment screen displaying a state of a robot identified, and a parameter setting screen numerically displaying the position and orientation data. When a changing a part of the position and orientation data are performed through the operating input unit, the part of the position and orientation data is changed according to the content of the operation and input. Position and orientation is calculated to identify the position or orientation of each part of the robot, based on the changed part of the position and orientation data, and new position and orientation data is calculated based on the position and orientation calculation. The content of virtual display on the virtual environment screen or numeric value display on the parameter setting screen of the displaying apparatus is updated, based on the changed part of position and orientation data, and the new position and orientation data.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a transport robot to simultaneously grasp and transfer multiple objects is disclosed. The transport robot includes a multi-gripper assembly having an array of addressable vacuum regions each configured to independently provide a vacuum. The robotic system receives image data representative of a group of objects. Individual target objects are identified in the group based on the received image data. Addressable vacuum regions are selected based on the identified target objects. The transport robot is command to cause the selected addressable vacuum regions to simultaneously grasp and transfer multiple target objects.

Abstract: A method and system for a mobile configurable robot for use in a large workspace including a set of base fixtures located around a perimeter of the large workspace and a moving platform. Each base fixture and the moving platform is connected via a two-arm boom system whereby the two-arm boom system is controlled by a set of actuators.

Abstract: A system for performing interactions within a physical environment, the system including: a robot having a robot base that undergoes movement relative to the environment and a robot arm mounted to the robot base, the robot arm including an end effector mounted thereon; a communications system including a fieldbus network; a tracking system including a tracking base positioned in the environment and connected to the fieldbus network, and a tracking target mounted to a component of the robot, wherein the tracking base is configured to detect the tracking target to allow a position and/or orientation of the tracking target relative to the tracking base to be determined; and a control system that communicates with the tracking system via the fieldbus network to determine the relative position and/or orientation of the tracking target and controls the robot arm in accordance with the relative position and/or orientation of the tracking target.

Abstract: Motion parameters estimation for localization of differential drive vehicles is an important part of robotics and autonomous navigation. Conventional methods require introceptive as well extroceptive sensors for localization. The present disclosure provides a control command based adaptive system and method for estimating motion parameters of differential drive vehicles. The method utilizes information from one or more time synchronized command signals and generate an experimental model for estimating one or more motion parameters of the differential drive vehicle by computing a mapping function. The experimental model is validated to determine change in the one or more motion parameters with change in one or more factors and adaptively updated to estimate updated value of the one or more motion parameters based on the validation. The system and method of present disclosure provide accurate results for localization with minimum use of extroceptive sensors.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a detection system used in a case where a transport robot transports a package in a state where the package in which an opening portion of a container is closed by a lid is placed on a placing portion of the transport robot. The detection system is configured to detect that the lid is opened.

Abstract: A production system comprising: an industrial device being self-movable; and circuitry configured to; control the industrial device to prepare for a next job before the industrial device arrives at a next location; and control the industrial device to perform the next job when the industrial device arrives at the next location and a preparation for the next job is completed.

Abstract: A visual navigation inspection and obstacle avoidance method for a line inspection robot is provided. The line inspection robot is provided with a motion control system, a visual navigation system and an inspection visual system; and the method comprises the following steps: (1) according to an inspection image, the inspection visual system determining and identifying the type of a tower for inspection; (2) the visual navigation system shooting a visual navigation image in real time to obtain the type of a target object; (3) coarse positioning; (4) accurate positioning; and (5) according to the type of the tower and the type of the target object, the visual navigation system sending a corresponding obstacle crossing strategy to the motion control system, such that the inspection robot completes obstacle crossing. The inspection and obstacle avoidance method is real-time and efficient.

Abstract: A lab automation system receives an instruction from a user to perform a protocol within a lab via an interface including a graphical representation of the lab. The lab includes a robot and set of equipment rendered within the graphical representation of the lab. The lab automation system identifies an ambiguous term of the instruction and pieces of equipment corresponding to the ambiguous term and modifies the interface to include a predictive text interface element listing the pieces of equipment. Upon a mouseover of a listed piece of equipment within the predictive text interface element, the lab automation system modifies the graphical representation of the lab to highlight the listed piece of equipment corresponding to the mouseover. Upon a selection of the listed piece of equipment within the predictive text interface element, the lab automation system modifies the instruction to include the listed piece of equipment.

Abstract: A robot control device that controls operation of a robot including a robot arm, a driving section configured to drive the robot arm, and a driving control section configured to receive electric power supplied to the driving section and output power to the driving section based on an input control signal, the robot control device including a logical operation circuit configured to perform a logical operation about a stop signal and output an operation result and a power interruption circuit configured to interrupt, based on the operation result, the electric power supplied to the driving control section or the control signal input to the driving control section to thereby interrupt the power of the driving section.

Abstract: An automatic robotic arm system and a coordinating method for robotic arm and computer vision thereof are disclosed. A beam-splitting mirror splits an incident light into a visible light and a ranging light and respectively guides to an image capturing device and an optical ranging device arranged in the different reference axes. In a calibration mode, a transformation relation is computed based on a plurality of the calibration postures and corresponding calibration images. In an operation mode, a mechanical space coordinate is determined based on an operation image and the transformation relation, and the robotic arm is controlled to move based on the mechanical space coordinate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visuo-tactile object pose estimation are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving image data about an object and receiving depth data about the object. The method also includes generating a visual estimate of the object based on the image data and the depth data. The method further includes receiving tactile data about the object. The method yet further includes generating a tactile estimate of the object based on the tactile data. The method includes estimating a pose of the object based on the visual estimate and the tactile estimate.

Abstract: A system and method for performing object detection are presented. The system receives spatial structure information associated with an object which is or has been in a camera field of view of a spatial structure sensing camera. The spatial structure information is generated by the spatial structure sensing camera, and includes depth information for an environment in the camera field of view. The system determines a container pose based on the spatial structure information, wherein the container pose is for describing at least one of an orientation for the container or a depth value for at least a portion of the container. The system further determines an object pose based on the container pose, wherein the object pose is for describing at least one of an orientation for the object or a depth value for at least a portion of the object.

Abstract: A handheld motorised food cutting device (10) is disclosed herein.

Abstract: Present invention teaches double-sided magnetic cutting deck. A plurality of magnets are used on both sides of a PC center board, sandwiched by an upper and a lower board, and bonded by TPU glue, which is also the same material used on the upper and lower boards. The magnets are substantially the size of the holes, so as to fit snuggly into the holes, with gap spaces between the edges of the hole to hold excess TPU glues, for better bonding of the magnets in place. Using the TPU materials on the surface (of upper and lower boards) provides longer product life due to the good resilience to physical force from the cutting impressions made during normal use.

Abstract: A score die including a body with a generally planar first surface. The first surface includes a score blade. The score blade has a number of cutting portions, and, each cutting portion has a substantially uniform cross-section.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes: a stage on which is disposed a preliminary stacked body from which a cut stacked body having an edge is formed; a cutting unit movable along a first direction corresponding to an extension direction of the edge of the cut stacked body and with which the preliminary stacked body is cut to form the cut stacked body; a first detaching unit movable in a direction forming an acute angle with the first direction and including a first detaching tool which contacts the cut stacked body in detaching of the cut stacked body from the carrier substrate; and a second detaching unit movable in a direction parallel to the first direction and including a second detaching tool which is inserted between the cut stacked body and the carrier substrate in the detaching of the cut stacked body from the carrier substrate.

Abstract: An edger feeding apparatus and method of placing flitches in position to be fed into an edger with minimal spacing between successive flitches and with flitches oriented and the edger adjusted so as to yield a maximum value of lumber from each flitch. The edger feeding apparatus may include a scanning system for creating and storing a digital three-dimensional model of each flitch. The apparatus and method may also include a control computer and its use for determining the optimum position for feeding each flitch into the edger to produce the most valuable yield of lumber from the flitch.

Abstract: Power tools such as cutting saws with rotary powered blades are described. Also described are various accessories for tools used with cylindrical workpieces such as pipes are described. The accessories include a clamp and saw joint assembly, various quick connection assemblies between a saw and a clamping system, a plunge guide assembly, a latch plate assembly, an interlock switch, a blade guard system, and a chip management system or chip deflector. Also described are related methods of use.

Abstract: A delignified wood material is formed by removing substantially all of the lignin from natural wood. The resulting delignified wood retains cellulose-based lumina of the natural wood, with nanofibers of the cellulose microfibrils being substantially aligned along a common direction. The unique microstructure and composition of the delignified wood can provide advantageous thermal insulation and mechanical properties, among other advantages described herein. The thermal and mechanical properties of the delignified wood material can be tailored by pressing or densifying the delignified wood, with increased densification yielding improved strength and thermal conductivity. The chemical composition of the delignified wood also offers unique optical properties that enable passive cooling under solar illumination.

Abstract: Disclosed are wood preforming devices for manufacturing a crash pad for a vehicle including a real wood sheet. A wood preforming device for manufacturing a crash pad for a vehicle includes a real wood sheet includes a lower press mold comprising a debossed portion provided on a portion on which a product is formed, and a support portion configured to support an upper press mold, in response to the lower press mold and the upper press mold pressing each other, the support portion having a protrusion for fixing a real wood sheet, the upper press mold having an embossed portion corresponding to the debossed portion of the lower press mold, and a movable core provided on the debossed portion of the lower press mold and being configured to guide the real wood sheet by moving upward from the debossed portion, in response to the upper press mold moving downward.

Abstract: A block, block system and method of making a wall block. A block with multiple embodiments of a visually exposed surface having three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints that can be used to construct a patio, wall, fence or the like; the multiple embodiments creating a more random and natural appearance. A mold box having a moveable liner and a stripper shoe that impart three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints onto an exposed surface of a block. The moveable liner and stripper shoe also impart a parting line onto the exposed surface of the block.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating wash water from concrete production with carbon dioxide. The treated wash water can be reused as mix water in fresh batches of concrete.

Abstract: A tile saw includes a saw with a cutting blade, a frame supporting the saw, a table supporting a workpiece and being slidable relative to the frame, and a rear fence secured to the table. The rear fence has an engagement surface and is adjustable between an operating position and a bypassed position. The bypassed position includes the engagement surface of the fence being no higher than even with the planar surface of the table to allow a workpiece to extend beyond a rear edge of the table. In the operating position, the engagement surface of the rear fence projects axially from the planar surface of the table to support the workpiece as the workpiece is pushed into the cutting blade during operation. The fence can be adjusted between the operating and bypassed positions by using any one of a cam lever clamp, pin and guideway, or rotatable latch.

Abstract: An injection molded thermoplastic preform for blow moulding to form a container, the preform base of a central part having a first, downwardly and radially inwardly tapering portion therebetween which increases in thickness from a radially outer end of the first tapering portion adjacent to the hollow transition portion to a radially inner end of the first tapering portion adjacent to the gate part and the middle part opposite the gate part can allow the injected resin to be urged back through the gate at the end of the injection moulding cycle at a lower fluid pressure in the vicinity of the gate which is associated with high resin temperatures. The technical effect achieved by the first tapering portion is that crystallinity in the gate area is minimized or eliminated, which avoids or minimizes partial blocking of the gate which would otherwise restrict the injected resin from being urged back through the gate at the end of the injection moulding cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a pellet in a pellet mill, which method comprises the steps of (A) pressing a mixture for compaction by a roller through a nozzle to obtain a strand, and (B) comminuting the strand to obtain the pellet, wherein the mixture for compaction comprises (i) 87 to 97 wt. % of a polymer stabilizer, which is tris(2,4-ditert-butylphenyl) phosphite (CAS-No. 31570-04-4), and (ii) 3 to 13 wt. % of a processing aid, which is a propylene-ethylene copolymer and which possesses a melting enthalpy below 100 J/g at 101.32 kPa. The pellet is useful for a dust-free handling of its polymer stabilizer at a manufacturing of the stabilized polymer. Furthermore, a method for stabilizing a polymer, which is a polyolefin, a polystyrene or a mixture thereof, is disclosed, which comprises the dosing of the pellet to the polymer.

Abstract: A modular tooling arrangement includes a base member comprising a planar working surface, a frame circumscribing a first cavity at least partially defined by the planar working surface, and a plurality of plates configured to be received in the first cavity for forming a second cavity of a desired shape and size. The plurality of plates at least partially define the second cavity configured to receive a work piece. The plurality of plates may be replaced with plates of various sizes to vary at least one of the size and shape of the second cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compacting components are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a component is positioned between a first tool portion and a second tool portion of a compaction tool. A sandwich structure is positioned between the first tool portion and the component. The sandwich structure includes a thermally expandable material and a rigid shell. The thermally expandable material is positioned between the first tool portion and the rigid shell. During compaction, the thermally expandable material is subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures, e.g., within an autoclave. When subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures, the thermally expandable material applies a force on the rigid shell, which in turn applies a force on the component so as to compact the component between the rigid shell and the second tool portion.

Abstract: A process for producing a polymeric article is provided that includes: sequentially filling a female mould (11) with a first, second, and third batches, wherein the first and third batches include first and third polymeric materials (1p, 3p), and the second batch includes a second polymeric material (2p) and a blowing agent (2b), closing the thus filled cavity with a lid (12) to form a mould defining a closed cavity (10c) of constant volume in time, heating the mould (10) to a processing temperature, to melt the first, second, and third polymeric materials (1p-3p) and to expand the second polymer agent by activation of the blowing agent, cooling and removing the lid (12) to open the cavity and extracting the polymeric article. At least the second polymeric material (2p) includes at least 50 wt. % of recycled polymer in the form of shredded flakes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a foam molded product and a manufacturing method. The foam molded product is includes a foam body, an insert material having a display unit or a detection unit attached to the foam body, and a surface material affixed to a surface to which at least the insert material is attached. A manufacturing method includes: preparing a pair of molds including a first mold and a second mold; affixing an insert material and a surface material together such that the surface material is in contact with a molding surface of the first mold; closing the pair of molds; injecting a foam resin into a molding space formed by closing the molds; foaming the foam resin to form a foam body; opening the pair of molds; and removing a molded product in which the affixed part and the foam body are integrated.

Abstract: Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

Abstract: An injection mold with a centering device includes a die-holding plate with a cavity-forming die unit, a core-holding plate with a core unit, and a stripping plate between the core-holding and die-holding plates. The centering device has a insert and a mount with a clearance, which is rotationally symmetrical about a center axis and is for receiving the insert. The insert has an opening for receiving the core unit and the insert and the clearance of the mount are insertable in a torsion-free manner in the clearance of the mount in at least three positions rotatable about a center axis of the insert, and the center axis of the clearance and the center axis of the insert overlie one another. A center axis of the opening of the insert is arranged eccentrically in relation to the center axis of the insert by an offset. The centering unit is arranged in the stripping plate.

Abstract: A plasticizing device that plasticizes a solid material includes a drive motor, a screw rotated by the drive motor along a rotation axis of the drive motor and having a groove forming surface on which a groove is formed, a barrel having a facing surface facing the groove forming surface and provided with a communication hole in a central portion thereof, and a heating unit configured to heat at least one of the screw and the barrel. A first facing region and a second facing region that is closer to the central portion than the first facing region are provided between the groove forming surface and the facing surface. A second gap between the groove forming surface and the facing surface in the second facing region is larger than a first gap between the groove forming surface and the facing surface in the first facing region.

Abstract: A cavity plate assembly (400) for a preform mold (100), which includes a cavity plate (410) having an array of seats (412) and a corresponding array of cavity inserts (440) mounted to a front face (CVF) of the cavity plate (410) and in communication with a respective seat (412). Each cavity insert (440) includes a body (441) with a mounting face (441a) and a spigot (443) projecting from the mounting face (441a) and received in a respective seat (412) of the cavity plate (410) such that the mounting (441a) face abuts the front face (CVF) of the cavity plate (410). Each cavity insert (440) also includes a molding surface (448) along its length, at least two thirds of which extends beyond the cavity plate (410).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of refilling a shooting pot cavity in a molding system, the method comprising: determining that a trigger event has occurred in the molding system; and coordinating a refill of the shooting pot cavity with the occurrence of the trigger event.

Abstract: A molding injection pressure and a molding clamping force are determined in advance to obtain a parting opening amount, which is a predetermined gap, between a movable mold and a fixed mold of a mold during injection filling.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an injection molding system configured to operate in a plurality of cycles. The system comprises, amongst other things, a controller that is configured for performing a comparison of a variable pressure setpoint with a target pressure value. The controller is configured to, when the target pressure value is less than the variable pressure setpoint by at least a predetermined lower bound, (i) decrease the variable pressure setpoint to a reduced variable pressure setpoint and (ii) not further decrease the variable pressure setpoint from the reduced variable pressure setpoint until the pump assembly operates for a plurality of stabilizing cycles at the reduced variable pressure setpoint.

Abstract: A mixing device includes a base, a side tube and a primary extruder screw. The base includes an upper case body and a lower case body cooperating with each other to define an accommodating space. The upper case body has a first inlet and a second inlet communicating with the accommodating space and adapted respectively for passage of two materials into the accommodating space therethrough. The lower case body has a third inlet communicating with the accommodating space. The side tube cooperates with the third inlet to be adapted for passage of elastic fillers into the accommodating space therethrough. The primary extruder screw is operable for mixing the elastic fillers with a reaction product made by the two materials to form a molding material.

Abstract: A rubber member molding method for molding a rubber member having a belt shape by attaching rubber discharged from a die to a molding surface while relatively moving the die and the molding surface in a direction along the molding surface, the rubber member molding method includes setting, as an abutting position, a position where a first one of the die and the molding surface is moved in a direction of moving closer to a second one and abuts on the second one before start of molding, and setting, as a molding start position, a position where the first one is moved from the abutting position in a direction of moving away from the second one by a desired thickness of a rubber member at the start of molding.

Abstract: The present application includes an injection molding step and a stretch blow molding step. The stretch blow molding step is configured to include: a first step in which preliminary blow air is introduced into a preform to stretch the preform in a state in which a stretching rod does not contact the bottom of the preform; a second step which is executed after the first step, and in which the preliminary blow air is introduced into the preform and the stretching rod is moved at a set speed and pressed against the bottom of the preform to stretch the preform; and a third step which is executed after the second step, and in which final blow air is introduced into the preform to stretch the preform.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes an injection molding process of injection-molding a preform, a temperature adjustment process of temperature-adjusting the preform while cooling the preform, and a blow molding process of blow-molding the temperature-adjusted preform to manufacture a resin container. In the injection molding process, a step portion thicker than at least an engagement groove of a neck portion is formed between the neck portion and a body portion of the preform.

Abstract: There is provided a resin container manufacturing apparatus configured to stretch a preform disposed in a stretch blow molding mold by a stretching rod and stretch the preform by introducing blow air into the preform so as to form a resin container. The resin container manufacturing apparatus includes detection means for detecting an actual position of the stretching rod inserted into the preform, and supply control means for controlling a supply state of the blow air based on a detection result of the detection means.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming plastic material preforms into plastic material containers has a transport device which transports the plastic material preforms along a predetermined transport path, wherein this transport device has a plurality of transport devices preferably adjoining one another for transporting the plastic material preforms, with a heating device, which heats the plastic material preforms, and with a forming device which is arranged along the transport path of the plastic material preforms downstream of the heating device, wherein the apparatus has a first transport device which feeds the plastic material preforms individually to the heating device, wherein the heating device has a second transport device which transports the plastic material preforms during their heating. The first transport device has a first drive device and the second transport device has a second drive device and the first drive device and the second drive device can be controlled independently of one another.

Abstract: An inkjet printing method and inkjet compositions are disclosed. The method includes selectively depositing by inkjet printing, layer by layer, a first composition and a second composition onto a receiving media from different dispensers to form polymerizable deposited layers. The first composition includes one or more free-radical polymerizable compounds and a cationic photoinitiator and is devoid of compounds able to undergo cationic photopolymerization within the first composition. The second composition includes one or more cationic polymerizable compounds and is devoid of cationic photoinitiators. At least one of the compositions includes a radical photoinitiator. The method further includes exposing the deposited layers to actinic radiation to initiate polymerization of the free-radical polymerizable compounds and the cationic polymerizable compounds within the deposited layers.