Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the operation of a robot, in particular an articulated arm robot having, for example, 6 axes, in a protective field, wherein the protective field has an outer boundary, wherein a respective space occupied by the robot is determined for different robot positions, the space occupied by the robot in the respective robot position is removed from the protective field, wherein an inner boundary of the protective field is created and/or changed by removing the occupied space.

Abstract: A method for modeling a working environment of a robot comprising providing a robot having a base, a reference point, a plurality of links by which the reference point is movably connected to the base, and sensors for detecting positions of or angles between the links, providing a controller adapted to associate a position of the reference point to detected positions or angles between of the links, installing the base in a working environment which is delimited by at least one surface, moving the reference point to at least one sample point of the at least one surface, determining the position of the sample point from positions of or angles between the links detected while the reference point is at the sample point, and inferring the position of the surface from the determined position.

Abstract: A human-machine interface device is provided for communicating touch interaction between two users. The device comprises: a drive mechanism, an interaction element, a sensor, a network connection, and a controller. The drive mechanism is configured to apply a drive force to the interaction element. The sensor is configured to measure interaction by a user with the interaction element so as to obtain interaction data. The network connection is configured to transmit the interaction data to a corresponding human-machine interface device and receive remote interaction data from the corresponding human-machine interface device which is indicative of a second user's interaction with the corresponding device. The controller is configured to control the drive mechanism such that a force is applied to the interaction element based on the remote interaction data.

Abstract: An articulation assembly for a robotic surgical instrument includes a plurality of rotatable but longitudinally fixed lead screws extending between first and second base plates, a collar threaded about each lead screws and configured to translate therealong in response to rotation of the corresponding lead screw, an articulation cable coupled to each collar and defining or having a threaded shaft, and a threaded nipple threaded about each of the threaded shafts. Each threaded nipple is engaged with one of the collars to thereby engage each of the articulation cables with a corresponding one of the collars such that longitudinal translation of the corresponding collar pushes or pulls the corresponding articulation cable. Each threaded nipple is configured for further threading or unthreading about the corresponding threaded shaft to vary a pre-tension on the corresponding articulation cable.

Abstract: A robot control device includes a controller. The controller executes a first calibration of a robot in at least one first calibration position included in a first calibration range set in an operating space of the robot and executes a second calibration of the robot in at least one second calibration position that is included in a second calibration range defining part of the first calibration range and that is set with a higher density than the at least one first calibration position.

Abstract: A robot control device includes a controller. The controller obtains an actual visual field size of a space information acquisition unit configured to capture an image of an operating space of a robot and space information obtained by the space information acquisition unit, sets a predetermined first position based on the actual visual field size and the space information, and generates a calibration position of the robot based on the first position and the actual visual field size.

Abstract: A device includes: an image data acquisition unit that acquires, when a robot is grasping a workpiece by a hand, image data of the workpiece imaged by a visual sensor disposed at a known position on a control coordinate system; a workpiece position acquisition unit that acquires workpiece position data indicating a position and a posture of the workpiece on the basis of the image data; a hand position acquisition position that acquires hand position data indicating a position and a posture of the hand obtained when the visual sensor has imaged the image data; and a teaching position acquisition unit that acquires, on the basis of the workpiece position data and the hand position data, teaching position data indicating a positional relationship between the hand and the workpiece obtained when the visual sensor has imaged the image data.

Abstract: Provided is a control system that controls an imaging condition of a camera equipped on a robot to capture an image in which a blur is suppressed. The control system includes a robot control unit that controls a motion of the robot equipped with the camera, and a camera control unit that controls an imaging operation of the camera. The camera control unit determines an exposure time for suppressing a blur that occurs in a captured image of the camera within an allowable pixel number for the moving speed of the camera, and in a case where the camera control unit cannot set the exposure time, the camera control unit instructs the robot control unit to update a speed limit value of the robot.

Abstract: A mobile robot is provided. The mobile robot includes a communication circuitry configured to communicate with an electronic device, a sensor configured to detect a user, a user interface configured to provide information related to an operation of the electronic device, and a controller. The controller may be configured to: determine a target user to provide the information related to the operation of the electronic device, based on at least one of state information of the electronic device or user information obtained by the sensor, obtain event information about a change in the operation of the electronic device, determine a notification type of the event information, based on at least one of a location of the target user or a state of the target user, and control the user interface to provide the event information in the determined notification type.

Abstract: A disclosed processing system includes a substrate placing stage, at least one measurer, and a determiner. The substrate placing stage is configured to place a substrate transferred by a transfer device thereon. The at least one measurer measures a load applied to the substrate placing stage from the substrate when the substrate is transferred from the transfer device onto the substrate placing stage. The determiner determines a suitability of a fixed state of the substrate to the transfer device based on the load measured by the at least one measurer.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a joint module and an articulated robot. The joint module comprises a hollow shaft having first and second ends, a speed reducer assembly and a motor assembly sleeved on the hollow shaft, and an encoder assembly. The power output end of the motor assembly is connected to the first end via the speed reducer assembly. The encoder assembly comprises an encoder mounting base, outer, middle, and inner rings, input and output code wheels disposed on the inner ring, and an encoder read head mounted on the encoder mounting base. The inner ring is sleeved on and connected with the second end. The middle ring connected with the power output end is sleeved on the inner ring in a running fit. The outer ring is sleeved on the middle ring in a running fit and connected with the motor assembly via the encoder mounting base.

Abstract: Provided is a robot hand having a high degree of freedom comprising: a palm module; a first finger module comprising a first base frame detachably coupled to the palm module and at least two first finger portions connected to the first base frame and including multiple first joints; a second finger module comprising a second base frame detachably coupled to another side of the palm module and a second finger portion connected to the second base frame and including multiple second joints; a wire driving portion mounted inside the palm module and including a driving module for operating the first finger portions and the second finger portion, the driving module providing driving power to wires connected to the multiple first and second joints; and a gear driving portion for providing driving power to gears individually connected to the first finger portions and the second finger portion for performing abduction/adduction operations.

Abstract: A gripper for industrial manipulators, especially for optical inspection devices to inspect transparent or semitransparent containers includes a body and an upper portion constrained to the body and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the body. An actuator is operable to impart rotations to the upper portion, and jaws are mounted on the upper portion and are movable closer to and away from each other to pick up and release an object. Rotation of the upper portion and activation of the jaws are controlled by the same electric motor housed in the gripper itself. The electric motor rotates a drive shaft coaxial with the longitudinal axis and connected to the upper portion so that the jaws rotate about the longitudinal axis. The assembly formed by the electric motor and the drive shaft may translate along the longitudinal axis to move the jaws and, therefore, open and close the gripper.

Abstract: Tool coupling device with two coupling subdevices, wherein one of the coupling subdevices is intended for the distal end of a robot arm, and the other coupling subdevice is intended to be provided on a tool which can be coupled to the robot arm. The coupling subdevices are uncouplable from and to each other for the purpose of tool changing. A first of the coupling subdevices has a coupling socket extending in a coupling direction for insertion into a coupling recess of a second coupling subdevice. A plurality of ball channels are provided, within each of which a ball body is arranged as a locking body. The ball bodies are movable between a radially extended coupling position and a radially retracted release position. An actuating body for securing the ball bodies in the extended position is displaceable by an electric motor or a manual control lever.

Abstract: A manual robotic tool changer includes a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is activated by moving a lever between open (decoupled) and closed (coupled) positions. When the lever reaches the closed position, a safety latch automatically engages and prevents the lever from moving towards the open position. To open the lever, the safety latch is first activated to disengage, then the lever is moved to the open position. To virtually eliminate the possibility of both the safety latch being accidentally actuated, and the lever being accidentally moved towards the open position, these actions require the application of forces in substantially opposite directions. Accordingly, it is impossible that a single force, inadvertently applied to any part of the tool changer, could both actuate the safety latch and open the lever. In some embodiments, actuation of the safety latch and opening the lever are both easily performed with one hand.

Abstract: A gripping tool which has a gripper finger carrier extending along a center axis and carrying a plurality of gripper fingers which are distributed around the center axis and can be swiveled by means of an actuating device based on a magnetic operating principle for selectively gripping or releasing an object. A special feature is that the gripper fingers are arranged as separate components on one-piece leaf spring clips with spring-elastic properties, which are each attached via an outer clip section to the gripper finger carrier and via an inner clip section to a drive element that can be driven to swivel the gripper fingers to a drive movement.

Abstract: Provided is a robot hand. The robot hand may comprise: a palm module that provides a base surface; a first finger module provided on one side of the palm module so as to be able to change position on the palm module; a second finger module provided on the other side of the palm module so as to be able to change position on the palm module; a plurality of third finger modules provided on the palm module and fixed in one direction between the first finger module and the second finger module; and a first linkage part connecting the palm module and the first finger module. The first linkage part can guide the first finger module to a target position without interfering with the palm module when the position of the first finger module changes on the palm module.

Abstract: A vertical articulated robot has a base installed on a mounting surface, a first axis supported parallel to the mounting surface by the base, a pivot frame rotatable by the first axis, a second axis supported orthogonal to the first axis by the pivot frame, a lower arm rotatable by the second axis, a third axis supported parallel to the second axis by an end of the lower arm opposite to the second axis, a connecting arm rotatable by the third axis, a fourth axis supported orthogonal to the second axis and third axis by the connecting arm, and an upper arm including a holding arm rotatable by the fourth axis, and the first axis enables the second axis, the lower arm, the third axis, and the upper arm to make a substantially vertical circular motion relative to the mounting surface.

Abstract: An air purge mechanism includes: a plurality of containers accommodating electrical connection parts; and a cable connecting the containers. One of the containers is provided with an air supply port through which compressed air is supplied to the container. The cable includes a wire bundle formed by bundling a group of wires connected to the electrical connection parts, and a sheath covering an exterior surface of the wire bundle. The interior spaces of two of the containers are connected to each other via gaps between the wires inside the sheath.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and system for detecting the foot-end touchdown of quadruped robot, including the following steps: S1. Calculating the foot-end height above ground of each leg, and calculating the foot-end height touchdown probability based on the foot-end height above ground of each leg; Calculating the knee torque touchdown probability based on the external torque of knee joint of each leg; S2. According to the foot-end touchdown probability calculated from the gait schedule, the foot-end height and the external torque of knee joint, using the Kalman Filter to obtain the final foot-end touchdown probability of four legs; Determining the foot-end touchdown state according to the foot-end touchdown probability of four legs.

Abstract: An actuator includes an output link; an input member, wherein the output link and the input member are rotatable about an axis of rotation; an elastic member disposed between the output link and the input member and configured to allow transmission of torque between the output link and the input member about the axis of rotation, and to allow at the same time, as a result of elastic deformation of the elastic member, a relative rotation between the output link and input member about the axis of rotation; and a thermo-active module comprising one or more thermoplastic inserts, wherein the thermoplastic inserts are configured to apply a variable resistance between the output link and the input member and provide an adjustable damping between the output link and the input member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a depilatory device that can be further downsized. Depilatory device according to the present disclosure includes main body, a blade part provided at main body and capable of removing hair, and motor built in main body and drives blade part. In addition, first space in which battery capable of supplying electric power to motor is disposed is formed in main body. First space has a shape elongated in a first direction extending in a horizontal direction in a state where the blade part and main body are lined up in an up-down direction, and motor is built in main body in a state of being elongated in a direction extending in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A system for removing body hair, having a head unit which comprises a bearing surface for bearing on the skin, at least one electrically operated device for depilation or epilation of the body hair being present on the bearing surface, an electrical storage for electrically supplying the device for depilation or epilation, a communication module and a position sensor and/or a speed sensor being integrated in the head unit. The communication module is set up to establish a communication link with a further communication module of a control unit and to transmit the data of the position sensor and/or the speed sensor to the control unit. The control unit is set up to detect the position of the head unit on the basis of the data of the position sensor and/or the speed sensor and to evaluate the points at which depilation or epilation has already taken place.

Abstract: A shaving razor component test method may include securing the ends of a shaving razor component between a rotatable clamp and a fixed clamp and rotating the rotatable clamp to cause the shaving razor component to fail. Multiple shaving razor components may be tested simultaneously.

Abstract: A skin contacting member for a razor assembly that comprises a main body having a plurality of lubricant reservoir cavities and a plurality of tiltable lid elements that at least partially cover one or more of the lubricant reservoir cavities is disclosed. Each tiltable lid element has a tilt axis which divides the tiltable lid element into a first portion and into a second portion. The first portion is arranged on a first side of the tilt axis while the second portion on a second side of the tilt axis. Each tiltable lid element is configured as a scale such that upon external force being exerted on a tiltable lid element during a shaving operation, a torque moment acts on the tiltable lid element which tilts the first portion toward a respective lubricant reservoir cavity whereby the second portion is lifted up from the main body in an opposing direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shaver handle, wherein at least part of the shaver handle's surface comprises a first material. The first material comprises a first polymer and rubber particles. The rubber particles comprise carbon black. The core of the shaver handle comprises a second material.

Abstract: Cutting assembly for a food product high speed slicing machine, the cutting assembly (1) comprising a cutter (10) which is rotative around a central axis (A) and comprises a support disc (11), connected by its center to a drive unit (20) through a central shaft (21) concentric with the central axis (A), and a blade (30) releasably attached to a periphery of the support disc (11) by a fixation device, the blade (30) having a spiral cutting edge (31) lying in a cutting plane perpendicular to the central axis (A) and coplanar with a product holder (2); wherein the blade (30) is a non-closed curved blade; and the cutter (10) includes at least one blade (30), defining at least one independent continuous spiral cutting edge (31) with a ? ratio of at least thirty in at least most of the spiral cutting edge, so that the cut precision is improved.

Abstract: A cutting roller includes a cutting roller body and a cutting knife assembly, and a knife groove is concavely formed in a peripheral wall of the cutting roller body. The cutting knife assembly includes a knife frame and a paper pushing frame arranged in the knife groove, and a blade mounted on the knife frame. The paper pushing frame is provided with a paper pushing groove matched and sleeved with the blade in a transmission mode, the paper pushing frame is slidably arranged relative to the cutting roller body in a circumferential direction of the cutting roller body. At least one of two ends of the knife frame extending along the knife groove is provided with a linkage component with a swing connecting portion and a driven connecting portion, and the swing connecting portion is rotatably connected with an end face of the cutting roller body.

Abstract: A foot operated slicing tool for laminates, tiles, floor materials, vinyl, and more is disclosed. The tool is portable and does not require use of hands and shoulders for the operation thereof. In one embodiment, the lever of the tool is operatively connected to a blade unit and a foot pedal of the lever receives force from a leg and foot of a user to actuate the blade unit to slice a material. A lever arm and associated foot pedal is accessible along an edge of a platform for operating the tool and for applying a force to actuate the blade unit. The lever includes two pivotally connected arms, wherein upon application of force on the foot pedal, the lever moves an upper blade of the blade unit towards the lower blade to slice the material disposed therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting device (7) for cutting food products (e.g. pieces of cheese or sausage) into slices, with two parallel product feeders (8, 9) for feeding two food products into two conveyor tracks, and with two cutting blades (18, 19) for cutting the food products into slices. Furthermore, the invention comprises a corresponding operating method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a press punching device having a reinforcing plate. The press punching device includes: a punching jig configured such that a plurality of punching needles having respective through holes are coupled thereto; a reinforcing plate formed at the bottom end of the punching jig, and configured to support the punching jig; a support block formed at the bottom end of the reinforcing plate, and configured to support the reinforcing plate; a base plate formed at the bottom end of the support block, and configured to be movable in a lateral straight line; and one or more rollers configured to press a base material seated on the punching jig.

Abstract: A workpiece guiding device having a base, a supporting component and a limiting component, wherein the base is formed with a loading surface to load the workpiece. The loading surface is formed with a first long slot facing downward. A supporting component is movably configured on the loading surface. The bottom of the supporting component is formed with a second long slot facing upward. The first and second long slots are opposite each other in the vertical direction, forming a long first space. The limiting component is removably configured in the first space. The radial periphery of the limiting component enters the long slots. One side of the supporting component is defined as a supporting side, which is used to receive the lateral pressing by the workpiece. The workpiece guiding device enhances the convenience in adjusting the position of the supporting component at a regularly used tooling angle.

Abstract: An immersion treatment system for treating items, comprising a shipping container, a treatment tank insertable in the shipping container and defining a treatment chamber, an item-receiving receptacle displaceable between a loading/unloading configuration where the item-receiving receptacle extends outside the treatment chamber and a treatment configuration where the item-receiving receptacle is positioned in the treatment chamber, and a lift at least partially insertable in the shipping container and including a receptacle connector assembly. The treatment chamber is being adapted to receive a treatment solution. The item-receiving receptacle is being engageable with the receptacle connector assembly and translatable between the loading/unloading configuration and the treatment configuration. A method for treating items by immersion is also described.

Abstract: A wood preservative composition comprising 4,5-dichloro-2-octylisothiazol-3(2H)-one, a method of treating a wood substrate therewith, and a wood product produced therefrom are provided. The wood preservative composition comprises at least 0.5% by weight of DCOI based on the total weight of the composition and a retaining additive comprising a solvent-borne polymeric resin, a wax, or a combination thereof. A weight ratio of the DCOI to the retaining additive in the composition is in a range of 1:5 to 5:1.

Abstract: A wood preservative composition comprising 4.5-dichloro-2-octylisothiazol-3 (2H)-one, a method of treating a wood substrate therewith, and a wood product produced therefrom are provided. The wood preservative composition comprises at least 10% by weight of 4.5-dichloro-2-octylisothiazol-3-one (DCOI) based on the total weight of the composition, at least 10% by weight of a non-polar organic solvent based on the total weight of the composition, and at least 1% by weight of a polar organic solvent based on the total weight of the composition. A weight ratio of the non-polar organic solvent to the polar organic solvent is in a range of 80:1 to 1:8.

Abstract: A building panel including a multi-layered substrate having a back side layer with lignocellulosic particles and a binder, an intermediate layer with lignocellulosic particles and a binder, arranged on the back side layer, and a front side layer with lignocellulosic particles and a binder, arranged on the intermediate layer. The building panel further includes a front side wood veneer element attached to the front side layer of the multi-layered substrate, and a balancing element attached to the back side layer of the multi-layered substrate. The back side layer was formed from a first mixture, the intermediate layer was formed from a second mixture and the front side layer was formed from a third mixture where lignocellulosic particles from the second mixture and lignocellulosic particles from the third mixture are mixed, at least in a border area between the intermediate layer and the front side layer.

Abstract: A building panel, such as a floor panel, or wall panel, having a multi-layered substrate including a back side layer comprising lignocellulosic particles and a binder, an intermediate layer including lignocellulosic particles and a binder which is arranged on the back side layer, and a front side layer including lignocellulosic particles and a binder, and which is arranged on the intermediate layer. The back side layer was formed from a first mixture, the intermediate layer was formed from a second mixture and the front side layer was formed from a third mixture. The building panel further has a mechanical locking device arranged along at least one edge portion of the building panel where the mechanical locking device is configured for horizontal and/or vertical locking of similar or essentially identical building panels in an assembled position.

Abstract: Provided are a method of manufacturing a ceramic article in which the improvement of mechanical strength, wear resistance, and machinability is achieved using a direct modeling system, and a ceramic article. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: (i) arranging powder containing ceramics as a main component on a base; (ii) irradiating a part or an entirety of the arranged powder with an energy beam to melt and solidify the powder, to thereby obtain an intermediate modeled article; (iii) causing the modeled article to absorb a metal component-containing liquid to impregnate the modeled article therewith; and (iv) subjecting the modeled article having absorbed the metal component-containing liquid to heat treatment.

Abstract: A concrete cap molding device for molding concrete caps for posts includes a clamshell mold, which is selectively hingable between open and closed configurations. In the closed configuration, the clamshell mold has a top, in which an orifice is centrally positioned, a bottom, which is open, a sidewall extending between the top and the bottom, and a circular cross-sectional profile when viewed from the bottom or the top. Handles are attached to the clamshell mold and can be grasped in hands of a user, enabling the user to position the clamshell mold around a post that protrudes from a mound of concrete, to close the clamshell mold, and to rotate or oscillate the clamshell mold, concurrently with motivating the clamshell mold into the mound of concrete to mold the mound of concrete into a concrete cap around the post.

Abstract: A mold for a configuration of a paver block layer, having: a mold outer boundary that defines a rectangular or square shape, and within the mold outer boundary, the mold defines block shaped cavities that include: square block cavities, each having a first cavity area; small block cavities, each having a second cavity area that is smaller than first cavity area; large block cavities, each having a third cavity area that is larger than the first cavity area, wherein block joints are defined by the mold, between adjacent ones of the block cavities, and the block joints define an X-less configurations.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is employed for actuating a 3D printer for an additive manufacturing method, in particular filament printing, of structures of a building with concrete or other construction materials. The method may include reading in a 3D model via a CAD interface, in which model the structures are represented in an identifiable manner in structural data in a first design format, reading in printer parameters via a printer interface which parameters represent requirements and/or design specifications of the 3D printer and executing a structure conversion algorithm which uses the structural data represented in the first design format to calculate filament structural data in a second design format for a filament structure on the basis of the printer parameters which have been read in. Control instructions are calculated based on the calculated filament structural data, and the calculated control instructions are transmitted to the 3D printer for the purpose of control.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an airfoil includes providing an airfoil core tube that is made of a rigidized ceramic fabric, using the airfoil core tube as a mandrel by braiding a plurality of ceramic fiber tows around the airfoil core tube to form one or more braided layers, where the airfoil core tube and the one or more braided layers forming an airfoil preform, and densifying the airfoil preform with a ceramic matrix material to thereby form a ceramic matrix composite airfoil.

Abstract: Systems described herein relate to a mobile material transport system for 3D printing construction. Embodiments of the mobile material transport system include a portable container configured to store a granular material, such as a dry mix mortar. The system also includes a feed system coupled to the portable container that may continuously expel the granular material through a material output valve at a steady feed rate that may be controlled to adjust the feed rate up or down. Additionally, the system may include a power supply that powers the feed system, as well as any additional construction equipment, such as a material mixer or 3D printer.

Abstract: Blades and methods of manufacturing the same. A blade includes a blade body comprising a cutting edge disposed around a perimeter of the blade body. The blade includes a cutter pocket configured to receive a cutter, wherein the cutter pocket is attached to the blade body. The blade includes a cutter attached to the cutter pocket.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for cutting a workpiece are described herein. The systems include a clamp having an elongate body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end, the elongate body being positioned above the workpiece and below a motor of the saw; a first connector configured to secure the first end of the elongate body to the base at a first side of the base; and a second connector configured to secure the second end of the elongate body to the base at a second side of the base. The first connector and the second connector provide for the clamp to move between a raised position where the elongate body is coupled to the base and disengaged from a top surface of the workpiece and a lowered position where the elongate body is coupled to the base and presses down on the top surface of the workpiece and secures the workpiece against the upper surface of the base when the workpiece is positioned between the first connector and the second connector.

Abstract: An injection molding pellet is applied for injection molding. The base material of the injection molding pellet is a polylactic resin, and the polylactic resin is mixed with wood grains with a grain size that does not exceed 50 ?m.

Abstract: A method for the production of granulate suitable for the production of extrusion-blow-molded hollow bodies, comprising: sorting by type, washing, and comminuting PET articles originating from a post-consumer collection of plastic packaging, removing contaminants from the PET articles, premixing PET material from various types of the sorted PET articles so that a Trouton ratio of mixed PET material at a shear rate of 50 to 200 s?1 is less than 4, drying the PET material, melting the dried PET material, pressing the PET material through a filter, dividing the PET material into individual melt streams, cooling and solidifying the melt streams in a water bath and separating the solidified melt flows into pellets, wherein the pellets have an intrinsic viscosity of 0.5 to 0.75 dl/g, crystallizing the pellets, and drying and condensing the crystallized pellets in a solid-phase polycondensation reactor until they reach an intrinsic viscosity of 1.0 to 1.7 dl/g.

Abstract: Method for processing plastics material, comprising the following steps: feeding the plastics material into a screw machine by means of a feeding device; plasticizing the fed plastics material by means of the screw machine to form a polymer melt; and processing the polymer melt by means of the screw machine, wherein the viscosity of the polymer melt is set by means of the screw speed of the screw machine, and device for processing plastics material.

Abstract: Provided is a method of polymer molding of cables and connections, such as undersea cables and connections using additive manufacturing. Design requirements for cables/connections, including form, fit, and function data is provided. The requirements are used to produce a three-dimensional model of a mold, which is converted into a file format that allows for three-dimensional printing and computer-aided manufacturing. A mold is printed utilizing a UV cured resin on a high resolution three-dimensional printer. The mold is then checked to ensure it meets form, fit, and function data. Finally, an cable/connection is molded by mixing polyurethane, injecting it into the mold, and baking. The disclosed method provides significant time and cost savings when compared to prior art steel and aluminum mold manufacturing.

Abstract: An elongated modular collapsible and expandable mandrel for forming prismatic or non-prismatic hollow bars of various cross-sections, comprising: a plurality of outer segments configured to define a prismatic or non-prismatic mandrel outer surface; a plurality of hub assemblies with each hub assembly comprising a central hub and a plurality of support members spaced-apart around a perimeter of the central hub, each support member is pivotally attached to a respective one of the plurality of outer segments by a first end of a link with the second end of the link pivotally attached to its respective central hub; and means for moving each central hub linearly causing each of its links to pivot toward or away from, depending upon the direction of axial movement of the central hub, a longitudinal axis of the means for moving each central hub linearly while the central hub moves linearly thereby expanding or contracting the cross-sectional dimension of the respective portions of the mandrel to which each of the plu