Abstract: A method is disclosed of changing a tool on a programmable motion device. The method includes the steps of moving an attachment portion of an end effector of the programmable motion device in a continuous motion; while the attachment portion of the end effector moves in the continuous motion, engaging one of: the attachment portion of the end effector with the tool, or the tool attached to the attachment portion of the end effector with an exchange system, and continuing to move the attachment portion of the end effector in the continuous motion to change a connection status of the attachment portion of the end effector while the attachment portion of the end effector moves in the continuous motion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lay-up apparatus for laying up fibre reinforcement material, the lay-up apparatus comprising a lay-up tool defining a lay-up surface, a placement head having a flexible membrane which is conformable to the layup surface, and a membrane vacuum port extending through the membrane and configured to hold a ply against the membrane when suction is applied through the membrane vacuum port. The placement head is configured to cooperate with the lay-up tool so that when a ply is held against the membrane, an airtight chamber is formed between the membrane and the lay-up tool. The lay-up tool comprises a consolidation vacuum port configured to permit evacuation of the airtight chamber to cause the membrane and ply to move towards the lay-up surface.

Abstract: An end-effector of a programmable motion device is disclosed. The end-effector includes a body that provides an open interior, the open interior being coupled to a vacuum source, and the body including a contact surface for contacting an object to be grasped by the end effector. The contact surface includes at least one aperture through which a vacuum is provided, and the body includes an outer surface that faces away from the open interior. The body provides that when the flow of air drawn by the vacuum source through the at least one aperture is reduced due to the at least one aperture being at least partially blocked, the outer surface of the body engages the object being grasped at least partially within the open interior of the body.

Abstract: An end-effector for a programmable motion device is disclosed. The end effector includes a body that includes a contact portion, the body providing an open interior through which a vacuum may be provided to the contact portion, and the body includes at least one feature that is adapted to facilitate the contact portion to become substantially non-planar while grasping.

Abstract: An end-effector for a programmable motion device is disclosed. The end effector includes a body that includes a contact portion, the body providing an open interior through which a vacuum may be provided to the contact portion, and the body including at least one feature that is adapted to facilitate the contact portion to become substantially non-planar while grasping.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for gripping an object by a handling system, including a robot with at least one robot arm, a gripping device which is connected to the robot arm and has a pneumatically operated suction gripper having an elastically deformable contact portion for contact with an outer surface of the object to be gripped, an identifier for identifying the outer surface of the object to be gripped and a controller which interacts with the identifier and is designed to control the robot.

Abstract: A grabbing device, comprising a connection base, a gas pipeline provided in the connection base, a grabbing member having a hollow cavity and connected to the connection base, a filter layer provided between the hollow cavity and the gas pipeline, and particles filled in the hollow cavity. The gas pipeline is in communication with the hollow cavity by the filter layer for preventing the particles from entering the gas pipeline. The grabbing member is made of a flexible material, permitting the grabbing member to bulge when being inflated, and being recessed according to a shape of a surface of the object after the grabbing member contacts the object. The particles maintain the flexible state when the grabbing member is inflated, and the particles are pressed to the rigid state when withdrawing gas to deflate the grabbing member into a recessed position. The grabbing device can maintain a grip on objects having an irregular shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum sucker device, including: a sucker body, configured to attach to a surface, and having an upwardly protruding mounting part at a middle portion of the sucker body, and the mounting part having a neck; a pressing cover, configured to press the sucker body, and having a plurality of outer bevel edges on an outer circumferential portion thereof and a plurality of inner bevel edges on an inner circumferential portion thereof; a rotatable cover, having a locking lug thereon matched with the neck of the mounting part, a plurality of outer pressing blocks therein matched with the outer bevel edges, and a plurality of inner pressing blocks therein matched with the inner bevel edges; and a mounting cover, mounted over the rotatable cover, connected to the mounting part, and having an object hanging groove.

Abstract: A panel joiner system includes 2 sets of suction cups couple together through a linear guide to allow the sets of suction cups to move toward each other for joining panels along the edges. A movement mechanism is also coupled to the suction cups to convert a rotational movement to a linear movement of the suction cups. A surface alignment module is coupled to the linear guide to move between the suction cups for aligning the top surface of the panels. Compressible materials or ball bearings can be disposed between the section cups and the linear guide to allow the panel joiner to adjust the panel positions for joining.

Abstract: A valve for use within a vacuum cup of a vacuum gripping system is described. In one example, a vacuum cup includes a bellows and a valve assembly seated within an inner chamber of the bellows. The valve assembly includes a body disk seated within the inner chamber, a control disk seated toward a suction cup end of the bellows, a spring positioned between the body disk and the control disk, and a control stem extending through the central valve aperture of the body disk, through the spring, and secured to the control disk. When the control stem is seated within the central valve aperture, the valve assembly restricts fluid suction to within the inner chamber. When the valve control stem is unseated from the central valve aperture, the valve assembly conveys fluid suction to the suction cup end of the bellows.

Abstract: A suction head (1) for a waste sorting system includes a main tubular body (2) having a connecting end (3) for connection to a suction system (S) and a suction end (4) for engagement with a waste item. An upper sleeve member (5) and a lower sleeve member (6) are arranged around the suction end (4), wherein the upper sleeve member (5) is longitudinally movable with respect to the main tubular body (2) and the lower sleeve member 6 is removable from the suction end (4). An annular gripper sheet (7) of flexible material is arranged between the upper and lower sleeve member (5, 6). A biasing member (8) is in longitudinal biasing engagement with the upper sleeve member (5) for biasing the upper sleeve member (5) toward the lower sleeve member (6), clamping the annular gripper sheet (7) between the upper and lower sleeve member (5, 6).

Abstract: An end effector is disclosed for an articulated arm. The end effector includes a valve assembly including a plurality of supply channels, each supply channel including a supply conduit, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the supply conduit, and a supply conduit plug. The supply conduit is in fluid communication with a vacuum source. During use, each supply conduit is either at vacuum such that the pressure within the supply conduit is substantially at a vacuum pressure, or is at a pressure that is substantially higher than vacuum pressure because the supply conduit plug has moved to block a portion of the supply conduit. The pressure sensor of each supply conduit provides a pressure sensor signal responsive to whether the pressure in the conduit is either substantially at vacuum or is at a pressure that is substantially higher than vacuum.

Abstract: A vacuum gripper sealing element allows a vacuum gripper to suitably conform to irregular surface topology without compromising vacuum conditions. The sealing element utilizes a compressible sealing element which at least partially encapsulates an elastic sealing element. Upon being pressed against an object surface, the compressible sealing element will conform within and around macroscopic peaks, valleys and other irregular physical features. While conforming to macro-scale features, the compressible sealing element applies pressure isotropically upon the encapsulated elastic sealing element, which elastically conforms to micro-scale features while pressed thereagainst. The elastic sealing element has a fluid-filled interior that is surrounded by an elastic outer layer. While under pressure against an irregular surface topology, the fluid-filled interior displaces so as to redistribute internal forces, conforming the elastic outer layer to the micro-scale features of the object surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro LED transfer head and a system using the same for transferring a micro LED, the micro LED transfer head and the system being capable of increasing the efficiency of transferring micro LEDs with vacuum-suction by the micro LED transfer head, removing a factor that interferes with a grip force of the micro LED transfer head gripping the micro LEDs to improve the transfer efficiency of the micro LED transfer head, and preventing foreign substances from entering into a space where the micro LED transfer head is cleaned while cleaning a grip surface of the micro LED transfer head to improve the efficiency of cleaning the grip surface of the micro LED transfer head.

Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A fixing device and a mobile phone holder are disclosed. Wherein, the fixing device includes: a suction cup; an air pump connected to the suction cup for pumping air and forming a negative pressure at the suction cup to adsorb and fix an object to be fixed. The fixing device uses the air pump to suck the air in the suction cup, so as to firmly fix the object to be fixed and the suction cup together, preventing the object to be fixed from falling off, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the fixing device.

Abstract: A device for unloading and storing preforms for the production of containers made of plastics includes at least one cooling plate that defines a plurality of receptacles for respective preforms and a component for transferring the still-hot preforms from an injection molding device to the cooling plate. The device includes pick-up components adapted to pick up the preforms from the cooling plate and place them inside at least one accommodation container.

Abstract: A touch display device includes a display module, a touch module and a light-transmitting substrate. The display module has a display surface and a bottom surface opposite to the display surface. The touch module is fixed to the display surface by an adhesive. The adhesive, the touch module and the display surface together form an accommodating space between the display module and the touch module. The light-transmitting substrate is disposed in the accommodating space, one side of the light-transmitting substrate is fixed to the display surface by a first optical adhesive, the other side of the light-transmitting substrate is fixed to the touch module by a second optical adhesive. An adhesive strength of the adhesive is greater than an adhesive strength of the first optical adhesive, and the adhesive strength of the adhesive is greater than an adhesive strength of the second optical adhesive.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping at least one deformable food product, includes: a chamber, a depressurization system for depressurizing the chamber, a fluid connection connecting the depressurization system to the chamber, and at least one perforated plate (246) defining a receiving surface (248) for receiving the deformable food product, the perforated plate (246) having at least one perforation opening into the receiving surface (248) and into the chamber.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing dynamic vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a first vacuum source for providing a first vacuum pressure with a first maximum air flow rate, and a second vacuum source for providing a second vacuum pressure with a second maximum air flow rate, wherein the second vacuum pressure is higher than the first vacuum pressure and wherein the second maximum air flow rate is greater than the first maximum air flow rate.

Abstract: An end effector system is disclosed for a robotic system that includes a primary acquisition system that includes a primary end effector, and a secondary retention system that substantially surrounds at least a portion of the primary acquisition system, wherein at least a portion of the primary acquisition system may be drawn up within at least a portion of the secondary retention system such that the primary end effector system may be used to select an object from a plurality of objects, and the secondary retention system may be used to secure the object for rapid transport to an output destination.

Abstract: A conveyance hand for holding a conveyed object can include a base, a pad configured to suction the conveyed object, and a first support member fixed to the base and configured to support the pad. First support member can include three or more support members each configured to support the pad.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing dynamic vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a first vacuum source for providing a first vacuum pressure with a first maximum air flow rate, and a second vacuum source for providing a second vacuum pressure with a second maximum air flow rate, wherein the second vacuum pressure is higher than the first vacuum pressure and wherein the second maximum air flow rate is greater than the first maximum air flow rate.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing high flow vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a high flow vacuum source that provides an opening with an area of high flow vacuum at the end effector such that objects may be engaged while permitting substantial flow of air through the opening, and a load detection system for characterizing the load presented by the object.

Abstract: Wafer-handling end effectors and semiconductor manufacturing devices that include and/or are utilized with wafer-handling end effectors are disclosed herein. The end effectors include an end effector body and a plurality of wafer-contacting surfaces that is supported by the end effector body and configured to form an at least partially face-to-face contact with a wafer. The end effectors further include a vacuum distribution manifold that extends between a robot-proximal end of the end effector body and the plurality of wafer-contacting surfaces. The end effectors also include a plurality of vacuum openings that is defined within the plurality of wafer-contacting surfaces and extends between the plurality of wafer-contacting surfaces and the vacuum distribution manifold. The end effectors further include a plurality of sealing structures each of which is associated with a respective one of the plurality of wafer-contacting surfaces.

Abstract: A template 13 comprises a cusp base forming part 11 having a shape corresponding to a cusp base is provided to obtain cusp material for dispersing stresses exerted on the cusp. Such a cusp forming template may further comprise wing forming parts 15 corresponding to wing parts provided outside the cusp base forming part 11. As examples of the wing forming part, there may be employed a single or plural holes provided at a part or parts corresponding to the outline of each wing, and guide parts provided at parts corresponding to the outline of wings.

Abstract: The present application discloses a vacuum sucker with one-cavity and multi-holes, which comprises a housing, a sucker member, a suction chamber and a piston member. The housing is connected to the sucker member. The sucker member is provided with at least two recess type chambers on bottom surface. The suction chamber is provided with air holes which are communicated with the recess type chambers. The piston member is movably mounted in the suction chamber and is provided with a component for one-way communication by sucking the air from the suction chamber to the outside through a reciprocating motion of the piston member. Each of the recess type chambers is provided with an air hole communicated with the suction chamber. The present application provides a vacuum sucker with one-cavity and multi-holes, achieving a better use effect through a plurality of the recess type chambers being sucked on the sucking surface.

Abstract: The paver moving tool (10) includes a suction head (12), a shaft (24) secured to the suction head (12), a lift-handle (30) secured to a top end (28) of the shaft (24), and one of a first and a second rechargeable vacuum power pack (34, 50) operably coupled in fluid communication with the suction head (12) for selectively applying a vacuum force through the suction head (12) to an adjacent paver (20). The rechargeable vacuum power packs (34, 50) are supported on either the shaft (24), the lift handle (30) or on a backpack (53) on an operator of the self-powered paver moving tool (10) while the operator is using the tool (10).

Abstract: A seal for a vacuum lifter and method of manufacture wherein the seal has a continuous unbroken outer fluid resistant skin of elastomer which forms a boundary around a homogeneous cellular structure with no interior seams or joints.

Abstract: A winder unit is provided for use with cutting wire in cutting out a vehicle glazing panel. The winder unit includes first and second winder spools spaced apart from one another, where the winder spools are configured to wind the cutting wire. The winder unit further includes a suction mount for mounting the winder unit, wherein the suction mount comprises a single suction device only. And the winder unit further includes at least one wire guide element spaced from the winder spools, wherein the at least one wire guide element is mounted with respect to the winder unit so as to be adjustable in position or orientation with respect to at least one of the suction mount and the winder spools.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and vacuum chucks for transferring flexible elongate bodies are disclosed herein. The vacuum chucks include an elongate rigid support, a vertically oriented vacuum surface, a vacuum manifold, and a skirt seal. The systems include an elongate horizontal support structure, a transfer structure, a plurality of vertical linkages, which are operatively attached to the elongate horizontal support structure, and a plurality of vacuum chucks. Each of the plurality of vacuum chucks is operatively attached to a respective one of the plurality of vertical linkages. The methods include suspending an elongate horizontal support structure with a transfer structure, aligning each of a plurality of vacuum chucks with a respective portion of a vertical surface of a flexible elongate body, selectively actuating each of the plurality of vacuum chucks to retain the respective portion of the vertical surface of the flexible elongate body, and lifting the flexible elongate body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a suction cup used in a vacuum system. The suction cup includes a hollow body, a skirt-shaped pad disposed under the body, and a ring-shaped clamp removably provided in the suction cup to couple the body with the pad. A concave ‘C’-shaped outer surface of the clamp compresses a contact portion of the body with the pad in opposite directions upwards and downwards while surrounding the contact portion, thus coupling the body with the pad.

Abstract: A suction structure includes a fixing base, a pad fixed to the fixing base and a seal member arranged between the pad and the fixing base. The pad includes a contact portion arranged to make contact with a target object to be sucked, a space surrounded by the contact portion, a suction hole through which the space communicates with a vacuum source via the seal member, and one or more support portions fixing the pad to the fixing base. Each of the support portions is arranged on an axis of tilting movement, and being provided with a twist portion for supporting the contact portion such that the contact portion makes the tilting movement about the axis.

Abstract: A self-aligning pick-up head, a method to manufacture a pick-up head and a method of manufacturing a device are disclosed. In one embodiment a pick-up head includes a nozzle having a first end portion and a second end portion and a base tool comprising a collet head, wherein the first end portion of the nozzle is gimbaled to the base tool.

Abstract: A vacuum-lifting device includes a holding block and a nozzle. The holding block defines a holding hole and a threaded hole communicating with the holding hole. The nozzle includes a first section that is slidably received in the holding hole and a second section. The second section extends from the first section and has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first section.

Abstract: A moving fixture capable of adjusting suction is disclosed in the present invention. The moving fixture includes a sucking component, a first supporting component, a second supporting component, a resilient component and a handle. A first end of the first supporting component is disposed on the sucking component. The second supporting component is movably disposed on a second end of the first supporting component opposite to the first end, and the second supporting component can move from the second end to the first end relative to the first supporting component. The resilient component is disposed between the first supporting component and the second supporting component. The handle is disposed on an end of the second supporting component opposite to the first supporting component.

Abstract: A vacuum suction apparatus is equipped with a body having a supply port, and a pad provided on a lower portion of the body to which a workpiece can be attracted under suction. The pad is constituted from a base plate accommodated in a space of the body, a flexible intermediate plate provided on a lower portion of the base plate, and a suction sheet body disposed on a lower portion of the intermediate plate and having a sheet that attracts the workpiece under suction. In addition, the base plate, the intermediate plate and the suction sheet body are stacked along an axial direction of the body. The rigidity of the base plate is highest, whereas the rigidities of the intermediate plate and the suction sheet body are lower in this order, and the flexibilities thereof are greater in this order from the base plate.

Abstract: A suction structure includes a fixing base, a pad fixed to the fixing base and a seal member arranged between the pad and the fixing base. The pad includes a contact portion arranged to make contact with a target object to be sucked, a space surrounded by the contact portion, a suction hole through which the space communicates with a vacuum source via the seal member, and one or more support portions fixing the pad to the fixing base. Each of the support portions is arranged on an axis of tilting movement, and being provided with a twist portion for supporting the contact portion such that the contact portion makes the tilting movement about the axis.

Abstract: A suction structure includes a fixing base, a pad, and a support body. The pad includes a contact portion which makes contact with a target object to be sucked. The support body is installed to the fixing base and the support body is configured to elastically support the pad. Further, the pad and the support body define an inner space, and the fixing base includes a suction hole which brings the inner space into communication with a vacuum source.

Abstract: A vacuum-lifting device includes a holding block and a nozzle. The holding block defines a holding hole and a threaded hole communicating with the holding hole. The nozzle includes a first section that is slidably received in the holding hole and a second section. The second section extends from the first section and has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first section.

Abstract: Vacuum effectors comprising: (a) a wall defining an enclosed opening and having a rim defining a lip plane; (b) a negative pressure source; (c) a shroud covering the rim; and (d) optionally a permeable support member spanning the enclosed opening, the support member being substantially planar and recessed a selected depth from the lip plane. Also, methods of manipulating work pieces using such vacuum effectors.

Abstract: A passive universal gripper includes a mass of granular material encased in an elastic membrane. Using a combination of positive and negative pressure, the gripper can rapidly grip and release a wide range of objects that are typically challenging for conventional universal grippers, such as flat objects, soft objects, or objects with complex geometries. The gripper passively conforms to the shape of a target object, then vacuum-hardens to grip it rigidly; later using positive pressure to reverse this transition—releasing the object and returning to a deformable state. The apparatus and method enable the fast ejection of objects from the gripper, as well as essentially instantaneous reset time between releasing and gripping.

Abstract: A bellows 10 is configured for connection to an end effector of a robot and includes a valve 28 supported in the interior space of the bellows. A flow of low pressure air is induced from inside the bellows into a vacuum plenum 24 for retrieving a work product by the open end 16 of the bellows. High pressure air is moved through a conduit 50 into the valve to terminate the flow of low pressure air and terminate the suction applied by the bellows to the work product.

Abstract: A suction lifting tool for fastening an article on a surface of an object, the suction lifting tool having a bowed suction housing which is closed off towards one side by a suction disk, wherein a cavity is formed between the suction housing and the suction disk, and having a tension lever for reducing a spacing between the suction housing and the suction disk to generate a suction effect, wherein a ring-shaped sealing flange is securable on the suction disk, having an inside groove on the sealing flange into which the suction disk is insertable by way of its outside edge, and which has an elastic sealing face for abutment against the surface of the object in order to enable fastening to strongly bowed surfaces in this manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns a plant for manufacturing parts made of composite material, in particular sections for an aircraft fuselage, having at least a compaction station in which, in operation, there are provided a mandrel coated of composite material to be compacted and a transport mechanism arranged to transport at least one compaction device on said composite material. The transport mechanism is associated with at least one sling having at least one strip of porous material that, in operation, is in direct contact with the compaction device, and the sling is configured to transport the compaction device onto the composite material through application of a vacuum source at least to the strip of porous material. The invention also concerns a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing parts made of composite material.

Abstract: A pick up tip assembly that includes a plurality of overlapping petals defining a petal enclosure having a distal end opening A displaceable member is engagable with the plurality of petals and the size of the distal end opening is adjustable by displacement of the displaceable member.

Abstract: A transport arm including a holding unit that holds a substrate by vacuum adsorption. The holding unit has an air discharge port and an adsorption member formed so as to surround the air discharge port. The adsorption member is a squeeze packing.

Abstract: A gripping element is provided for industrial manipulators adapted for gripping items at high temperatures, in particular composite and nylon laminates. The gripping element includes a first portion coupling to a manipulator and a second elastically deformable portion intended to interact directly with the item to be manipulated. The second portion includes a substantially flat base and a perimetrical edge which extends around the base. An air intake duct opens at the base to activate the gripping element by depression. At rest, in a first not-deformed configuration, the lying plane of the perimetrical edge and the lying plane of the base are parallel and separated. In use, in a second deformed configuration, the lying plane of the perimetrical edge and the lying plane of the base are coincident are in abutment on the caught item.

Abstract: A robot system includes a suction hand and a multi-articular robot. The suction hand is configured to hold a flexible sheet workpiece. The multi-articular robot includes an arm to which the suction hand is mounted. The multi-articular robot is configured to press the suction hand against the flexible sheet workpiece and make the suction hand suck the flexible sheet workpiece, and is configured to move the arm of the multi-articular robot while turning the suction hand relative to a surface on which the flexible sheet workpiece is placed in advance, so as to remove the flexible sheet workpiece from the surface and hold the flexible sheet workpiece.

Abstract: A valve 28 is positioned in the upper portion of the interior space of the bellows 10. A flow of low pressure air is induced inside the bellows when the valve elements 40 move away from the air inlet openings 38. When high pressure air is moved into the central portion of the valve housing 30, the valve elements 40 tend to move radially outwardly to block the air passages 38 and 42, thereby terminating the suction applied to the bellows.