Abstract: A blade handling apparatus includes a mount frame; a stinger boom carried by the mount frame; and a lift block assembly including a lift block carried by the stinger boom; a pair of rod housings carried by the lift block; a pair of push rods slidably carried by the pair of rod housings, respectively; and a pair of blade lock pins carried by the pair of rod housings, respectively, and engaged by the pair of push rods, respectively.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a mechanical device includes an elongate arm in engagement with robotic translation and rotation means. The elongate arm has a platform with at least one elongate member having a bearing bore defined at a free extent thereof. Each bearing bore accommodates insertion of a bearing shaft upon which a gripping mechanism, such as a suction cup assembly, is rotatably supported. The suction cup assembly includes a pivoting arm having a pivoting bore in engagement with a free extent of a linkage element that establishes pivotable movement between the pivoting arm and an actuator means. The gripper assembly has a center of mass substantially aligned with a vertical rotation axis between an initial article picking orientation, wherein the suction cup assembly engages an article in a random orientation, and a successive article rotation orientation, wherein the suction cup assembly rotates a picked article around a horizontal axis for placement in an article placement position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripper finger including a surface area for clamping. This area this area is covered with a membrane including at least one section, which is substantially made of a shape memory polymer (SMP). The disclosure relates also to a gripper tool including such gripper finger and a method for adjusting such a gripper tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coverslip handling device (100) comprising a pick-up component (200) for picking up a coverslip (800) and a sensor device (203, 204) for checking the state of the coverslip (800) picked up, the coverslip handling device (100) being arranged to pick up a coverslip (800) automatically by means of the pick-up component (200), to check the state of the coverslip (800) picked up by means of the sensor device (203, 204) so that unusable coverslips are detected, and to set down a coverslip (800) that has been detected as being usable, automatically by means of the pick-up component (200) on a slide (500) provided for this purpose, wherein the coverslip handling device (100) is configured to automatically discard a coverslip found to be unusable by means of the pick-up component (200).

Abstract: A laser beam oscillated from a laser source is folded in its path by first and second plane mirrors and enters a beam expander. The surface of each plane mirror is deteriorated with illumination by the laser beam and the reflectance is reduced. To avoid a light quantity of the laser beam entering the beam expander from being reduced below a reference value, when the laser beam is illuminated over a certain time, a position on each of the first and second plane mirrors at which the laser beam is illuminated is changed by a structure for rotating and/or translating a reflecting surface of each plane mirror on a plane, which includes the plane mirror, while an optical axis is kept same. Thus, the useful life of each plane mirror can be prolonged without displacing the optical axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing caps from tubular containers, including a fixed frame provided with a grasping unit for holding a container in a fixed vertical position and a head assembly which is movable above containers of variable height along the vertical axis thereof. The head assembly has a cap receiving cavity with an upper abutment surface for matching the upper surface of the cap of containers of variable size and is provided with a plurality of movable sharpened elements for catching the cap of the container when received in said cavity. There are provided a first driving unit for moving the sharpened elements towards the cap of the container to catch it and a second driving unit for moving the sharpened elements in at least one further direction to remove the cap from the container.

Abstract: A grip mechanism for an end effector includes a grip member configured to be coupled to an effector body. A gripper of the grip member is movable based on movement of the grip member such that the gripper is movable along an engagement path to an engagement position where an object such as a substrate can be retained within a retaining region adjacent to the effector body. End effectors for handling objects incorporating one or more grip mechanisms, and methods of handling an object such as a substrate, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pick and place device for picking up and re-positioning an article (11) carried by a support surface, comprising a first part which includes a plate portion (8, 8?) which is movable parallel to the support surface so that a leading edge thereof penetrates below the article, between the article and the support surface, and a belt of flexible material (9, 9?) which is wrapped around at least the leading edge of the plate portion so that it is sandwiched between the plate and the article when the former penetrates therebelow and as the plate portion moves below the article there is substantially no relative sliding movement between the sandwiched portion of the belt and the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a product gripper for picking up a product, having two shovels (22) and a driving means (26) for moving the shovels (22) between a first position, in which the shovels (22) can be placed onto a support for the product to be picked up, on opposite sides of the product to be picked up, and a second position, in which the shovels (22) are located at least partially under the product to be picked up. The product gripper is furthermore provided with means (32) for shortening the product.

Abstract: A recess has a proximal-end-side surface and a distal-end-side surface. When an intersection between a straight line included in the proximal-end-side surface and a straight line included in the distal-end-side surface is a base point, a line passing through the base point is a base line, a line between two claw portions, passing through an end point of the recess and orthogonal to the base line is an orthogonal line, the angle ? made between the base line, and the straight line included in the distal-end-side surface is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, the angle ? made between the orthogonal line, and the straight line included in the proximal-end-side surface is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the length d from the base point to the orthogonal line is greater than 0.

Abstract: There is provided a pair of tongs for grasping items, particularly food from a grill or griddle. Prongs are sized and space to fit between gaps in the cooking surface to slide under the food. The spacing may be adjustable to size the tongs for different sizes of grill/griddle spacing. For example, mounting ends of the prongs are coupled for rotation within an end of an arm. Gears between the prongs permit the turning of one prong when the other is rotated. The rotation adjusts the relative spacing between parallel elongate portions of the tongs. The spacing adjustment allows the prongs to fit grills with different size spacing.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for use with a media cartridge includes a gripper support and first and second gripper members supported by the gripper support. The gripper members are moveable asymmetrically with respect to the gripper support for gripping the media cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the construction industry; more specifically to the homebuilding industry and the carpenter trade. The invention is an apparatus which allows one skilled in the art an easier and more ergonomically-correct method to lift and carry traditional plywood sheets (also traditionally referred to as plywood panels) and traditional sheets of plaster board (also traditionally referred to as drywall or sheet rock or gypsum board) and similar sheets of other materials.

Abstract: An end of arm tool for packing article bearing trays in boxes includes a pair of spaced apart clamping end members and a pair of cylinder assemblies each including a powered cylinder for causing the end members to move from an extended position to a semi-retracted position for picking up trays and then moving to a fully retracted position to cause the tray to bend for placing the tray in a box.

Abstract: A light bulb changing tool comprising a holding structure configured to engage a light bulb, the holding structure configured along an axis, the motorized holding structure configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction. The light bulb changing tool further includes a force generator configured to selectively force the light bulb against the holding structure and a control unit configured to remotely communicate with the holding structure and the force generator, wherein the electronic control unit sends control signals to drive the holding structure to selectively move in the first direction and the second direction and/or to activate the force generator. The tool further comprises an arm member for positioning the holding structure in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the holding structure. The holding structure further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the holding structure in the first direction about the axis.

Abstract: A grapple apparatus for handling cotton modules includes a frame comprising first and second portions. The second portion is selectively movable relative to the first portion between an opened position and a closed position. The frame defines a module-holding space when the second portion of the frame is in its closed position. At least one powered roller device is connected to the frame and is selectively active to rotate an associated cotton module located in the module-holding space relative to said frame about a module axis of rotation. A method for handling cotton modules includes positioning a frame adjacent a cotton module and moving a second portion of the frame relative to a first portion of the frame from an opened position to a closed position to define a module-holding space in which the cotton module is received and retained.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stacking objects on a transport carrier. The apparatus is provided with a forming platform, a loading platform on which a transport carrier to be loaded, such as a pallet or a roller container, can be placed, and a gripper which is movable between the forming platform and the loading platform. The gripper comprises a support frame which is provided with at least one row of parallel forks, which forks comprise an upright to which a horizontal beam is attached at a distance beneath the support frame, wherein the beams can be moved backward and forward in their longitudinal direction, wherein each fork is individually adjustable vis-à-vis the support frame. The forks are independently adjustable vis-à-vis the support frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a specimen container from a departure support to a container which includes a gripper supporting frame and a container gripper selectively movable with respect to the frame between an upper position and lower position in which gripper fingers of the container gripper are able to catch a container in a departure support or to leave the container in a container carrier. The apparatus further includes a gripper blocking element movable between a work position, in which said gripper blocking element stops the movement of the container gripper towards the lower position in an intermediate position between the upper and lower positions, and a rest position in which the gripper blocking element allows the container gripper to reach the lower position sliding along the lateral surface of the container.

Abstract: A gripper includes a support and a plurality of gripping arms fixed on the support. One of the plurality of gripping arms includes a base and a carbon nanotube film structure to define a conductive circuit. The conductive circuit receives current to heat the base and the carbon nanotube film structure to actuate the gripper for gripping an object.

Abstract: Biomass may become an important source of combustible fuel in the future. For biomass, such as switchgrass, to be economically viable as a fuel, the processes required to take the plant material from a green, growing plant in the field to an energy dense package must be efficient. A bale destacker may be used to disassemble stacks of bales of biomass after the bales have been brought from the field and before the bales are used for fuel. The bale destacker disassembles a stack of bales with no manual labor. A conveyor is used to move bales, first in stacks, then in pairs to and from the bale destacker.

Abstract: In a conventional technology, it has been difficult to precisely position a gripping object when gripping the gripping object. Therefore, in the present invention, a multifingered hand includes a palm and a plurality of fingers having joints, to grip a tool with the palm and the plurality of fingers. The palm has a palm side contact surface brought into contact with a gripping object side contact surface of the tool. The palm side contact surface is provided with holes into which projections provided on the gripping object side contact surface are inserted. Moreover, when the projections are inserted into the holes, the tool is positioned in a tangential direction of the palm side contact surface, and the tool is also positioned in a rotational direction around a normal line of the palm side contact surface which is a rotary shaft center.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripper finger including a surface area for clamping. This area this area is covered with a membrane including at least one section, which is substantially made of a shape memory polymer (SMP). The disclosure relates also to a gripper tool including such gripper finger and a method for adjusting such a gripper tool.

Abstract: Task of the invention is a method and the required auxiliary devices for producing foamed glass, in particular for producing foamed glass plate. The method is characterized by several steps. In step 1, the raw mixture (1) is supplied from a mixture container (2) via an application apparatus (3) and applied to a glass fleece strip (4) in the form of segments (5). The glass fleece strip (4) lies on a linked chain. The application height is adjusted by a wiper (6). In step 2, the segments (5) on the glass fleece strip (4) pass through the expansion oven (7) with various heat zones (8). In step 3 at the end of the expansion oven (7) pre-cooling takes place. The externally hardened segments (5) are tilted onto a cross slide (10) and transported into an annealing lehr (11). Specific auxiliary devices are an application apparatus (3), a special expansion oven (7) and equipment for transporting foamed glass blocks during the production of foamed glass.

Abstract: An arrangement for handling packaging units, such as bottles, crates and the like with the aid of a robot, wherein the arrangement includes a mounting part (10) which is adapted for fixation to a robot arm, a tool carrier (20) which is adapted to carry one or more handling tools (30) such as a number of bottle grippers or the like, and a number of couplings each comprising a first engagement member (13) affixed to the mounting part, and a second engagement member (24) affixed to the tool carrier, wherein the second engagement member is restrictively displaceable axially relative to the first engagement member, so that the second engagement member will take a latching position relative to the first engagement member under the effect of gravity on the tool carrier in engagement with the first engagement member, wherein the working state of the tool carrier relative to the mounting part is defined when all second engagement members are in their respective latching positions.

Abstract: A robot gripper block is provided that facilitates the simultaneous attached of robot deployed tools to a plurality of distinct robot platforms having robot grippers with opposing moveable fingers. The block includes a plurality of parallel cylindrical sockets passing through the block to accept the complementary cylindrical bars of the robot deployed tools. A set pin is inserted through the block and tools to secure the tools in the block. Running along the faces of the block and arranged in pairs are channels sixed and shaped to complement the fingers of the robot grippers. Each set of channels is arranged for a given robot gripper.

Abstract: An aerodynamically controlled grapple assembly includes a frame member secured to an associated load line and a streamlined body mounted to the frame member. The streamlined body includes a main lifting surface extending away from the body in a first direction and a vertical stabilizer extending away from the body in a second direction. A pair of grapple arms are movably connected to the frame member.

Abstract: A robot configured to check whether an object is properly grasped by a hand determines whether the position and posture of a handle (object), determined based on an image obtained by a camera (external information), and the position and posture of the handle in the case where the handle is assumed to be properly grasped, determined from the posture of a robot based on an output or the like of a rotary encoder (internal information), agree with each other. In response to the determination of whether the external information and the internal information agree with each other, it is determined whether the handle is properly grasped based on a force detected by a six-axis force sensor provided on each hand.

Abstract: An optical position detecting device includes a plurality of light source sections which emits detection light, a light detection section which receives the detection light reflected by a target object located in an emitting space of the detection light, a light source driving section which turns on some light source sections among the plurality of light source sections in a first period and turns on, in a second period, light source sections different from the light source sections turned on in the first period, and a position detecting section which detects the position of the target object on the basis of a light-receiving result of the light detection section in the first period and the second period. Each of the light source sections includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arrayed in a direction intersecting the direction of the optical axis of the detection light.

Abstract: In an optical position detecting device, a position detecting section detects the position of a target object on the basis of a result obtained by receiving detection light, which is emitted from a light source section and reflected by the target object, using a light detection section. As seen from an emitting direction of the detection light, the light detection section is located inside a region surrounded by a closed circuit passing through a plurality of the light source sections or inside a region pinched by the plurality of light source sections. The plurality of light source sections has a first light-emitting element, and a second light-emitting element located closer to the light detection section side than the first light-emitting element. The light source driving section alternately turns on the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element.

Abstract: The container has a bottle-like shape and is made of thermoplastic material. The container is provided with a mouth section which has a fixing ring (3) on the outside. The pre-form is provided for the production of such a container. Both the pre-form and the container produced therefrom are designed without any supporting ring. In order to enable handling, an associated holding device (12) acts on a fixing ring (3) of the pre-form or the container.

Abstract: A stress sensing device senses a shear force and a pressing force. The stress sensing device includes a support body, a support film, first and second piezoelectric parts and an elastic layer. The support body has an opening defined by a pair of straight parts perpendicular to a sensing direction of the shear force and parallel to each other. The support film having flexibility closes off the opening. The first piezoelectric part is disposed over the support film and straddling an inside portion and an outside portion of the opening along at least one of the straight parts of the opening as seen in plan view. The second piezoelectric part is disposed to the inside portion of the opening and set apart from the first piezoelectric part as seen in the plan view. The elastic layer covers the first piezoelectric part, the second piezoelectric part, and the support film.

Abstract: The mobile climbing robot (15) according to the invention comprises a central joint (3), by which a first leg (1) is connected to a second leg (2). In addition, the robot comprises a first foot (8) which is connected to the first leg (1) by way of a first foot joint for rotation (5) and a first foot joint for tilting (4). A second foot (9) is connected to the second leg (2) by way of a second foot joint for rotation (7) and a second foot joint for tilting (6). A mounting (11) for attaching an implement (10; 12) is disposed on the first foot (8).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for running tubulars into and out of a wellbore.

Abstract: A dismounting jig adapted for removing a metal shield which is coupled with a lens module and has two projections at two opposite sides thereof. The dismounting jig has a main body and two clutching arms. Each of the clutching arms has a fixing plate and a holding portion connected with the fixing plate. A lower portion of the holding portion has a buckling slice protruded inward. Two opposite sides of the holding portion extend perpendicularly to form a pair of opposite stabilizing wings locating at a same side as the buckling slice with respect to the holding portion. The clutching arms are symmetrically mounted on the main body by the fixing plates thereof fixed on two opposite sides of the main body. A receiving space is formed among the two pairs of the stabilizing wings and the holding portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for weighing a stent includes a buffer for storing a stent support with a stent mounted thereon, a stent mounting and dismounting assembly that mounts and dismounts the stent from the stent support, a robotic arm for moving the stent support with the stent between the buffer and the stent mounting and dismounting assembly, and a scale assembly for weighing the stent. The stent mounting and dismounting assembly moves the stent into the scale assembly after the stent has been dismount from the stent support.

Abstract: A shear force detection device for detecting a shear force includes: a support body including an opening defined by a pair of straight parts perpendicular to a detection direction of the shear force and parallel to each other; a support film on the support body and closing the opening, the support film having flexibility; a piezoelectric part on the support film and extending astride an inside and outside of the opening and along at least one of the pair of straight parts of the opening when viewed in a plane in which the support body is seen in a substrate thickness direction, the piezoelectric part being bendable to output an electric signal; and an elastic layer covering the piezoelectric part and the support film.

Abstract: A one piece material carrying tool (37) having a handle (46C) at one end of said tool, and a material holder (44) at the other end of said tool. A material carrying tool having material holders (15A-15B) attached to adjusting arms (17A-17B) attached with a sliding means to fixed arms (18A-18B). Said fixed arms (18A-18B) are attached in between frame half's (19A-19B) so said arms (17A-17B) and (18A-18B) can pivot. Said frame half's (19A-19B) are fixed to a mount (21), said mount (21) is attached to a handle (22).

Abstract: A geometric end effector system for use on a robot. The system includes a platform and a frame secured to the platform. At least one base is arranged at a predetermined position on the frame. The system also has an anchor mount secured to the base and a component connected to an end of the anchor mount by a collar assembly. A key is arranged between the component and the anchor mount.

Abstract: A mechanical gripper adapted for grasping a plurality of differing objects, and comprising a plurality of fingers, wherein each finger includes at least one variable impedance member comprising an active material element, the element, when activated and deactivated, undergoes a reversible change in impedance, and the change in impedance enables the gripper to be advantageously reconfigured, and/or locked in a reconfigured state.

Abstract: A disk chucking mechanism constructed with first, second and third link members forms a slider crank mechanism and the third link member is rotated by a drive of a forward/rearward actuator such as an air cylinder and chucking nails are provided which protrude perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the first or second link member. A rotation of the chucking nail protruded perpendicularly is stopped by engagement with a disk and a spring member is bent by further forward or rearward movement of the second link member to energize a first chucking nail in a direction for maintaining an engagement with the disk. The disk is chucked with a predetermined force by only the drive of the forward/rearward actuator.

Abstract: An object grasping control method, in which an object grasping control apparatus grasps a plurality of graspable members using a grasping unit, includes recognizing at least one of a shape, position, and attitude of each of the plurality of graspable members, setting, based on at least of one of the shape, position, and attitude of each of the plurality of graspable members, an attitude range as a graspable attitude range in which each of the plurality of graspable members and the grasping unit do not interfere with each other for each of the plurality of graspable members, and setting, as a grasping target to be grasped by the grasping unit, a graspable member, among the plurality of graspable members, the set graspable attitude range of which is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A robotic finger comprises a base joint connected to a base member. By way of the base joint, a main finger member is connected to the base member for pivoting movements of the main finger member in two planes. The base joint comprises two driven main bevel gears opposite one another, and two likewise opposing intermediate bevel gears disposed between the main bevel gears. The main bevel gears are mounted rotatably at the base member and can be driven independently of one another through electric motors and an intermediate toothed belt. The two intermediate bevel gears are each rotatably mounted at support members connected to the main finger member. To protect the base joint, a curved cover bracket is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handling device and to a handling method for wafers, in particular for wafers with a thickness of less than 100 ?m. According to the invention it is provided that an adhesive membrane is arranged so as to delimit at least one workspace, the volume of which can be changed by supplying or removing pressurising medium, and in that the size of the contact surface between the adhesive membrane and the wafer can be adjusted by changing the workspace volume.

Abstract: A gripper unit for transport systems for supporting and transporting articles. A gripper unit that includes a gripper head with at least two gripper arms which can be opened and closed against each other. The top of the article to be gripped and to be transported is supported in the opening formed between the gripper arms. Besides, the gripper unit includes a shifting unit. The shifting unit is supported in a flexible manner via a fastener directly supported at the transport system. Furthermore, the gripper unit is provided with a device for interchangeable support, adjustment and spatial determination of the gripper head in a first transport direction at the gripper unit. The device provides for the vertical movement of the gripper head contrary to the gripper unit and/or contrary to the transport system, which are arranged between the gripper head and the shifting unit or between the gripper head and the transport system.

Abstract: A lifting tool (10) is provided for supporting an oilfield riser during relocation by a crane having a support line (14). The tool body (12) has an inverted U-shaped configuration with a central opening (18) and a downwardly facing throat (20). A powered drive (26) rotates the arcuate member between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: There is provided a robot hand for substrate transfer in which the robot hand is so arranged that, even in case a substrate (S) gives rise to warping, the substrate (S) can be stably supported. On an upper surface of the robot hand there is formed a first seating surface on which is seated a lower-surface peripheral portion of the substrate (S) and, on a periphery thereof, there is formed an upwardly extended step. The step is provided with a plurality of stair-shaped stages. On an upper surface of the robot hand inwardly away from the first seating surface there is provided a second seating surface which is inclined downward toward the center of the substrate (S) such that a lower surface of the substrate (S) is seated on the second seating surface when the substrate (S) is warped downward into a concave shape.

Abstract: An extracting apparatus is disclosed. The extracting apparatus includes a mounting member, a handle pivotably connected to the mounting member, a latch member fixed to the mounting member and comprising a latch portion locked to the handle, and a release member slidably mounted to the mounting member and comprising an engaging portion for engaging with the latch member to deform the latch portion of the latch member, thereby releasing the latch portion from the handle.

Abstract: An autonomous hybrid mobile robot includes a base link and a second link. The base link has a drive system and is adapted to function as a traction device and a turret. The second link is attached to the base link at a first joint. The second link has a drive system and is adapted to function as a traction device and to be deployed for manipulation. One of the links houses a retractable navigational system. In another embodiment an invertible robot includes at least one base link and a second link. In another embodiment a mobile robot includes a chassis and a track drive pulley system including a tension and suspension mechanism. In another embodiment a mobile robot includes a wireless communication system.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide an adjustable tine clamp configuration are shown. Embodiments provide an adjustable support member configuration which is adapted to maintain a desired geometry of tines throughout an adjustable range. The adjustable support members are preferably adjustable to provide selectable clamping widths, such as to accommodate manipulation of goods of different sizes and shapes. Embodiments utilize parallel links coupled to pivoting tine supports to maintain proper tine geometry throughout the full range of adjustment. Such parallel links are further preferably utilized to actuate associated tines in operation of the adjustable tine clamp. Embodiments further implement a short stroke actuator configuration to facilitate very rapid production cycles.

Abstract: A flexible gripping device including a plurality of pneumatic actuator rings. A grasper element is disposed within the plurality of pneumatic actuator rings and adapted to move back and forth within the actuator rings.