Abstract: Systems and methods may be used for registering a force input on a portion of a surgical robot, for example using a force sensor of the surgical robot. The force input may correspond to a control command. The control command may generate a change in a control mode of the surgical robot, validate a step of a workflow in planning or navigation software, or the like. A visual indication may be provided, for example using a light of the surgical robot. The visual indication may indicate that the control command has been identified or executed.

Abstract: A movable carriage system for an aircraft element, such as an aeroplane engine, has a first movable module (10) and a second movable module (20). Each movable module has a frame (12, 22) equipped with at least three wheels, a lifting device adapted to be able to move said aircraft element at least in a vertical direction, and at least one link arm (16, 17) adapted to be able to secure together the frame of said first module and the frame of said second module and to allow data to be transferred between them. The movable modules are adapted to be able to be controlled in a mutually coordinated manner.

Abstract: A leveling machine is automatically adjustable. A plurality of blank conditions are presented at a user interface. A selection of a first blank condition is received at the user interface. An arrangement of the rollers is determined based on the selection of the first blank condition. The rollers are moved based on the determined arrangement.

Abstract: A method of forming a hose from a flat web material includes supplying the flat web material via a feeding device, folding the edges of the flat web material with at least one hose formation tool, with the edge sections subsequently overlapping, and connecting to each other parts of the overlapping edge sections, A target position of at least one edge is determined after the edges have been folded over, with the actual position of at least one edge being determined by a measuring device. In the event of a deviation of the actual position from the target position, the hose formation tool is moved, via an actuator, at least perpendicular relative to the direction of transportation of the flat web material.

Abstract: A device for turning over an object, particularly a package of stacked sacks, having a holder device for the purpose of receiving, turning over, and releasing the object, the holder device including two transport elements for conveying the object, and having a rotary device for rotating the transport elements about a stationary axis of rotation, the rotary device including a rotatable frame to fasten the transport elements on both sides thereof, where the transport elements are fastened to the frame in a manner allowing movement, where the rotary device has a rotary drive which drives the frame on both sides.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a cold-pilger-rolled tube has two grooved pilger rolls rotatable about respective axes to compress a workpiece moving in a travel direction against a mandrel extending in the direction between a nip formed between the rolls and anchored upstream of the nip in a thrust block. Workpiece thickness is adjusted on the fly by measuring a wall thickness of the workpiece downstream in the direction from the roll as the workpiece passes through the nip and for displacing the thrust block and mandrel in to the travel direction as the workpiece passes through the nip in accordance with the measured wall thickness.

Abstract: A system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. In one embodiment, the equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

Abstract: A needle remover for removing a needle from a holder comprises a guiding member which is suitable for receiving the needle, and a gripping means which is suitable for gripping the needle when the needle is at least partly inserted in the guiding member in an inserting direction, wherein the gripping means is configured to rotate when the gripping means is moved in the inserting direction with respect to the guiding member so that the gripped needle is unscrewed from the holder when the holder is moved in the inserting direction with respect to the guiding member.

Abstract: A transport device for transporting elongated substrates through a vacuum coating system comprises an essentially rectangular frame and two groups of holding elements, which are rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the frame in such a manner that any pair of opposite holding elements can be connected to both ends of a substrate. Furthermore, at least one retainer bar is provided that is operatively connected to a group of holding elements in such a manner that the holding elements of this group are moveable in order to increase or decrease by choice their distance from the holding elements of the other group. Also provided are a loading and unloading device for loading and unloading the transport device, and a method for loading and unloading the transport device.

Abstract: An integrated high speed robotic mechanism is disclosed for improving transport equipment, integrating an object movement with other functionalities such as alignment or identification. The disclosed integrated robot assembly typically comprises an end effector for moving the object in and out of a chamber, a rotation chuck incorporated on the robot body to provide centering and theta alignment capability, and an optional identification subsystem for identifying the object during transport. The present invention also discloses a transfer robot system, employing a plurality of integrated robot assemblies; a transfer system where a transfer robot system can service a plurality of connected chambers such as FOUP or FOSB; a front end module (FEM); or a sorter system. Through the use of these incorporated capabilities into the moving robot, single object transfer operations can exceed 500 parts per hour.

Abstract: A transportation tool for transporting, for example, a single composite aircraft fuselage section, including a first spindle weldment mounted on a first tower, and a second spindle weldment mounted on a second tower and configured to couple the single composite aircraft fuselage section to the towers. A first gimbal assembly configured to allow the first spindle weldment to move independent of the first tower, and a second gimbal assembly configured to allow the second spindle weldment to move independent of the second tower.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a roll holder for tape dispenser and a tape dispenser assembly therewith. The roll holder comprises a cylindrical body and an annular portion made from a material having a high friction coefficient, the annular portion being fixed inside the cylindrical body. The roll holder tape dispenser is supported by a shaft. Two cylindrical bodies are connected to a roll of tape, one at each extremity of the tape spool by press-fitting. The shaft passes through the annular portion and the friction occurring between the shaft and annular portion induce a tension in the tape when the tape is unwound from the roll.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

Abstract: A filament drive mechanism comprising a rotatable component comprising a central hole defined at least in part by an internally-threaded surface, and is configured to receive a filament strand through the central hole to engage the internally-threaded surface with the filament strand. The filament drive mechanism further comprises at least one rotation mechanism configured to rotate the rotatable component, thereby allowing the engaged internally-threaded surface to drive the filament strand through the central hole of the rotatable component.

Abstract: A mechanism which constrains the spatial location of a working or a focal point of a tool (103), has a manipulator (101) and a remote centre mechanism (102) mounted thereon. The manipulator (101) provides at least one degree of freedom for positioning the remote centre mechanism (102) which itself provides at least a further degree of freedom for positioning a tool holder suitable for holding the tool (103) which is to be constrained in operation with respect to a remote centre point. The orientation of the tool holder is adjustable whilst still maintaining the position of the remote centre point fixed with respect to the manipulator (101).

Abstract: The invention shows a clamping fixture to accommodate and accurately position different component types which comprises at least a rotary element mounted in a rotary manner around an axis of rotation and at least two component type-related accommodating elements attached to the rotary element to accommodate components, wherein the at least two accommodating elements are arranged offset to one another in the direction of rotation of the rotary element so that each accommodating element can be brought into a working position to accommodate and accurately position a component through rotating the rotary element around the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A device for controlling a continuous movement of an object with symmetry of revolution (1) comprises a conveyor (5) having two parallel guides, (6) and at least one pair of belts (8) stretched on the guides, between and on which these objects move at the level of the guides. These belts form an angle (11) between a top track and a lower track of each of the belts. The belts in the pair have the same direction of rotation around the guides, the same value of the measured angle (11) from the upper track to the lower track, and the same displacement speed. Preferably, the pair of belts consists of a single folded belt.

Abstract: For indicating relative rotational displacement between a fixed first member, such as a stud (20) on a wheel hub, and a second member, such as a wheel nut (22), which is rotatably engaged with the first member, a safety device (24) comprises a body (26) having a bore formed with equispaced grooves enabling the device to be releasably secured to the second member (22) in one position of a plurality of positions and having indicating means, such as a pointer (28), to indicate the position of the device (24) relative to a reference, such as a mark (32) on the rim (16) covering the wheel hub (14). The bore within the body (26) is closed at one end, e.g. by bevelled top wall (36), so that the body additionally serves as a dust cap for the conjoined first and second members (20, 22).

Abstract: A method is provided for processing a metal foil sheet to produce magnetic recording media. The method comprises providing an elongate metal foil sheet having a first side and a second side. The sheet is advanced through a plurality of processing stations in equal unit length segments such that each segment receives the same treatment to form a magnetic recording medium from each segment. Method are also provided to prepare the foil surfaces by polishing, texturing, cleaning, and stress relieving, to coat the prepared surfaces with at least one metal layer, to finish the coated layers by buffing, burnishing, and lubricating, and to form disk units from the prepared, coated and finished surfaces.

Abstract: A remote-controlled device is capable of selectively positioning a medical instrument within a predetermined region of space. The device includes a clamp having two pivotally mounted sections enabling the clamp to be placed in either an opened position or a closed position. Each section has a drive wheel including an arc-shaped groove which accommodates the medical instrument when the clamp is placed in the closed position. Each of the wheels has a coupling gear positioned and configured to pivot apart when the clamp is placed in the open position with portions of teeth of the gears remaining engaged with each other. One of the drive wheels is directly driven by a motor housed in one of the sections of the clamp.

Abstract: The invention features a remote-controlled device for selectively positioning a medical instrument within a predetermined region of space. The remote-controlled device has a motor which provides mechanical energy to the remote-controlled device, a driver that is coupled to the motor and that has a predetermined relationship with the motor. The driver physically engages the medical instrument and converts the mechanical energy into controlled motion of the medical instrument. The remote-controlled device receives control signals from a remote location that direct the motor to supply a predetermined amount of mechanical energy, whereby the driver, with the predetermined relationship with the motor, selectively positions the medical instrument within the region of space.

Abstract: Apparatus for internally coating a pipe, comprising means heating a pipe as it is internally spray coated, a plurality of first rollers mounted on a first rotatable shaft having an inlet end proximate the heating means and an outlet end spaced from the heating means, and a plurality of second rollers mounted on a second rotatable shaft parallel to the first shaft and having an inlet end adjacent the heating means. Each second roller is spaced from and adjacent to a corresponding first roller in a paired relationship to thereby define a nesting groove located above the gap between each set of paired rollers. Motive means rotates the shafts and the mounted rollers to rotate the pipe within the nesting grooves of adjacent pairs of rollers. Advancing means longitudinally advances the pipe through the heating means and sequentially along the nesting grooves of adjacent pairs of rollers.

Abstract: A manipulator device for a bending machine includes a pair of elongate die and punch for bending a workpiece. A first manipulator has a first clamping device for clamping the workpiece to be bent, a first support for supporting the first clamping device in a rotatable manner around a rotary axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the punch and die, and a second support for supporting the first support in a movable manner in a X-axis direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the punch and die, in a Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and in a Z-axis direction parallel to the vertical direction. A second manipulator has a second clamping device for clamping the workpiece, an arm for supporting the second clamping device, and a column for supporting the arm in a rotatable manner around a rotary axis parallel to the Y-axis, the column being so constructed as to be movable toward and away from the first manipulator.

Abstract: A machine for orienting and stacking receptacles, such as cups having a base end and a mouth end, which machine includes a receiving area wherein the cups are initially received and are then fed to an upright, angularly disposed conveyor, the cups being received between bars presented by the conveyor. As the cups are moved upwardly by the conveyor, they come into engagement with an angularly disposed orienting roller which spans the width of the conveyor and contacts the cups to shift them into a common, oriented relationship with the mouths all facing in one direction and the bases in another. After orientation, the cups pass over the top of the conveyor and are removed therefrom and carried to a delivery location. The removal of the cups from the conveyor is accomplished by a vacuum which is drawn adjacent the top end of the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning the seam of a welded tube comprises a plunger rod of a diameter less than the tube having a first longitudinal axis supported and journaled upon its first axis for reciprocal and rotational movements. A radial knife edge projects from the plunger which is adapted for advancing on its axis into a welded tube having a seam rotatably supported upon the first axis. Successive rotation of the plunger causes the knife edge to operatively engage the seam and rotate the tube a predetermined angle, there being preset angular final seam position for the tube, the knife edge having a preset initial position clockwise ahead of the desired seam position. Rotation of the knife edge is counterclockwise.

Abstract: An improved tube drive apparatus includes drive units disposed in respective orientations angularly displaced about and radially extending from a longitudinal centerline of a tube to be driven by the drive units and a drive train drivingly coupling a motor to the drive units for transmitting driving motion thereto. Each drive unit includes an endless flexible drive belt, a pair of spaced rotatable members entraining the drive belt such that an end of the belt drivingly engages the tube for transmitting driving motion thereto. One rotatable member is drivingly coupled to the drive train and the other rotatable member is angularly adjustable relative to the one rotatable member and the centerline of the tube such that runs of the belt can be changed between generally parallel and criss-cross orientations for varying the motion of the tube produced by engagement of the belt from solely axial rotation to solely longitudinal movement and any combintion of the two motions therebetween.

Abstract: A means for rotating tree trunks or equivalent into correct position regarding their curvature, prior to their feeding into a machine processing round timber. The means is primarily intended to be used as an ancillary in a timber feeding means which feeds the tree trunks into a processing machine, because branch stubs which have remained on the tree trunk may impede the turning of the tree in the feeding means. The means of the invention has been carried out in such manner that the means comprises one or several rotator pairs, each such pair being composed of two rotators provided with a helix and disposed in the tree trunk feeding means, and which in their operating position are elastically urged against the tree trunk and which are arranged to rotate with reference to each other so that the tree trunk therebetween rotates, forced by the helices, in the desired direction.

Abstract: A bar stock guide arrangement for screw machines having a rotatably mounted fitting which has a horizontal opening for loosely passing the bar stock and guide rollers in the fitting at circumferentially spaced locations around the bar stock. The guide rollers are on roller supports which are radially slidable in the fitting and have rack teeth on their opposite sides. Weights are slidable radially in the fitting between the successive roller supports, and these weights have rack teeth on their opposite sides. Pinion gears are removably mounted in the fitting to engage the rack teeth on the roller supports and the weights so that centrifugal force on each weight produces an inward force on the neighboring roller support. Springs bias the weights radially outward.

Abstract: A cold pilger mill including a rolling mechanism for intermittently rolling a tubular material over a mandrel to a reduced-diameter pipe. A detector is associated with the rolling mechanism for detecting the rolling phase in the rolling mechanism. A feeding mechanism for feeding the material in the axial direction and a turning mechanism for turning the material and the mandrel are respectively provided with their own motors. A controller is also provided to receive a signal from the detector and supply operation signals to the respective motors of the feeding mechanism and the turning mechanism so that these mechanisms are operated at completion of each rolling stroke.

Abstract: A helical conveyor is especially adapted to convey cylindrical articles such as projectiles quickly between two points. The helical conveyor may include an internal helical skeleton about which a helical casing rotates. Alternately, the helical conveyor may be realized by an external helical skeleton supporting a large number of cylindrical rollers which are disposed in a flighted configuration to approximate a helix. The skeleton is a spring-like structure which allows great flexibility in operating the conveyor to transport loads. A motor is used for driving the conveyor to transport articles. The conveyor may be mounted to a vehicle such as an ammunition supply vehicle to provide for the rapid supply of projectiles to a tank, self-propelled howitzer, or similar weapon.

Abstract: A gear drive used in water well drilling or blast hole drilling to remove overburden in open pit coal mining, not only rotates the drill pipe but also pulls down or pulls out the drill pipe as it rotates. A hydraulic motor within a housing operates a first gear train to rotate an output shaft at varying speeds. A drill pipe is projected through the output shaft. A plurality of feed rollers are mounted on spherical bearings, the outside diameter of the rollers having a concave recess for operative registry with the drill pipe. When the output shaft is rotated, each roller cocks and digs into the feed pipe causing it to rotate with the output shaft. The pull down and pull up section is driven by a hydraulic motor within the housing through a second gear train. The second gear train drives a plurality of third gear trains for individually driving the respective feed rollers.

Abstract: A support installation is provided for use with large, cylindrical loads to provide rotational and longitudinal movement therefor. The support includes a plurality of non-driven all-round rolls and at least one driven all-round roll, the principal rotational axes of the non-driven rolls being parallel to the load and the rotational axis of the driven roll being perpendicular thereto. The rolls engage the circumference of the load for rotational and longitudinal movement. A U-shaped bracket fixedly or yieldably supports the rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of nesting pipes of varying diameters or unnesting the resulting assembly into individual pipes for efficient transport of the pipes. The apparatus comprises a support arm for supporting a pipe with the arm extending therethrough, a support member for supporting the pipe thereon, a lift for raising or lowering one of the support arm and the support member, e.g. the support member, and a carriage movable axially of the pipe and equipped with the above-mentioned one support element, e.g. the liftable support member. By the movement of the carriage, a pipe on one of the support arm and support member is fitted around the other or around another pipe thereon, or nested pipes are separated. In the above-mentioned example, a pipe on the support member is fitted around the support arm or another pipe thereon.

Abstract: A silent feeder for revolving bar stock has a horizontal elongated feed bed with a beam supported by plural columns. Spaced adjustable holders are mounted on the feed bed at opposite sides of the stock, and each holder has a plurality of rollers bearing on the circumference of the bar stock, the rollers being preferably resiliently loaded radially of the bar stock.

Abstract: A tube bending machine includes a carriage mounting a rotatable chuck for grasping and positioning a length of tube relative to the bending head of the machine. Motion of the carriage along the bed of the machine toward the bending head and rotation of the chuck relative to the carriage are powered by a pair of remotely mounted stationary motors each driving a chain. One chain is connected directly to the carriage and the other engages a sprocket rotatably mounted on the carriage and connected to rotate the chuck. The arrangement provides a differential drive in which the carriage can be driven by operation of both motors and the chuck can be driven by differential operation of the two motors. In addition the chuck can be rotated simultaneously with advance of the carriage.

Abstract: A special drive link permits drilling of holes of different diameters with the same drill drive. The drill shaft has a helical pattern of scroll-like projections for removal of cuttings. The drill drive mechanism includes sprockets carrying two chains of drive links which mate with the helical scroll projections to move the drill shaft axially, and projections on the drive links mate together at the center to hold the drive links tightly around the drill shaft. The drill shaft is formed with an elongated axial groove separating the helical projections and defining notch surfaces which mate with projections or tangs extending inwardly from the hollow portion of the drive links where they surround the drill shaft. Rotation of the mechanism results in transferring the rotating force through the sides of the inwardly extending projection of the drive links to the corresponding notch surfaces of the scroll projections.

Abstract: Telescoping vehicles particularly designed and constructed for supporting the opposite ends of elongated members whereby one elongated member is suspended between a pair of the vehicles and a succeeding elongated member is suspended between a succeeding pair of vehicles, the vehicles being so arranged that the rear vehicle of the leading elongated member will nest or telescope within the leading vehicle of the following elongated member in such a manner that the adjacent ends of in-line elongated members will be in abutment.