Abstract: In a multi-jointed robot, position controllers are located at each of the joints of the robot and are interconnected by a unitary bus. The bus carries a loosely-regulated voltage to all of the controllers and also includes data conductors connected to the controllers for disseminating position commands which are time-division multiplexed.

Abstract: A direct teaching type robot in which in the playback of the robot an electric power corresponding to a playback command is supplied to an electric motor from a servo driver so that the electric motor is driven to move a moving arm of the robot and in the teaching operation the moving arm is directly moved by an instructor to teach its movement to the robot includes breaking means provided in the servo driver for breaking a current generated by the electric motor when the electric motor is rotated in response to the teaching operation of the moving arm so as not to flow into the servo driver, whereby operation force by the instructor for moving the moving arm of the robot in the teaching can be reduced.

Abstract: Plural article transfer mechanisms are operated in timed sequence by an electronic control synchronized to a main drive shaft. Each article transfer mechanism transfers articles from a dead plate to a moving conveyor. An extensible-retractable pusher arm engages, moves and releases the articles between 90.degree. positions under control of a fluid motor mounted on a turntable. Operation of the fluid motor is based on rotary alignment of a pair of turntable ports with a pair of fluid supply channels in a turntable drive body. The turntable is stepped in rotary increments between 90.degree. positions by an electric stepping motor. The angular speed profile of the pusher arm between the 90.degree. positions is governed by a programmed electronic control, including a PROM, which drives the stepping motor. An adjustable finger clip assembly is snap-fitted on the pusher arm and provided with a handle for ease of replacement.

Abstract: An industrial robot system comprises a control unit including programs for operating an industrial robot and a peripheral device of the industrial robot according to the programs; a memory for storing the steps of the programs which are effected when the industrial robot and peripheral device are stopped unintentionally; a detector for detecting the conditions of the industrial robot and peripheral device when the industrial robot and peripheral device are stopped unintentionally; and a restarter for starting the industrial robot and peripheral device again when the contents of the memory coincide with the conditions detected by the detectors.

Abstract: A bi-axial synchronous driving apparatus which includes: a set of motors for respectively driving two axes; rotation detecting devices for detecting rotational positions of the respective motors; a set of deviation counters to which a common position instruction signal and detection signals of the respective rotation detecting devices are applied; a correcting unit to which deviation signals outputted from the respective deviation counters are applied, so as to form correction signals with respect to the respective deviation signals based on an integration of a difference between each one of the deviation signals and the other corresponding deviation signal; a set of adding devices for adding the deviation signals outputted from the respective deviation counters to the correction signals; and a set of driving devices for driving the respective motors based on control signals outputted from said respective adding devices.

Abstract: An industrial robot system comprising a plurality of robots for conducting a work in cooperation with each other. A system clock is provided in the system, and clocks are provided in the respective robots. These clocks are counted up at the same cycle time, and are set for original points of the respective robots, which are the waiting positions thereof, and the clock values of the robots located in the respective positions during the drive operation. During the drive of the system, the system clock is advanced by adding a predetermined increment value thereto, and the respective robots held under the enabling condition, start the operations by advancing the robot clocks by adding the same increment value as that of the system clock.

Abstract: A combination work supporting table and computer controlled robot wherein, preferably, a rotatable index table includes a concentric column having a computer controlled robot mounted upon the column outer end in spaced relationship to the table work supporting surface. A computerized robot controller controls both the robot and the rotation of the index table permitting an extensive range of robot movement over a large work area in a concise space.

Abstract: A robot control system including a robot, a robot controller for controlling operation of the robot, and a teaching box for teaching the robot through the robot controller. The teaching box includes an input unit separate from the robot controller for entering a command signal to teach the robot its operation to be effected and a control unit for controlling the input unit and processing and for applying the command signal to the robot controller.

Abstract: A system for controlling x, y and z directional movement of a point adjacent to the free end of an arm composed of a plurality of interconnected articulated arm segments mounted for movement relative to at least three axes and providing for individual, independent control of movement of the point in any selected one of the x, y or z directions by controllably relatively adjusting the relationships between the segments. The system is particularly suitable for use in equipment when the arm incorporates a boom and stick such as backhoes or the like.

Abstract: A plurality of distribution type controllers are provided for corresponding portions of an object to be controlled. One of the controllers, which has the lowest operation rate, executes control items relating to the entire object and the portions of the object, and the other controllers execute control items relating only to the portions of the object.

Abstract: A transfer device for use in treating a work product is disclosed, in which a first gripper assembly rotates about a pivot point located between an input conveyor and a station, and a second gripper assembly rotates about a pivot point positioned between the station and an output conveyor. The rotation of each gripper assembly may be accelerated or decelerated at predetermined points in the rotation cycle by use of a cam, roller, and linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A robotic device has various drives which move a pickup/release mechanism along a compound path of movement between pickup and release positions. Individual drives contribute individually to the compound motion and each is associated with counting unit/memories which control the drives so that the drives initiate motion in rapid mode followed by slow mode and then termination. The apparatus is constructed to minimize inertia forces so that the drives are not required to have high power input and so that the construction may be of light weight.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the velocity of an industrial robot where the velocity is controlled without producing an edge when an instruction velocity is higher than an allowable velocity and an operator can readily recognize the actual velocity of the robot. The method includes the setting of an allowable velocity for a first step section or each of step sections in an acceleration or deceleration section between taught points for each of the axes of the robot. At the first or each step section an instruction velocity to each axis is compared with a corresponding allowable velocity, and when the former is highter than the latter, a control cycle after which a next trigger signal is to be developed is modified using the allowable and instruction velocities.

Abstract: A driving apparatus for smoothly driving a running unit of a robot, including a movable table movably supported by first and second gear mechanisms driven by independent first and second motors engaging with respective two parallel racks to carry a robot body.

Abstract: The method of controlling a mechanical hand includes releasing the head in its initial position, moving the hand to its target position and retaining the hand in its target position. With the hand moving towards its target position, the path of its travel is divided into a portion registering the parameters of its motion and a portion correcting the law of its motion. With the hand moving over the registering portion, a reference voltage is supplied to the drive motor, and the speed and running coordinate of the moving hand are measured and registered. With the hand moving over the correcting portion, its speed is measured, and the difference between the speeds measured at the two portions is computed to shape an additional voltage. A voltage is then fed to the drive motor, which is an algebraic sum of the reference voltage and additional voltage.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for dropping paste onto a substrates, etc. including a syringe having a nozzle, a motor which moves the syringe up and down, a controller which controls the rotational stopping positions and rotational speed of the motor, and digital switches for inputting a setting program into the controller. The setting program sets the rotational stopping positions and rotational speed of the motor so that the position at which lowering of the nozzle stops and the speed at which the nozzle is raised are controlled through the setting program.

Abstract: An industrial robot control apparatus for teaching an industrial robot and operating the robot in accordance with the teaching comprises a teaching handle (9) having a teaching switch (10), and a brake release switch (11) and a sequence control circuit (1). When the operator grips the teaching handle (9), the brake release switch (11) is activated, whereby a servo amplifier (6) is brought to an emergency stop condition in response to a signal from the switch, and a dynamic brake and a mechanical brake are released.

Abstract: A multiple-degree-of-freedom manipulator having a plurality of joints is improved by providing some of said plurality of joints being provided with holding brakes, and providing any remaining joints with actuators which generate angular acceleration or linear acceleration in the joints provided with holding brakes while the holding brakes of the joints are released. A method of controlling the multiple-degree-of-freedom manipulators provided with one or more joints provided with holding brakes and one or more joints provided with actuators, comprises the steps of controlling the angular displacement or linear displacement of joints which have no actuators by the torque or force of joints which have actuators by means of the dynamic coupling between joints while the holding brakes are released, and controlling the angular displacement or linear displacement of joints which have actuators by means of the actuators while the brakes are engaged.

Abstract: A digital control provides adaptive feedforward torque control for a robot having a plurality of arm joints. An electric motor drives each of the robot arm joints and a power amplifier supplies drive current to each motor under controlled operation.Each joint motor has feedback control loop means including position and velocity control loops driving a torque control loop in accordance with position commands to generate motor commands for controlling the associated power amplifier. The motion of said joint motor generates position and velocity feedback signals respectively for combination with the position and velocity commands to generate an error signal as a torque command for each of the torque control loops from the corresponding position and velocity control loops. Load force is sensed at the endmost robot joint.

Abstract: Plural article transfer mechanisms are operated in timed sequence by an electronic control synchronized to a main drive shaft. Each article transfer mechanism transfers articles from a dead plate to a moving conveyor. An extensible-retractable pusher arm engages, moves and releases the articles between 90.degree. positions under control of a fluid motor mounted on a turntable. Operation of the fluid motor is based on rotary alignment of a pair of turntable ports with a pair of fluid supply channels in a turntable drive body. The turntable is stepped in rotary increments between 90.degree. positions by an electric stepping motor. The angular speed profile of the pusher arm between the 90.degree. positions is governed by a programmed electronic control, including a PROM, which drives the stepping motor. An adjustable finger clip assembly is snap-fitted on the pusher arm and provided with a handle for ease of replacement.

Abstract: A system for controlling acceleration and deceleration of a horizontally articulated robot computes the distance from the center of rotation of the robot (A) having a plurality of arms (3, 5) angularly movable in horizontal planes to a reference position such as a wrist (51) at the distal end of the arms (3, 5), and establishes an acceleration for the movement of the distal end of the arms (3, 5). A servomotor for angularly moving the arms (3,5) can effectively be utilized and the arms (3, 5) can quickly and smoothly be moved.

Abstract: An electric control apparatus for an industrial robot the arm of which is actuated to carry out machining of a workpiece by means of a machining tool attached thereto. The control apparatus includes a force sensor arranged to detect reaction force acting on the tool, a memory for memorizing a maximum reaction force detected by the sensor during each machining process of the workpiece in a plurality of split sections of a teaching line, a comparator for comparing the memorized maximum reaction force with a set value indicative of a limit of reaction force acting on the tool and for producing a signal therefrom when the memorized maximum force exceeds the set value.

Abstract: An industrial robot includes a movable arm and an electric motor driving the arm. A current flowing through the motor is controlled so that the arm is moved into predetermined positions and is balanced in the predetermined positions sequentially. A device memorizes values of the motor current at which the arm is balanced in the respective predetermined positions. A target value of the motor current is calculated on the basis of the memorized motor current values. The target motor current value allows the arm to be balanced in a given position.

Abstract: A digital position and velocity feedback system is provided for a multiaxis robot control and it employs an LSI chip to process incremental position signals for position change and velocity computations. At low speeds, velocity is computed from the reciprocal of elasped time. At higher speeds, velocity is computed from the rate at which incremental position signals are generated.

Abstract: A digital robot control is provided with cascaded position/velocity and torque control loops with microprocessor servo controllers in each. The servo controller includes two microprocessors that operate as a servo engine in providing motion control for six robot axes. One microprocessor is structured to perform data processing and coordination tasks. The other one performs calculation tasks and operates as a slave processor to the first.

Abstract: An industrial robot control device for use in an automobile manufacturing line for instance. The control device is capable of preventing incorrect or improper operations of the machines due to a voltage drop in a power source which occurs when the plurality of machines including the industrial robots are driven simultaneously.

Abstract: In a robotic assembly system including a robotic device composed of a base member, a plurality of movable members and joint mechanisms coupling the members in a sequence extending from the base member such that a first one of the movable members is supported by the base member and is rotatable relative to the base member about a respective axis and each of the other movable members is supported by, and rotatable about a respective axis relative to, a respective preceding movable member in the sequence, with the last movable member in the sequence being an end member for supporting a workpiece which is to be brought to a selected position relative to a fixed body by movement along a reference plane associated with the body, the selected position corresponding to a set of reference angular positions each of which defines an angular position of a respective movable member about the respective axis thereof, the joint mechanisms are controlled by a computer system coupled thereto in such a manner that one of the m

Abstract: A digital robot control includes a position/velocity microprocessor control and a torque microprocessor control for each of multiple robot axes. Digital position, velocity and motor current feedback signals are generated from motor sensor signals for use in making microprocessor control calculations. A backup velocity determination is made for each joint motor by the torque microprocessor from the motor current feedback, the motor command terminal voltage and the motor resistance and inductance. The robot is shut down if the difference between the feedback and backup velocity values exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a control arrangement for an industrial robot, which is capable of teaching a continuous path operation, and playing back the operation thereby. According to the present invention, it is so arranged that, in a process for automatically memorizing the operating path information of the industrial robot by direct teaching, data for the operating distance on the taught path is also computed so as to be stored together with positional data, and during play back of the function, interpolation is effected based on the operating distance data, whereby the robot is caused to function at a predetermined speed, according to the path at the teaching, and thus, it becomes possible to effect the playing back operation without being influenced by the operating speed during the teaching.

Abstract: A digital robot control is provided with digital position, velocity and torque control looping to operate joint motors associated with multiple axes of the robot. Motion programming includes planning and trajectory programs for generating position commands for the control looping on the basis of acceleration, slew and deceleration values that specify robot program specifications for timed moves.

Abstract: A uniform velocity control method for rotating a first movable element (3) at a uniform velocity in a rectilinear-to-rotational motion converting mechanism, in which a second movable element (2c) is moved along a linear shaft (2a) and the first movable element is rotated in dependence upon rectilinear movement of the second movable element. The uniform velocity control method includes (1) a second step of monitoring a position of the second movable element along the linear shaft; (2) a second step of calculating a traveling velocity of the second movable element, which traveling velocity is for rotating the first movable element at a uniform velocity, in dependence upon the position of the second movable element along the linear shaft; and (3) a third step of moving the second movable element at the calculated traveling velocity to make the rotational velocity of the first movable element uniform.

Abstract: An optimum velocity controller having absolute track faithfulness for linear track motions of articulated robots having several axes of motion. If at least one velocity reference value of an axis of motion exceeds an assigned limit, the velocity of the predetermined total motion of the track is reduced. In order to obtain a stable control behavior of the robot, an additional velocity reduction of the track motion is executed for each of the individual axes of motion within predetermined range limits. The boundaries of these range limits are selected according to the respective velocity and/or acceleration of the robot along the track.

Abstract: A robotic system includes two joints moving a common load-bearing member along a path for positioning a load. Each joint includes a linear electric motor and a feedback loop, the latter driving the motor accurately in response to a commanded position signal, and a true position signal provided by sensor apparatus disposed alongside a track of each linear motor. Cross-coupling circuitry connects with the sensor apparatus of each joint to produce signals representing differences in positional error and in speed of the joints. The signals are injected into the feedback loops of the joints to effect a shift of power between the joints to synchronize their travel. Window comparator circuitry is employed for introduction of variable gains to the feedback loops for values of positional error and velocity which are greater than reference values in a window.

Abstract: A freely programmable multi-axis articulated manipulating arm unit having arm elements disposed along different longitudinal axes especially for use as an industrial robot is provided with a drive system and a brake system for each of individual rotational or translational axes; the drive systems belonging to the rotational or translational axes of the manipulating arm unit are each provided with a hydraulically actuated locking brake which functions in a play-free manner, when in the operating braking state. Each of these brakes fixes adjacent arm-elements with respect to each other. Said adjacent arm elements are able to move about the rotational axes relative to each other when the said brakes are not operative. The arm elements are fixed directly in every position, that is, without the use of intermediate elements.

Abstract: Velocity, at which a work point of a robot passes through respective reference points, has previously been given magnitude and directions dependent on a relative positional relation between a plurality of continuous reference points. The work point passes through the respective reference points. Between adjacent reference points, interpolation arithmetic is performed along the above condition, whereby the work point defines a smooth locus in accordance with the result of the arithmetic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cooperatively controlling motion between a tool centerpoint associated with a function element carried by a manipulator and rotation of a workpiece carried by a positioner. The tool centerpoint follows a linear path interpolated between programmed locations at a velocity resulting in a relative velocity between the tool centerpoint and the workpiece surface equal to a programmed velocity. Differences in radial distance of the tool centerpoint from the axis of rotation of the workpiece at successive programmed locations result in incremental velocity modifications along the path to maintain the relative velocity at the programmed value.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of an industrial robot having a drive source for moving an arm to a preset position to effect operation under the control of a program. The position of the arm is detected and an output in the form of an electric signal is generated by a detector. A memory stores a position signal corresponding to a prescribed position ahead of the preset position. A comparator compares signals from the electronic detector and the memory and issues a position completion signal irrespective of arm movement when the arm reaches the prescribed position. The detector, memory and comparator are added in parallel to an arm driver unit, whereby the program can proceed while the arm is being moved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the acceleration of the frequency at the beginning of a pulse train and the frequency at the end of the pulse train, so that a movable element with little rigidity, such as a robot arm, can be started and stopped smoothly without vibration. The method includes storing frequency function in a memory, which frequency function represents an acceleration characteristic or a deceleration characteristic, reading the frequency function out of the memory at a predetermined interval, computing a frequency at the present time, and generating a number of pulses, corresponding to the product of the computed frequency and the predetermined time interval, during the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A working apparatus is provided with a head support horizontally pivotably carried by a link mechanism having first and second link elements, which mechanism is operable for horizontally freely moving the head support. The head support is provided with a follower roller, which is horizontally moved along a guide track, so that a working head such as a workpiece loading and unloading device mounted on the head support can be moved along the guide track between first and second service positions which are respectively located over a machine tool and a workpiece conveyer. In order to secure contact engagement between the follower and the guide track, the follower in one specific configuration is constructed by a magnet roller and in another specific configuration, is constructed by a roller which is urged to contact the guide track by a pressure roller movable together with the roller along guide track.

Abstract: An operation control apparatus for industrial robot in which a speed pattern optimum for the particular task to be performed is utilized. The operational control apparatus includes a plurality of operating program memories for storing completed operating programs compiled by a separate programming device, a speed pattern memory for storing plural speed patterns, a changeover signal generator which generates a changeover signal in response to a predetermined sensed operating parameter of the industrial robot or in response to operation of manual changeover switch, and a changeover circuit for selecting an optimum speed pattern in response to the changeover signal. Rising and falling slopes of the speed patterns can be made different from one another so that the arm of the industrial robot can be moved at a greater speed when it is not in contact with a workpiece than when it is actively manipulating a workpiece.

Abstract: In a control device for an industrial articulated robot, in the linear interpolation between two specified points, the distance between the two points is divided into segments, and the interpolation increments of the articulation drive axes for each interpolation internal, which correspond to the segments, are calculated for interpolation so that the interpolation increments are distributed uniformly with time.

Abstract: An articulated manipulator and control are provided for producing controlled motion of a function element carried by the manipulator. The motion is defined by input signals specifying with respect to a rectangular coordinate system the positions and path velocities therebetween of a tool centerpoint associated with the function element. The control interpolates intermediate points along a predetermined path between any two positions. The intermediate points are produced in accordance with a fixed period interval and incremental velocity values instantaneously variable with each interval. Continuous functions of acceleration and deceleration are produced to vary the velocity in accordance with the programmed description of motion. Further velocity adjustment is permitted in accordance with unprogrammed variations of a preselected parameter.