Abstract:
An apparatus includes a robotic manipulator with a stationary base, and an end effector actuated by the robotic manipulator, wherein the end effector is adjacent to a workpiece. A scanning laser head unit includes a laser and an optical train configured to move a laser beam over the workpiece. A control unit is configured to move the robotic manipulator such that movement of the end effector tracks movement of the laser beam.
Abstract:
In certain embodiments, a system for applying disinfectant to the teats of a dairy livestock includes a carriage mounted on a track, the carriage operable to translate laterally along the track. The system further includes a robotic arm including a first member pivotally attached to the carriage such that the first member may rotate about a point of attachment to the carriage, a second member pivotally attached to the first member such that the second member may rotate about a point of attachment to the first member, and a spray tool member pivotally attached to the second member such that the spray tool member may rotate about a point of attachment to the second member. The robotic arm further includes a spray tool attached to the spray tool member. The system further includes a controller operable to cause at least a portion of the robotic arm to extend between the hind legs of a dairy livestock such that the spray tool is located at a spray position from which the spray tool may discharge an amount of disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for the positionally precise mounting of a hinged flap (3) on a production part (1), particularly for mounting a vehicle door on a vehicle body. To this end a robot-guided gripping tool (5) is used that comprises a fixing device (14) for holding the hinged flap (3) and comprises a sensor system (18), which is connected in a fixed manner to the gripping tool (5). Within the scope of a positioning phase (A-2), the gripping tool (5) is, in a first step, moved from a proximity position (37), which is independent of the position of the production part (1) in the working area (27) of the robot (7), and into a mounting position (29), in which the flap (3) held in the fixing device (14) of the gripping tool (5) is aligned in a positionally precise manner with regard to the production part (1). In order to approach the mounting position (29), an iterative control process is run through over the course of which an (actual) measured value of the sensor system (18) is firstly generated that is compared to a (set) measured value generated within the scope of a setting-up phase. A displacement vector of the gripping tool (5) is calculated based on the difference between the (actual) measured value and (set) measured value while using a Jacobian matrix that is calculated within the scope of the setting-up phase, and the gripping tool (5) is displaced by this displacement vector. The flap is subsequently attached to the production part (1) with the aid of fastening elements (9). A metric calibration of the sensor system (18) of the gripping tool (5) can be forgone in order to perform this positioning task.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for mounting an add-on part (3) on a production part (1), particularly on a vehicle body during which the add-on part (3) should be aligned in a positionally precise manner with regard to a reference area (12, 13) on the workpiece (1). To this end, a robot-guided mounting tool (5) is used that is connected to a sensor system (20) in a fixed manner. In order to achieve a positionally precise alignment of the add-on part (3), an iterative control method is run through, over the course of which an (actual) measured value of the sensor system (20) is firstly generated that is compared with a (set) measured value generated within the scope of a setting-up phase. A displacement vector of the mounting tool (5) is calculated based on the difference between the (actual) measured value and the (set) measured value while using a Jacobian matrix that is calculated within the scope of the setting-up phase, and the mounting tool (5), along with the add-on part (3) fixed therein, is iteratively displaced by these displacement vectors relative to the production part (1) until the desired position is attained. A metric calibration of the sensor system (20) can be forgone in order to perform this positioning task.
Abstract:
In a process of moving the tip of a deburring tool from a point P1 to a point P2 on a work, if the deburring tool encounters a large burr, the cutting resistance increases abruptly near a point P'1. When the resistance exceeds a predetermined threshold value Xth, the robot causes the deburring tool to detour in the direction in which the cutting resistance becomes smaller, and brings the tip of the tool to a point Q from the point P'1. After that, the robot controls the deburring tool to move the tip from the point Q1 to the point P2 (pattern I). In moving the tip from the point Q1 to point P2, if the cutting resistance again exceeds the threshold value, the robot executes the detouring in the same manner (patterns II and III). Unless such a large burr is encountered, the moving speed of the tool is controlled at a value corresponding to the cutting resistance.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing an automated optical robotic polishing system for removing flaws in transparencies, such as transparent canopies (12) used in aircraft. A pneumatic random orbital polishing tool (10) attached to a robot arm (14) is used to polish canopies to remove flaws. The flaws are removed by grinding the area surrounding the flaw and smoothing the flaw site to conform to the contour of the canopy. To identify optimum motions for the polishing tool for grinding to remove the bulk of the plastic material around a flaw, mathematical topology simulation techniques are implemented using various polishing pad pressure profiles and various polishing motions.
Abstract:
A device for feeding items to a sorting machine (1), comprising: a conveyor plane for feeding items or parcels along an advancement direction; an optical detection device (18), to allow the acquisition, while the items are in motion on the conveyor plane of the three-dimensional coordinates of a determined number of points on the surface of the items and to organize them into coordinate vectors; a manipulator (19) provided to pick the items from the conveyor plane and to place the items picked in a desired position; a control system, provided to process, for each item in motion on the conveyor plane, the coordinate vectors in order to obtain a three-dimensional representation of the item, comprising the information based on which the control system handles the manipulator for picking and placing the items. The invention also relates to a sorting machine and a method for feeding items to a sorting machine aimed at increasing production capacity and accuracy thereof.
Abstract:
Changes and anomalies in multi-modal data are detected, collected and abstracted into understandable and actionable formats utilizing, for example, color, intensity, icons and texture creating a rendition of current and developing situations and events. Changes and anomalies in multi-modal sensor data are detected, aggregated, abstracted and filtered using case-based reasoning providing a tractable data dimensionality. From this collection of data situations are recognized and presented in a means so as to assist a user in accessing an environment and formulate the basis a recommended course of action.
Abstract:
An adaptable container handling robot includes a chassis, a container transport mechanism, a drive subsystem for maneuvering the chassis, a boundary sensing subsystem configured to reduce adverse effects of outdoor deployment, and a controller subsystem responsive to the boundary sensing subsystem. The controller subsystem is configured to detect a boundary, control the drive subsystem to turn in a given direction to align the robot with the boundary, and control the drive subsystem to follow the boundary.