A fiber includes M primary cores and N redundant cores, where M an integer is greater than two and N is an integer greater than one. Interferometric circuitry detects interferometric pattern data associated with the M primary cores and the N redundant cores when the optical fiber is placed into a sensing position. Data processing circuitry calculates a primary core fiber bend value for the M primary cores and a redundant core fiber bend value for the N redundant cores based on a predetermined geometry of the M primary cores and the N redundant cores in the fiber and detected interferometric pattern data associated with the M primary cores and the N redundant cores. The primary core fiber bend value and the redundant core fiber bend value are compared in a comparison. The detected data for the M primary cores is determined reliable or unreliable based on the comparison. A signal is generated in response to an unreliable determination.

An encoder including a rotary disc that rotates around a rotating shaft, and a sensor that detects a rotational position of the rotary disc, in which the rotary disc is provided with first patterns and second patterns, the first patterns are arranged at positions obtained by equally dividing a first circumference which is a circumference of a first circle into M (M is natural number of 2 or more) at intervals, the second patterns are arranged at positions obtained by equally dividing a second circumference which is a circumference of a second circle which is a concentric circle of the first circle and has a different radius from that of the first circle into N (N is natural number of 2 or more) at intervals, and M and N are different from each other and a greatest common divisor of M and N is 1.

An encoder including a rotary disc that rotates around a rotating shaft, and a sensor that detects a rotational position of the rotary disc, in which the rotary disc is provided with first patterns and second patterns, the first patterns are arranged at positions obtained by equally dividing a first circumference which is a circumference of a first circle into M (M is natural number of 2 or more) at intervals, the second patterns are arranged at positions obtained by equally dividing a second circumference which is a circumference of a second circle which is a concentric circle of the first circle and has a different radius from that of the first circle into N (N is natural number of 2 or more) at intervals, and M and N are different from each other and a greatest common divisor of M and N is 1.

A melt spinning device for producing synthetic threads includes at least a spinneret apparatus, a cooling apparatus, a processing apparatus and a winding apparatus. An automatic operating device is provided for carrying out at least one operator action. The automatic operating device has at least one movable robotic arm, which can be coupled selectively to one of a plurality of exchangeable tools in order to selectively carry out a plurality of operator actions during a start-up and/or during a maintenance interval and/or during thread production. Thus, a high level of flexibility in the automated operation of the melt spinning device is ensured.

Devices, systems, and methods for positioning an end effector or remote center of a manipulator arm by floating a first set of joints within a null-perpendicular joint velocity sub-space and providing a desired state or movement of a proximal portion of a manipulator arm concurrent with end effector positioning by driving a second set of joints within a null-space orthogonal to the null-perpendicular space. Methods include floating a first set of joints within a null-perpendicular space to allow manual positioning of one or both of a remote center or end effector position within a work space and driving a second set of joints according to an auxiliary movement calculated within a null-space according to a desired state or movement of the manipulator arm during the floating of the joints. Various configurations for devices and systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.

A robot arm including a first joint, a second joint, and a coupling element is provided. The first joint has a first inclined surface. The second joint is jointed to the first joint and has a second inclined surface. The coupling element has a third inclined surface and a fourth inclined surface opposite to the third inclined surface, wherein the third inclined surface contacts the first inclined surface, and the fourth inclined surface contacts the second inclined surface.

An apparatus for translating movement of a rotating shaft to rotational movement in two dimensions of a lever arm including a first frame and a second frame, a first shaft rotatably connected to the first frame and arranged for rotation about a first axis of rotation, a lever having a fulcrum, wherein the fulcrum is arranged within the second frame and arranged for pivoting about a second axis of rotation, wherein the second axis of rotation is co-planar with the first axis of rotation, wherein the second frame is rotatably connected to the first frame, the second frame arranged for rotation with respect to the first frame about a third axis of rotation, wherein the third axis of rotation is arranged perpendicularly and spaced apart from the first axis of rotation, wherein the first, second, and third axes have single point of intersection.

A programmable motion robotic system is disclosed that includes a plurality of arm sections that are joined one to another at a plurality of joints to form an articulated arm, and a hose coupling an end effector of the programmable motion robotic system to a vacuum source. The hose is attached to at least one arm section of the articulated arm by a pass-through coupling that permits the hose to pass freely through the coupling as the plurality of arm sections are moved about the plurality of joints.

A programmable motion robotic system is disclosed that includes a plurality of arm sections that are joined one to another at a plurality of joints to form an articulated arm, and a hose coupling an end effector of the programmable motion robotic system to a vacuum source. The hose is attached to at least one arm section of the articulated arm by a pass-through coupling that permits the hose to pass freely through the coupling as the plurality of arm sections are moved about the plurality of joints.

A tool includes a transmission mechanism, a shaft rotatable relative to the transmission mechanism, and a stop mechanism associated with the shaft, the stop mechanism being transitionable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the shaft is free to rotate in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In the second state, the shaft is constrained from rotating in one of the first direction or the second direction by a defined first endpoint of a range of rotational motion of the shaft. Devices and methods relate to rotation stop mechanisms.