The invention relates to a handling device and method for monitoring a handling device having a holding device, in particular a vacuum gripping device or a vacuum tensioning device, for fixing a workpiece, and having a sensor device for detecting vibrations and for generating measured values therefrom. The sensor device is situated on the holding device and is configured for detecting vibrations of the workpiece that is fixed to the holding device.

An encoder includes an encoder circuit including first and second switches, a first resistor connected in series to the first switch, and a second resistor connected in series to the second switch, the encoder circuit defined by the first switch and the first resistor and the second switch and the second resistor being connected between a power supply voltage and a ground, and a control circuit connected between the first and second resistors and the power supply voltage to turn off power supply from the power supply voltage to the first resistor when the first switch is closed and to turn off power supply from the power supply voltage to the second resistor when the second switch is closed. The control circuit is connected to a first connection point between the first resistor and the first switch and to a second connection point between the second resistor and the second switch.

A soil moisture sensor and a soil moisture sensing system are provided. The soil moisture sensor includes a double groove helical structure having grooves and formed from an insulator. The soil moisture sensor further includes at least a first electrode and a second electrode formed from one or more metals deposited at at least two different locations on the grooves. The soil moisture sensor also includes a processor for processing a soil moisture measurement signal based on a conductivity between the electrodes. The soil moisture sensor additionally includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the soil moisture measurement signal to a remote location.

High-precision manufacturing control method including: designing components, parts and electromechanical equipment components, setting precision technical requirements for concentric and geometric tolerances of parts and components with structures while designing, disposing omnidirectional precision-adjustable movable precise-control components and parts in multi-surface cubes of components and parts with or without rotary or movable components and parts, rail kinematic pair parts with guide of components, parts, mechanical and electromechanical components, respectively disposing omnidirectional adjustable static precision control components and parts in multi-surface cubes of components and parts combined components and parts of the above-mentioned omnidirectional precision-adjustable movable precise-control components and parts, disposing omnidirectional precision-control adjustment components and parts at orientations among components and parts and combinations; manufacturing components and parts according to indications; assembling, performing fine adjustment by comparing and calculating values measured and technical requirements set by design, enabling the above-mentioned combinations to meet requirements for concentric and geometric tolerances, respectively, then locking.

A method by which a schedule preparing portion included in a substrate processing apparatus, having at least one single substrate processing unit and a controller, prepares a chronological schedule for operations of the substrate processing apparatus. The method includes a schedule preparation step of preparing a schedule for each substrate by positioning, in chronological order, a plurality of blocks, each specifying an operation to be performed on the substrate. The schedule preparation step includes a high load avoidance positioning step in which, in preparing a schedule for a plurality of substrates, blocks corresponding to a high load operation in which a high control load occurs at least temporarily in the controller are positioned on a time axis so that high load time slots, during which a high control load occurs in the controller, are not concentrated.

A signal detection system for use with a signaling system is disclosed, the signal detection system comprising a plurality of electrical terminals including a source terminal and an output terminal, the output terminal being connected to a signaling device. An auxiliary terminal electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of electrical terminals is provided. A current sensor is coupled to the auxiliary terminal for detecting an electrical signal for controlling the signaling device. The current sensor generating an output signal in response to the detection of the electrical signal for controlling the signaling device for monitoring the status of the signaling device. Also disclosed is a method for installing a signal detection system in a wayside signaling system including a signaling device for monitoring a status of the signaling device. An apparatus for connecting a current sensor to a signaling device is also disclosed.

A method of forming a three-dimensional object, is carried out by (a) providing a carrier and a build plate, the build plate comprising a semipermeable member, the semipermeable member comprising a build surface with the build surface and the carrier defining a build region therebetween, and with the build surface in fluid communication by way of the semipermeable member with a source of polymerization inhibitor; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid contacting the build surface, (c) irradiating the build region through the build plate to produce a solid polymerized region in the build region, while forming or maintaining a liquid film release layer comprised of the polymerizable liquid formed between the solid polymerized region and the build surface, wherein the polymerization of which liquid film is inhibited by the polymerization inhibitor; and (d) advancing the carrier with the polymerized region adhered thereto away from the build surface on the build plate to create a subsequent build region between the polymerized region and the build surface while concurrently filling the subsequent build region with polymerizable liquid as in step (b). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.