The present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling objects. The apparatus comprises a carrying device (104) that is configured to move along a track (102). A handling device (224) is adapted to hold an object (108) and is mounted to the carrying device (104) such that it is rotatable with respect to the carrying device about a handling axis (226). A drive device (310) is disposed at a position along the track (102) and configured to produce a torque around a drive axis. The carrying device (104) can be moved along the track (102) in a direction perpendicular to the drive axis into and out of a drive position. In the drive position, the handling axis (226) of the handling device (224) is in substantial alignment with the drive axis of the drive device (310) whereupon the drive device induces a torque in the handling device (224) causing the handling device to rotate, thereby causing the object (108) held by the handling device to rotate.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling objects. The apparatus comprises a carrying device (104) that is configured to move along a track (102). A handling device (224) is adapted to hold an object (108) and is mounted to the carrying device (104) such that it is rotatable with respect to the carrying device about a handling axis (226). A drive device (310) is disposed at a position along the track (102) and configured to produce a torque around a drive axis. The carrying device (104) can be moved along the track (102) in a direction perpendicular to the drive axis into and out of a drive position. In the drive position, the handling axis (226) of the handling device (224) is in substantial alignment with the drive axis of the drive device (310) whereupon the drive device induces a torque in the handling device (224) causing the handling device to rotate, thereby causing the object (108) held by the handling device to rotate.

A printing system for printing on an outer surface of a tubular object is provided. The printing system comprises at least one printing station for printing on the outer surface of the tubular object (100); and at least one holding device for holding the tubular object during a printing process. The holding device comprises: a substantially annular gripper ring (200) adapted to be partially inserted into a tubular object. The gripper ring comprises a radially compressible portion (201) configured to securely engage with an inner surface of the tubular object. The radially compressible portion exerts a radially outward mechanical restoring force when compressed.

A printing system for printing on an outer surface of a tubular object is provided. The printing system comprises at least one printing station for printing on the outer surface of the tubular object (100); and at least one holding device for holding the tubular object during a printing process. The holding device comprises: a substantially annular gripper ring (200) adapted to be partially inserted into a tubular object. The gripper ring comprises a radially compressible portion (201) configured to securely engage with an inner surface of the tubular object. The radially compressible portion exerts a radially outward mechanical restoring force when compressed.

A system for transmitting rotational motion between a driving element and a driven element comprises a driving element that is coupled to a torque input that causes the driving element to rotate about a drive axis. The driving element comprises a first magnetic element. A driven element is configured to rotate about a driven axis. The driven element comprises a second magnetic element. Both the first magnetic element and second magnetic element are susceptible to a magnetic field, and at least one of the first and second magnetic element produces a magnetic field. A magnetic interaction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element couples the rotational motion of the driving element and the rotational motion of the driven element. The driving and driven elements are coupled at a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to each other.

A system for transmitting rotational motion between a driving element and a driven element comprises a driving element that is coupled to a torque input that causes the driving element to rotate about a drive axis. The driving element comprises a first magnetic element. A driven element is configured to rotate about a driven axis. The driven element comprises a second magnetic element. Both the first magnetic element and second magnetic element are susceptible to a magnetic field, and at least one of the first and second magnetic element produces a magnetic field. A magnetic interaction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element couples the rotational motion of the driving element and the rotational motion of the driven element. The driving and driven elements are coupled at a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to each other.

An electric tool includes a holder, a motor, a transmission mechanism, a torque detection unit, a clutch mechanism, and a controller. The holder is configured to hold a tip tool thereon. The transmission mechanism transmits torque of the motor to the holder. The torque detection unit detects the torque transmitted from the motor to the holder. The clutch mechanism is switchable from a transmitting state where the torque of the motor is transmitted to the holder to an interrupted state where no torque of the motor is transmitted to the holder, and vice versa. The controller switches, when a predetermined condition about the torque detected by the torque detection unit is satisfied, the clutch mechanism from the transmitting state to the interrupted state.

An electric tool includes a holder, a motor, a transmission mechanism, a torque detection unit, a clutch mechanism, and a controller. The holder is configured to hold a tip tool thereon. The transmission mechanism transmits torque of the motor to the holder. The torque detection unit detects the torque transmitted from the motor to the holder. The clutch mechanism is switchable from a transmitting state where the torque of the motor is transmitted to the holder to an interrupted state where no torque of the motor is transmitted to the holder, and vice versa. The controller switches, when a predetermined condition about the torque detected by the torque detection unit is satisfied, the clutch mechanism from the transmitting state to the interrupted state.

A torque restriction mechanism is provided by which torque cutoff and torque transmission can be reliably performed without being affected by a rotation state of the drive unit, and damage to a collision object can be reduced even with a simple configuration. The torque restriction mechanism includes a first clutch and a second clutch. The first clutch cuts off torque to a driven unit when reaction torque at a stationary portion of a motor equals or exceeds a first value. The second clutch that transmits torque in accordance with a rotation state of a rotor of the motor, cuts off torque to the driven unit when the reaction torque equals or exceeds a second value larger than the first value.

A torque restriction mechanism is provided by which torque cutoff and torque transmission can be reliably performed without being affected by a rotation state of the drive unit, and damage to a collision object can be reduced even with a simple configuration. The torque restriction mechanism includes a first clutch and a second clutch. The first clutch cuts off torque to a driven unit when reaction torque at a stationary portion of a motor equals or exceeds a first value. The second clutch that transmits torque in accordance with a rotation state of a rotor of the motor, cuts off torque to the driven unit when the reaction torque equals or exceeds a second value larger than the first value.