A method for determining and/or monitoring the state of a protective cover, includes the steps of a) obtaining a first state value of at least one characteristic physical, mechanical and/or chemical property of the protective cover at a first point in time; and b) obtaining a second state value of the at least one characteristic property of the protective cover at a second point in time, which is to subsequent to the first point in time; and c) comparing the obtained state values; and d) determining the state of the protective cover based on the comparison performed in step c).

A latch mechanism includes a latch having a first latch protrusion and a second latch protrusion, and a catch having a first catch protrusion and a second catch protrusion. The first catch protrusion engages the first latch protrusion in a first catch position. The second catch protrusion engages the second latch protrusion in a second catch position following release of the first catch position.

Safety systems requiring intentional function activation and material testing systems including safety systems requiring intentional function activation are disclosed. An example material testing system includes: an actuator configured to control an operator-accessible component of the material testing system; an operator interface comprising a plurality of inputs; a pressure sensitive surface configured to: detect the presence of a pressure on the surface; and output a pressure signal in response to detecting the pressure; and one or more processors configured to: control the actuator based on at least one of a material testing process or an input from the operator interface; and require two or more inputs to be received to permit at least one operation of the actuator, at least one of the two or more inputs comprising the non-detection signal.

The present disclosure shows a workpiece lock for an apparatus for handling and/or machining workpieces, which includes a robot for handling and/or machining the workpieces and a safety fence, wherein the work-piece lock has at least one closed position in which the workpiece lock closes an opening in the safety fence, wherein on moving a workpiece from the area within the safety fence to the area outside the safety fence and/or vice versa the workpiece lock has at least one open position in which it at least partly clears the opening in the safety fence. The present disclosure includes a safety function that prevents a movement of the robot into a safety area extending around the workpiece lock within the safety fence, when the lock is in the at least one open position.

A machine control and data logging station, intended for use with a saw or other machine tool, features a processor which monitors a number of input lines, a real time clock and time stamp function. Any change of input signals from the machine tool will be recorded in flash memory. Both wired and wireless outputs may read the memory at any given time. Optionally, hardware or software data communication encryption may be employed to provide increased confidentiality and security. The station continually monitors sensor inputs and can react automatically to emergency-stop the machine tool upon sensing a dangerous condition.

The invention relates to a protective cover comprising a plurality of protective cover segments (1), which can be moved telescopically against one another and which have a covering leg (2) and a supporting leg (3), and comprising a connecting element or bellows (4). When the protective cover is telescopically extended, an elastic restoring element produces a torque (M) and transfers said torque to the supporting leg (3). The invention is characterized in that the elastic restoring element is an integral component of the connecting element (4) in that the connecting element (4) has flexural rigidity and is connected to the supporting leg (3) in a planar manner along a height portion (h) of the supporting leg (3). Owing to the invention, an additional elastic restoring element and the attachment thereof to the supporting leg are no longer necessary. Thus, the compressed size, the weight and the production complexity of the protective cover can be reduced, and the leak tightness and reliability of operation are improved.

A robotic tool changer includes a locking feature, and may be made washable by sealing against fluid incursion. The tool changer comprises a master unit and one or more tool units, and it transitions between decoupled and coupled states by rotation of one part relative to another. The rotation displaces rolling members in the master unit, such as balls, from a retaining surface to a locking surface which is sized and positioned to force the rolling members against a coupling surface of the tool unit. A deformable pin interposed between the retaining and locking surfaces resists movement of the rolling members therebetween, requiring the application of force. The pin remains deformed, and continues to exert a force on the rolling members, when the robotic tool changer is in the coupled state, providing a locking feature which automatically and positively resists any inadvertent decoupling of the tool changer.

A robotic tool changer includes a locking feature, and may be made washable by sealing against fluid incursion. The tool changer comprises a master unit and one or more tool units, and it transitions between decoupled and coupled states by rotation of one part relative to another. The rotation displaces rolling members in the master unit, such as balls, from a retaining surface to a locking surface which is sized and positioned to force the rolling members against a coupling surface of the tool unit. A deformable pin interposed between the retaining and locking surfaces resists movement of the rolling members therebetween, requiring the application of force. The pin remains deformed, and continues to exert a force on the rolling members, when the robotic tool changer is in the coupled state, providing a locking feature which automatically and positively resists any inadvertent decoupling of the tool changer.

[Subject] To provide a novel bellows with protective plate members, which allows replacement of only damaged slat(s), rather than total replacement of the bellows, when damaged or deformed only in a part of a large number of fixed slats (protective plate members). [Solving Means] The bellows includes a bellows body 2 having ridge parts 2a and valley parts 2b alternately formed therein, and having a bellows supporting plate 5 fixed inside thereof; a fixing plate 3 fixed to the bellows body 2; protective plate members 4 each having a fitting plate part 41 detachably attached to the fixing plate 3, and a protective plate 44; wherein the fixing plate 3 having formed therein one engagement parts 33, 34, the fitting plate part 41 having formed thereon other engagement part 45, 46, thereby making it possible to attach or detach the protective plate member 4 to and from the fixing plate 3.

[Subject] To provide a novel bellows with protective plate members, which allows replacement of only damaged slat(s), rather than total replacement of the bellows, when damaged or deformed only in a part of a large number of fixed slats (protective plate members). [Solving Means] The bellows includes a bellows body 2 having ridge parts 2a and valley parts 2b alternately formed therein, and having a bellows supporting plate 5 fixed inside thereof; a fixing plate 3 fixed to the bellows body 2; protective plate members 4 each having a fitting plate part 41 detachably attached to the fixing plate 3, and a protective plate 44; wherein the fixing plate 3 having formed therein one engagement parts 33, 34, the fitting plate part 41 having formed thereon other engagement part 45, 46, thereby making it possible to attach or detach the protective plate member 4 to and from the fixing plate 3.