A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a workpiece using a multi-axis compliant end-effector for attachment to a robotic device. The end-effector is positioned at a nominal location of a workpiece feature on which the operation is to be performed. The end-effector is passively aligned with the workpiece feature by contacting the end-effector with the workpiece feature. The operation is performed on the workpiece feature in response to aligning the end effector with the workpiece feature.

A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a workpiece using a multi-axis compliant end-effector for attachment to a robotic device. The end-effector is positioned at a nominal location of a workpiece feature on which the operation is to be performed. The end-effector is passively aligned with the workpiece feature by contacting the end-effector with the workpiece feature. The operation is performed on the workpiece feature in response to aligning the end effector with the workpiece feature.

A system for measuring the depth and location of a buried pipeline includes a probe having a GPS receiver, an elevation sensor, and a removable tablet computer for capturing data corresponding to the position and elevation of an underground pipeline and the corresponding soil surface covering the pipeline. Collected data is aggregated at a central computer which produces topographical maps of the pipeline's current relationship to the soil and calculates a desired soil covering. The calculated amount and placement of soil to achieve a desired end topography is used in abatement of any soil erosion or compaction. In alternative embodiments the required soil for abatement is transmitted to earth moving equipment.

A measuring device for inspecting a hole, which can favorably be mounted on a riveting robot adapted to insert a rivet into the hole after inspection. The measuring device includes a test mandrel having a hollow housing and interacting means, whereby the relative position of the interacting means can be detected to determine characteristics of the inspected hole. The measuring device further includes a bushing which is arranged movable relative to the test mandrel.

A measuring device for inspecting a hole, which can favorably be mounted on a riveting robot adapted to insert a rivet into the hole after inspection. The measuring device includes a test mandrel having a hollow housing and interacting means, whereby the relative position of the interacting means can be detected to determine characteristics of the inspected hole. The measuring device further includes a bushing which is arranged movable relative to the test mandrel.

A device configured to provide a faster and more accurate measurement of depths of holes for placement of bone screws and fastener for bone implant fixation procedures. The device includes a combination of a bone probe for physical examination of a hole drilled in a bone and a depth gauge member for determining a depth of the hole and providing digital measurement of the depth via a display on the instrument and/or via a wireless exchange of measurement data to a remote computing device, such as a tablet or smartphone. The device may further be connected to a separate neuromonitoring device and be used for nerve sensing and/or nerve stimulation by way of the bone probe. For example, the bone probe may include a conductive material such that the distal probe tip acts as an extension of the neuromonitoring device and may be used to sense and/or stimulate nerves.

A device configured to provide a faster and more accurate measurement of depths of holes for placement of bone screws and fastener for bone implant fixation procedures. The device includes a combination of a bone probe for physical examination of a hole drilled in a bone and a depth gauge member for determining a depth of the hole and providing digital measurement of the depth via a display on the instrument and/or via a wireless exchange of measurement data to a remote computing device, such as a tablet or smartphone. The device may further be connected to a separate neuromonitoring device and be used for nerve sensing and/or nerve stimulation by way of the bone probe. For example, the bone probe may include a conductive material such that the distal probe tip acts as an extension of the neuromonitoring device and may be used to sense and/or stimulate nerves.

A depth gauge includes an upright elongate support (1) and several spaced emitters (2) and spaced detectors (3) mounted on the elongate support. The emitters (2) and detectors are electrically connected to a processor that sends signals to the emitters and receives signals from the detectors. In a first aspect, at least two sets of emitters or at least two sets of detectors are mounted on the elongate support. The sets may be directed in different respective directions. In a second aspect, each emitter may emit radiation, and/or each detector may detect radiation, selectively only within a selected range of frequencies, or emit/detect radiation outside the selected range only at a comparatively reduced level. Different emitters may emit radiation, and/or different detectors may detect radiation, only within different ranges of frequencies, or emit/detect radiation outside those ranges only at comparatively reduced levels.

A depth gauge includes an upright elongate support (1) and several spaced emitters (2) and spaced detectors (3) mounted on the elongate support. The emitters (2) and detectors are electrically connected to a processor that sends signals to the emitters and receives signals from the detectors. In a first aspect, at least two sets of emitters or at least two sets of detectors are mounted on the elongate support. The sets may be directed in different respective directions. In a second aspect, each emitter may emit radiation, and/or each detector may detect radiation, selectively only within a selected range of frequencies, or emit/detect radiation outside the selected range only at a comparatively reduced level. Different emitters may emit radiation, and/or different detectors may detect radiation, only within different ranges of frequencies, or emit/detect radiation outside those ranges only at comparatively reduced levels.

A device configured to provide a faster and more accurate measurement of depths of holes for placement of bone screws and fastener for bone implant fixation procedures. The device includes a combination of a bone probe for physical examination of a hole drilled in a bone and a depth gauge member for determining a depth of the hole and providing digital measurement of the depth via a display on the instrument and/or via a wireless exchange of measurement data to a remote computing device, such as a tablet or smartphone. The device may further be connected to a separate neuromonitoring device and be used for nerve sensing and/or nerve stimulation by way of the bone probe. For example, the bone probe may include a conductive material such that the distal probe tip acts as an extension of the neuromonitoring device and may be used to sense and/or stimulate nerves.