A robot includes: a restricting member configured to restrict a horizontal movement of a predetermined workpiece; and a workpiece moving member configured to generate an action for horizontally moving the workpiece. The controller performs a control operation of positioning the workpiece at a stop position in such a manner that: based on predetermined size information of the workpiece and preset stop position information of the workpiece, the restricting member is positioned at a predetermined restricting position included in the stop position for the workpiece, and the workpiece moving member acts on the workpiece and is moved toward the restricting position to horizontally move the workpiece; and the workpiece is brought into contact with the restricting member.

A collaborative robot motion gauge determines a motion of a collaborative robot and includes: a bar; a dextral metrology member disposed on the bar; a dextral motion coupler moveably disposed on the bar; a dextral displacement sensor disposed on the dextral metrology member in communication with the dextral motion coupler; a dextral arm coupler disposed on the dextral motion coupler and that: couples to a dextral arm of the collaborative robot to the dextral motion coupler; communicates motion of the dextral arm to the dextral displacement sensor; and moves the dextral motion coupler in response to motion of the dextral arm; a sinistral metrology member disposed on the bar at a sinistral position; a sinistral motion coupler; a sinistral displacement sensor in communication with the sinistral motion coupler; and a sinistral arm coupler that couples a sinistral arm to the sinistral motion coupler.

An ultrasonic testing system of dual robot arms and an ultrasonic testing method for use in testing quality of surface and interior of a workpiece. The system includes an extension rod provided between a tail-end of a master robot arm and an emitting probe and/or between a tail-end of a slave robot arm and a receiving probe. One or more connected extension rod rotating shafts is provided between the extension rod and the emitting probe or between the extension rod and the receiving probe. The method uses an X-axis constraint method to convert posture data of the discrete points in a trajectory file of the tested workpiece into Euler angles, and constrain the X-axes of the auxiliary coordinate systems at the same time so that the positive direction of the X-axis of each of the auxiliary coordinate systems is the trajectory tangent direction.

A method of coordinating automated systems, the method includes providing a first automated system that is programmed with a set of predetermined operating instructions that correspond with automated system processing requirements, monitoring an operational status of the first automated system with a second automated system, automatically generating a second system action, with the second automated system, that is complementary to a first system action of the first automated system, where the first system action corresponds to the set of predetermined operating instructions and the second system action depends on the operational status of the first automated system, and performing the second system action with the second automated system so that the second automated system cooperates with the first automated system to perform a predetermined operation.

Devices, systems and methods are provided for monitoring a plurality of articles that are arranged on a support surface according to an article arrangement modeled with a first processing device. One of the methods includes receiving image data generated from the modeled article arrangement. The image data is received by a second processing device, and is indicative of an image of the arranged articles on the support surface. The received image data is used to inspect the arranged articles.

A method for controlling a robot includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, the robot is controlled to hold at least one of a pipette and a container containing a liquid and to change a position of the pipette relative to the container so as to make a tip of the pipette contact a sediment in the container. In the second step, the robot is controlled to move the pipette in an upward direction from a predetermined position in the container with the tip of the pipette in contact with an inner side surface of the container.

A method and a system for manufacturing a mold for creation of complex objects by controlling and moving two end effectors of a robotic system is provided. The two end effectors have a flexible cutting element attached to, and extending between, the two end effectors. The method includes the steps of: defining at least one surface representing the inner surface of the mold; dividing the surface into a number of segments represented by planar curves on the surface; for each planar curve, calculating at least one elastic curve representing the planar curve; for each calculated elastic curve, calculating a set of data corresponding to placement and direction of the two end effectors for configuring the flexible cutting element to a shape corresponding to the calculated elastic curve; and sequentially positioning the end effectors according to each set of data. The flexible cutting element thereby cuts the mold from a block.

To provide a numerical controller capable of performing synchronous control and superimposed control easily with respect to a machine having a complicated configuration. A numerical controller comprises: an elements relationship setting unit that sets a relationship between a first element and a second element; an elements relationship output calculation unit that calculates a relationship output from the relationship between the first element and the second element; and an elements relationship control unit that performs relationship control on the basis of the relationship output.

A robot controlling device controls operation of a robot having a first robotic arm and a second robotic arm. The robot controlling device includes a distance calculating module configured to calculate a distance between a tip end of the first robotic arm and a tip end of the second robotic arm, and a distance monitoring module configured to monitor whether the distance calculated by the distance calculating module is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

Devices, systems and methods are provided for transporting one or more items with an autonomous robot, which is at least capable of independent movement as desired without the need of additional infrastructure, mechanisms or assistance. One of the methods includes providing the robot with a list at least containing the at least one item to be transported, where the at least one item is located in a first area. The at least one item is gathered from the first area via the robot. The at least one item is transported from the first area to at least a second area via the robot. The at least one item is placed in at least the second area without any intervention from outside the robot regardless of where the second area is with respect to the first area so that the at least one item can be autonomously transported from the first area to the second area as needed.