A set of respective self-configuring probe interface circuit boards (SC-MPIC's) are disclosed for use with a measurement system comprising host electronics and respective interchangeable measurement probes. Member SC-MPICs each comprises: a local circuit (LS) for probe identification, signal processing and inter-board signal control; and higher-direction and lower-direction connectors “pointing” toward and away from the measurement probe, respectively. Member SC-MPICs establish a processing hierarchy by generating lower board present signals on their higher-direction connector, higher board present signals on their lower-direction connector, and determining whether they are the highest and/or lowest SC-MPIC based on receiving those signals from adjacent SC-MPICs. They can independently perform probe identification matching operations using probe identification data from compatible and incompatible probes, and the highest SC-MPIC does this first. Member SC-MPICs advantageously pass through or isolate signals from other members in the set depending on the hierarchy, various received signals, and internal processing.

In various embodiments, a tool plate configured to receive a robotic end effector is removably matable with a robot appendage via a quick-release mechanism.

A code display medium includes a code image display portion which arranges a plurality of code images side by side in a circumferential direction around an axis of screw fastening and which displays the plurality of code images so as to be optically readable, each of the plurality of code images including identification information for identifying at least one of a fastening material for the screw fastening and/or an object to be fastened by the screw fastening and a fixing portion which fixes the code image display portion to a position that is on the object to be fastened and that can be simultaneously captured with the fastening material in a state where the screw fastening is performed.

A tooling system may comprise a device configured to communicate with an identifier of a machine tool and a tool database having tool information including a predefined proximity associated with the identifier. The device may be configured to automatically activate, without a user-initiated scan, communication with at least one of the machine tool and the tool database in response to the identifier being within the predefined proximity. The device may also be configured to transfer tool information of the machine tool with respect to the tool database.

An accumulated wear amount calculation section calculates a wear amount of a blade edge of a punch and a wear amount of a blade edge of a die when a tool set of the punch and the die has processed a sheet metal once. The accumulated wear amount calculation section calculates an accumulated wear amount of the blade edge of the punch and an accumulated wear amount of the blade edge of the die by accumulating wear amounts of respective times when the tool set has processed the sheet metal multiple times. A tool management information managing section manages a state of the blade edge of each punch and each die by causing a tool management information storage section to store tool management information associating a tool identification code given to each punch and each die with the accumulated wear amounts calculated by the accumulated wear amount calculation section.

Systems and methods for controlling chlorinators for pools and spas are provided. A controller communicates with a processor positioned within a replaceable cell cartridge of a chlorinator, to allow for remote control and diagnosis of the chlorinator and/or cell cartridge. The cell cartridge stores, in non-volatile memory on board the cartridge, one or more parameters associated with the cartridge. The controller can obtain this information from the processor of the cell cartridge, and can use same to configure operation of the chlorinator. Information relating to remaining cell life can be updated by the controller and stored in the non-volatile memory of the cell cartridge. Electrical and software-based mechanisms are provided for ensuring operation of only compatible cell cartridges with the chlorinator. A system for remotely diagnosing errors associated with the chlorinator is also provided.

When a sheet metal is sandwiched between a punch held by a punch holder and a die held by a die holder to bend the sheet metal at a set bending angle by moving the punch toward the die, a stroke calculation unit calculates a stroke of the punch for bending the sheet metal at the bending angle in consideration of a spring back amount of the bent sheet metal. A bending load calculation unit calculates a bending load required to bend the sheet metal at the bending angle. A punch deflection amount calculation unit calculates a punch deflection amount according to the bending load. A punch holder deflection amount calculation unit calculates a punch holder deflection amount according to the bending load. A depth value calculation unit calculates a depth value by adding at least the punch deflection amount and the punch holder deflection amount to the stroke.

A method used in a welding system includes detecting multiple markers on a welding torch. The markers are detected using one or more cameras. The method also includes blocking live welding using the welding torch while the one or more cameras are unable to detect at least one of the multiple markers on the welding torch.

The invention relates to a machine tool system (1) comprising a machine tool (2) comprising a spindle (3) that can be rotatably driven for machining workpieces, with a plurality of tools each clamped in chucks (5), in the form of so-called tool heads (4), that can be coupled to the spindle (3), and a balancing device (8) for balancing the tool heads (4), the machine tool system (1) comprising a data memory (11) in which the balancing protocol associated with each system-associated tool head (4) is stored, and a controller (12) that reads balancing data from the balancing protocol, for a tool head (4) coupled to the spindle (3), and compares it with at least one parameter of the machining for which said tool head (4) is provided, or with at least one general balancing parameter, the machine tool system (1) preferably being designed such that it rejects a tool head (4) when there is no available balancing data for said tool head (4).

A tracking computing system detects tracking indicia provided on or embedded within cutting implements to be deployed at a processing facility. Periodic implement scans can be performed by one or more mobile computing devices to detect tracking indicia and to determine state data associated with the cutting implements. The state data can be determined at different stages within a processing cycle. The absence of state data for a tracking indicium at one or more stages of the processing cycle may be detected and used to initiate a control action with respect to a potentially missing cutting implement.