Telerobotic, telesurgical, and surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods selectively calibrate end effector jaws by bringing the jaw elements into engagement with each other. Commanded torque signals may bring the end effector elements into engagement while monitoring the resulting position of a drive system, optionally using a second derivative of the torque/position relationship so as to identify an end effector engagement position. Calibration can allow the end effector engagement position to correspond to a nominal closed position of an input handle by compensating for wear on the end effector, the end effector drive system, then manipulator, the manipulator drive system, the manipulator/end effector interfacing, and manufacturing tolerances.

Telerobotic, telesurgical, and surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods selectively calibrate end effector jaws by bringing the jaw elements into engagement with each other. Commanded torque signals may bring the end effector elements into engagement while monitoring the resulting position of a drive system, optionally using a second derivative of the torque/position relationship so as to identify an end effector engagement position. Calibration can allow the end effector engagement position to correspond to a nominal closed position of an input handle by compensating for wear on the end effector, the end effector drive system, then manipulator, the manipulator drive system, the manipulator/end effector interfacing, and manufacturing tolerances.

A method for processing tool data on a machine tool having a data interface for connection to a tool management system and an associated control device and computer program product. The method comprises the steps of: acquiring a unique tool identifier, WID, of a tool to be picked up; matching the acquired WID with previously known tool identification data of the machine tool; if it is determined that the tool to be picked up is not yet known and/or updated tool data for the WID are available: automatically, via the data interface, retrieving tool data directly from the tool management system based on the acquired WID or automatically retrieving the tool data directly from the tool to be picked up; determining a loading location for the tool to be picked up based on the retrieved tool data and preferably, picking up the tool at the determined loading location.

A maintenance indicator stores an information bit string. The information bit string encodes at least a section of a piece of maintenance information of a component of a cutting tool in binary. The information bit string has a plurality of information bits. Each information bit has an information bit state. In an activated display state, the maintenance indicator emits flashes that follow the information bit states of the information bit string and thus displays an information signal. In the activated display state, the maintenance indicator displays an announcement signal. The announcement signal announces the information signal. The information signal can be filmed by a photosensitive element while maintaining an air gap.

An assistance method for execution of a format change in an automatic machine can include dividing the format change into an orderly succession of operations for the removal of components designed for the old format and installation of components designed for the new format; communicating the orderly succession of removal and installation operations to an operator; electronically and automatically detecting the actual presence or absence of a component designed for the old or new format before communicating to the operator the operation for removal or installation of the component; electronically and automatically detecting the actual absence or presence of a component designed for the old or new format after having communicated to the operator; and communicating to the operator the operation following an operation for the removal or installation of a component only after having electronically and automatically checked for the actual absence or presence of the component.