A system and an apparatus capable of independently driving movers are described herein. The system and apparatus includes: a track that forms a path for movers; a plurality of movers movably mounted on the track for moving along the path; and a plurality of drive elements fixedly arranged along the track. The drive elements each have a surface that is oriented to contact a driven member of the movers. The drive elements are configured to sequentially engage the driven member of a plurality of the movers to provide controlled independent motion of the movers along the track. The drive elements may be driven by rotary motors. A method of independently driving movers is also described herein.

A system and an apparatus capable of independently driving movers are described herein. The system and apparatus includes: a track that forms a path for movers; a plurality of movers movably mounted on the track for moving along the path; and a plurality of drive elements fixedly arranged along the track. The drive elements each have a surface that is oriented to contact a driven member of the movers. The drive elements are configured to sequentially engage the driven member of a plurality of the movers to provide controlled independent motion of the movers along the track. The drive elements may be driven by rotary motors. A method of independently driving movers is also described herein.

A machine learning device, performing machine learning for adjusting a position and a length of a welding part when a core is welded to a workpiece in a wire electric discharge machine, acquires the position and the length of the welding part as state data; sets reward conditions; calculates a reward based on the state data and the reward conditions; performs the machine learning of the adjustment; determines and outputs an adjustment target and its adjustment amounts based on the state data and a result of the machine learning; performs the machine learning of the adjustment based on the output adjustment action, the state data acquired based on the recalculated position and the recalculated length of the welding part, and the reward based on the state data; and outputs an optimum position of the welding part, the reward conditions being set as a positive or negative reward.

A machine learning device, performing machine learning for adjusting a position and a length of a welding part when a core is welded to a workpiece in a wire electric discharge machine, acquires the position and the length of the welding part as state data; sets reward conditions; calculates a reward based on the state data and the reward conditions; performs the machine learning of the adjustment; determines and outputs an adjustment target and its adjustment amounts based on the state data and a result of the machine learning; performs the machine learning of the adjustment based on the output adjustment action, the state data acquired based on the recalculated position and the recalculated length of the welding part, and the reward based on the state data; and outputs an optimum position of the welding part, the reward conditions being set as a positive or negative reward.

A method for controlling a robot movement of a robot on the basis of a second trajectory is provided, wherein the second trajectory is calculated on the basis of a viscosity volume model.

A simulation apparatus of a wire electric discharge machine that performs machining to cut out a core from a workpiece calculates a position and a length of a welding part used to weld the core to the workpiece, calculates an evaluation value of the position and the length, and performs machine learning of the adjustment of the position and the length. In the machine learning, the position and the length of the welding part and the evaluation value are acquired as state data, a reward is calculated based on the state data and calculated reward conditions, and the machine learning of the adjustment of the position and the length of the welding part is performed using the calculated reward.

A simulation apparatus of a wire electric discharge machine that performs machining to cut out a core from a workpiece calculates a position and a length of a welding part used to weld the core to the workpiece, calculates an evaluation value of the position and the length, and performs machine learning of the adjustment of the position and the length. In the machine learning, the position and the length of the welding part and the evaluation value are acquired as state data, a reward is calculated based on the state data and calculated reward conditions, and the machine learning of the adjustment of the position and the length of the welding part is performed using the calculated reward.

A position sensing tool for enabling topographical measurements of a working surface is provided. The tool includes sensors for mapping the tool environment and for positioning of the tool within the environment. The tool enables tracking of tool activity within the environment. The tool enables design and fabrication collaboration with other computer systems. The tool enables user and tool environment safety using tool positional, user position and tool environment awareness. Certain embodiments of the tool permit automated guidance of tasks in the tool environment.

A position sensing tool for enabling topographical measurements of a working surface is provided. The tool includes sensors for mapping the tool environment and for positioning of the tool within the environment. The tool enables tracking of tool activity within the environment. The tool enables design and fabrication collaboration with other computer systems. The tool enables user and tool environment safety using tool positional, user position and tool environment awareness. Certain embodiments of the tool permit automated guidance of tasks in the tool environment.

A control system for a natural gas distribution network, includes: a processing unit suited to communicate, through corresponding signals, with one or more control devices operatively connected to the distribution network; a rechargeable battery which supplies power to the processing unit; a power supply device suited to recharge the rechargeable battery. The power supply device includes: a thermoelectric generator connected to the rechargeable battery; a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger respectively in contact with two opposite sides of the thermoelectric generator; a vortex tube which receives part of the natural gas from the distribution network and divides it into a colder portion and into a warmer portion; a first duct suited to convey the colder portion into the first heat exchanger; a second duct suited to convey the warmer portion into the second heat exchanger.