An expander of a tubular assembly having a tubular covering element inserted into a tubular element includes a tip for pushing a first internal wall of the tubular covering element towards a second internal wall of the tubular element so as to enable the adhesion of a first external wall of the tubular covering element to the second internal wall. The expander includes a rotary joint sliding along a first longitudinal axis, to which the tip is coupled so as to arrange the tip radially and enable it to rotate around the first axis. The expander further includes a sensor operatively connected to the tip to detect a radial displacement of the tip owing to a current thrust exerted by the tip, and a logic control unit operatively connected to the sensor and the tip to adjust a future thrust as a function of the radial displacement.

A pipe processing tool that is configured to deform the end of a pipe so that the circumferential shape of the end of the pipe generally matches the circumferential shape of an adjacent pipe end. Matching the circumferential shapes of the pipe ends is advantageous during a pipe attachment process. The pipe processing tool can include a deformation ring with a plurality of pipe deformation members. Each pipe deformation member faces radially inward and is actuatable in a radial direction toward and away from the center of the deformation ring in order to permit engagement with the pipe. Each pipe deformation member is individually and separately actuatable from the other pipe deformation members so that the circumferential shapes of the pipes can be altered by controlling suitable ones of the pipe deformation members.

Disclosed herein are self-aware, self-modifying, autonomous connection mechanisms. Exemplifying intelligent systems introduce some of the embodiments of the autonomous connection mechanism techniques.

A method is used to manufacture a surgical instrument including a first tube, and a second tube. The first tube extends from a proximal first end portion to a distal first end portion. The second tube extends from a proximal second end portion to a distal second end portion. The second tube is positioned coaxially within the first tube with the distal second end portion positioned adjacent to the distal first end portion. The second tube defines a lumen. The sensor is secured proximal to the distal second end portion of the second tube. A die is engaged against a distal first end portion of the first tube while first tube rotates about its own longitudinal axis; and the die is simultaneously moved relative to the distal first end portion of the first tube along a predetermined path to form a predetermined shape.

A mount system and method of manufacture for e.g. a machine vision camera is disclosed. The mount system comprises a rectangular base, a lower clamp disc, an upper clamp disc, a tilting plate, an expansion clamp, and an O-ring. The expansion clamp comprises a tapered head screw and an expandable mandrel, both typically made of stainless steel. The mount system facilitates improved machine vision by enabling effective mounting of machine vision cameras in smaller spaces and/or spaces requiring unusual angles and intricate positioning. The mount system is also advantageous in inhospitable environments having harsh environmental factors. The mount system is also easier for machine vision personnel to learn and understand.

An implant for use in orthognathic surgery of a mandible may include a longitudinal plate member and a plurality of pre-configured guides coupled to the plate member. The longitudinal plate member is pre-bent to correspond to the post-operative shape of the mandible; and the guides are pre-configured to align the plate member with the mandible when the implant is positioned against the mandible after the mandible has been separated.

A system and method for drilling a hole in a vehicle structure and installing a fastener in the hole. A drill plate having openings and associated machine-readable elements is positioned on the structure. A drill gun is positioned in a particular opening and reads hole information from the associated element, and a computer determines whether the drill gun is properly set-up to drill the hole. A fastener insertion gun is positioned in the particular opening and reads fastener information from the element, and the computer determines whether the hole has been drilled and, if so, whether the fastener insertion gun is properly set-up to insert the fastener. A fastener delivery subsystem stores, tracks, and delivers fasteners to the fastener insertion gun. A system computer monitors the drilling of every hole, the insertion of every fastener, and the overall operation of the fastener delivery subsystem.

An automobile vehicle flexible robot door hinge installation system includes a hinge servo-linear positioning device. The hinge servo-linear positioning device includes at least one servo-motor and at least one hinge effector releasably holding and positioning a vehicle door hinge. A fastener servo-linear installation device is also provided.

A system and method for drilling a hole in a vehicle structure and installing a fastener in the hole. A drill plate having openings and associated machine-readable elements is positioned on the structure. A drill gun is positioned in a particular opening and reads hole information from the associated element, and a computer determines whether the drill gun is properly set-up to drill the hole. A fastener insertion gun is positioned in the particular opening and reads fastener information from the element, and the computer determines whether the hole has been drilled and, if so, whether the fastener insertion gun is properly set-up to insert the fastener. A fastener delivery subsystem stores, tracks, and delivers fasteners to the fastener insertion gun. A system computer monitors the drilling of every hole, the insertion of every fastener, and the overall operation of the fastener delivery subsystem.

A method and apparatus for inserting at least a portion of a sensor into a patient is provided. Simple and easy to use mechanisms are provided that can position the sensor or any other device accurately with minimal complication. The method and apparatus can include an inserter device for use with the sensor. The method and apparatus can be for use in continuous or semi-continuous monitoring systems such as analyte monitoring systems.