A system for moving an object against a working surface of a finishing machine. A mounting platform is provided that is supported by a stationary frame. The mounting platform can only move reciprocally relative to the stationary frame along a linear line of motion. An articulating arm is mounted on the mounting platform and moves with the mounting platform. A linear actuator is provided having a first end coupled to the mounting platform and an opposite end mounted to the stationary frame. The linear actuator has a midline that is parallel to, and aligned with, the linear line of motion. A finishing machine is provided that has a working surface. The articulating arm touches objects to the working surface at a point of contact that is coplanar with the linear line of motion. This directs forces along the linear line of motion and into the linear actuator.

A robotic system and method for aligning a target to an equipped vehicle for calibration of a sensor on the equipped vehicle includes a vehicle support stand upon which an equipped vehicle is disposed in an established known position for calibration of the sensor, and a robotic manipulator having a multi-axis robotic arm configured to moveably hold a target. The robotic manipulator is configured to position the target into a calibration position relative to the sensor on the equipped vehicle by longitudinal movement of the robotic manipulator relative to the vehicle support stand and by movement of the robotic arm based on the established known position of the equipped vehicle on the vehicle support stand whereby the sensor is able to be calibrated using the target.

Systems and methods relating to an end-of-arm-tool that can be used in connection with the automated handling of vehicles, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), are disclosed. The described systems and methods can include an end-of-arm-tool which may include a load cell coupled to an end effector, such that forces and torques exerted on the end effector are translated onto the load cell. The measurement of forces and torques exerted on the end effector can facilitate determining various information in connection with the aerial vehicle, such as inertial properties or parameters associated with the aerial vehicle, the quality of the engagement between the end effector and the aerial vehicle, as well as diagnostic information in connection with the aerial vehicle. Additionally, the use of a load cell to measure forces and torques exerted on the end effector can eliminate the need to utilize traditional contact sensors typically required on the contact surfaces of an end-of-arm tool.

A robot traveling device 20 according to one aspect of the present disclosure is arranged on a floor surface. The robot traveling device includes a plurality of bases 21 discretely laid on the floor surface, a rail base 23 installed on the bases, a rail part 27 supported by the rail base, a stand part 29 that is movably supported by the rail part and on which a robot 200 is mounted, and a flexible cable carrier 31 for protecting a cable of the robot. Heights of the bases are determined so that a gap of 50 to 100 mm is provided between the floor surface and the rail base and cable carrier. Accordingly, maintainability is improved without lowering of approachability of workers to the machine tool.

A robot traveling device 20 according to one aspect of the present disclosure is arranged on a floor surface. The robot traveling device includes a plurality of bases 21 discretely laid on the floor surface, a rail base 23 installed on the bases, a rail part 27 supported by the rail base, a stand part 29 that is movably supported by the rail part and on which a robot 200 is mounted, and a flexible cable carrier 31 for protecting a cable of the robot. Heights of the bases are determined so that a gap of 50 to 100 mm is provided between the floor surface and the rail base and cable carrier. Accordingly, maintainability is improved without lowering of approachability of workers to the machine tool.

Systems and methods disclosed herein include a robotic arm positioned outside of the vehicle. The robotic arm may include an end effector configured as a cleaning implement for cleaning a surface in the interior of the vehicle. The system may include a first camera configured to determine a position of the vehicle with respect to a reference point. The system may include a second camera configured to scan the interior of the vehicle. The second system may include a first controller configured to create and/or modify a tool path to execute a cleaning operation, based on the scan, and to send instructions to the robotic arm to execute the cleaning operation in accordance with the created and/or modified tool path.

A machine for producing sanitary articles includes a plurality of processing stations including automated apparatus for forming sanitary articles which advance along a machine direction. The machine includes a multi-axis industrial robot arranged to automatically clean and/or inspect the automated apparatus of the processing stations. The machine has a positive impact on sustainability.

A machine for producing sanitary articles includes a plurality of processing stations including automated apparatus for forming sanitary articles which advance along a machine direction. The machine includes a multi-axis industrial robot arranged to automatically clean and/or inspect the automated apparatus of the processing stations. The machine has a positive impact on sustainability.

A robotic system for dynamic controlling the movement of a mobile robot is presented. The robotic system includes a multi-level transport system arranged in an xyz-space. The multi-level transport system includes a plurality of magnetic tracks configured to allow movement of the mobile robot in at least one direction in the xy-plane. The multi-level transport system further includes a plurality of transfer mechanisms configured to change the direction of the mobile robot in the xy-plane, and to allow the movement of the mobile robot in a direction along the z-axis, each transfer mechanism defining a transfer node in the multi-level transport system. The robotic system further includes a control system configured to dynamically control the movement of the mobile robot in the x,y,z direction at one or more transfer nodes of the multi-level transport system, by dynamically activating a corresponding magnetic track or a corresponding transfer mechanism.

A robotic system for dynamic controlling the movement of a mobile robot is presented. The robotic system includes a multi-level transport system arranged in an xyz-space. The multi-level transport system includes a plurality of magnetic tracks configured to allow movement of the mobile robot in at least one direction in the xy-plane. The multi-level transport system further includes a plurality of transfer mechanisms configured to change the direction of the mobile robot in the xy-plane, and to allow the movement of the mobile robot in a direction along the z-axis, each transfer mechanism defining a transfer node in the multi-level transport system. The robotic system further includes a control system configured to dynamically control the movement of the mobile robot in the x,y,z direction at one or more transfer nodes of the multi-level transport system, by dynamically activating a corresponding magnetic track or a corresponding transfer mechanism.