The machine comprises a rotary feeder configured to receive the first tubular body and the second tubular body; wherein the first tubular body and the second tubular body are secured to one another separately in a single coaxial direction in the rotary feeder; and wherein the two tubular bodies make up separators of the pallets. The machine also comprises a robotic arm configured to transfer the two tubular bodies in pairs from the rotary feeder to an area above a transport table on which a first base of the pallet rests; so that one of the end portions of the second tubular body fits into an opening of the first base; wherein the robotic arm places the first tubular body around the second tubular body.

An apparatus, system and method for providing an o-ring gripper. The embodiments may include an end effector, comprising: a housing; a movable stripping bar mechanically associated with the housing; a plurality of modules at least partially within the housing; and at least two interleaved angular jaws, wherein each of the at least two jaws provides at least two of the at least four fingers, and wherein an increase in angle between the at least two jaws effects an expansion of an area bounded by each of the at least four fingers; wherein a movement of the stripper bar distally from the housing strips the o-ring from the retention groove for placement.

A tray feeder mechanism comprising a plurality of trays within a tray feeder, each tray including a tray handle, and a gripper positioned within a gripping area defined by the tray handles, wherein the gripper is configured to remove a tray from the tray feeder when the tray feeder stops.

A gripping system for securing a work piece includes a clamp device, a rotary actuator, and a control circuit. The clamp device includes a ball screw mechanism and a jaw portion that has multiple grip fingers. The ball screw mechanism includes a shaft and a holder assembly. The shaft extends through the holder assembly and is configured for displacement along a central axis of the jaw portion. A distal tip of the shaft engages the grip fingers. The control circuit controls the rotary actuator to drive rotation of the shaft relative to the holder assembly, causing displacement of the shaft along the central axis. The displacement of the shaft causes the distal tip of the shaft to force the grip fingers to move in a radial direction away from the central axis to provide a clamp force on the work piece.

A product manipulation tool for interacting with products and containers at, for example, a retail facility can include a securing mechanism to secure an exposed portion of the container with respect to a horizontal surface such as a shelf. The product manipulation tool can also include a stabilizing device to stabilize the container with respect to the horizontal surface prior to securing the container. The product manipulation tool can also include a support structure for insertion underneath the container to support the load. The stabilizing mechanism may lift or tilt the container prior to insertion of the support structure. In an example, the product manipulation tool may be disposed on a mobile unit configured for locomotion about the retail facility.

An end effector is disclosed that is configured for connection to a robotic unit used to manipulate a door of a vehicle (e.g., during vehicle painting). The end effector includes a base plate; a sensor that is supported by the base plate; and a piston that is configured for engagement with the door. The piston is operatively connected to an interrupter such that movement (displacement) of the piston causes corresponding movement (displacement) of the interrupter between a first position, in which the interrupter is positioned in alignment with a signal transmitted across the sensor to interfere with the signal and thereby interrupt circuit completion, and a second position, in which the interrupter is out of alignment with the signal transmitted across the sensor to permit circuit completion and thereby inform the robotic unit that the door is present and engaged with the end effector.

A transport tool for transporting a laboratory article using a pipette of a pipetting system, and having a plug-in sleeve at a top end, an article holder at a bottom end, and a connecting part which connects the plug-in sleeve to the article holder. The plug-in sleeve has a side sleeve wall and a bottom which surround an interior space of the plug-in sleeve having a cylindrical or conically tapering shape. The plug-in sleeve further has an upward-facing opening for receiving an end of a pipette of an automated pipetting system. The article holder has a holding element oriented downward away from the connecting part. The holding element having at least two elongated projections which has one or more snap hooks protruding outwards to hook under a storage opening of a pipette tip carrier.

An apparatus for heating plastic preforms with a transport device which includes holding devices for holding the plastic preforms and wherein the transport path has at least one heating portion inside which the plastic preforms are heated, and with a heating device arranged stationary at least in portions along the transport path and which heats the plastic preforms transported by the transport device during their transport through the heating portion, wherein the heating device has at least one in particular stationary applicator device which is configured for bombarding the plastic preforms with microwaves to heat them. In the heating portion, the transport device is arranged relative to the applicator device such that at least parts of the holding devices are arranged outside the applicator device, wherein the applicator device is configured to receive several plastic preforms simultaneously for at least some of the time.

A universal gripper is disclosed for transferring totes and sub-totes, for example in an order fulfillment center. The universal gripper includes adjustable tines and pins capable of being positioned to engage within slots in the different configurations of totes and sub-totes.

Disclosed embodiments provide techniques for automated replacement of components in a datacenter. A robot is instructed to follow a route to replace parts within a datacenter. Embodiments include predicting a failure rate for a plurality of computer components within a datacenter. A failure time is then predicted for the computer components based on the corresponding failure rate. A route is created that allows the robot to visit the one or more racks containing the computer components that need to be replaced. The robot then replaces the components that require replacing. In this way, datacenter efficiency is improved and operating costs are reduced.