An enclosure comprising a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the housing having a first connector receptacle at the first end, the housing having a surface defining a robot-engaging mechanism, a hook extending from the second end of the housing, and a securement mechanism at the second end of the housing.

A work machine unit includes: a support member assembled to an end effector connection part of an operating machine; a work machine part assembled to one end of the support member; and a linear guide disposed at another end of the support member across its connection to the end effector connection part from the support member, arranged in parallel to an axial direction of the work machine part, and configured to abut against a work object or its peripheral structural object. Further, the linear guide is passed through a through-hole formed in the support member, and the support member is configured to move in the axial direction of the work machine part as guided by the linear guide.

A machining apparatus is borne by an articulated arm and includes: a casing defining an opening to be placed by the articulated arm in a machining position so the opening faces the surface to be machined; at least three bearers attached to the casing to rest against the surface to be machined in the machining position; an attachment system fixing the casing to the surface to be machined; at least one support mounted to move with respect to the casing, and a machine-tool mounted on the support; and at least one position sensor providing position parameters representing a relative position of the surface to be machined with respect to the casing. Also included is a control system operating the support and to move the machine-tool with respect to the casing according to a movement instruction, the control system being designed to calculate the movement instruction using the position parameters.

A drilling end effector is provided for drilling a workpiece having a workpiece surface. The drilling end effector includes a chuck configured to hold a drilling tool, and a nosepiece configured to at least partially surround the drilling tool when the drilling tool is held by the chuck. The nosepiece includes an end portion. The nosepiece includes at least one suction cup and at least one suction feed line. The at least one suction cup is fluidly connected to the at least one suction feed line. The at least one suction feed line is configured to be fluidly connected to a suction system. The at least one suction cup is configured to be engaged in physical contact with the workpiece surface and pulled under suction by the suction system such that the at least one suction cup adheres to the workpiece surface to thereby hold the end portion of the nosepiece on the workpiece surface.

An end effector system is disclosed for a robotic system that includes a primary acquisition system that includes a primary end effector, and a secondary retention system that substantially surrounds at least a portion of the primary acquisition system, wherein at least a portion of the primary acquisition system may be drawn up within at least a portion of the secondary retention system such that the primary end effector system may be used to select an object from a plurality of objects, and the secondary retention system may be used to secure the object for rapid transport to an output destination.

A method of operating a manipulation system of the type having a movable arm with a proximal end connected to a base and a distal end that is movable relative to the base and is coupled to an end-effector. The method comprises moving the distal end of the movable arm towards a target object and into contact with a stabilization object proximate to the target object, maintaining contact between the distal end of the movable arm and the stabilization object while operating the end-effector to perform a desired operation at the target object, and upon completing the desired operation at the target object, disengaging the distal end of the movable arm from contact with the stabilization object.

A stencil printer includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, the stencil having apertures formed therein, a support assembly coupled to the frame, the support assembly including tooling configured to support the electronic substrate in a print position beneath the stencil, a print head assembly coupled to the frame in such a manner that the print head assembly is configured to traverse the stencil during print strokes, the print head assembly including a squeegee blade assembly and at least one paste cartridge to deposit solder paste on the stencil, and a robotic arm configured to perform functions within the stencil printer.

A delivery device is configured to deliver changeover and/or replacement items within a stencil printer. The delivery device includes a housing configured to support replacement and/or replenishment items, the housing having wheels or casters to enable the housing to roll along a relatively flat surface, at least one support structure configured to store items for the stencil printer, and one or more device configured to transport items from the delivery device to the stencil printer and from the stencil printer to the delivery device.

A system or method of fully automating a changeover and/or a replacement process within a stencil printer includes a stencil printer having at least one item scheduled for replacement within the stencil printer, a stockroom configured to store a plurality of items, and a delivery device. The delivery device is configured to transport an item of the plurality of items to the stencil printer, remove a used item scheduled for replacement, install the item of the plurality of items on the stencil printer, transport the used item to a station configured to inspect and perform one or more functions on the used item to render the used item ready for use, and transport the used item to the stockroom for future use within the stencil printer.

An end effector system is disclosed for a robotic system that includes a primary acquisition system that includes a primary end effector, and a secondary retention system that substantially surrounds at least a portion of the primary acquisition system, wherein at least a portion of the primary acquisition system may be drawn up within at least a portion of the secondary retention system such that the primary end effector system may be used to select an object from a plurality of objects, and the secondary retention system may be used to secure the object for rapid transport to an output destination.