A method of manufacturing a component and a component manufacturing apparatus to attach an attached part in a predetermined posture to a ring-shaped channel formed in an outer circumference of a component main body. While being held by holding portions, a ring-shaped seal body is placed in contact with a tapered portion and has its diameter expanded to at least the outer diameter of the component main body. The seal body elastically deforms from the expanded-diameter state so that its diameter reduces and is attached to the attachment channel in the outer circumferential surface of the component main body while being guided by the holding portions.

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.

Apparatus and methods that can be used to stabilize the distal end of an arm (and an end effector attached thereto) of an automated extended-reach tool-equipped assembly. Stabilization is provided by three or more stabilizers, each comprising a stationary part and a movable part. Each stationary part has a fixed location relative to the end effector; each movable part is translatably coupled to a respective stationary part and comprises a contactor disposed at a distal end of the movable part. When the stabilizers are actuated, the contactors are translated toward and into contact with the surface of the workpiece and then locked in place to stabilize the distal end of the arm and the end effector. During tool operation, the stabilizers reduce oscillation of the end effector (and all structure fixedly coupled thereto).

A workpiece inverting device includes a gripping part configured to rotatably grip a workpiece, a rotary body rotatable about a rotating shaft and connected to the gripping part, a strip member extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft, and an arm configured to move in one of a state in which a tip of the arm is provided with the gripping part and the rotary body and a state in which the tip of the arm is provided with the strip member. While the workpiece is gripped by the gripping member, the rotary body moves relative to the strip member in contact with the rotary body in the direction in which the strip member extends.

A positioning and clamping system for a workpiece to be processed, which is disposed at a work station on a mobile load receiver. The positioning and clamping system includes a mobile and robot-guided gripper tool for the workpiece, in particular a geo-gripper tool, for clamping the workpiece in a defined position and orientation. A stationary, adjustable support device supports, stabilizes, and positions the gripper tool, in particular the geo-gripper tool, at the work station in a stationary manner, together with the gripped, in particular clamped, workpiece for processing.

A modular clamp base for manipulating a target object includes at least two interchangeable side plates and a central gripping member. The interchangeable side plates are configured to detachably attach to opposing surfaces of the central gripping member. The central gripping member includes an attachment end proximal to a lower end of the central gripping member; the attachment end configured to detachably attach to the target object.

A workpiece is quickly fixed and released without using a driving device. A workpiece fixing tool includes: a pair of grip members that are disposed so as to face each other in a substantially horizontal direction and that can open and close in an opposite direction in which the grip members face each other, the grip members gripping a workpiece therebetween in a closed state; and urging members that urge the pair of grip members in closing directions. The pair of grip members have inclined faces facing each other, the inclined faces forming an angle with respect to each other such that a distance therebetween in the opposite direction in which the inclined faces face each other gradually decreases from upper side to lower side.

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.

An effector includes at least one contact surface configured to bear against a face of a workpiece near a zone of the workpiece that is impacted by a tool supported by the effector. The contact surface includes at least one interface made of a ductile material interposed between the contact surface and the face of the workpiece.

A positioning device for positioning and using a tool within a cavity having a cavity wall. The device comprises a flexible deployment device/arm carrying the tool. The deployment device/arm further comprises a soft robotics fixturing element adjustable between a contracted deployment configuration during positioning of the tool to an expanded bracing configuration for abutment with the cavity wall during use of the tool.