Object manipulation in warehouses and logistics facilities is a challenging task because of the unstructured environment. The unstructured environment can have items/objects with different form factors, weight, shape, and size. Traditionally, multiple robots have been used to handle for specific task to be performed by an individual robot which requires high floor. This leads to higher cost and infrastructure. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gripper apparatus that addresses a single gripper design handling multiple parcels, wherein the apparatus consists of ‘m’ fingers parallel to each other and can be independently controlled through actuators, each finger has a force sensors feedback and also actuators which are controlled with force. Each finger comprises a linear slider for actuation for gripping objects and wherein bottom fingers are moved to provide enough gravity support. Further, apparatus comprises bellows attached to each finger end for grasping object using pneumatic grasping mechanism.

End-of-arm tools to be coupled to a robotic arm and configured to handle structural lumber objects are disclosed as are methods of use for such. The end-of-arm tools comprise opposing jaws to grip the lumber objects. The opposing jaws are coupled to a rigid frame via a four-bar linkage providing mechanical advantage and over-center functionality. An actuated extractor extends between the opposing jaws to engage the lumber object upon release. Assemblies of multiple end-of-arm tools coupled together are also disclosed.

Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously sorting dirty laundry articles into batched loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting device includes an enclosed channel including a plurality of sequential work volumes and a stationary floor extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the channel, a plurality of arms disposed in series along the enclosed channel for rotating, tilting, extending, and retracting a terminal gripper of each arm into an associated work volume for grabbing at least one of a plurality of deformable dirty laundry articles and passing the at least one deformable laundry article to an adjacent work volume for grasping and hoisting by an adjacent arm. The device includes an inlet orifice for receiving the dirty laundry articles into the enclosed channel and an outlet orifice adjacent the outlet end through which each separated deformable article exits the enclosed channel into sorting bins.

An automatic picking fixture device: a fixture locked with a mechanical arm and includes a coupling orifice, a motor, a rotor, and a gear. The fixture includes four elongated orifices and two movable holders. The two movable holders have four through orifices corresponding to the gear, four passing orifices, and two toothed sections received in the four through orifices and meshing with and driving the gear. The four passing orifices of the fixture is configured to lock with the four pneumatic cylinders or four servo motors, and the four pneumatic cylinders or the four servo motors are configured to push four jaws outward or inward, the four jaws include four symmetrical clamping grooves configured to clamp at least one material. The four racks are fixed on the top of the fixture, and a respective rack has two rollers rolling along a respective elongated orifice.

An end of arm tool (EOAT) for use during manufacture of parts using one or more pre-impregnated composite plies is disclosed. In an embodiment, the EOAT includes a mechanical gripper arrangement with first and second fingers configured to supply a compressive force to grip a pre-impregnated composite ply therebetween. At least one of the first and second fingers include a roller member to engage opposite surfaces of the pre-preg ply and supply a compressive gripping force. The roller member on either or both the first and second fingers preferably include a torque regulator to selectively adjust an associated roller member's resistance to rotation via supply of a rotational torque resistance.

An apparatus, system and method for a wedge clamp suitable to provide self extracting grips for an end effector suitable to hold semiconductor wafers, or other substrates such as rectangular panels. The apparatus, system and method may include two inner jaws at least mechanically associated with a robotic base; two outer arms associated with the inner jaws via at least one arms cam; and a plurality of wedge clamps. Each of the wedge clamps may comprise: a spring; a cam loaded on the spring; and a cam travel path into which the cam is slidably associated. A contraction of the inner jaws and a consequent arms camming of the outer arms applies pressure to a circumferential edge of the semiconductor wafer such that the circumferential edge depresses each of the cams along its respective cam travel path and against its respective one of the springs. The jaws close may synchronously about a center point of the substrate, thereby keeping it centered.

The invention relates to a gripper for use in a slicing machine, in particular a high-performance slicing machine, said gripper being joined to the food product using an integral bonding process.

A gripping system for an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) and such AGV are disclosed herein. The gripping system for automated gripping and pulling/pushing a cart comprises a unique gripping end effector ensuring controlled steering of the cart while allowing rolling of the cart relative to the body of the AGV. The end effector comprises means for indication of state of connection between the cart and the gripping system, ensuring a reliable, safe and efficient cart gripping and pulling operation.

A vegetable transplanting device includes a robotic arm, a positioning ring fixedly disposed on an outside of the robotic arm, and a transplant assembly connected to the robotic arm. The transplant assembly includes: a motor fixedly disposed at an end of the robotic arm; a fixing frame fixedly mounted on a side surface of the positioning ring away from the robotic arm; a worm screw fixedly disposed at an output end of the motor; first fixing rods fixedly disposed and passing through the fixing frame; worm gears, each rotatably installed on an outside of one of the first fixing rods, the worm gears being engaged with the worm screw by teeth; connecting rod assemblies, each rotatably installed on the outside of at least one of the first fixing rods; and clamping members, each rotatably connected to one end of the corresponding connecting rod assembly away from the fixing frame.

A sensor and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The sensor includes a substrate, a projecting portion including a plurality of projections that protrude upwardly from an upper portion of the substrate, and an electrode portion covering the projections and the upper portion of the substrate between the projections. The projecting portion of the sensor has micro projections to enable the sensor to sense pressure and a sliding movement.