A first adapter of an end-effector exchange device includes a piston driven by supply and discharge of air, a cam member integrally coupled to the piston, and an engagement ball configured to be in contact with a side surface of a cam portion of the cam member. A second adapter includes a separation operation hole into which a release operation tool is inserted, the release operation tool being configured to come into contact with a side surface of the cam portion is inserted.

A melt spinning device for producing synthetic threads includes at least a spinneret apparatus, a cooling apparatus, a processing apparatus and a winding apparatus. An automatic operating device is provided for carrying out at least one operator action. The automatic operating device has at least one movable robotic arm, which can be coupled selectively to one of a plurality of exchangeable tools in order to selectively carry out a plurality of operator actions during a start-up and/or during a maintenance interval and/or during thread production. Thus, a high level of flexibility in the automated operation of the melt spinning device is ensured.

A system includes a robotic device, a tool rack, a network access point, a message router, and a first tool. The tool rack includes a tool holster that provides for removable coupling of tools to the tool rack and a wireless tag that indicates a wireless network identifier of the tool rack. The network access point generates a wireless network based on the wireless network identifier. The message router communicatively connects, by way of the wireless network, the robotic device to the tools. The first tool is operable by a manipulator of the robotic device and includes an adapter configured to removably couple to the tool holster, a wireless tag reader that scans the wireless tag when the first tool is coupled to the tool holster, and a processor that connects to the wireless network and communicates with the robotic device by way of the message router.

A linkage assembly to connect a tool to a robotic device. The linkage assembly includes a body and a first linkage pair with first and second links that are configured to be connected to a first section of the tool. The linkage assembly also includes a second linkage pair that includes first and second links that are configured to be connected to a second section of the tool. The first linkage pair are powered to provide a force to move the tool relative to the body. The second linkage pair supports the tool and moves with the first linkage pair. Each of the first and second linkage pairs are pivotally connected to the body and may maintain parallel positioning during the movement.

A robot arm including a first joint, a second joint, and a coupling element is provided. The first joint has a first inclined surface. The second joint is jointed to the first joint and has a second inclined surface. The coupling element has a third inclined surface and a fourth inclined surface opposite to the third inclined surface, wherein the third inclined surface contacts the first inclined surface, and the fourth inclined surface contacts the second inclined surface.

A robot hand includes a motor with a rotary shaft, an accommodating member accommodating a distal end of the rotary shaft, a plurality of swing members swinging with respect to the accommodating member due to rotation of the rotary shaft, and a plurality of claw members swinging with the plurality of swing members.

A robotic tool changer includes master and tool assemblies. When the master and tool assemblies are coupled, rolling members project from the master assembly and contact opposed sloped surfaces of a plurality of cutouts formed in a bearing race in the tool assembly. By contacting opposed sloped surfaces of a plurality of cutouts with the rolling members, torsional freeplay between the master and tool assemblies is eliminated or minimized.

According to an embodiment, an article posture changing device includes: a first end effector configured to grasp a projected tag of an article by adsorption; an arm unit configured to support the first end effector and move the first end effector along at least a vertical direction; and a controller configured to control the arm unit and the first end effector to grasp the tag, lift the article upward, separate the article from a placement surface, change an angle of the article by weight thereof, move the article downward, place the article on the placement surface, and release the grasp of the tag.

A tool exchange device includes a first coupling member attached to one of a body side of an apparatus and a tool side and having a first coupling surface, and a second coupling member attached to the other of the body side and the tool side and having a second coupling surface capable of being in contact with the first coupling surface, in which the first coupling member includes, on the first coupling surface, a first pin, a second pin, and an auxiliary projection, the second coupling member includes, on the second coupling surface, a first hole, a second hole, and an auxiliary hole, a first gap is provided each between the first pin and the first hole and between the second pin and the second hole, a second gap is provided between the auxiliary projection and the auxiliary hole, and the second gap is larger than the first gap.

Systems and methods for changing an end effector are provided. A robot flange may have a first receiver and a first electrical connection. An end effector may have a second receiver, a second electrical connection, and a locking assembly. The locking assembly may be configured to releasably secure the end effector to the robot flange. A connector may have an interface and an electrical connector for transferring at least one of power and data from the first electrical connection to the second electrical connection. The interface may be received by the first receiver and the second receiver when the connector is positioned between the robot flange and the end effector and the locking assembly secures the end effector to the robot flange.