In order to alleviate a user's burden of maintenance, the present invention calculates an actual lifetime of a cable, which is the intrinsic lifetime of the cable, and extends cable replacement cycles. Provided is a lifetime prediction device for a cable used in an industrial machine, the lifetime prediction device being provided with: a motion amount analysis unit that analyzes a motion amount of a motion axis of the industrial machine on the basis of a motion program for operating the industrial machine; and a lifetime calculation unit that calculates a predicted value of a lifetime of the cable by applying to the motion amount a relational expression between the motion amount and the lifetime of the cable based on the Eyring model.

A cable status management system for managing a wire-break progress of a cable used in a managed device is provided with a cable status management device having a cable status storage unit that stores a wire-break progress data indicating the wire-break progress in the cable, a device user-side data management device that belongs to a device user that uses the managed device, a device manufacturer terminal that belongs to a device manufacturer that manufactures the managed device, and a cable manufacturer terminal that belongs to a cable manufacturer that manufactures the cable. At least the device manufacturer terminal and the cable manufacturer terminal are configured to be accessible with the wire-break progress data stored in the cable status storage unit via a network.

The invention relates to a gripper jaw for a robot gripper, the gripper jaw having a first gripper jaw interface corresponding with the robot gripper and a second gripper jaw interface corresponding with tools of a tool set, the gripper jaw interfaces each being used as a mechanical interface, as a signal interface and as a power interface; to a tool for a gripper jaw of this type the tool having a tool interface corresponding with the second gripper jaw interface; to a tool system, the tool system comprising at least one gripper jaw of this type and a tool set with tools of this type; and to a method for operating a tool system of this type, wherein first a tool is selected, thereafter said tool is picked up from a predefined position, thereafter said tool is used and thereafter said tool is deposited in the predefined position.

A motor includes a stator and a rotor, the rotor includes a frame coupled to a rotation shaft and a magnet fixed to the frame, with a direction from the stator toward the rotor as a first direction, the magnet includes a plurality of lower part main pole magnets having a magnetization direction in the first direction and pluralities of lower part second rightward sub-magnets and lower part second leftward sub-magnets having a magnetization direction in a direction different from the first direction, the lower part main pole magnet includes a lower part first upward main magnet placed at a negative side in the first direction and a lower part second upward main magnet fixed to the frame, when the magnet is seen along the first direction, the lower part first upward main magnet and the lower part second rightward sub-magnet and lower part second leftward sub-magnet partially overlap.

A method for designing a customized robot to perform a specified function begins by initially creating an electronic library of data about modules and accessories for a robot assembly. The library stores, for each module and accessory, at least firmware for operation and dimensions. Per robot, the method includes receiving a set of functions and requirements of the customized robot, generating design(s) for the customized robot by finding a set of modules or accessories which match at least one of its functions and requirements, based on information in the electronic library, performing a set of validation tests of each design against criteria, identifying the design(s) which passed the set of validation tests, and generating a list of modules and accessories of a selected design and a connection map for the selected design indicating how the modules and accessories are to be connected together to form the customized robot.

A Hardware Module for a robotic system includes at least one sensor for measuring an internal property of the Hardware Module, a communication unit for communicating with other Hardware Modules, a data storage unit and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is configured to collect collected data, the collected data including: status data representing the current status of the Hardware Module; and operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module wherein at least part of the collected data is determined from sensor data from the at least one sensor, and the embedded controller is configured to perform at least one of: storing the collected data on the data storage unit; and transmitting the collected data via the communication unit.

A robot system includes a robot arm driven by an electric motor and a vehicle that is movable and supports the robot arm. A control method includes (a) moving the vehicle to a work station of a first type and (b) driving the robot arm in the work station of the first type. The (a) executes a first operation mode for, in a part of the movement to the work station of the first type, moving the vehicle in a state in which electric power is not supplied to the electric motor, starting supply of the electric power to the electric motor during the movement of the vehicle in the state in which the electric power is not supplied to the electric motor, and arranging the vehicle in the work station of the first type in a state in which the electric power is supplied to the electric motor.

A robot traveling device 20 according to one aspect of the present disclosure is arranged on a floor surface. The robot traveling device includes a plurality of bases 21 discretely laid on the floor surface, a rail base 23 installed on the bases, a rail part 27 supported by the rail base, a stand part 29 that is movably supported by the rail part and on which a robot 200 is mounted, and a flexible cable carrier 31 for protecting a cable of the robot. Heights of the bases are determined so that a gap of 50 to 100 mm is provided between the floor surface and the rail base and cable carrier. Accordingly, maintainability is improved without lowering of approachability of workers to the machine tool.

An industrial robot for material processing includes a manipulator with a base, a link, an arm and a hand. A processing device of the industrial robot is movable by the manipulator and is attached to the hand of the manipulator, and is supplied with a medium via a medium line. Provided for the medium line is a drag chain subjected to a traction directed away from a connection of the drag chain close to a processing location by a tensioning device. The tensioning device has a tensioning lever and a restoring device. The tensioning lever is attached to a partial length of the drag chain. The tensioning lever is deflectable, counter to an action of a restoring force generated by the restoring device, towards the connection of the drag chain close to the processing location such that the tensioning lever performs a pivoting movement about a lever pivot axis.

A robot system includes a robot, a controller that controls actuation of the robot, and a first external device, wherein the robot has a first member, a second member that pivots relative to the first member, a motor that generates drive power for pivoting the second member relative to the first member, an encoder including a detection unit that detects an amount of rotation of the motor, a control unit that controls actuation of the detection unit, a communication unit that communicates with the controller, and a first device connecting part connected to the first external device, the control unit connected to the detection unit, the communication unit, and the first device connecting part, and a first communication line connecting the communication unit and the controller, and data of the first external device is transmitted to the controller via the first device connecting part and the first communication line.