A spool unloading device comprising: a spindle; a first bulk spool of material is mounted on the spindle, wherein the spindle is rotatably controlled to dispense the material; a series of pulleys for receiving the unspooled material such that a variable length of the material is stored within the device before exiting the device to an upstream equipment; and a drive mechanism for indexing the unspooled material exiting the spool unloading machine at a controlled rate.

A joint structure is used in connecting a first region and a second region of a robot. The joint structure includes a first member provided in the first region, a second member provided in the second region and having an engagement face that engages with the first member, and a coupling mechanism that causes a coupling force of the first member and the second member to be utilized to the full so that an engaged state of the first member and the second member is maintained. The coupling mechanism breaks the engaged state when a relative displacement of the first member and the second member from the engaged state exceeds a predetermined amount.

A malfunction determination method for a production machine including a motor as a driving source of a rotating mechanism acquires sensor data of a sensor for detecting a condition of the production machine, determines whether the production machine has an operation stop period during which the production machine has stopped its operation for a predetermined period of time or longer in accordance with an operation history of the production machine, sets a malfunction determination suspension period for suspending a malfunction determination of the production machine when determined to have the operation stop period, in accordance with a length of the operation stop period, and determines whether the production machine has a malfunction in a period other than the malfunction determination suspension period.

A toothed safe braking apparatus for use in robotic joint, comprising an electromagnetic telescoping apparatus (6) and a friction engagement component (10). The friction engagement component (10) is mounted on a shaft (C) of the robotic joint and comprises a brake lock ring gear (1) provided with a first center fitting hole (12), the brake lock ring gear (1) being provided with teeth (11) arranged on the outer circumferential surface thereof, a pretension ring (2) provided with a second center fitting hole (13), and a brake hub (4) provided with a first end surface (14), a second end surface (15), and an outer circumferential surface (16). On a locked position, a working bit (17) of the electromagnetic telescoping appamtus (6) can be engaged with the teeth (11) on the brake lock ring gear (1) of the friction engagement component (10); and, on an unlocked position, the working bit (17) of the electromagnetic telescoping apparatus (6) can be disengaged from the teeth (11) on the brake lock ring gear (1) of the friction engagement component (10). The brake lock ring gear (1) and the pretension ring (2) are arranged in parallel via the first fitting hole (12) and the second fitting hole (13) to be friction engaged on the outer circumferential surface (16) of the brake hub (4).

A collision-detection device for a gripper system of a handling device, with at least two gripping jaws arranged on a flange plate, detects collisions between the gripper system and an object. The device includes a safety device configured to lock the collision-detection device to the gripper system and/or dampen the collision-detection device with the gripper system. The safety device is configured to receive from the flange a change in force and/or a change in torque generated by contact between the gripping jaws and the object. The device further includes a sensor configured to detect a change in distance which exceeds a predetermined permissible change in distance between the flange plate and a reference, the change in distance resulting from the at least one of the change in force and the change in torque.

A device for ensuring safe operation of a robot used for cosmetics applications, including the retrofitting of robots not originally design for such applications. In some embodiments, the robot is used for the automatic placement of eyelash extensions onto the natural eyelashes of a subject. In some embodiments, a safety barrier is provided by a physical barrier or light curtain. In other embodiments, readily deformable end effectors are used.

A device for ensuring safe operation of a robot used for cosmetics applications, including the retrofitting of robots not originally design for such applications. In some embodiments, the robot is used for the automatic placement of eyelash extensions onto the natural eyelashes of a subject. In some embodiments, a safety barrier is provided by a physical barrier or light curtain. In other embodiments, readily deformable end effectors are used.

Provided is a robot system which includes: a robot; a controller controlling the robot and causing the robot to operate in a plurality of operation modes; and a display device attached on the robot and caused by the controller to operate in patterns in accordance with the operation modes, the patterns being different from one another. The display device includes: a sheet-like base part being deformable in a shape in accordance with an outer surface of the robot and having flexibility; one or more display parts fixed on the base part; and a fixture maintaining the base part in a state in which the base part is attached on the outer surface of the robot.

A control device according to one or more embodiments may control a robot that performs a collaborative work with a worker. The control device may include: a storage section storing an operation program to cause the robot to perform the collaborative work with the worker; a control section controlling the robot based on the operation program when the collaborative work is performed; a calculation section calculating a motion of the worker when the collaborative work is performed; and a correction section correcting the operation program based on the motion of the worker calculated by the calculation section.

An exoskeleton system, the exoskeleton system comprising one or more actuator units that include a fluidic actuator, one or more sensors and an exoskeleton device. The exoskeleton device includes a fluidic system, and a processor and memory, the memory storing instructions, that when executed by the processor, are configured to control the exoskeleton system to introduce fluid to the fluidic actuator of the one or more actuator units to cause actuation of the fluidic actuator of the one or more actuator units. The exoskeleton system may be configured to operate in, on or around a body of water and can be water and/or corrosion resistant.