A high throughput, efficient, and simplified unloading and packaging systems and methods for large-scale production of pharmaceutical units (104) using additive manufacturing. The systems and methods may unload, inspect, package, and trace pharmaceutical units, produced by an additive manufacturing system (900), that are not damaged or deformed. The unloading and packaging system can include one or more unloading and packaging devices (100). The unloading and packaging device can include a modular configuration having modules. Individual modules to be arranged in any relative order, at any location, and with any number in the unloading and packaging device. The flexibility of the modular configuration allows one or more modules to be removed or added at any given time due to, e.g., expansion, downsizing, module repair, module upgrades, etc. High throughput can be achieved by operating unloading and packaging devices independently.

A computer keyboard is refurbished by applying to its keys stickers each bearing a character designating the action of a respective key. For application of the stickers to the keys, the stickers are configured and arranged on an application tape in a layout congruent with the layout of the keys by a digital scan of the keyboard. The stickers are temporarily attached to the application tape by a peelable adhesive and then permanently attached to the keys by a pressure-sensitive permanent adhesive.

A system for labeling a reel of electrical components includes an automated robotic manipulator movable between a reel grasping position and a reel releasing position; a sensor positioned to scan a label on a reel as the reel is moved by manipulator from the reel grasping position to the reel releasing position, to gather initial reel information; a label generator configured to generate a new label with information based at least in part on the initial reel information; and a label actuator positioned to affix the new label to the reel as the reel remains held by the manipulator. The sensor may be a barcode scanner. The label generator may be a label printer. The label actuator may be a pneumatic actuator. The system may also have a stack of reels to be labeled. Also included is output receptacle to receive the reel after the new label is affixed.

A system for labeling a reel of electrical components includes an automated robotic manipulator movable between a reel grasping position and a reel releasing position; a sensor positioned to scan a label on a reel as the reel is moved by manipulator from the reel grasping position to the reel releasing position, to gather initial reel information; a label generator configured to generate a new label with information based at least in part on the initial reel information; and a label actuator positioned to affix the new label to the reel as the reel remains held by the manipulator. The sensor may be a barcode scanner. The label generator may be a label printer. The label actuator may be a pneumatic actuator. The system may also have a stack of reels to be labeled. Also included is output receptacle to receive the reel after the new label is affixed.

A method for labelling reels, wherein a movable expansion shaft of a robot engages a first portion of a cylindrical inner surface of a reel and an application roller with a printed label retained thereon engages a second portion of the cylindrical inner surface and attaches the printed label on the second portion of the cylindrical inner surface.

Disclosed is a method of automatically setting the position of a labeler of a price labeling system having a sensor strip having a plurality of sensors, arranged in a row and each having unique identifier, a magnet is adjusted along the sensor strip, wherein, the magnet is guided past the sensors of the sensor strip in accordance with the order of their arrangement, on the guiding past the respective sensor, the respective unique identifier of said respective sensor is transmitted to a control and evaluation unit, the order of the arrangement of the sensors on the sensor strip is recognized based on the order of the reception of the unique identifiers, and the position of the respective sensor on the sensor strip is calculated from the known mutual distance of the sensors from one another and from the recognized order of the arrangement of the sensors on the sensor strip.

An automated food storage, preparation and dispensing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing, a plurality of food compartment units, a plurality of utensil compartment units, a dispensing unit for dispensing food, a refrigeration unit, a cooking united for cooking food material, a packaging unit for packaging the cooked food material, a food collection unit, a memory unit for information storage, a processor coupled to the memory unit, a touch screen display. The device is configured to receive information and commends over a communication network.

An automated food storage, preparation and dispensing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing, a plurality of food compartment units, a plurality of utensil compartment units, a dispensing unit for dispensing food, a refrigeration unit, a cooking united for cooking food material, a packaging unit for packaging the cooked food material, a food collection unit, a memory unit for information storage, a processor coupled to the memory unit, a touch screen display. The device is configured to receive information and commends over a communication network.

A system moves items, like containers and/or pallets, through a label printing station. The station has a label printer that prints adhesive labels; and a robot arm terminating at a movable end with a suction pad or vacuum device and sensors. The station has sensors configured to measure a height of the item; and a processor coupled to receive the height of the item, to control the robot arm and label printer, and to receive label information from a server. The processor has a memory containing code that computes desired label positions based on height of the container/pallet. A method of labeling an item includes printing an adhesive label with the label information obtained from a server; receiving the adhesive label on a suction pad or vacuum device attached to a movable end of a robot arm, and determining a first labeling position from measured height of the container/pallet.

An apparatus and method for labelling packs including an advancement device for transporting a pack in a transporting direction, a dispensing device for dispensing a label into a dispensing position, and an application device for applying the dispensed label to the pack. A punch including a punch shank and punch foot moves the dispensed label from a receiving position, where the punch foot receives the label, to a discharging position, where the label is applied to the pack by the punch foot. The punch shank is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis transverse to the transporting direction, and is movable axially in a guide element. The punch shank is connected to a lifting element of a lifting device via an articulation. The lifting element is movable parallel to a direction angled relative to the transporting direction. A first drive with a motor drives the lifting element.