A system for robotic manipulation of objects having various shapes and sizes. The system includes a robot having an end effector, and an independent tag. The independent tag may have an object attachment interface to grasp an object, and an end effector attachment interface to mechanically interface with the end effector. Upon actuation of the robot, the end effector may move the object via the independent tag. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.

An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet includes a recording section which records the image on the sheet in a transport passage for transporting the sheet in a transport direction and multiple plates which are spaced apart from each other in a widthwise direction. These multiple plates include a first type of plate and a second type of plate. Plates of a first type of plate are configured to overlap a sheet when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the widthwise direction, while plates of the second type of plate do not.

An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet includes a recording section which records the image on the sheet in a transport passage for transporting the sheet in a transport direction and multiple plates which are spaced apart from each other in a widthwise direction. These multiple plates include a first type of plate and a second type of plate. Plates of a first type of plate are configured to overlap a sheet when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the widthwise direction, while plates of the second type of plate do not.

A sheet aligning device includes a support member, a regulation member, a regulation member moving mechanism, and an alignment member. The support member supports leading ends of sheets. The regulation member is connected to the support member and is provided to face an inclined tray in such a way as to define a sheet entry space in which the leading ends of the sheets enter. The regulation member moving mechanism is configured to, each time a sheet is conveyed onto the inclined tray, move the regulation member in a separating direction to widen the sheet entry space, and then in an approaching direction to narrow the sheet entry space. The alignment member aligns the sheets by abutting on rear ends of the sheets.

A sheet transporting device includes first and second position correcting components provided at respective positions in a direction of sheet transport and each being configured to correct a position of a sheet in a direction intersecting the direction of sheet transport by being shifted in the direction intersecting the direction of sheet transport while holding the sheet, and a changing component capable of changing an amount of correction of the position of the sheet individually for the first and second position correcting components.

A sheet transporting device includes first and second position correcting components provided at respective positions in a direction of sheet transport and each being configured to correct a position of a sheet in a direction intersecting the direction of sheet transport by being shifted in the direction intersecting the direction of sheet transport while holding the sheet, and a changing component capable of changing an amount of correction of the position of the sheet individually for the first and second position correcting components.

A positioning device (38) for holding a flat flexible part, especially a sheet, on a positioning surface (46) is presented. It comprises a body (44) having a suction opening (50) for aspiring the part and a fluid port (52) being in fluid communication with the suction opening (50). Furthermore, an abutment protrusion (60) is provided on a connection surface (48) for abutting the positioning device (38) against a base part (28) to which it may be mounted. Also a sealing protrusion (64) is arranged on the connection surface (48) for compressing a gasket (42) being interposed between the positioning device (38) and the base part (28). A height (H.sub.a) of the abutment protrusion (60) is bigger than a height (H.sub.s) of the sealing protrusion (64). Additionally, a positioning assembly (24) is presented which comprises at least one such positioning device (38). Furthermore, a sheet material processing machine comprising at least one such positioning assembly (24) is introduced.

A positioning device (38) for holding a flat flexible part, especially a sheet, on a positioning surface (46) is presented. It comprises a body (44) having a suction opening (50) for aspiring the part and a fluid port (52) being in fluid communication with the suction opening (50). Furthermore, an abutment protrusion (60) is provided on a connection surface (48) for abutting the positioning device (38) against a base part (28) to which it may be mounted. Also a sealing protrusion (64) is arranged on the connection surface (48) for compressing a gasket (42) being interposed between the positioning device (38) and the base part (28). A height (H.sub.a) of the abutment protrusion (60) is bigger than a height (H.sub.s) of the sealing protrusion (64). Additionally, a positioning assembly (24) is presented which comprises at least one such positioning device (38). Furthermore, a sheet material processing machine comprising at least one such positioning assembly (24) is introduced.

A separator suction device that corrects warpage without damaging stacked separators is provided. The separator suction device is capable of suctioning and conveying a separator stored in a state where a plurality of the separators are stacked. The separator suction device includes a first arm that includes a first suction portion capable of suctioning the separator by a negative pressure, a second arm that includes a second suction portion capable of suctioning the separator by a negative pressure, and a turning mechanism that moves the first arm and the second arm to selectively arrange the first arm and the second arm at any one of a follow-up position to follow a warped shape of the separator or a correction position to correct the warpage of the separator.

A separator suction device that corrects warpage without damaging stacked separators is provided. The separator suction device is capable of suctioning and conveying a separator stored in a state where a plurality of the separators are stacked. The separator suction device includes a first arm that includes a first suction portion capable of suctioning the separator by a negative pressure, a second arm that includes a second suction portion capable of suctioning the separator by a negative pressure, and a turning mechanism that moves the first arm and the second arm to selectively arrange the first arm and the second arm at any one of a follow-up position to follow a warped shape of the separator or a correction position to correct the warpage of the separator.