An end effector is disclosed that is configured for connection to a robotic unit used to manipulate a door of a vehicle (e.g., during vehicle painting). The end effector includes a base plate; a sensor that is supported by the base plate; and a piston that is configured for engagement with the door. The piston is operatively connected to an interrupter such that movement (displacement) of the piston causes corresponding movement (displacement) of the interrupter between a first position, in which the interrupter is positioned in alignment with a signal transmitted across the sensor to interfere with the signal and thereby interrupt circuit completion, and a second position, in which the interrupter is out of alignment with the signal transmitted across the sensor to permit circuit completion and thereby inform the robotic unit that the door is present and engaged with the end effector.

A method for producing vehicles, wherein vehicle bodies are conveyed through multiple system zones of a production system in order to produce vehicles. Different types of work are carried out on the vehicle bodies in two respective system zones which follow each other. The vehicle bodies are conveyed through the system zones of the surface treatment system at least from a corrosion protection treatment to a final assembly using a single conveyor system in a surface treatment system for treating the surface of the vehicle bodies. A surface treatment system is provided for treating the surface of vehicle bodies, having multiple system zones, and the vehicle bodies are treated in a different manner in two respective system zones which follow each other. The surface treatment system is designed such that the vehicle bodies can be conveyed through the system zones of the system using a single conveyor system. A production system for producing vehicles using a surface treatment system is also provided, which is arranged between a corrosion protection system and a final assembly system, the production system including such a surface treatment system.

A nozzle device for sorting objects by ejecting a gaseous media towards said object. The nozzle device nozzle device including: a nozzle unit including at least one nozzle; a nozzle bar including gas supply means for providing a gaseous media to said nozzle unit; and a nozzle fixation bracket adapted for holding said nozzle unit in place; said at least one nozzle including: an inlet for receiving the gaseous media; and having one outlet, having an outlet area, for ejecting the gaseous media towards an object to be sorted; a channel extending between said inlet and said outlet; an outlet portion surrounding at least said outlet, wherein said outlet portion includes a flexible material, which deflects upon ejection of the gaseous media, received from said nozzle bar, through said outlet whereby said outlet area increases. Also, a system for sorting objects.

A fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a plurality of polymeric fibers surrounding the smokeless tobacco. The polymeric fibers can have a basis weight of 5 gsm or less and a diameter of less than 100 microns. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are melt-blown polymeric fibers. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are centrifugal force spun polymeric fibers. A method of preparing a fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes melt-blowing or centrifugal force spinning a plurality of polymeric fibers to create an polymer deposition zone and passing a body comprising smokeless tobacco through the polymer deposition zone. In some cases, an electrostatic charge can be applied to the plurality of polymeric fibers, the body, or a combination thereof. In some cases, a spin is applied to the body when passing through the polymer deposition zone.

The invention is directed to a foodstuff extrusion portioning device and more specifically a cutter head assembly on such an extruder having a servo motor, a cutter shuttle coupled to a cutting element, a controller and being programmed via a product variable to provide a velocity profile. The cutter in the velocity profile has a first velocity and it reduces speed to a second velocity and goes more slowly through the last portion of the foodstuff. The at least two velocities being fully programmable and the controller can provide for instantaneous and additional programmed velocities throughout the cutting profile. The cutter further providing tilt control so it can drop the portion at the moment the portion detaches from the extruded foodstuff stream. It cuts and/or breaks off portions in a far more uniform and controllable manner to more accurately portion and better place the cut portions. This also provides the portion with minimal residual energy pushing it forward as it drops through the effect of gravity and the cutter can be used so as to further direct and push the portion downward so as to optimally place it.

A method for fabricating a single electron transistor is provided. A substrate includes a substantially planar surface with a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode thereon, with the source and drain electrodes spaced apart from one another by a gap. The source electrode and the drain electrode are electrified, and a single nanometer-scale conductive particle is electrospray deposited in the gap. The single nanometer-scale conductive particle has an effective size of not greater than 10 nanometers. At least one carbon nanotube is deposited on the substrate and subjected to dielectrophoresis to position the carbon nanotube within 1 nanometer of the single nanometer-scale conductive particle. The at least one carbon nanotube establishes a first connection between the source electrode and the single nanometer-scale conductive particle and a second connection between the drain electrode and the single nanometer-scale conductive particle.

An embodiment system, configured to clean a semiconductor package assembly, may include a sprayer device including a plurality of nozzles configured to direct a pressurized cleaning fluid toward the semiconductor package assembly; a conveyor configured to move the semiconductor package assembly relative to the sprayer device along a first direction; and a dryer spatially displaced from the sprayer device and configured to direct a pressurized gas flow toward the semiconductor package assembly to remove cleaning fluid introduced by the sprayer device. Each of the plurality of nozzles may be displaced from one another along a second direction to thereby generate respective separate spray distribution patterns. Adjacent nozzles may be further displaced from one another along a third direction to thereby a reduce an overlap of adjacent spray distribution patterns relative to a configuration in which the adjacent nozzles are not displaced from one another along the third direction.

A nozzle device for sorting objects by ejecting a gaseous media towards said object. The nozzle device nozzle device including: a nozzle unit including at least one nozzle; a nozzle bar including gas supply means for providing a gaseous media to said nozzle unit; and a nozzle fixation bracket adapted for holding said nozzle unit in place; said at least one nozzle including: an inlet for receiving the gaseous media; and having one outlet, having an outlet area, for ejecting the gaseous media towards an object to be sorted; a channel extending between said inlet and said outlet; an outlet portion surrounding at least said outlet, wherein said outlet portion includes a flexible material, which deflects upon ejection of the gaseous media, received from said nozzle bar, through said outlet whereby said outlet area increases. Also, a system for sorting objects.

A conveyor system for the local transport of workpieces having a track having rail sections extending next to one another, with portions, inclined differently from one another relative to a horizontal plane, along which load carriers for receiving the workpieces, are movable one behind the other. Each load carrier has a running gear with a first and a second bearing assembly spaced apart from each other relative to the extension of the track and by which the load carriers are guided on the track. In some sections, the relative height positions of two rails section running next to one another are different from one another. The load carriers, which are each guided via their first bearing assembly on one rail section and via their second bearing assembly on one further rail section, are, relative to the direction of travel, horizontally oriented the same at every point of the track.

System and process that continuously circulates hotmelt adhesive at a circulating pressure rate to apply hotmelt adhesive to a moving substrate on a substrate delivery conveyor. The system includes an adhesive delivery line connected to an elongated manifold, the manifold including: (i) a main internal fluid pathway in fluid communication with the adhesive delivery line and an adhesive return line, and (ii) an elongated heater providing a substantially constant internal temperature to the elongated manifold. An adhesive pump transporting hotmelt adhesive from the adhesive reservoir to the adhesive delivery line under pressure, the adhesive reservoir including a filter that filters hotmelt adhesive. A plurality of hotmelt spray heads in fluid communication with the main internal fluid pathway to dispense hotmelt adhesive onto the moving substrate. The adhesive return line in fluid communication with the adhesive pump and/or the adhesive reservoir to transport hotmelt adhesive from the elongated manifold.