A transport arm for transporting objects comprising: an elongate beam coupled to a carriage, a first arm section movable along the elongate beam and a second arm section pivotally attached to the first arm section such that the second arm section an object engagement means for engaging an object to be transported arranged on the second arm section and an operator handle and a drive unit coupled to the first and the second arm section wherein the operator handle comprises a control means which is connected to the drive unit such that an operator by operating the control means may control the drive unit to pivot the second arm section.

A robot system includes a cell; and a first robot and a second robot which are provided in the cell, in which the first robot includes an n-th (n is an integer which is equal to or greater than 1) arm which rotates around an n-th rotating axis, and an (n+1)th arm which is provided to rotate around an (n+1)th rotating axis which is an axial direction different from an axial direction of the n-th rotating axis, in the n-th arm, in which the length of the n-th arm is longer than the length of the (n+1)th arm, and in which, when viewed from the (n+1)th rotating axis, the n-th arm and the (n+1)th arm overlap each other.

A system for processing a workpiece includes a robotic manipulator and an end effector coupled to a working end of the robotic manipulator. The end effector includes a machine tool and an end-effector vacuum clamp that is coupled to the machine tool. The end effector is releasably coupleable to a surface of the workpiece. A processing force is reacted through the end effector and to the workpiece.

A suspended automation system includes a rail array secured to a ceiling. A gantry moves in an X-Y plane defined by the rail array with a drive mechanism. A controller with a human user interface allows for selective movement of the gantry to transport, and in some instances store or manipulate articles. A motorized rotating platform and one or more of a robotic arm, a camera, or a counter-balance are added to the platform to facilitate storage and manipulation, as well as actions in the area below the ceiling. A rail array in some embodiments is equipped with storage modules located above the rail array that can take a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations for storage of an article, including a stack. A related process of article movement can be accomplished by the suspended automation system. Another related process is overhead storage and selective delivery of an article.

In one example there is disclosed, an apparatus (10) for vacuum cleaning a tank (11). The apparatus (10) includes a main body (12) coupled to a working arm (14) and a plurality of support legs (16) coupled to the main body (12). The main body (12) includes a main conduit (40) extending lengthwise therethrough and a common central actuator (32) fitted about by the main conduit (40). The working arm (14) includes a vacuum conduit (50) in fluid communication with the main conduit (40). The plurality of support legs (16) are operatively coupled to the common central actuator (32) so as to be simultaneously moveable at least between a collapsed condition so as to fit through an opening 18 of the tank 11, and an extended condition in which the plurality of support legs (16) are moved relatively outwardly so as to be telescopically extendable within the tank (11) to engage a side wall (20) of the tank to support the main body (12). Other examples of the apparatus, a system and related methods are also disclosed.

A high-capacity optical fiber switching system enables selective interconnection of individual input fibers to output fibers. A three-dimensional array of paired linear elements with selectable flexibility and length is arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns to form a transverse interchange plane. Each pair consists of a stationary lower element and a movable upper element, the latter holding a terminus of a distinct optical fiber. Couplers placed within this array facilitate signal conductor connections. A transport device with an axially movable gripper moves in horizontal spaces between columns to reposition the movable fiber terminals. Signal-controlled, orthogonal linear drives provide vertical and horizontal movements of the transport device, enabling placement within the fiber array.

A robot system includes: a cell; and a robot which is provided to move in the cell, in which the robot includes an n-th (n is an integer which is equal to or greater than 1) arm which rotates around an n-th rotating axis, and an (n+1)th arm which is provided to rotate around an (n+1)th rotating axis which is an axial direction different from an axial direction of the n-th rotating axis, in the n-th arm, in which the length of the n-th arm is longer than the length of the (n+1)th arm, and in which, when viewed from the (n+1)th rotating axis, the n-th arm and the (n+1)th arm overlap each other.

A sheet material bending system includes a tool changing apparatus that changes tools between a press brake and a tool stocker. The tool stocker is arranged behind the press brake. To change tools from the front and rear of the tool stocker, the front and rear of the tool stocker are opened. The tool changing apparatus has a pivot that is movable in front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions and is rotatable around an axis extending in the up-down direction. A front end of the pivot is provided with tool holding units to hold tools.

A robot includes: a first arm rotatable about a first rotation axis; a second arm provided on the first arm rotatably about a second rotation axis that is a different axial direction from an axial direction of the first rotation axis; and a moving part provided on the second arm rotatably about a third rotation axis. The moving part has a third arm and a fourth arm. A maximum length of the moving part is longer than a length of the second arm and shorter than twice the length of the second arm. The first arm has a length longer than the length of the second arm. The first arm and the second arm can overlap with each other, as viewed from the axial direction of the second rotation axis.

A workpiece reverse support device has a pair of workpiece pinching members for abutting on their respective opposing side portions of the workpiece held by the robot hand so as to pinch the workpiece and a pinching state switching unit for switching the pair of workpiece pinching members between a pinching state of pinching the workpiece and a releasing state of releasing the workpiece. In a workpiece reverse support device for supporting a face/back reverse of a workpiece in a robot hand, flexibility of its installation state, namely installation location, installation posture, or the like can be enhanced.