The invention relates to a method for assembling a motor vehicle heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning device, comprising a step of moving at least one part by a manipulator (I) provided with gripping means (2), the gripping means (2) comprising at least one first finger (3) delimiting a triangular shape, said part comprising an element of shape complementary to the trian-gular shape of the finger of the manipulator, termed counter shape, so that, during the movement step, the manipulator (I) grasps the part using the gripping means (2), the counter shape of the part en-gaging with the triangular shape of the finger (3).

A gripper assembly for gripping a portion of a container may include a spindle configured to rotate about a vertical axis. The assembly may also include an actuating plate disposed on or about the spindle. The actuating plate may be configured to actuate toward a central shaft in response to a force applied to a first cam follower. The assembly may also include a gripper configured to at least one of open and close in response to the actuating plate being actuated toward the central shaft and a locking cam configured to contact the first cam follower and in at least one position to limit movement of the actuating plate toward the central shaft.

A robot is provided which includes a first arm provided with a first holding part having a contact surface formed so as to conform to the shape of an outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical workpiece, and a second arm provided with a second holding part formed into one of a plate shape and a bar shape.

An operating device for placing or retrieving piece goods onto or from storage places of a picking device is provided. The operating device includes a gripping jaw assembly having two gripping jaws with opposite lying inner surfaces extending in a first horizontal direction corresponding to a direction for placing and retrieving piece goods. The gripping jaws are configured so that the distance of the inner surfaces from each other tapers in the downward direction at least in sections and the piece goods can be lifted from below or the gripping jaws can be moved to clamp the piece goods between them. The operating device also includes an actuation unit coupled to the gripping jaw assembly for moving the gripping jaw assembly in the first horizontal direction.

Various examples are directed to a container gripper assembly comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member may comprise a first plurality of pivotable inserts and the second jaw member may comprise a second plurality of pivotable inserts. The first jaw member may be movable towards the second jaw member to grip a container between the first plurality of pivotable inserts and the second plurality of pivotable inserts.

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for uncut material detection while lifting from an automated cutting table select pieces of thin, flexible material. The apparatus comprises a structured energy source and a structured energy sensor. The structured energy can be used to detect undesired lifting of a peripheral portion of the flexible material resulting from the presence of uncut material.

A gripper device and method is provided. The method includes capturing, using an electronic device, information of an object that is indicative of holding position; determining, using the information, by a hardware processor, an optimal holding orientation and an optimal movement of at least one of (i) a plurality of fingers, or (ii) a plurality of suction cups of a gripper device; identifying the at least one of (i) the plurality of fingers, and (ii) the plurality of suction cups as one or more grasping components based on the information, the optimal holding orientation and the optimal movement; and enabling, using an actuator, the one or more identified grasping components to grasp the object based on the information, the optimal holding orientation and the optimal movement.

In one embodiment, a robotic end effector configured to mount to a robotic manipulator includes gripping elements configured to grasp objects, a drive mechanism configured to open and close the gripping elements, and a central controller configured to control operation of the drive mechanism and the gripper elements, the central controller hosting a control program that enables control of the end effector independent of the robotic manipulator.

An arrow retrieval system for retrieving arrows from hard-to-reach locations such as when submerged in water. The arrow retrieval system generally includes a handle adapted to be grasped by an operator. A clamp may be connected to the handle, with the clamp being adapted to selectively and releasably clamp an arrow within the clamp. The clamp may be adjustable between a closed position and an engaged position. A bias member may be connected to the clamp such that the clamp is biased toward the closed position; with the clamp being adapted to adjust into the engaged position when an arrow is inserted into the clamp. In the engaged position the clamp engages with and secures the arrow within the clamp. With the arrow secured within the clamp, the handle may be pulled outwardly to dislodge and retrieve the arrow from any location in which it is stuck.

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.