Object manipulation space optimization is a challenging task and used in applications such as heat treatment operation and transport packaging. Traditionally manual intervention is involved to grasp and place the objects for ensuring multi object stacking with zero gap between adjacent objects. This leads to higher cost infrastructure and low productivity. Further, conventional gripper devices fail to optimize object manipulation space and are unable to handle objects of different cross sections with larger lengths. The present disclosure provides a gripper apparatus addressing a single gripper design comprising an adaptor holding unit with a provision for different modular object holding units which are varied in accordance with size, shape and length of the object to be grasped and placed by the gripper apparatus. The modular object holding unit comprises a plurality of fingers which are actuated for grasping and stacking one or more objects such that object manipulation space is optimized.

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 gripping mechanism (3) includes a holder (31), a gripping roller (32), a first movable plate (331), a second movable plate (332), a first spring (341), and a second spring (342). The holder (31) houses the gripping roller (32). The first movable plate (331) and the second movable plate (332) pinch the gripping roller (32) inside the holder (31). The first spring (341) urges the first movable plate (331) toward the gripping roller (32). The second spring (342) urges the second movable plate (332) toward the gripping roller (32). The gripping mechanism (3) grips a gripped section (42) of a first component (4) between the first movable plate (331) and the gripping roller (32).

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for simultaneously and concentrically handling cylindrical objects of different diameters. Also, the present disclosure is directed to a handler having a clamp that includes pairs of outer and inner tongs spaced apart on separate sides of the central plane that is orthogonal to a central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical object. Some embodiments may include a clamp having a mounting plate and a piston assembly coupled to the mounting plate where the central plane is parallel to the mounting plate. Some embodiments include a plurality of linkage bars pivotally coupled between the piston assembly and the plurality of outer tongs and inner tongs. In some embodiments, in response to a movement of the piston assembly, the inner and outer tongs pivot between an open position and a closed position to secure the cylindrical object between the inner and outer tongs.

In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides an end effector for use with a programmable motion device. The end effector includes a pair of mutually opposing surfaces, at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces being movable with respect to an end effector support structure for supporting the at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces.

The present invention concerns a gripping device for gripping a packing section, having a support forming a chassis and retaining means connected to this support and distributed angularly so as to surround the packing section that is to be gripped, characterized in that at least one of the retaining means has movable shoes respectively intended to be in contact with a peripheral edge of the packing section and a plurality of platforms disposed in at least two stages, each platform bearing articulation means able to interact with a platform of a different stage or one of the movable shoes.

A material handling clamp having a proportional relief valve delivering pressurized fluid to clamp arms that grasp a load, and having a controller configured to receive load geometry data and variably control the proportional relief valve to provide a target clamp force.

An automated gas supply system includes a gas cylinder transfer unit configured to transfer a cradle in which one or more gas cylinders storing a gas therein are stored; a gas cylinder inspection unit configured to check properties of the gas stored in the gas cylinder transferred from the gas cylinder transfer unit and check whether the gas leaks from the gas cylinder; a storage queue configured to receive the gas cylinder from the gas cylinder inspection unit by a mobile robot and configured to classify and store the transferred gas cylinders according to the properties of the gas stored in the gas cylinder; and a gas cabinet configured to receive the gas cylinder from the storage queue by the mobile robot and fasten a gas pipe, which is connected to a semiconductor manufacturing process line, to a gas spray nozzle, which is disposed at one side of the received gas cylinder, to supply the gas stored in the gas cylinder to the semiconductor manufacturing process line, wherein the gas cabinet includes a residual gas detector configured to detect a residual amount of the gas stored in the gas cylinder fastened to the gas pipe, and when the residual amount of the gas detected by the residual gas detector is less than or equal to a set residual amount of gas, the mobile robot recovers the gas cylinder from inside the gas cabinet and transfers a gas cylinder stored in the storage queue to the gas cabinet.

A gripping mechanism (3) includes a gripping roller (32) and a holder (31) that houses the gripping roller (32). A gripped portion (42) of a first component (4) is gripped between an outer surface of the gripping roller (32) and an inner surface of the holder (31) through action of gravity acting on the gripping roller (32). Preferably, the gripping roller (32) includes a core (321) that is cylindrical or columnar in shape and a covering section (322) that is an elastic body covering a circumferential surface of the core (321). Preferably, the covering section (322) has a circumferential surface with a friction coefficient greater than a friction coefficient of the circumferential surface of the core (321).

A system for automatic wheel alignment adjustment of a vehicle in an inspection line is provided. The system is disposed under a mounting table mounted with a vehicle and includes a front wheel adjustment apparatus disposed in correspondence with a front wheel of the vehicle and configured to adjust alignment of the front wheel by adjusting a tie-rod and a lock-nut employed in a linkage structure of the front wheel, a rear wheel moving apparatus disposed in correspondence with a rear wheel of the vehicle and slidable in a vehicle width direction, and a rear wheel adjustment apparatus disposed in correspondence with the rear wheel of the vehicle, connectable to the rear wheel moving apparatus, and configured to adjust alignment of the rear wheel by adjusting a cam-bolt and a cam-nut employed in a linkage structure of the rear wheel.