The disclosed system includes a robot system with a robot having a modular platform and a controller operably coupled to the robot. The modular platform includes a plurality of mount connectors and a plurality of receiving port connectors. Each of the mount connectors is configured to attach to the robot and each of the receiving ports is configured to connect to an end effector such as a gripper, sensor or other tool. The modular platform is configured to mount to the robot in a plurality of orientations and to connect with a plurality of different end effectors.

The invention relates to a sorting system (100) for a machine tool for separating parts, in particular a laser cutting machine (200), having a gripper (110) that can be moved over a workpiece region (30) and is configured to receive cut parts (10) from the workpiece region (30), and an intermediate store (120) that can be moved over the workpiece region (30) and is configured to receive cut parts (10) from the gripper (110) and to unload the cut parts (10) into a store (40).

A device for moving a stack of products using a robot. The robot has an articulated arm and a first gripper for the stack of products. The first gripper is disposed on the articulated arm. A gripping device is disposed on the articulated arm, the gripping device contains the first gripper and a second gripper, the first and second grippers are positionable relative to one another. Robot advantageously provides a method of moving stacks of products in an automated way and in particular of depositing them in a turned or unturned arrangement.

Systems are provided for gripping one or more workpieces. A tooling system includes a plurality of grippers configured to engage and grip the workpieces. An arm is connected with each gripper. A lock releasably locks each arm in a number of positions, including a home position. A pneumatic circuit is coupled with the grippers. A valve is disposed in the pneumatic power supply circuit and is positionable in an open state and in a closed state. When the arm is moved to the home position, in response the valve is mechanically moved to the closed state, idling the gripper.

An object gripping assembly and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the object gripping assembly includes a first carrying plate with a first mounting track extending along a first axis and two or more second carrying plates movably carried by the first mounting track. Each of the two or more second carrying plates can include a second mounting track extending along a second axis at least and extendable gripping components movably carried by the second mounting track. A first pitch adjusting component can be operably coupled the two or more second carrying plates to controllably change the pitch of the two or more second carrying plates along the first mounting track. A second pitch adjusting component can be operably coupled to the extendable gripping components on a corresponding second carrying plate to controllably change the pitch of the extendable gripping components along the second mounting track.

An emblem installation system for installing emblems on a work piece includes an end effector for a robotic arm. The end effector has a base and multiple vacuum gripper modules repositionable along the base in different configurations. The vacuum gripper modules are configured to simultaneously grip multiple emblems and individually release the emblems. An emblem installation method includes applying a force within a first range of forces to the multiple emblems individually and in succession via vacuum gripper modules of an end effector on a robotic arm, with the emblems disposed at a first location, applying a vacuum to the vacuum gripper modules to grip the emblems with the vacuum gripper modules, and moving the robotic arm from the first location to a second location adjacent a workpiece with the emblems gripped by the vacuum gripper modules.

A robotic system configured to use a multi-mode end effector is disclosed. In various embodiments, a grasp strategy is determined for a robot to grasp an object in a workspace, wherein the determined grasp strategy is associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of grasping modes of operation of a multi-mode robotic end effector associated with the robot. A command to grasp the object using the multi-mode robotic end effector in the grasping mode of operation associated with the determined grasp strategy is sent to the robot.

A multi-mode robotic end effector is disclosed. In various embodiments, a multi-mode robotic end effector includes a first set of structures configured to grasp objects in a first mode of operation; a retraction mechanism configured to retract the first set of structures to a stowed position associated with a second mode of operation in response to a retraction command; and a second set of structures configured to grasp objects in a second mode of operation.

An end effector of a robotic device is disclosed. The end effector includes a plurality of array segments, a plurality of UV light modules, and a first articulating member. Each array segment of the plurality of array segments is coupled to at least one other array segment of the plurality of array segments. Moreover, each UV light module is coupled to a different array segment of the plurality of array segments. The first articulating member is configured to cause at least one of the plurality of array segments to move relative to at least one other array segment.

A gripper to grip a workpiece includes a body with a flat gripper surface. The gripper surface includes a plurality of openings that are distributed over the gripper surface, each of the openings connectable to a source of suction. At least one flow restrictor is located between the plurality of openings and a connector of the gripper to the source of suction to restrict the inflow through each opening of the plurality of openings. When the suction is applied to the plurality of openings and a part of the workpiece surface covers at least one opening of the plurality of openings and another of the openings remains uncovered, the suction force at the covered opening is sufficiently strong to grip the workpiece surface.