A device that dispenses spacer material is disclosed. The device may be implemented in connection with a robotic palletization/depalletization system. The device may include a mounting hardware configured to mount the device on or adjacent to an end effector of a robotic arm, a communication interface configured to receive a control signal, and an actuator configured to dispense a quantity of spacer material from a supply of spacer material in response to the control signal.

A dialyzer housing manufacturing system includes a molding device configured to mold a dialyzer housing, and a tool coupled to a robotic arm and configured to retrieve the dialyzer housing from the molding device after the dialyzer housing is molded. The tool includes a frame, a first suction cup connected to a first portion of the frame, and a second suction cup connected to a second portion of the frame, the second suction cup being oriented about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees relative to the first suction cup.

A robotically-operated gripping device is provided and includes a frame assembly, a vacuum device, a clamping device, and a robotic arm. The vacuum device is connected to the frame assembly and configured to selectively attach to and position at least a portion of an object. The clamping device is connected to the frame assembly and provided for selectively clamping the object attached to the vacuum device. The robotic arm is connected to the frame assembly and provided for selectively positioning the vacuum device and the gripping device.

An object processing system is disclosed for dynamically providing the removal of objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer. The object processing system includes a load assessment system for assessing a load characteristic of a plurality of objects within the trailer and for providing load assessment data representative of the load characteristic, an object assessment system for assessing a relative position and relative environment of an object of the plurality of objects responsive to the load assessment data, and for providing object assessment data for the object, and a dynamic engagement system for dynamically engaging the objects within the trailer with either of at least two different engagement systems responsive to the object assessment data.

An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first grasping mechanism for grasping at least one first object when the robotic end effector is operated in a first mode and a second grasping mechanism for grasping a second object when the robotic end effector is operated in a second mode. The second grasping mechanism is robotically positioned in an inactive state when the robotic end effector is controlled to operate in the first mode.

End effectors for use with a robotic object-gripping system, and related systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the end effector includes a first mounting structure, a force sensor coupled to the first mounting structure, a second mounting structure coupled to the force sensor, and a gripper assembly coupled to the second mounting structure. The force sensor is beneath the longitudinal plane and is configured to measure forces along a vertical axis. The end effector also includes a first bracket coupled to the first mounting structure and a second bracket coupled to the second mounting structure. The first and second brackets are configured to connect to the connection tubes to isolate the connection tubes, and any forces therein, to a longitudinal direction between the first bracket and the second bracket, thereby reducing the noise on the force sensor from the connection tubes during operation.

A system and method for separating a layer from a layer assembly when the layer assembly includes a backing layer and a material layer. The system includes an automated machine having a controller and an end effector. A separating tool is attached to the end effector of the automated machine. The separating tool includes a displacing member, with an outer face, configured to establish a void between the backing layer and the material layer by displacing a portion of the backing layer. The separating layer also includes a securing member configured to establish a mechanical connection with a displaced portion of the backing layer.

A robot vision-based automatic rivet placement system and method. The automatic rivet placement system includes: an industrial robot installed on a frame, a multi-functional end effector, a rivet blowing mechanism, a detection disk, and a rivet holding tray. The multi-functional end effector consists of a flange disk, a support frame, an industrial CCD camera, a laser displacement sensor, a spring, a mixing rod, and a vacuum nozzle. The multi-functional end effector is connected to a terminal end of the industrial robot via the flange disk. The industrial CCD camera is installed directly in front of the support frame, and is used to acquire a rivet image and measure a rivet parameter. The laser displacement sensor is installed at a side surface of the support frame, and is used to measure a rivet depth.

The present disclosure relates to operation of a robotic system to transfer an object from a source to a destination. The robotic system may implement one or more motion plans or portions thereof to operate a picking robot to grip and lift the object and place a transfer tray under the lifted object. The robotic system may further implement the one or more motion plans or portions thereof to place the object on the transfer tray and laterally displace the transfer tray and the object thereon toward the destination. The robotic system may operate a placement mechanism to transfer the object from the transfer tray to the destination.

A waste sorting robot comprises: a frame and a manipulator moveably mounted to the frame and comprising a gripper for interacting with one or more waste objects to be sorted within a working area. The waste sorting robot comprises a conveyor for moving the one or more waste objects towards the working area. At least a portion of the manipulator is rotatable with respect to the frame such that the gripper is moveable lengthways along the conveyor within the working area.