A device for forming and inspecting an end piece on a screw of a fastening ring includes a deck with a rotary disk, a control unit for driving the rotary disk, an inspection unit, a first riveting machine, an arm unit and a conveyor respectively and electrically connected to the control unit. The inspection unit, the first riveting machine, the arm unit and the conveyor are located around the rotary disk. Multiple holding devices are connected to the rotary disk and each holding device holds two fastening rings. The screw of each fastening ring is formed with an end piece by the first riveting machine, the arm unit and the conveyor. The inspection unit inspect the formation of the end piece and classifies defective products and non-defective products.

Machine vision methods and systems determine if an object within a work field has one or more predetermined features. Methods comprise capturing image data of the work field, applying a filter to the image data, in which the filter comprises an aspect corresponding to a presumed feature, and based at least in part on the applying, determining if the object has the presumed feature. Systems comprise a camera system configured to capture image data of the work field, and a controller communicatively coupled to the camera system and programmed to apply a filter to the image data, and based at least in part on applying the filter, determine if the object has the specific feature. Robotic installation methods and systems that utilize machine vision methods and systems also are disclosed.

Machine vision methods and systems determine if an object within a work field has one or more predetermined features. Methods comprise capturing image data of the work field, applying a filter to the image data, in which the filter comprises an aspect corresponding to a specific feature, and based at least in part on the applying, determining if the object has the specific feature. Systems comprise a camera system configured to capture image data of the work field, and a controller communicatively coupled to the camera system and comprising non-transitory computer readable media having computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause the controller to apply a filter to the image data, and based at least in part on applying the filter, determine if the object has the specific feature. Robotic installation methods and systems that utilize machine vision methods and systems also are disclosed.

A press-fitting direction position of a pressing surface of a pressing portion of a press-fitting tool and a press-fitting direction position of a restriction surface of a restriction portion of the press-fitting tool are set so that one of a press-fitting component and a press-fitting target component is stopped at a prescribed press-fitting stop position. A press-fitting method includes: adjusting a press-fitting interval dimension in a press-fitting direction between the pressing surface of the pressing portion and the restriction surface of the restriction portion so as to obtain a press-fitting stop position that is set according to component dimensions of the press-fitting component and component dimensions of the press-fitting target component; press-fitting the press-fitting component with the press-fitting target component; and stopping the press-fitting of the press-fitting component with the press-fitting target component by bringing the restriction portion into contact with the press-fitting target component.

A system includes an alignment system. The alignment system includes a first bladder configured to be positioned under a first component of a first gas turbine system. The alignment system further includes a first valve configured to adjust a first flow of fluid from a fluid source to the first bladder to expand the first bladder to adjust a position of the first component of the first gas turbine system.

A method is provided for ensuring and/or checking the quality of a crimping using a crimping machine for crimping a cable with a contact sleeve and using a first optical sensor for detecting and/or recording first image data of the contact sleeve and using an evaluation electronics system. The method includes detecting the first image data of the contact sleeve by the first optical sensor; carrying out, via the evaluation electronics system, a first comparison of the first image data of the first optical sensor with first reference data of a predetermined contact sleeve; checking the first comparison for the presence of a predetermined first criterion; and, if the predetermined first criterion is satisfied, outputting a first signal. The detection of the first image data and the first comparison and the checking for the first criterion and the output of the first signal are carried out before the cable is crimped with the contact sleeve. A crimping machine suitable for carrying out the above method is also provided.

Sucker rods include end fittings having an outer wedge portion proximate to an open end, an inner wedge portion proximate to a closed end, and an intermediate wedge portion between the outer and inner wedges. Each wedge includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an angle between the leading and trailing edges. The triangular configuration, length of the leading edge, the length of the trailing edge, and size of the angle in each wedge portion cause distribution of force, such that compressive forces distributed to the rod proximate the closed end exceed compressive forces distributed to the rod proximate the open end. An automated installation procedure installs the end fitting through the use of multiple chucks, positioned by servo motors along a fitting table.

An insertable fastener installation apparatus for a flat substrate has a thickness, T. A roller press station is used to press T-nuts into holes in the substrate. An optical vision system detects the location of the holes in the moving substrate and aligns the t-nuts with the holes. A computer controlled pick and place robot takes T-nuts from an escapement of a hopper feed system and aligns, but does not fully insert, the t-nuts in the substrate. A conveyor system feeds the substrates through the optical vision system, the pick and place robot station and the roller press station. A first roller is spaced apart from a second roller by a gap in the roller press station and the gap is less than the thickness of the substrate. The hopper feed system includes a bulk hopper, a bowl, a track and an escapement.

Methods for using predictive shimming to optimize part-to-part alignment. In accordance with one embodiment, the process uses measurement data acquired from mating surfaces and key features to virtually align two parts in a manner that optimizes the final orientation of the parts and determines the geometry of the shim needed to achieve this orientation during assembly.

Machine vision methods and systems determine if an object within a work field has one or more predetermined features. Methods comprise capturing image data of the work field, applying a filter to the image data, in which the filter comprises an aspect corresponding to a specific feature, and based at least in part on the applying, determining if the object has the specific feature. Systems comprise a camera system configured to capture image data of the work field, and a controller communicatively coupled to the camera system and comprising non-transitory computer readable media having computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause the controller to apply a filter to the image data, and based at least in part on applying the filter, determine if the object has the specific feature. Robotic installation methods and systems that utilize machine vision methods and systems also are disclosed.