A machine tool has a clamping device for clamping in workpieces to be machined, a work spindle which is movable relative to the clamping device, a tool magazine wherein tools for machining the workpieces are held available, the tools being selectively clamped into the work spindle, and a spindle gripper to be selectively clamped into the work spindle and being self-holding in its gripping position, said spindle gripper being held available in the tool magazine and being movable between a transfer position to the work spindle and an unloading station in which the spindle gripper releases a work piece remnant received from the clamping device.

A docking assembly and method for docking and retrieving a filament holding device includes a motor casing rod defining a recess, filament holders and docking stations. Each filament holder defines a filament receiver channel for receiving the rod and a stop member that is selectively engaged with the recess of the rod, thus coupling a filament holder to the rod for retrieval of the filament holder. Each docking station includes a deployment latch operable to rotate when the rod is inserted into the docking receiver channel so that the deployment latch urges the stop member to the deployed configuration for coupling together the rod and the filament holder. Thus, a filament holder is captured for removal from the docking station. The docking apparatus includes a release lever that operates in reverse of the deployment latch so as to release a filament holder from the rod back to its docking station.

An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (254) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110), proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) also comprises an actuator (114), coupled to the pressure cap (110) and to the sleeve (106). The apparatus (102) further comprises an automated coupler (223), configured to automatically reversibly sealingly couple the applicator (254) with the leading end (167) of the cartridge (166).

A transfer station for temporarily storing at least one interchangeable die. The die can be removed by a joining tool to carry out a joining operation and can be returned back into the transfer station after the joining operation. The transfer station including a carriage that is movable between a first position, wherein a first die receptacle is in a standby position, and a second position, wherein a second die receptacle is in the standby position. In the standby position the chosen die receptacle is accessible by the joining tool when in its transfer position.

An apparatus (812) for loading and unloading a brush (822) to and from a brush-arm assembly (802) of an end-effector (102) is disclosed. The apparatus (812) comprises a base (814) and a carriage (818), which is movable along an axis (A) at least to a first position, a second position, or a third position relative to the base (814). The carriage (818) comprises a brush receptacle (820), configured to prevent movement of the brush (822) in a first direction, but not in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, when the brush (822) is placed in the brush receptacle (820). The apparatus (812) also comprises a stationary component (832), fixed relative to the base (814) and configured to prevent movement of the brush-arm assembly (802) in the second direction. Additionally, the apparatus (812) comprises a linear actuator (816), configured to move the carriage (818).

The system includes a cell framework for defining a manufacturing area. The system includes at least one workplace within the manufacturing area. The system includes at least one manufacturing component within the manufacturing area and configured to be movable along three axes in relation to the at least one workplace. The system includes a conveying mechanism configured to move a part into the at least one workplace to be worked on by the at least one manufacturing component.

A method and apparatus for attaching a nozzle to a fluid dispensing system and a tip to the nozzle. In one illustrative example, the fluid dispensing system may be moved by a robotic device towards a nozzle retaining structure having nozzle retaining areas holding nozzles. A nozzle may be selected for use based on a nozzle identifier element corresponding to each of the nozzles. The robotic device may move the fluid dispensing system to the nozzle selected to attach the fluid dispensing system to the nozzle selected. Further, the fluid dispensing system may be moved by a robotic device towards a tip retaining structure having tip retaining areas holding tips. A tip may be selected for use based on a tip identifier element corresponding to each of the tips. The robotic device may move the fluid dispensing system to the tip selected to attach the nozzle to the tip selected.

An apparatus for delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator comprises a sleeve and a pressure-cap assembly. The pressure-cap assembly comprises a pressure cap, proximate an inlet of the sleeve. The pressure-cap assembly also comprises an actuator, coupled to the pressure cap and to the sleeve. The apparatus further comprises an automated coupler, configured to automatically reversibly sealingly couple the applicator with the leading end of the cartridge.

A docking assembly for docking and retrieving a filament holding device includes a motor casing rod defining a recess, filament holders and docking stations. Each filament holder defines a filament receiver channel for receiving the rod and a stop member that is selectively engaged with the recess of the rod, thus coupling a filament holder to the rod for retrieval of the filament holder. Each docking station includes a deployment latch operable to rotate when the rod is inserted into the docking receiver channel so that the deployment latch urges the stop member to the deployed configuration for coupling together the rod and the filament holder. Thus, a filament holder is captured for removal from the docking station. The docking apparatus includes a release lever that operates in reverse of the deployment latch so as to release a filament holder from the rod back to its docking station.

A transfer station for temporarily storing at least one interchangeable die. The die can be removed by a joining tool to carry out a joining operation, and can be returned back into the transfer station after the joining operation. The transfer station including a die receptacle for holding the die, and a rotating device for rotating the die in the receptacle in order to establish an axial engagement between the die and the joining tool.