Provided is a wood processing system including a wood conveying device having a longitudinal direction along one direction in the horizontal direction and being capable of conveying wood along the longitudinal direction; a multi-axis processing machine arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction of the wood conveying device, the multi-axis processing machine including a spindle capable of being attached with a first tool, and a spindle moving device having two or more linear axes perpendicular to one another and two or more rotational axes for moving the spindle; and at least one multi-articulated robot arranged along the wood conveying device on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the wood conveying device, the at least one multi-articulated robot including a wrist capable of being attached with a tool unit including a second tool, and an arm having six or more rotational axes for moving the wrist.

An imaging system captures images of a work surface having articles of cutlery distributed thereon. An end effector, such as a magnetic end effector, may be used to grasp articles of cutlery and place them in a designated location according to the type of the article of cutlery as determined using an image of the work surface and machine vision. A type of articles of cutlery may be classified based on the image such as according to category (knife, fork, spoon), size, or brand. Multiple articles of cutlery occluding one another may be dealt with by stirring or grasping multiple items and releasing them on a separate work surface in order to disperse them. Whether the end effector is grasping multiple articles of cutlery may be determined by capturing an image of the end effector. Machine vision may determine whether an article of cutlery is contaminated or damaged.

Provided are a system, method(s), and apparatus for automatically harvesting mushrooms from a mushroom bed. The system, in one implementation, may be referred to herein as an automated harvester, having at least an apparatus/frame/body/structure for supporting and positioning the harvester on a mushroom bed, a vision system for scanning and identifying mushrooms in the mushroom bed, a picking system for harvesting the mushrooms from the bed, and a control system for directing the picking system according to data acquired by the vision system. Various other components, sub-systems, and connected systems may also be integrated into or coupled to the automated harvester.

A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a matrix reservoir, and a fiber guide configured to separately receive a plurality of matrix-wetted reinforcements from the matrix reservoir. The system may also include a die configured to receive the plurality of matrix-wetted reinforcements from the fiber guide and to cause the plurality of matrix-wetted reinforcements to converge into a ribbon. The system may additionally include a cure enhancer configured to cure the matrix in the composite material during discharge of the ribbon from the die, and a support configured to move the die in multiple dimensions during discharge of the ribbon.

Lumber retrieval systems and methods feed a centrally located saw with a predetermined assortment of boards picked from certain stations distributed at either side of the saw. In some examples, an overhead trolley system carries individual boards in a certain sequence from chosen stations to a board-receiving apparatus. The board-receiving apparatus, in turn, feeds the boards to the saw. The saw then cuts the boards into board segments, which can be used for making prefabricated trusses and wall panels. In some examples, the trolley system has a laser-scanning feature for determining the location of the next-to-pick board while simultaneously transporting the board currently heading to the board-receiving apparatus. In some examples, the trolley system includes two board carriers each of which are dedicated or assigned to certain stations. In some examples, one carrier serves as backup for the other one when one of the carriers is broken or otherwise inactive.

Feedback information is an important aspect in all machine learning systems. In robot systems that are picking objects from a plurality of objects this has been arranged by acquiring images of objects that have been picked. When images are acquired after picking they can be imaged accurately and the information about picking and also dropping success can be improved by using acquired images as a feedback in the machine learning arrangement being used for controlling the picking and dropping of objects.

Lumber retrieval systems and methods feed a centrally located saw with a predetermined assortment of boards picked from certain stations distributed at either side of the saw. In some examples, an overhead trolley system carries individual boards in a certain sequence from chosen stations to a board-receiving apparatus. The board-receiving apparatus, in turn, feeds the boards to the saw. The saw then cuts the boards into board segments, which can be used for making prefabricated trusses and wall panels. In some examples, the trolley system has a laser-scanning feature for determining the location of the next-to-pick board while simultaneously transporting the board currently heading to the board-receiving apparatus. In some examples, the trolley system includes two board carriers each of which are dedicated or assigned to certain stations. In some examples, one carrier serves as backup for the other one when one of the carriers is broken or otherwise inactive.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for assembling an end effector for an automated modular tool. A processor is programmed with data corresponding to a portion of a part surface at a designated location. A setting fixture is driven with a plurality of linear motion actuators to a selected three-dimensional location relative to an adaptor bar of the modular tool that is attached to a frame. A tool setting head is rotated with a rotary drive. A platen is tilted with at least one platen tilting motor and gear set to angularly orient the platen to correspond to an angular orientation of the portion of the part surface at the designated location. An end effector is then placed on the platen and secured with a tooling arm to the adaptor bar.

Systems, methods, and software are provided for automated item restocking using gantry robots and establishing safety barriers for retail work operation spaces in retail store environments. Robot controllers in communication with the gantry robots and barrier robots direct the autonomous movements thereof for transferring items between customer-accessible point of sale locations and customer-inaccessible storage, and for alternately restricting and enabling access to work operation spaces, respectively.

Automated, environmentally monitored and controlled storage units and systems for storing, monitoring, and maintaining a supply of products, particularly temperature sensitive pharmaceutical and/or other high-value products, be they temperature sensitive or not. Such automated storage units contain an array of independently addressable holding locations for containers with product in one or more environmentally monitored (e.g., for temperature, humidity, etc.) and controlled zones fitted with appropriate environmental sensors. In preferred embodiments, the automated storage units also include a reader to track product information and status. Product loading, retrieval, and movement within such automated storage units is performed by a computer-controlled robot. A user interface device, preferably in communication with an application service provider to provide remotely managed inventory management and other services, provides users with inventory- and product-specific information.