A cable terminal end detection method includes a gripping step for gripping, using a hand including a first gripping section and a second gripping section disposed to be separated on an X axis and configured to open and close in a direction along a Z axis, a cable in two places separated in a longitudinal direction with the first gripping section and the second gripping section, a moving step for, in a state in which the cable is gripped by the hand, moving the cable to the first gripping section side in a direction along the X axis relatively to the hand, and a detecting step for detecting, with a tactile sensor disposed in the second gripping section to be in contact with the cable, that the cable has slipped out from the second gripping section and detecting that a terminal end of the cable is located between the first gripping section and the second gripping section.

This disclosure relates to a gripper assembly (122for a robotic manipulator (121. The gripper assembly (122includes two finger assemblies (132, 146and a ball screw assembly comprising a first ball screw nut (136connected to the first finger assembly (132and a ball screw shaft (138comprising a first section (140upon which the first ball screw nut (136is movably mounted. An actuator (154is directly connected to the ball screw shaft (138and configured to rotate the ball screw shaft (138about its longitudinal axis to move the first finger assembly (132in a direction of the second finger assembly (146when the ball screw shaft (138is rotated in one of a clockwise or anticlockwise direction and to move the first finger assembly (132in a direction away from the second finger assembly (146when the ball screw shaft (138is rotated in the other of the clockwise or anticlockwise directions.

A gripping device includes a drive motor with a motor-current-monitoring or pressure-monitoring system, and a gear unit which can be driven by the drive motor. The gear unit has a worm gear stage driven by a rotatable gear shaft, which worm gear stage is coupled to at least one of at least two gripping element carriers which are movable relative to one another. A holding brake for blocking the gear shafts is arranged in a housing of the gripping device. The worm gear stage has a screw that is axially slidable towards at least one spring energy accumulator, so that, upon an increase in the flank pressure on the respective gripping pressure flank of the screw, the loading on one of these spring energy accumulators increases. The drive motor is so relieved of load in a gripping device in spite of a high gripping force.

Device for supporting and gripping containers (1,1a), comprising: a base (10;110;210) which defines an upper surface (15;115,215) supporting a container (1;1a); devices (20;120) for gripping the container (1,1a), associated with the base (10;110;210); devices (30) for actuating the devices (30) for gripping the container (1,1a); wherein the gripping devices (20;120) comprise at least one pair of sliders (21;121;221) inserted in the base (10;110;210) inside a respective seat (16;116;216) and translationally movable in both senses of different directions upon operation of the actuating devices (30), each jaw being associated with a respective slider (21;121;221).

A gripper for a robot has a gripper mechanism with a jaw motion input, and a motor speed reducer combination including a speed reducer and a motor. The speed reducer has a motion output. The gripper mechanism has a first pattern of mounting features arranged about the jaw motion input. The speed reducer has a second pattern of mounting features arranged about the motion output. The first pattern of mounting features and the second pattern of mounting features are arranged so that the motor reducer combination may be mounted to the gripper mechanism in at least four indexed positions about the motion output and the jaw motion input.

A pick and place device for use in an in vitro diagnostics automation system is provided that includes a motor and a rotatable motor shaft coupled to the motor and a gripping assembly. The gripping assembly includes a yoke selectively coupled to the rotatable motor shaft and configured to rotate with the rotatable motor shaft when the yoke is coupled to the rotatable motor shaft. The gripping assembly also includes a first movable finger mount and a second movable finger mount each coupled to the rotatable motor shaft and configured to move toward each other and away from each other in a linear direction responsive to the rotation of the motor shaft when the yoke is uncoupled from the rotatable motor shaft. Fingers extending from the movable finger mounts are configured to move toward each other and away from each other in the linear direction and rotate with the yoke.

A gripping/clamping device for gripping/clamping objects includes a drive that drives an actuator, and a jaw movably coupled to the actuator. An elastically deformable spring element is provided between the actuator and the jaw. A braking unit is provided, by either the actuator, or a movably coupled component provided between the actuator and the drive, that is fixed when an object is gripped. The elastically deformable spring element is elastically deformed. The drive has a rotating drive shaft. The braking unit fixes the rotating drive shaft. A drive transmission with an output shaft is downstream of the drive shaft. The drive transmission is provided between the drive and the actuator. The actuator is a pinion that rotates about a rotational axis. The elastically deformable spring element is provided between the jaw and a gear rack section disposed on the jaw meshing with the pinion.

A gripper for a robot has a gripper mechanism with a jaw motion input, and a motor speed reducer combination including a speed reducer and a motor. The speed reducer has a motion output. The gripper mechanism has a first pattern of mounting features arranged about the jaw motion input. The speed reducer has a second pattern of mounting features arranged about the motion output. The first pattern of mounting features and the second pattern of mounting features are arranged so that the motor reducer combination may be mounted to the gripper mechanism in at least four indexed positions about the motion output and the jaw motion input.

A vegetable transplanting device includes a robotic arm, a positioning ring fixedly disposed on an outside of the robotic arm, and a transplant assembly connected to the robotic arm. The transplant assembly includes: a motor fixedly disposed at an end of the robotic arm; a fixing frame fixedly mounted on a side surface of the positioning ring away from the robotic arm; a worm screw fixedly disposed at an output end of the motor; first fixing rods fixedly disposed and passing through the fixing frame; worm gears, each rotatably installed on an outside of one of the first fixing rods, the worm gears being engaged with the worm screw by teeth; connecting rod assemblies, each rotatably installed on the outside of at least one of the first fixing rods; and clamping members, each rotatably connected to one end of the corresponding connecting rod assembly away from the fixing frame.

A method for operating a gripper includes determining a first transport attachment of a plurality of transport attachments to use for moving a piece good and determining whether the first transport attachment is fixed in a first gripping jaw of the gripper, wherein the gripper includes a drop table having at least one storage and dispensing end face; the first gripping jaw and a second gripping jaw each arranged above the drop table and fastened to a gripping jaw guide arrangement, wherein the first gripping jaw has a gripper coupler at an end portion opposite the gripping jaw guide arrangement; and a transport attachment of the plurality of transport attachments with an attachment coupler, wherein the gripper coupler and the attachment coupler interact with one another so that the transport attachment is releasably fixed at the end portion of the first gripping jaw. Grippers and transport systems are also provided.