According to one embodiment, a holding mechanism includes a first holding part, a second holding part, a first guide, a second guide, a third guide, a fourth guide, and a driving mechanism. The second holding part faces the first holding part in a first direction. The first guide is connected to the first holding part and capable of moving the first holding part in the first direction. The second guide is connected to the second holding part and capable of moving the second holding part in the first direction. The third guide is capable of moving the first guide in the first direction. The fourth guide is capable of moving the second guide in the first direction, and aligned with the third guide in the first direction. The drive mechanism changes a distance between the first holding part and the second holding part.

According to one embodiment, a holding mechanism includes a first holding part, a second holding part, a first guide, a second guide, a third guide, a fourth guide, and a driving mechanism. The second holding part faces the first holding part in a first direction. The first guide is connected to the first holding part and capable of moving the first holding part in the first direction. The second guide is connected to the second holding part and capable of moving the second holding part in the first direction. The third guide is capable of moving the first guide in the first direction. The fourth guide is capable of moving the second guide in the first direction, and aligned with the third guide in the first direction. The drive mechanism changes a distance between the first holding part and the second holding part.

A gripper mechanism for gripping a load, the gripper mechanism including a body, a first actuator mechanism attached to the body and configured to linearly move a first gripping device; and a second actuator mechanism attached to the body and configured to rotate a second gripping device. A translation of the first gripping device and a rotation of the second gripping device result in gripping the load.

A transmission module for transmitting torques having a base, a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft parallel thereto, a first output shaft and a second output shaft, both rotatable about a common axis, the axes of the drive shafts are arranged parallel to the axis of the output shafts, a gear unit, where the two drive shafts, the gear unit and the first output shaft are rotatably supported in the base, and the second output shaft is rotatably supported in the first output shaft and the gear unit is designed in such a way that a synchronous rotary movement of the two output shafts can be effected by a rotary movement of the first drive shaft and a relative rotary movement of the two output shafts can be effected by a rotary movement of the second drive shaft.

A controller for a commissioning device for storing piece goods such as medicinal packages is provided. The controller includes a delivery table that extends in a first direction, two elongated clamping jaws disposed above the delivery table, the jaws having clamping surfaces that face one another, and a clamping jaw guide apparatus with a frame structure, at least one first and one second guide which are separated from one another in the first direction and extend in a second direction, and at least four clamping jaw carriages which are coupled to the guides and driven in the second direction. Two clamping jaw carriages each are associated with a guide and at least two clamping jaw carriages separated from one another in the first direction are coupled to one clamping jaw, respectively.

The invention relates to a handling apparatus (1), having a drive carriage (2), which is movable relative to a carrier (3), wherein a scissor lift (7) having a plurality of scissor lift members (8) is arranged on the first end of the drive carriage (2), wherein a carrier plate (11), which is movable by means of the scissor lift (7) relative to the drive carriage (2), is arranged on the second end of the scissor lift (7), wherein a gripping tool is arranged on the carrier plate (11), wherein the gripping tool has at least two guide rods (13) mounted on the carrier plate (11), wherein a gripping element (14) is arranged on the end region of each guide rod (13), wherein the distance between the gripping elements (14) can be modified in a controlled manner by means of a drive (15), and wherein the gripping elements (14) are each interchangeably arranged and fixed via a coupling element (40) to the associated guide rod (13) thereof.

Exemplary embodiments relate to unique structures for robotic end-of-arm-tools (EOATs). According to some embodiments, two or more fingers or actuators may be present on an EOAT, and the actuators may be configured to move (together or separately) to adjust the spacing between the actuators. Some aspects involve techniques for extending and/or retracting a vacuum cup present on the EOAT. Further embodiments, which may be used separately or in conjunction with the previously-described embodiments, apply a secondary inner grip pad to provide a secondary gripping mode for the EOAT. These embodiments may be particularly advantageous when the actuators are soft robotic actuators and the inner grip pad is a relatively more rigid structure than the actuators.

A foldable boom for conveying an item, said foldable boom being foldable about at least one folding axis, said foldable boom being locatable in a folded stowed position, and moveable to unfolded extended positions; said foldable boom having a near end arranged for pivotal movement about a first horizontal axis located on a turret, said turret being rotatable about a vertical axis; said foldable boom having first conveying apparatus to convey an item therealong, internally within said foldable boom, to a remote end of the foldable boom; wherein said foldable boom is foldable about a folding axis, and a pivoting shuttle equipped with a clamp to releasably hold an item is provided at said folding axis to transfer said item between said first conveying apparatus in boom elements connected about said folding axis.

A hand includes a pair of finger members disposed separated by an interval and relatively movable in an interval direction, a finger drive unit that moves at least one of the finger members in the interval direction, a pair of holding pads that are provided on the respective finger members, and are supported to face each other and to be rotatable around an axis extending in the interval direction, and a pressing member that is provided to be movable in a direction intersecting a radial direction, at a position separated from the axis in the radial direction, and presses a surface of a workpiece held between the holding pads.

The proximal phalanx of an underactuated mechanical finger includes a cam fixed on a linkage. Upon actuation, the linkage rotates the cam, which then drives a cam follower, which then drives an extensible part in the distal phalanx to extend the length of the finger, and therefore compensate the finger's height loss that would otherwise occur in the absence of the extensible part.