A manipulator is provided. The manipulator includes at least two mechanical fingers. Each of the at least two mechanical fingers includes a first finger segment, a second finger segment, and a third finger segment, a bottom portion of the third finger segment of the respective mechanical finger is movably connected to a top portion of the second finger segment of the respective mechanical finger, and a bottom portion of the second finger segment of the respective mechanical finger is movably connected to a top portion of the first finger segment of the respective mechanical finger. The manipulator further includes a finger driving assembly for each of the at least two mechanical fingers. The finger driving assembly for each of the at least two mechanical fingers includes a plurality of motors that are configured to drive a different one of the finger segments of the respective mechanical finger.

In one embodiment, a robotic end effector configured to mount to a robotic manipulator includes gripping elements configured to grasp objects, a drive mechanism configured to open and close the gripping elements, a central controller configured to control operation of the drive mechanism and the gripper elements, the central controller hosting a control program that enables control of the end effector independent of the robotic manipulator, and at least one of a forward-facing ultrasonic distance sensor configured to measure a distance between the gripping elements and an object to be grasped, and a forward-facing camera mounted between the gripping elements configured to capture video data of an object to be grasped.

End-of-arm tools to be coupled to a robotic arm and configured to handle structural lumber objects are disclosed as are methods of use for such. The end-of-arm tools comprise opposing jaws to grip the lumber objects. The opposing jaws are coupled to a rigid frame via a four-bar linkage providing mechanical advantage and over-center functionality. An actuated extractor extends between the opposing jaws to engage the lumber object upon release. Assemblies of multiple end-of-arm tools coupled together are also disclosed.

An end of arm tool (EOAT) for use during manufacture of parts using one or more pre-impregnated composite plies is disclosed. In an embodiment, the EOAT includes a mechanical gripper arrangement with first and second fingers configured to supply a compressive force to grip a pre-impregnated composite ply therebetween. At least one of the first and second fingers include a roller member to engage opposite surfaces of the pre-preg ply and supply a compressive gripping force. The roller member on either or both the first and second fingers preferably include a torque regulator to selectively adjust an associated roller member's resistance to rotation via supply of a rotational torque resistance.

A gripping module grips and moves objects and can be used on robots or automatic handling machines. The gripping module has a module carrier and at least two active elements, which can be displaced relative to one another and have gripping surfaces for gripping an object. At least one of the active elements is displaceable relative to the module carrier by a drive system. The drive system has an electric motor and an actuator element displaceable by an electromagnet. The electric motor and the actuator element are each kinematically coupled to the active element.

A gripper for industrial manipulators includes: at least two jaws one of which being movable allowing it to be opened and closed; and a gripper body. A first gripper body portion housing an actuator device and a second portion supporting the jaws and at least one pin element, defining a pivot axis of the movable jaw, or a pivot axis of at least one transmission element operatively interposed between the at least one movable jaw and the actuator device. The gripper arranged so that the pin element also acts as a locking pin to firmly lock together the first and second portions of the gripper body in assembled condition. The pin element having a circumferential groove which allows a snap coupling of the first portion and the second portion of the gripper body: an elastic element separating them and engaging the edge of one of the two in the groove.

End-of-arm tools to be coupled to a robotic arm and configured to handle structural lumber objects are disclosed as are methods of use for such. The end-of-arm tools comprise opposing jaws to grip the lumber objects. The opposing jaws are coupled to a rigid frame via a four-bar linkage providing mechanical advantage and over-center functionality. An actuated extractor extends between the opposing jaws to engage the lumber object upon release. Assemblies of multiple end-of-arm tools coupled together are also disclosed.

In order to be able to grip, clamp and lift stacks of plates and sheets, which consist of vertically oriented individual plates and individual sheets lying on and pressed flat against one another and which have different dimensions, in carrying and handling stations without having to reconfigure them, a load-bearing device is needed which has a simple structure, can be infinitely adjusted, is equipped with an appropriate drive and possesses large clamping and frictional forces, and can be used as an outer gripper on vertical clamping faces. A drive module (2) in the form of an electromotively driven linear drive (4), three angle- and scissor-joint lever assemblies (5) which are arranged symmetrically one below the other, and a gripping finger load-bearing device (8), which can be adjusted and readjusted by means of said lever assemblies and has opposing, clamping, rod-shaped and rigid gripping fingers (10), are mounted on a frame (1). The invention can be used in particular for packing battery modules provided in stack form into battery containers.

Disclosed are various embodiments of a three-dimensional perception and object manipulation robot gripper configured for connection to and operation in conjunction with a robot arm. In some embodiments, the gripper comprises a palm, a plurality of motors or actuators operably connected to the palm, a mechanical manipulation system operably connected to the palm, a plurality of fingers operably connected to the motors or actuators and configured to manipulate one or more objects located within a workspace or target volume that can be accessed by the fingers. A depth camera system is also operably connected to the palm. One or more computing devices are operably connected to the depth camera and are configured and programmed to process images provided by the depth camera system to determine the location and orientation of the one or more objects within a workspace, and in accordance therewith, provide as outputs therefrom control signals or instructions configured to be employed by the motors or actuators to control movement and operation of the plurality of fingers so as to permit the fingers to manipulate the one or more objects located within the workspace or target volume. The gripper can also be configured to vary controllably at least one of a force, a torque, a stiffness, and a compliance applied by one or more of the plurality of fingers to the one or more objects.

A robot hand is provided and includes a robot hand control unit that has at least three gripping fingers on a base and controls the robot hand, a plurality of drive mechanisms that brings the three gripping fingers independently close to or separate from each other, a plurality of drive control units that individually controls each of a plurality of drive sources of the plurality of drive mechanisms, and a distribution control unit that is disposed on the base and distributes an instruction value from the robot hand control unit to the plurality of drive control units associated with the plurality of gripping fingers. At least one of the gripping fingers includes an integrally formed drive source and drive control unit.