Various example embodiments described herein relate to an item manipulation system including a control system and a robotic arm coupled to the control system. The item manipulation system includes an end effector communicatively coupled to the control system and defines a first end and a second end. The first end of the end effector is rotatably engaged to the robotic arm. The item manipulation system also includes a gripper unit attached to the second end of the end effector. The gripper unit is configured to grip the item. The gripper unit includes at least one flexible suction cup and at least one rigid gripper. Each of the flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper engage a surface of the item based on vacuum suction force generated through the at least one flexible suction cup or the at least one rigid gripper.

Using a suction gripper cluster device is disclosed, including: causing airflows to be generated by a plurality of airflow generators of a respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms included in a suction gripper cluster device comprising a plurality of suction gripper mechanisms, wherein the plurality of airflow generators is configured to cause the airflows to enter respective intake ports of the plurality of suction gripper mechanisms and exit respective outlet ports of the respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms in response to receiving air at a respective air input port of the respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms; causing a target object to be captured by the suction gripper cluster device using the airflows; activating a positioning actuator mechanism to position the suction gripper cluster device; and causing the target object to be ejected from the suction gripper cluster device.

A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which H vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

A vacuum ejector device (2) for generating at least partial vacuum to be supplied to a gripping member (4), comprising a device body (6) having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis A. A movable sealing and venting element (24) is provided and is structured to selectively substantially close and seal, in a sealing position, a vacuum duct (16) when the air supply is activated, and to open or vent said vacuum duct to release or vent via a venting duct (26), in a venting position, the vacuum within the gripping member (4) when the vacuum source or air supply is deactivated. The sealing and venting element (24) is arranged essentially at the longitudinal axis A, and that the venting duct (26) is arranged and provides for fluid communication between the sealing and venting element (24) and a venting outlet port (28) provided at a long side of said elongated device body (6).

The present invention relates to a vacuum gripper unit. The unit has a first mounting container and a second mounting container of cylindrical shapes formed in an H-type when seen from the outside, including a main body for providing a common vacuum chamber. A vacuum pump is inserted into the first mounting container, while the vacuum pump or a release valve is selectively mounted in the second mounting container. In addition, a front insertion hole of each of the first mounting container and the second mounting container is provided with a finishing material which supports each of the release valve and the vacuum pump that are mounted to thereby prevent the valve and pump from being separated. It is preferable that the finishing material of at least the first mounting container is a silencer.

A system is disclosed for providing dynamic vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a first vacuum source for providing a first vacuum pressure with a first maximum air flow rate, and a second vacuum source for providing a second vacuum pressure with a second maximum air flow rate, wherein the second vacuum pressure is higher than the first vacuum pressure and wherein the second maximum air flow rate is greater than the first maximum air flow rate.

A work transferring system includes a hand including a body and at least one attracting part configured to hold a work with a gap maintained between the work and a surface of the body by attracting the work to a distal end protruding from the surface; a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the work to a predetermined transfer destination by moving the hand, a work releasing member disposed above the transfer destination to which the transfer mechanism transfers the work and configured to release the work from the attracting part, and a lifting mechanism configured to move up and down the work releasing member or the work. The work releasing member includes a claw arranged in a substantially horizontal cantilever manner and having a shape that allows insertion of the claw into the gap.

The present invention relates to an ejector assembly and a vacuum pump, the ejector assembly including a typical cylindrical vacuum ejector and a support part. The support part includes a first support having a supply line extending outwards from a hole in which a first end of the ejector is mounted, and a second support having a discharge line extending outwards from a hole in which a second end of the ejector is mounted. Further, the first and second supports facing each other are configured such that the outer circumferential surfaces thereof are in contact with the inner circumferential surface of a pipe member so as to form a space between the first and second supports, the space communicating with through holes. In the vacuum pump using the ejector assembly, the pipe member is a housing, and the space is a vacuum chamber formed in the housing.

A system is disclosed for providing dynamic vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a first vacuum source for providing a first vacuum pressure with a first maximum air flow rate, and a second vacuum source for providing a second vacuum pressure with a second maximum air flow rate, wherein the second vacuum pressure is higher than the first vacuum pressure and wherein the second maximum air flow rate is greater than the first maximum air flow rate.

A kit is provided for a gripping apparatus. The gripping apparatus includes a body defining a chamber and an exhaust at a first end of the body. The gripping apparatus also includes an air conveyor positioned within the chamber. The air conveyor is configured to generate an air flow through an inlet and out through the exhaust. The kit includes a plurality of gripper heads each configured to be attached to a second end of the body opposite to the first end. Each gripper head defines a respective interchangeable nest that is different among the plurality of gripper heads. Each gripper head is configured to locate and releasably hold one of a plurality of components based on the air flow generated within the chamber and discharged through the exhaust.