Aspects described herein include an end effector capable of prehending items using impactive and astrictive forces. The end effector includes an interface system having a deformable mounting plate and a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate. The end effector further includes a linkage system between a plurality of actuators and the interface system. The linkage system connects to lateral portions of the mounting plate.

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.

Warehouse automation and methods of handling materials can be used to enhance the safety and efficiencies of warehouse operations. For example, automation systems and methods that make depalletization processes safer and more efficient are described. In some examples, the depalletization systems described herein include multiple work cells/stations and a depalletization robot that traverses the work cells/stations on a rail so the robot can autonomously move between the stations.

Disclosed is an organ sucking and grasping tool capable of reducing the height of the sucking and grasping tool, capable of reserving a viewing field for an endoscope, capable of reserving space for operations, and including a suction cup responsive to the deformation of an organ and unlikely to be detached. An organ sucking and grasping tool includes a suction tube body and a plurality of suction cups for organ suction provided at a front end portion of the suction tube body. The organ sucking and grasping tool sucks, elevates, and grasps an organ using suction force generated by the suction cups. The suction cups are held by a ring-shaped holder provided at the front end portion of the tube body, and an annular flange is provided at an open end portion of each of the suction cups.

An article boxing system includes an image processing apparatus, a first robot, and a first controller. The image processing apparatus detects edges of an article based on an image of the article. The image processing apparatus calculates information relating to a conveyance state. The first robot includes a hand unit and an arm adjusting three-dimensional coordinates and an inclination of the hand unit with respect to a conveyance direction. The first controller controls an operation of the arm to move the hand unit in correspondence with the information relating to the conveyance state and causes the hand unit to adsorb the article, when the article reaches an operation range of the first robot.

A robotically-operated gripping device is provided and includes a frame assembly, a vacuum device, a clamping device, and a robotic arm. The vacuum device is connected to the frame assembly and configured to selectively attach to and position at least a portion of an object. The clamping device is connected to the frame assembly and provided for selectively clamping the object attached to the vacuum device. The robotic arm is connected to the frame assembly and provided for selectively positioning the vacuum device and the gripping device.

An end-of-arm-tool attachment deploys gripper arms to help stabilize picked items. The arms rotate around the lower body of the tool and, depending on the size of the item, will either support the item from below or help reduce swinging by applying pressure to the sides/top. When not in use, the arms are stowed on the upper body of the tool to minimize potential for collision and to provide a smaller profile for maneuverability.

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 suction pad suctions an object under a negative pressure, and includes a stationary section fixable on a support, and a deformable section deformable under the negative pressure. The deformable section includes a plurality of marks at a plurality of positions spaced from one another and displaceable with respect to the stationary section in response to deformation of the deformable section. The plurality of marks are optically identifiable. The plurality of marks are continuous across the plurality of positions or are separate at the plurality of positions.

A workpiece transfer hand includes a support plate and a suction unit on the upper surface of the plate. The upper surface of the plate has a recess whose bottom is formed with first and second pressure ports. The suction unit includes an elevator, elastic member, and first/second cylindrical members. The elevator, vertically movable in the recess along a stroke, has a vertical suction hole. The elastic member biases the elevator upward or downward. The first cylindrical member expands and contracts vertically, with its upper end connected to the elevator to surround the suction hole and its lower end connected to the bottom of the recess to surround the first pressure port. The second cylindrical member expands and contracts vertically, with its upper end connected to the elevator and its lower end connected to the bottom of the recess to surround the second pressure port.