A quick-release vacuum pump which is mainly applied to a vacuum transport system. The vacuum pump has a mechanism in which part of compressed air supplied for generating a vacuum state is stored firstly in a chamber, and then the vacuum state within the chamber is released when transportation is completed. When the vacuum state is released, a check valve is moved by the pressure of air that flows backward. The range of movement of the check valve is adjusted by a control means. An air filter is disposed at the lower end of the check valve. The release of the vacuum state is quick and controllable. Also, the filter is naturally filtered and cleaned.

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 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.

The present invention provides a mounter air controller capable of executing appropriate air control associated with replacement of a nozzle without stopping operation of a mounter. This mounter air controller includes: a flow rate adjustment mechanism 4 mounted on a head module HM of the mounter; and control means 5 that controls this flow rate adjustment mechanism 4. The flow rate adjustment mechanism 4 is interposed between a positive-pressure region and a nozzle n and has a function capable of continuously changing a flow rate of passing air. The control means 5 is configured to bring the nozzle n to have a negative pressure and then control the flow rate in the flow rate adjustment mechanism 4 on the basis of an applied voltage or an applied current, which is determined in advance, so as to supply the air to the nozzle n.

The present invention reduces tact time for a pick-and-place operation by an actuator. In a housing of the actuator, an air passage being a passage of air when sucking air from a hollow part of a shaft is provided. Furthermore, a sucking valve that sucks air from the hollow part of the shaft through the air passage and a suction detecting sensor to detect that a workpiece is suctioned onto a tip of the shaft are provided in the air passage. Then, in the housing, the air passage is disposed at a position on a side opposite to a linear motion motor that moves the shaft in an axial direction of the shaft, via the shaft.

An example system includes a vacuum generating device, a robotic arm, and a harvesting device coupled to the robotic arm. The harvesting device includes an end-effector having an inlet; a vacuum tube coupled to the inlet of the end-effector and to the vacuum generating device, where the vacuum generating device is configured to generate a vacuum environment in the vacuum tube; an outlet mechanism coupled to the vacuum tube; and a deceleration structure configured to decelerate fruit that has traversed at least a portion of the vacuum environment.

Technology disclosed includes a robotic workstation for unstacking/stacking a multi-layer stack of boards and includes an end effector configured to pick up, move and release a layer of boards. The end effector includes first and second pick up and release members, each being (i) disposed below first and second support members, (ii) transversely arranged with respect to the first and second support members and (iii) attached to both of the first and second support members. The robotic workstation also includes a robotic manipulator connected to an attachment plate of the end effector and capable of moving the end effector. The robotic manipulator is under control of a controller executing stored instructions that perform operations including picking up the layer of boards by orienting the end effector such that each board of the layer of boards is transversely oriented with respect to the first and second pick up and release members.

A gripper for the transportation of an ophthalmic lens comprises: a gripper shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis and a fluid channel extending through the gripper shaft; a connector at the proximal end of the gripper shaft for connecting a flexible supply tube and the proximal end of the gripper shaft; a support movably accommodating the gripper shaft; a spring mounted between the support and the gripper shaft, the spring biasing the gripper shaft distally away from the support; and a gripper head attached to the gripper shaft at a distal end portion thereof, the gripper head having a further fluid channel extending therethrough, the gripper head further having a suction opening which is centrally arranged in a distal end surface of the gripper head, the suction opening being in fluid communication with the fluid channel of the gripper shaft through further fluid channel.

The gripper head is configured to be pivotable about a pivot portion of the gripper head.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamically adjustable suction cups. In one embodiment, an example device may include a backplate, a gear coupled to the backplate and configured to move from a first position to a second position, a first suction cup segment having a first cavity, and a second suction cup segment disposed adjacent to the first suction cup segment, where a first portion of the second suction cup segment is disposed in the first cavity. Movement of the mechanical actuator from the first position to the second position may cause the first portion of the second suction cup segment to slide out of the first cavity, such that a surface area of a suction cup formed by the first suction cup segment and the second suction cup segment increases.

A transferring system includes a moving unit, a base unit secured on the moving unit, a suspension unit disposed on the base unit, a carrying unit, a measuring unit secured on the suspension unit, and a controller connected to the moving unit, the carrying unit and the measuring unit. The carrying unit includes a rotary motor and a rotary encoder secured on the suspension unit, and a tube carrying a target object. The rotary motor drives the tube to revolve. The measuring unit includes a force sensor in contact with the base unit. The controller controls operations of the moving unit and the rotary motor according to an angular position of the tube detected by the rotary encoder and a force detected by the force sensor.