A variable spacing device includes a support member, a driving member, a number of movable graspers, a limiting block, and a pushing block. The movable graspers are slidably mounted in a line on the support member. Each movable grasper grasps a workpiece. The limiting block is mounted on the support member and arranged in parallel with the pushing member. The limiting block defines first sliding grooves having a length gradually decreasing along a same direction. The pushing block defines second sliding grooves having a length gradually increasing along a same direction. Each movable grasper moves within a corresponding one of the first sliding grooves and a corresponding one of the second sliding grooves. Two sidewalls of each first sliding groove and two sidewalls of each second sliding groove resist movement of the corresponding movable grasper.

A holding nozzle is provided with a suction member including a suction portion which comes into contact with a panel and a shaft portion communicated with the suction portion, an accommodation portion in which the shaft portion is accommodated, a suction member support portion supporting the shaft portion such that the suction member is movable with respect to the accommodation portion, a negative pressure connection portion to which a negative pressure generator is connected, and a communication member accommodated in the accommodation portion between the negative pressure connection portion and the suction member support portion and has a hollow portion which is a portion of a flow path through which a fluid is flowed. The communication member includes a first connection portion connected to the negative pressure connection portion, a second connection portion connected to the shaft portion, and a contractible portion installed between the first and second connection portions.

A pick-and-place head for picking a plurality of work-pieces from at least one first location and for placing the plurality of work-pieces at least one second location is disclosed. The pick-and-place head exhibits a plurality of nozzles, wherein each nozzle is configured to engage one of the work-pieces by action of a vacuum. At least one nozzle has an individual vacuum supply and at least two further nozzles have a shared vacuum supply. A corresponding method is also disclosed, the method including the steps of approaching at least one of the plurality of work-pieces with a respective nozzle and then starting generation of a vacuum at each respective nozzle. The generation of vacuum in at least one nozzle is achieved by an individual vacuum supply, and generation of vacuum in at least two further nozzles is achieved by a shared vacuum supply of the at least two further nozzles.

A transport device has a position detection portion, a holding portion attached to an arm, a driving portion to drive the holding portion and the arm, and a control portion. A control portion controls the position detection portion and the driving portion to perform, as one cycle, a procedure to detect a position of a parcel, select parcels based on a predetermined condition, and set priority for the selected parcels, and a procedure to refer to a result of the detection, and cause the holding portion to take out one or more parcels from the accumulation portion in accordance with the priority to transport the parcels to a predetermined location, and excludes, from parcels to be taken out, a second parcel that is present within a predetermined distance from a first parcel and has priority lower than the priority of the first parcel, during the one cycle.

A vacuum powered pickup tool with mechanically moveable discrete nozzles allows for selective activation of the nozzles through the mechanical movement of the nozzles relative to a vacuum manifold. The movement of a nozzle from an inactive position where an inlet port of the nozzle is fluidly decoupled with the vacuum manifold to an active position where the inlet port is fluidly coupled with the vacuum manifold allows for independent activation of discrete nozzles of the pickup tool. Aspects also contemplate varying an associate manifold through movement of the manifolds accessible to the inlet port of the nozzle when in the active position.

A pick-and-place head for picking a plurality of work-pieces from at least one first location and for placing the plurality of work-pieces at least one second location is disclosed. The pick-and-place head exhibits a plurality of nozzles, wherein each nozzle is configured to engage one of the work-pieces by action of a vacuum. At least one nozzle has an individual vacuum supply and at least two further nozzles have a shared vacuum supply. A corresponding method is also disclosed, the method including the steps of approaching at least one of the plurality of work-pieces with a respective nozzle and then starting generation of a vacuum at each respective nozzle. The generation of vacuum in at least one nozzle is achieved by an individual vacuum supply, and generation of vacuum in at least two further nozzles is achieved by a shared vacuum supply of the at least two further nozzles.

Examples described herein are directed to methods, computer-readable media, and systems for controlling an end of arm tool with one or more suction zones to pick up an item. Sensor data regarding the item is obtained. The sensor data is used to determine which of the one or more suction zones should be used to pick up the item. A rotational orientation is also determined that orients the determined suction zone(s) with the item. The end of arm tool is then instructed to create a suction force at the one or more suction zones and to pick up the item using the suction force.

An emblem installation system for installing emblems on a work piece includes an end effector for a robotic arm. The end effector has a base and multiple vacuum gripper modules repositionable along the base in different configurations. The vacuum gripper modules are configured to simultaneously grip multiple emblems and individually release the emblems. An emblem installation method includes applying a force within a first range of forces to the multiple emblems individually and in succession via vacuum gripper modules of an end effector on a robotic arm, with the emblems disposed at a first location, applying a vacuum to the vacuum gripper modules to grip the emblems with the vacuum gripper modules, and moving the robotic arm from the first location to a second location adjacent a workpiece with the emblems gripped by the vacuum gripper modules.

The invention relates to an automated vacuum gripper, a feed unit and a method for conveying flat components (3). The vacuum gripper (1) comprises a support part (5), at least one support part element (7), a plurality of first suction elements (4), which are arranged at the at least one support part element (7) and define a first suction plane; at least one bearing assembly (28) and at least one actuating assembly (29), wherein the at least one support part element (7) is pivotably mounted at the support part (5) by means of the at least one actuating assembly (29) about the at least one bearing assembly (28). The plurality of second elements (4) is arranged at the support part (5) and defines a second suction plane (19). The at least one support part element (7) with its first suction plane defined by the plurality of first suction elements (4) is pivotable from a standby position that is at an angle relative to the second suction plane into a working position that is congruous with the second suction plane, and vice versa.

The present application relates to the field of handling apparatus technologies, in particular to an end pickup device, a manipulator and a robot. The end pickup device includes: a mounting seat, a pickup mechanism and a driving mechanism. The pickup mechanism is disposed on the mounting seat and includes at least two pickup apparatuses are movable relative to each other, and the pickup apparatus includes a pickup part for picking up articles. The driving mechanism is disposed on the mounting seat and is in driving connection with the pickup mechanism, and the driving mechanism drives the at least two pickup apparatuses to move relatively, so that the at least two pickup apparatuses pick up the articles in a switching way. Based on this, the replacement time of the pickup parts can be shortened and the working efficiency of the end pickup device can be improved.