Apparatuses for holding a tool used for performing a task and methods for performing a task are provided. In one example, the apparatus includes a movable base that is configured to move along a floor surface. A multi-axis arm is coupled to the movable base and is configured to pivotally move in multiple directions. A holding member is coupled to the multi-axis arm and is configured to hold the tool in a position and while moving the tool by moving the movable base and/or pivotally moving the multi-axis arm.

A transfer device for self-propelling workpiece trolleys of a transport system allows ends of one or more route sections to be continuously or intermittently connected. The ends of the route sections are either connected via transfer sections that are rigid and bent at least in sections, or a transfer section—which can be moved along a straight or curved track curve and supporting one or more workpiece trolleys—can be temporarily arranged before the ends of the route sections, which transfer section can be moved back and forth between the ends via a driveable gear unit. At least one transfer device for a transport and/or processing system is developed, with which the workpiece trolleys are transferred from one route section to another.

A working unit includes a tool rotation mechanism, a first turning mechanism turning the tool rotation mechanism about a first axis, and a second turning mechanism turning the tool rotation mechanism and the first turning mechanism about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first turning mechanism includes a motor having a stator connected to the second turning mechanism and a hollow shaft-shaped rotor arranged inside the stator in such a manner that the rotor is capable of rotating about the first axis, and a second rotating body including one arm portion coupled to one end portion of the rotor, the other arm portion coupled to the other end portion of the rotor, and an arm coupling portion that couples the arm portions to each other. The tool rotation mechanism is provided on the second rotating body.

The present invention discloses an overhead machining device based on a portable 5-DOF full parallel module. The overhead machining device based on a portable 5-DOF full parallel module comprises: a sliding table for moving a parallel module to increase the stroke of the machine tool such that the machine tool can machine large components and can also simultaneously conduct the mounting and the machining of workpieces at different stations; a CNC rotary table; and a portable 5-DOF full parallel module. The portable parallel module has a large swing angle range, can conduct the conversion between vertical and horizontal machining modes and can achieve five-face machining in one setup in cooperation with the CNC rotary table. The parallel module can move flexibly, and can machine large and complex components after mounted on the sliding table.

A symmetrical tri-axial parallel spindle head capable of multi-directional fixed-point rotation, comprising three branch chains (2), a moving base (5), and a fixed base (1). A machining spindle (6) is fixedly connected onto the moving base (5). Each of the branch chains (2) comprises a servo motor (22), a branch chain rod (21), a lead screw (23), and a guide nut (25). The lead screw (23) and a linear guide rail (24) are provided in an inner cavity on one end of the branch chain rod (21). One end of the lead screw (23) is connected to the servo motor (22), the lead screw (23) passes through the guide nut (25), and the other end of the lead screw (22) is connected to the branch chain rod (21) by means a rotating pair. The guide nut (25) is mounted on the linear guide rail (24) and is rotatably connected to the fixed base (1) through a first support disc (26). The other end of the branch chain rod (21) is rotatably connected to the moving base (5) through a second support disc (28). The symmetrical three-axial parallel spindle head not only can enable the tool to achieve multi-directional fixed-point rotation around any point within a certain range of the internal space of the moving and fixed platforms merely by the parallel spindle head structure itself, but also can achieve multi-directional fixed-point rotation around the tool tip point; and the spindle head structure is symmetrical, and the motion characteristic is also symmetrical.

A decoupling control method for linkage turntable in the technical field of associative motion control mechanisms. Steps of the technical solution are as follows: measure a length L of a hypotenuse of a triangular structure; convert A-axis coordinates input to the system into Z0-axis coordinates according to Z0=L*cos α and input them on Z0-axis; and in the case of a speed control method, convert the A-axis coordinates into a periodic displacement of Z0 according to ΔZ0=L*(cos α.sub.1−cos α.sub.2), and input the displacement to Z0-axis. The beneficial effect is that the horizontal displacement generated by the movement of the Z0-axis is directly integrated into the closed loop of the X-axis by means of measurement combination and the displacement directly calculated by grating scale has high precision and no delay, and it is possible to achieve a more effective control level on this mechanical structure. In addition, the optimized control algorithm makes the X-axis have the motion characteristics of RTCP in the process of A-axis rotation, thereby reducing the requirements for the dynamic performance of the X-axis motor.

A non-Cartesian coordinate positioning machine is provided that comprises an extendable leg assembly for positioning a component such as a measurement probe within a working volume of the machine, and a constraint member associated with the extendable leg assembly for providing a predetermined part of the extendable leg assembly with substantially a same orientation relative to gravity for a same position of the component within the working volume. In a preferred embodiment, the orientation relative to gravity is maintained substantially constant, so that a plane defined by the predetermined part is substantially aligned with gravity, as the component is moved around the working volume.

A non-Cartesian coordinate positioning machine that includes an extendable leg assembly for positioning a component such as a measurement probe within a working volume of the machine. The extendable leg assembly includes a first member and a second member which move relative to one another when the extendable leg assembly changes length. The first member including an axial arrangement of magnets forming part of a linear motor for extending and retracting the extendable leg assembly, and at least one resilient member for absorbing at least some of any axial thermal expansion or contraction of the magnets in use.

A manipulator system having a positioner having a primary rail, a first coupling linkage, and a second coupling linkage. The first coupling linkage couples the primary rail to a base and positions the primary rail along a first plane. The system has another positioner having a secondary rail, a third coupling linkage, and a fourth coupling linkage. The third coupling linkage couples the secondary rail to the base and positions the secondary rail along a second plane which is parallel to the first plane. A common link couples to the primary and secondary rails via linkages. Each of the second and fourth coupling linkages includes a joint for linear motion along the respective rail, and a revolute joint for relative pivoting between the respective rail and the common link. A position and orientation of the common link are adjustable by the joints and revolute joints.

A workpiece accumulator system for a stamping machine includes linear actuators, nesting blocks, exit rails, and a first controller. The nesting blocks are disposed on moveable members of the linear actuators and arranged to vertically stack workpieces being fabricated by the stamping machine. The first controller communicates with a second controller that controls the stamping machine. The first controller controls the linear positions of the linear actuators to retract the nesting blocks from an initial position to accommodate placement of the one of the plurality of workpieces in a stack on the nesting blocks. The linear actuators are controlled to retract the nesting blocks to fully retracted positions to place the plurality of workpieces in the stack onto the exit rails when a quantity of the plurality of workpieces in the stack is equal to a desired quantity.