A cleaning apparatus includes at least one detection device for detecting soiling on a vehicle to be cleaned and at least one cleaning device for cleaning the vehicle. A control device controls the at least one cleaning device in dependence on the detected soiling. The at least one cleaning device includes at least one multi-axis robot for positioning a cleaning element relative to the vehicle. The cleaning apparatus enables simple, fast and reliable automatic cleaning of the vehicle.

System and method for non-contact manipulation of objects via ultrasonic levitation are presented herein. In one embodiment, a method for a non-contact manipulation of an object includes: generating ultrasound field by an array of ultrasound transducers; lifting the object off a dispensing device by the ultrasound field; and levitating the object by the ultrasound field.

An unpacking device (4) for unpacking an additively manufactured three-dimensional object (2) from the unsolidified construction material (3) surrounding it after completion of an additive construction process, wherein the unpacking device (4) is formed as a robot (7) having at least three robot axes (A1-A6), especially an industrial robot, wherein at least one unpacking tool (10) is arranged or formed on a robot axis (A6), which is provided for unpacking an additively manufactured three-dimensional object (2) from the unsolidified construction material (3) surrounding it after completion of an additive construction process, or the unpacking device (4) comprises at least one such robot (7).

A robot including an arm, a tool attached to the arm, a measurement fixture to be attached to a tip portion of the tool detachably, and a controller that recognizes a reference coordinate system used to control the arm, and that controls the arm. The controller stores data indicating a positional relationship between a tip of the tool and the measurement fixture or data to be used to calculate the positional relationship, and the controller calculates positional coordinates of the tip of the tool in the reference coordinate system based on position data of the measurement fixture and the positional relationship, where the position data is detected by using acquired image data from a visual sensor whose position is associated with the reference coordinate system.

A multi-axis robot includes: a robot main body including a head and a movement mechanism that three-dimensionally moves the head; and a work tool attached to the head. The work tool includes: a first link pivotally supported on the head; a second link pivotally supported on a distal end of the first link; a first change mechanism that changes an angle of the first link to a central axis of the head; and a second change mechanism that changes an angle of the second link to the first link.

A calibration device for a robot including a linear motion shaft moves a slider along one straight line with respect to a base, and an end shaft supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis with respect to the slider includes: a first calibration fixture fixed to the end shaft; and a second calibration fixture fixed to the base. The first calibration fixture includes a first calibration surface formed of a plane containing the rotation axis or a flat surface parallel to the plane, and a second calibration surface that does not change even when the first calibration fixture alone rotates about the rotation axis. The second calibration fixture detects a position of the first calibration surface when the first calibration fixture is rotated about the rotation axis and a position of the second calibration surface when the first calibration fixture is moved along the straight line.

A robotic arm includes a tool located at an end of the robotic arm that delivers a material to a surface. A hose attachment manifold is mounted to the robotic arm. The hose attachment manifold includes an array of openings that extend through a manifold body of the hose attachment manifold. Fittings are mounted to the manifold body and within the openings. A plurality of upstream hoses are mounted to the fittings at a side of the manifold body. A plurality of downstream hoses are mounted to the fittings at an opposite side of the manifold body. The plurality of downstream hoses are fluidly connected to the tool for delivering a fluid material received from the plurality of upstream hoses.

A component installation system includes an engagement clamp having a circular shape coupled to a robotic arm, being configured to engage an annular component. The component installation system further includes an actuator coupled to the engagement clamp and operable to cause the engagement clamp to engage and disengage the annular component, and a heating element coupled to the engagement clamp and arranged to heat the annular component engaged within the engagement clamp. The component installation system further includes a controller in communication with the robotic arm, the actuator and the heating element.

A system for manufacturing boiler tubes includes a first spindle for receiving a first tube having a first weld preparation, a second spindle for receiving a second tube having a second weld preparation, the first spindle and the second spindle being rotatable synchronously, and a welding device having a first weld head. The welding device is configured to automatically weld the first tube to the second tube according to a control routine stored in memory to produce a boiler tube.

Systems, devices, apparatus and methods for cleaning contaminated tanks without introducing large amounts of free water or liquefier into the tanks. A gathering arm assembly and a bucket assembly is used to remove and break up waste debris from a contaminated tank.