A robot arm comprising a plurality of limbs articulated relative to each other, the robot arm extending from a base to a distal limb carrying a tool or an attachment point for a tool, the distal limb being attached by a revolute joint to a second limb, and the robot arm comprising a motor having a body and a drive shaft configured to drive rotation of the distal limb relative to the second limb about the revolute joint, wherein the body of the motor is fast with the distal limb.

An element changer includes a plurality of operation pin members (4) inserted in a housing (3). Each of the operation pin members (4) has a wedge surface (12c). When the operation pin members (4) are pushed into the housing (3), each wedge surface (12c) is disengaged from an engaging portion (10a) provided at a leading end portion of a tubular wall portion (10) of a tool plate (2) or of a connection plate (1). This allows a tool (5) functioning as a second element to be detached from a robot arm (8) functioning as a first element.

An end effector is removably connected to a robot arm under sterile conditions with an arm mount module configured to be permanently connected to the robot arm, and an arm drape module configured to be removably connected to the arm mount module by a first locking mechanism. A third module, which is a passive end effector, may be configured to be removably connected to the arm drape module by a second locking mechanism. In some embodiments, a sterile hand drape module is configured to be removably connected to the arm drape module by the second locking mechanism; and a hand mount module is configured to be removably connected to the hand drape module by a third locking mechanism, and to be permanently connected to the end effector or the hand mount module is the end effector itself.
The systems for connecting an end effector to a robot arm provide a signal or energy transmission pathway between the robot arm and the end effector. The transmitted energy can be electrical or mechanical.

An end effector is removably connected to a robot arm under sterile conditions with an arm mount module configured to be permanently connected to the robot arm, and an arm drape module configured to be removably connected to the arm mount module by a first locking mechanism. A third module, which is a passive end effector, may be configured to be removably connected to the arm drape module by a second locking mechanism. In some embodiments, a sterile hand drape module is configured to be removably connected to the arm drape module by the second locking mechanism; and a hand mount module is configured to be removably connected to the hand drape module by a third locking mechanism, and to be permanently connected to the end effector or the hand mount module is the end effector itself.
The systems for connecting an end effector to a robot arm provide a signal or energy transmission pathway between the robot arm and the end effector. The transmitted energy can be electrical or mechanical.

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.

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.

A device for gripping an object includes a base element and at least two gripping arms held on the base element. The at least two gripping arms are movable relative to one another and the base element into a configuration suitable for gripping and picking up the object. Preferably at least three gripping arms are provided, with each arm being able to move independently of one another relative to the base element, and a sensor such as a camera provides signals to electronics which can determine the position of the at least three gripping arms and control movement of the gripping arms into position to grip and pick up the object. A method for gripping and picking up an object using the gripping device is also provided.

In an embodiment, a method includes determining a given material to manipulate to achieve a goal state. The goal state can be one or more deformable or granular materials in a particular arrangement. The method further includes, for the given material, determining, a respective outcome for each of a plurality of candidate actions to manipulate the given material. The determining can be performed with a physics-based model, in one embodiment. The method further can include determining a given action of the candidate actions, where the outcome of the given action reaching the goal state is within at least one tolerance. The method further includes, based on a selected action of the given actions, generating a first motion plan for the selected action.

A first robot for handling at least one first workpiece in a first processing operation of the apparatus, a second robot cooperating with the first robot for processing the at least one first workpiece in the first processing operation, and at least one first workpiece holder for holding the at least one first workpiece during the first processing operation. In order to improve robot-assisted processing of workpieces which differ from one another, the first robot handles at least one second workpiece and the second robot processes the at least one second workpiece in a second processing operation of the apparatus. The first robot or the second robot in order, in a changeover operation of the apparatus, to replace the at least one first workpiece holder automatically by at least one second workpiece holder for holding the at least one second workpiece during the second processing operation.

A first robot for handling at least one first workpiece in a first processing operation of the apparatus, a second robot cooperating with the first robot for processing the at least one first workpiece in the first processing operation, and at least one first workpiece holder for holding the at least one first workpiece during the first processing operation. In order to improve robot-assisted processing of workpieces which differ from one another, the first robot handles at least one second workpiece and the second robot processes the at least one second workpiece in a second processing operation of the apparatus. The first robot or the second robot in order, in a changeover operation of the apparatus, to replace the at least one first workpiece holder automatically by at least one second workpiece holder for holding the at least one second workpiece during the second processing operation.