Various embodiments relate to magnetically moveable displacement devices or robotic devices. Particular embodiments provide systems and corresponding methods for magnetically moving multiple movable robots relative to one or more working surfaces of respective one or more work bodies, and for moving robots between the one or more work bodies via transfer devices. Robots can carry one or more objects among different locations, manipulate carried objects, and/or interact with their surroundings for particular functionality including but not limited to assembly, packaging, inspection, 3D printing, test, laboratory automation, etc. A mechanical link may be mounted on planar motion units such as said robots.

A transfer device having a plurality of pick-up heads loads products into receptacles. The products are provided in a random arrangement in a pick-up area, and the position of each product is detected. To pick up the products, the transfer device is moved over the pick-up area and each pick-up head picks up an individual product at a pick-up time and in a pick-up position. The pick-up position and the pick-up time for the products are determined on the basis of the previously detected positions of the products. The placement of the products in a placement area may also occurs while the transfer device is moving relative to the receptacles.

An electromechanical microsystem including an electromechanical transducer, a deformable diaphragm, a first cavity hermetically containing a deformable medium keeping a substantially constant volume under the action of an external pressure change and a second cavity. The deformable diaphragm forms a wall of the cavity and has at least one area freely deformable elastically. The free area also forms a wall of the second cavity. The electromechanical transducer is configured so that its movement depends on the external pressure change, and vice versa. A change in the external pressure in the first cavity induces a variation of the volume of the second cavity, or vice versa. Thus, the proposed electromechanical microsystem enables gripping of an object obstructing the opening of the second cavity and forms a microbarometer capable of converting at least one ambient pressure change into an electrical signal.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes a housing including a first opening and a second opening. The first opening forms a suction connection with a transportable component. The apparatus includes a valve connected with the second opening a channel defined within the housing. The channel extends between the first opening and the second opening. The apparatus includes a vacuum maintaining mechanism disposed within the channel, and the vacuum maintaining mechanism holds a partial vacuum within the channel.

Some robotic arms may include vacuum-based grippers. Detecting the seal quality between each vacuum assembly of the gripper and a grasped object may enable reactivation of some vacuum assemblies, thereby improving the grasp. One embodiment of a method may include activating each of a plurality of vacuum assemblies of a robotic gripper by supplying a vacuum to each vacuum assembly, determining, for each of the activated vacuum assemblies, a first respective seal quality of the vacuum assembly with a first grasped object, deactivating one or more of the activated vacuum assemblies based, at least in part, on the first respective seal qualities, and reactivating each of the deactivated vacuum assemblies within a reactivation interval.

Various embodiments relate to magnetically moveable displacement devices or robotic devices. Particular embodiments provide systems and corresponding methods for magnetically moving multiple movable robots relative to one or more working surfaces of respective one or more work bodies, and for moving robots between the one or more work bodies via transfer devices. Robots can carry one or more objects among different locations, manipulate carried objects, and/or interact with their surroundings for particular functionality including but not limited to assembly, packaging, inspection, 3D printing, test, laboratory automation, etc. A mechanical link may be mounted on planar motion units such as said robots.

A system including a programmable motion device and an end effector for grasping objects to be moved by the programmable motion device is disclosed. The system includes a vacuum source that provides a high flow vacuum such that an object may be grasped at an end effector opening while permitting a substantial flow of air through the opening, and a dead-head limitation system for limiting any effects of dead-heading on the vacuum source in the event that a flow of air to the vacuum source is interrupted.

There is provided an automated removal apparatus for selectively removing one or more trimmed portions of a laminated ply in a ply-by-ply fabrication process. The automated removal apparatus includes a rotatable reel having a plurality of retractable vacuum panels attached around the rotatable reel. Each retractable vacuum panel has one or more retractable vacuum pad assemblies, and each retractable vacuum pad assembly has a vacuum pad with a vacuum port and a self-sealing valve. The automated removal apparatus further includes actuator assemblies attached to the plurality of retractable vacuum panels, friction reducing elements attached around the rotatable reel, a drive assembly attached to the rotatable reel, and a pneumatic system attached to the rotatable reel and including a valve manifold operable to control an air flow to the actuator assemblies and to one or more vacuum generators to generate a vacuum flow.

Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology, either as a sole modality of handling such materials or in concert with vacuum for the pick up and release of materials, respectively.

A vacuum suction pen which can always be held squarely above a work being done notwithstanding the orientation of a component to be fitted to the work includes a penholder, a pen head, a connecting mechanism, and a suction cup. The suction cup is at an end of the pen head away from the penholder and made of rubber for soft handling. The connecting mechanism is coupled to the penholder and the pen head, and comprises a connecting member, the connecting member comprises a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion is disposed in the penholder, the second connecting portion is coupled to the pen head, and the pen head can be rotationally disposed on the penholder. A method for using the vacuum suction pen is also provided.