Described herein are flexible truss systems and methods of transferring flexible composite parts using these systems. A flexible truss system comprises a flexible truss mechanism and composite pick-and-place mechanisms supported on the flexible truss mechanism and designed to attach to various composite parts. The flexible truss mechanism comprises flexible elongated members and slidable ribs coupled to each flexible elongated member. Specifically, each rib is slidably coupled to at least one flexible elongated member. In some examples, each rib is also fixedly coupled to another flexible elongated member. The slidable coupling allows the flexible truss mechanism to bend and follow the shape of a supported part, such that the composite pick-and-place mechanisms are able to contact and support different areas of the composite part. As such, the same flexible truss mechanism is able to support flexible composite parts having different shapes.

Tooling (100) for picking up two-dimensional workpieces comprises a main body (110) and a plurality of holding elements (131, 132) arranged on the main body (110), wherein the holding elements (131, 132) are movable relative to the main body (110) independently of one another. Each of the holding elements (131, 132) is fastened in an end region of an arm (121.1 . . . 10, 122.1 . . . 10). The arms (121, 122) are movable passively relative to the main body (110) along a linear movement path in a longitudinal extension of each particular arm (121, 122). The tooling (100) comprises, for each of the arms (121, 122) a fixing apparatus, by means of which a position of each particular arm (121, 122) along the movement path is fixable. On account of its passive character, the tooling (100) according to the invention is lightweight and can be produced cost-effectively. Compared with fixedly configured tooling, reduced costs arise on account of the configurability, because different types of tooling do not have to be kept available and provided. The storage area for replacement tooling is saved, and also an automatic tooling changing station or a manual tooling change become superfluous. As a result of the geometry according to the invention, the tooling (100) can be set easily, no complex movements and accordingly no complicated setting devices (for example multiaxial robots) are necessary.

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of suction equipment, in particular to an integrated vacuum suction pad comprising an adsorption part and a vacuum device; the vacuum device is fixedly arranged on one side of the adsorption part, and comprises a vacuum pump, a control valve and a relay; the vacuum pump is used for pumping out air between the adsorption part and an object to be adsorbed, and the control valve is used for controlling the adsorption part to be communicated with atmosphere or the vacuum pump; and the relay is used for powering on the vacuum pump and the control valve. According to the present disclosure, the pads are integrated with the devices, such as the vacuum pump, and each pad is capable of doing adsorption and release actions independently.

The invention relates to a vacuum adhesion system, comprising at least one suction cup having a suction surface for attaching to a surface at least one system module, comprising at least one vacuum pump connecting to the suction cup for applying a vacuum to the suction surface for providing suction adhesion at least one indicator or sensor for indicating or measuring a pressure differential in the suction cup at least one interface for communicating the measured pressure differential or a value based thereon and a processor for controlling the vacuum adhesion system.

Gripping equipment for lifting apparatuses of the type comprising: a rigid support framework which is adapted to be fixed/attached to the lifting apparatus; and one or more manually controlled gripping members that are firmly fixed to said rigid support framework, and are adapted to grasp and hold a specific object to be moved; said rigid support framework comprising at least one rectilinear tubular element with polygonal cross-section, which is made of metal and has a sectional modular structure.

An apparatus for installing and removing glass panels and methods of using the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a base portion, a back support structure secured to the base portion, and a glass adjustment system moveably coupled to the back support structure. Methods for using the apparatus to install and remove glass panels from, for example, ice rink boards, are also disclosed.

Solar panels are prepared for installation on an array frame by initially tipping packages of palletized, bundled, vertically-oriented panels in a preparation area to form a vertical stack of horizontally oriented panel separated from the pallet and packaging material for placement on the upper supporting surface of the transport deck. The transport deck is displaced longitudinally alongside a rack of the array frame, together with a lifting machine having a lifting head on a lifting arm for transferring solar panels from a longitudinal row of stacked solar panels on the transport deck to the array frame. The lifting head may be adapted to support one panel from each of the stacks on the transport deck for simultaneous transfer from the transport deck to the array frame.

Described herein are flexible truss systems and methods of transferring flexible composite parts using these systems. A flexible truss system comprises a flexible truss mechanism and composite pick-and-place mechanisms supported on the flexible truss mechanism and designed to attach to various composite parts. The flexible truss mechanism comprises flexible elongated members and slidable ribs coupled to each flexible elongated member. Specifically, each rib is slidably coupled to at least one flexible elongated member. In some examples, each rib is also fixedly coupled to another flexible elongated member. The slidable coupling allows the flexible truss mechanism to bend and follow the shape of a supported part, such that the composite pick-and-place mechanisms are able to contact and support different areas of the composite part. As such, the same flexible truss mechanism is able to support flexible composite parts having different shapes.

Solar panels are prepared for installation on an array frame by initially tipping packages of palletized, bundled, vertically-oriented panels in a preparation area to form a vertical stack of horizontally oriented panel separated from the pallet and packaging material for placement on the upper supporting surface of the transport deck. The transport deck is displaced longitudinally alongside a rack of the array frame, together with a lifting machine having a lifting head on a lifting arm for transferring solar panels from a longitudinal row of stacked solar panels on the transport deck to the array frame. The lifting head may be adapted to support one panel from each of the stacks on the transport deck for simultaneous transfer from the transport deck to the array frame.

A method of lifting an object, includes the steps of using a flexible sound producing speaker cone mechanism and generating and directing an acoustic sound. The sound thus generated has a predetermined frequency, imparted on the object, at various object locations. The acoustic sound communicates through first and second coils associated with the sound producing mechanism, such as a conical rubber member associated with the coils. The first coil harnesses electrical current and the second coil harnesses frequency, producing a force causing the rubber sound producing speaker cone mechanism to expand its surface area and push air outward. The pushed air provides a force for imparting movement of an object in the vicinity of the flexible sound producing speaker cone mechanism. Lifting by air is augmented by magnetic fields generated.