61 results about "Workcell" patented technology

A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an associated instrument in a workcell, as well as to transfer selected racks of specimen-containers to an adjacent and identical specimen-transport module associated with another clinical instrument of the workcell. Since the same transport system is used to both present specimens for aspiration and to transfer specimens between instruments, there is no need for two independent conveyances as is characteristic of the prior art. Preferably, the specimen-transport module includes a magnetic X/Y transport system that operates beneath a rack-supporting surface to advance racks in mutually perpendicular directions across a supporting surface via magnetic forces.

A semi-automatic welding work cell, including a welding job sequencer that automatically selects a welding schedule for use by an operator in the semi-automatic welding work cell. The automatic selection may be by way of elapsed time, a detection of welding operations, a detection of the amount of welding wire supplied for the welding operation, or a detection of the amount of energy supplied for the welding operation.

A method for automatically providing for classification of samples at the input station of a clinical laboratory workcell and allowing only those samples that have centrifuging requirements which are satisfied by currently established centrifuge operating protocols to be processed by a centrifuge and by an analyzer associated with said workcell.

A robotic laboratory automation workcell preferably includes instruments and equipment that are integrated by using conveyor or track elements and a robotic arm. The automation workcell is controlled by a centralized or main controller or processor using specialized control software to automate the proteomics research process. The automated workcell is capable of performing genetic laboratory experiments from start to finish by moving samples or microplates between the instruments for analysis. A goal of the automated workcell is to perform repetitive procedures in an effort to build and maximize the efficiency of a gene(s) of a targeted organism.

An improved method to model and program a robotic workcell. Two-dimensional (2D) images of a physical workcell are captured to facilitate, in part, initial integration of any preexisting three-dimensional (3D) component models into a 3D model workcell. 3D models of other essential workcell components are synthesized and integrated into the 3D workcell model. The robot is then configured and programmed. The resultant 3D workcell model more faithfully reflects the “as-built” workcell than a traditional model that represents the “as-designed” workcell.

A robotic laboratory automation system includes a vision feedback apparatus with one or more teaching plates adapted for placement in a microplate or other specimen holder of a laboratory instrument or stack to represent the location of the microplate. The vision feedback system is adapted to control the robotic manipulator to automatically adjust the location of the manipulator to a position adjacent to a teaching plate upon locating a pattern on the teaching plate and then store the coordinates of the determined position. With the stored position coordinates the robot can return to the determined positions previously represented by the location of teaching plates to locate an actual microplate or specimen holder at the determined position without the vision feedback system.

A method and an apparatus for displaying three-dimensional workcell data includes a hand-held pendant that is provided with 3-D workcell data representing a model of a machine and associated components in a workcell. The hand-held pendant has a display that generates a 3-D visual representation of the workcell data. The pendant can be operated by a user to manipulate the visual representation to change a user viewpoint and to show motion of the machine with associated process information.

In an automated system which includes a robot manipulator, a workcell, and a control system implemented on a hardware platform based on a programmable logic controller (“PLC”), a method and apparatus for performing integrated simulation that does not require the presence of both the robot manipulator and the workcell. If one component is real, the other component is simulated so as to be sufficiently responsive to responses from the real component such that the real component is unable to discern that the other component is not also real. A computing device simultaneously displays simulacra of both the components, real and simulated, and visualizations of the responses provided by each.

A method is provided of embedding tooling control data within a mechanical fixture design to enable programmable logic control verification simulation. The method includes the steps of constructing at least one of a mechanical fixture design, a workcell design, and a controls design. The method also includes the steps of executing a virtual programmable logic control (VPLC) simulation with a VPLC verification simulator to verify the at least one of the mechanical fixture design, the workcell design, and the controls design.

A method for operating an automated sample workcell (102, 410, 301) for processing one or more biological samples (125-130), the method comprising: - receiving (201) the one or more biological samples, each sample being contained in a sample tube, each sample tube being of a tube type (122-124),- in case a test order (104) was received for at least one of said biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, operating (204) the workcell for automatically executing the one or more first processing steps, and - in case said test order was not received, determining (205) one or more second processing steps in dependence on the tube type of the sample tube that contains said at least one biological sample, and executing (206) said one or more second processing steps.

A portable working machine includes a gaseous-fueled engine, a working unit driven by the engine, a control unit for controlling the engine and the working unit, and an acceleration sensor capable of detecting accelerations in two mutually perpendicular horizontal directions relative to a vertical line, which is induced in the portable working machine. The control unit is configured to determine a tip angle of the portable working machine based on the horizontal accelerations detected by the acceleration sensor and issue a stop instruction to the engine when it determines that the tip angle exceeds a preset reference angle.

Solutions for multi-robot configurations are co-optimized, to at least some degree, across a set of non-homogenous parameters based on a given set of tasks to be performed by robots in a multi-robot operational environment. Non-homogenous parameters may include two or more of: the respective base position and orientation of the robots, an allocation of tasks to respective robots, respective target sequences and/or trajectories for the robots. Such may be executed pre-runtime. Output may include for each robot: workcell layout, an ordered list or vector of targets, optionally dwell time durations at respective targets, and paths or trajectories between each pair of consecutive targets. Output may provide a complete, executable, solution to the problem, which in the absence of variability in timing, can be used to control the robots without any modification. A genetic algorithm, e.g., Differential Evolution, may optionally be used in generating a population of candidate solutions.

The invention relates to the technical field of power distribution devices. The invention relates to a power distribution device, in particular to a refined power distribution device for intelligent manufacturing equipment. The device comprises a square plate-shaped outer plate, a plate-shaped cavity and an air pipe cavity are formed in the outer plate; the plate-shaped cavity is located in the middle of the outer plate. An air pipe cavity is formed in one side of the plate-shaped cavity; a one-way valve is arranged at each of the two end parts of the air pipe cavity; an electric conductor anda spring part are arranged in the plate-shaped cavity; two symmetrically distributed spring parts are arranged on one side of the electric conductor; a control device is arranged between the conductor and the one-way valve at one end of the air pipe cavity; by means of the structural design, sensitive induction control work of a circuit is achieved, stable power supply between manufacturing equipment is ensured, the independent working unit is adopted, convenience can be brought to installation at the designated position according to actual use requirements, and the function is stable and powerful.

Preferred embodiments include receiving input defining dimensions for a workcell and a size and location for one or more objects within the workcell, receiving input defining a walking velocity for an operator within the workcell and one or more tasks to be completed during a workcell cycle, receiving input defining one or more times and locations to complete the one or more tasks within the workcell, calculating a total walking time to complete the one or more tasks during the workcell cycle based upon the size and location of the object(s), the time(s) and location(s) to complete the task(s) and the operator walking velocity, and outputting the total walking time for the workcell cycle and a graphical representation of the workcell including the object(s) and an operator walking path between points within the workcell at which the one or more tasks are completed.

In an automated system and method uses a multi-axis robot arm and computer vision system to perform critical demil processes using a plurality of networked workcells monitored and managed by a central processor. An inspection and paint removal cell strips paint or other coatings from the outer surface of the ordnance for disposal of the paint or other coatings. A defusing cell is operative to remove a fuse from the ordinance for disposal of the fuse, and a cutting and definning cell operative to remove fins from the body of the ordnance, and cut into the body of the ordnance to determine if submunitions are present in the ordnance. A multi-axis robot arm and computer vision system removes submunitions from the ordnance, if present, inspecting the submunitions, and transferring the submunitions to the cutting and definning cell for subsequent processing.

The invention discloses a cold finishing production line for gears of multiple specifications. The cold finishing production line comprises a rotary table, a first cold finishing unit, a second cold finishing unit and a third cold finishing unit, wherein the rotary table is a circular rotary table, the first cold finishing unit, the second cold finishing unit and the third cold finishing unit workindependently from one another, the first cold finishing unit, the second cold finishing unit and the third cold finishing unit each comprise a gear shape detection assembly, a gear feeding assemblyand a gear cold finishing assembly, one ends of the gear shape detection assemblies are connected with the rotary table, the gear feeding assemblies are connected with the outer circumference of the rotary table, and the gear feeding assemblies can transfer the gears to the gear cold finishing assemblies. According to the cold finishing production line, screening and cold finishing of the gears ofvarious specifications and sizes can be performed, the first cold finishing unit, the second cold finishing unit and the third cold finishing unit which work independently are arranged, so that the working efficiency is improved, and each working unit can perform gear shape detection, gear transferring and gear cold finishing.