The invention relates to a device, system and method of automated manufacture comprising: delivering a workpiece with a delivery device; receiving the workpiece with a receiving device, the delivering of the workpiece and the receiving of the workpiece being electronically synchronized; processing the workpiece with a processing tool while the workpiece is on the receiving device; transferring the workpiece to a completion device, the ejection of the workpiece and the transferring of the workpiece being electronically synchronized. In particular the workpiece may comprise: a platform with mounts supporting a first component in a selected orientation; and a locating surface, the method comprising: engaging and disengaging the locating surface of the workpiece with releasable connectors on the delivery device, on the receiving device and on the completion device.
G05B 19/19 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by positioning or contouring control systems, e.g. to control position from one programmed point to another or to control movement along a programmed continuous path
B23Q 41/02 - Features relating to transfer of work between machines
An automated device for producing a closed part, commencing with an open part having a cap joined with a hinge to a body, the device comprising: a tool having a guide surface defined in an operating plane substantially orthogonal to a hinge axis; a part gripper disposed on a computer numerically controlled shuttle, the part gripper operable to: select an open part from a stream of identical open parts; engage one of: the cap; and the body, on a start point on the guide surface; slide the open part, within the operating plane from the start point to a finish point on the guide surface, to rotate the cap about the hinge axis from an open position to a closed position relative to the body; and release the closed part from the part gripper at a release station.
The invention relates to an automated method of assembling or processing components using computer numerical controlled drives to decouple the stages of delivering components to a tool, into a series of separately programmable stages, namely, a component loading stage, a component separating stage, an accelerating stage and a delivery stage, wherein the timing, position, speed, velocity, and acceleration of each component during each stage is selected through programming of the computer numerical controls.
G05B 19/18 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form
B23Q 3/155 - Arrangements for automatic insertion or removal of tools
4.
CUTTING ARRANGEMENT, AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS
An apparatus and associated system and method are provided for producing stem segments of a plant material. A cutter includes a cutter arm configured to be rotatably driven at a first end thereof such that the cutter arm is capable of rotating about a rotational axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a plant material positioned for cutting the stem at about a seating area. A cutting arrangement is engaged with the cutter arm and includes at least two spaced-apart cutting blades extending from a second end of the cutter arm and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis thereof. The cutting blades are configured to interact with the plant material so as to sever the plant material into stem segments. The apparatus and associated system and method for producing stem segments includes a control system in electronic communication with the transport system and cutting assembly.
B26D 1/28 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about an axis substantially perpendicular to the line of cut and rotating continuously in one direction during cutting
A01G 3/00 - Cutting implements specially adapted for horticultural purposesDelimbing standing trees
B26D 3/24 - Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut madeApparatus therefor to obtain segments other than slices, e.g. cutting pies
B26D 5/20 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed
5.
CUTTING ARRANGEMENT, AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS
An apparatus and associated system and method are provided for producing stem segments of a plant material. A cutter includes a cutter arm configured to be rotatably driven at a first end thereof such that the cutter arm is capable of rotating about a rotational axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a plant material positioned for cutting. A cutting arrangement is engaged with the cutter arm and includes at least two spaced-apart cutting blades extending from a second end of the cutter arm and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis thereof. The cutting arrangement includes a bridge engaged with the cutting blades and extending perpendicularly therebetween. The cutting blades are configured to interact with the plant material so as to sever the plant material into stem segments. The apparatus and associated system and method for producing stem segments includes a control system in electronic communication with the transport system and cutting assembly.
A01F 29/09 - Cutting apparatus specially adapted for cutting hay, straw or the like Details
B26D 1/26 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about an axis substantially perpendicular to the line of cut
B26D 5/20 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed
B26D 7/32 - Means for performing other operations combined with cutting for conveying or stacking cut product
6.
CUTTING ARRANGEMENT, AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS
An apparatus, associated system and method are provided for producing stem segments of a plant material. A cutter includes a cutter arm configured to be rotatably driven at a first end thereof such that the cutter arm is capable of rotating about a rotational axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a plant material positioned for cutting. A cutting arrangement is engaged with the cutter arm and includes at least two spaced-apart cutting blades extending from a second end of the cutter arm and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis thereof. The cutting blades are configured to interact with the plant material so as to sever the plant material into stem segments.
A01F 29/09 - Cutting apparatus specially adapted for cutting hay, straw or the like Details
B26D 1/26 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about an axis substantially perpendicular to the line of cut
B26D 5/20 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed
B26D 7/32 - Means for performing other operations combined with cutting for conveying or stacking cut product
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