A handwheel assembly includes a housing. A shaft having a central axis is rotatably supported by the housing. A locking device is rigidly attached to the housing. A rotary gear is circumferentially disposed over the shaft. A handwheel is circumferentially disposed over the shaft. The rotary gear and handwheel are operable to slide along the shaft from a first locked position to a second unlocked position. In the first locked position, the rotary gear is engaged with the locking device to rotationally lock the shaft. In the second unlocked position, the rotary gear is disengaged from the locking device to allow the shaft to rotate.
G05G 5/12 - Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member for holding members in an indefinite number of positions, e.g. by a toothed quadrant
The system and apparatus for processing stackable articles transported in a set number of columns and rows on a conveyor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver positioned to receive the articles discharged from the conveyor to form stacks of articles in the set number of columns. The stacks have a set number of articles per stack. A transfer device is positioned with respect to the receiver to transfer the stacks of articles while being able to continue to transport additional rows of stackable articles on the conveyor to form multiple columns and rows of stacks of articles within the transfer device. A container support is located proximate the transport device to enable the transport device to discharge the multiple rows and stacks of articles into a container positioned on the container support. The receiver includes a staging area positioned to allow the stacks of articles received from a first position to be inserted into the transfer device from the staging area. The staging area is in alignment with the transfer device when the stacks of articles are transferred into the transfer device.
A robotic arm-end gripping device (10) having a belt-driven drive train (22) is provided. The gripping device (10) includes a set of opposing gripping arms (16, 18), a variable speed motor (20), a motor controller (24) adapted to control the operation of the variable speed motor, a drive train (22) driven by the variable speed motor, the drive train comprising a drive belt (50), a plurality of sheaves (60, 62, 64, 66), and a plurality of belt clamps (54, 56) mounted to the drive belt and operatively connected to the opposing gripping arms, and a robot arm-end interface (36). The gripping device (10) may include a fail-safe method and apparatus (21) for prevent the dropping of the gripped article. The belt drive and associated controls provide smooth and rapid operation. The gripping device may be adapted to any arm-end tooling.
Automated gripping devices (20, 30) and methods for using the gripping devices for handling a work piece in a machining process, for example, an electrical discharge machining (EDM) process, are provided. The gripping devices (20, 30) include at least one movable plate (44, 144) have a jaw (46, 146) that cooperates with a stationary jaw (48, 148) to hold a work piece. The movable plate (44, 144) is guided and supported by rods (42, 142) that pass through bearings in the movable plate and provide stiffness and positioning accuracy to the movable plate. The movable plate (44, 144) may be translated by a lead screw (50, 150) driven by a drive train, for example, a motor-driven belt drive train. The gripping devices (20,30) may be used to manipulate and position a work piece in any machining process, but are uniquely capable of enhancing the handling of work pieces in the EDM machining process. Methods for handling work pieces are also disclosed.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Laboratory automation and robotic accessories, namely, tool changers, docking modules for repeated automatic connection and disconnection of utilities, collision sensors, grippers and rotary actuators for automated manipulation of objects Manufacture of laboratory automation and robotic accessories to the order or specification of others Design, and engineering of laboratory automation and robotic accessories for others; development of tooling solutions for industrial and laboratory applications
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Laboratory automation and robotic accessories, namely, tool changers, docking modules for repeated automatic connection and disconnection of utilities, collision sensors, grippers and rotary actuators for automated manipulation of objects Manufacture of laboratory automation and robotic accessories to the order and specification of others Design and engineering of laboratory automation and robotic accessories to the order and specification of others
