Unique robotic hand
February 2010
Motion Control & Drives
Frost & Sullivan technical insights
Robotic manipulation refers to a variety of processes such as moving an object, grasping, dropping, carrying, and many others. Essentially, manipulation helps in performing repetitive tasks with less complexity. At present, the technology is moving towards designing advanced manipulators with improved performance and simulated thought process to function in unstructured environments.
Recently, a team of researchers at the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) at the College of Engineering in Virginia Tech have been successful in developing a robotic hand capable of performing intelligent manipulation of a variety of objects, based on its textural qualities. The robotic hand named, RAPHaEL (robotic air powered hand with elastic ligaments) is powered using a compressed air tank in combination with an accordion type of tube actuator. Coordination of finger movements is controlled using microcontroller commands.
The uniqueness of the robotic hand is its air-powered design, which obviates the need for using motors or actuators. Each of the joints within the hand is controlled using a single corrugated tube actuator, which makes RAPHaEL extremely light-weight compared to other robotic hands in existence.
Overall, the design facilitates easy adjustment of the compliance and grasping force of the hand, through simple change of air pressure. Hence, the gripping force of the hand is determined by the amount of air pressure exerted in the design. The design also permits the fingers to naturally adhere to the contour of the object to be manipulated.
Frost & Sullivan believes that RAPHaEL could even find application prospects in robotic prosthetics, if the hand is found to be safe as well as simple in operation.
The hand does not incorporate any kind of artificial muscles or tendons. Instead, each of the fingers is made out of inflatable tubes, which, upon inflation, result in the curling of finger towards the object to be grasped. Upon contact with an object, even more air pressure is supplied to enable generation of sufficient friction in the fingers for picking up an object. The compliance changes induced by the air pressure thus allow the hand to manipulate even delicate objects such as eggs or light bulbs as well as rigid objects such as food cans.
RAPHaEL is a part of a large humanoid robot project named CHARLI (cognitive humanoid robot with learning intelligence). It is envisioned that, connecting the hand to the robot would facilitate easy grasping, holding, and picking of various objects in place.
For more information contact Patrick Cairns, Frost & Sullivan, +27 (0)18 464 2402, [email protected], www.frost.com
Further reading:
Solving common automation challenges with Festo’s servo drive and servo motor solutions
Festo South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Automation projects face challenges that include limited installation space, the need for precise and repeatable linear motion, rising cycle-speed demands, and seamless integration with existing control architectures. Festo’s servo portfolio directly addresses these issues with compact, modular drive and motor solutions designed for specific applications.
Read more...
Inside the Giant Magellan Telescope with mechanical engineering at astronomical scale
Motion Control & Drives
Construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope, set to become the world’s largest Gregorian optical infrared telescope, is well underway. While its scientific mission is to transform astronomy, its performance depends heavily on advanced mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic engineering.
Read more...
Filtration as a reliability driver in motion control systems
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
This article highlights the importance of filtration in motion control systems, how contamination affects performance, and what fleet managers, operators and maintenance teams in southern Africa can do to reduce downtime, avoidable wear and costly repairs, aided by Baldwin Filters.
Read more...
Supporting construction of next-gen floating offshore wind turbines
Motion Control & Drives
While windy locations naturally make ideal spots for offshore wind farms, they bring challenges when it comes to assembling wind turbines, particularly in ports. Mammoet was approached by Euroports to support with the marshalling and assembly of the components that make up the three turbines at Port-la-Nouvelle in France.
Read more...
Rollers excel where profits balance on a knife edge
igus
Motion Control & Drives
Polymer component specialist manufacturer, igus has developed a range of lubrication-free long-life knife edge rollers designed to improve the transfer of products between conveyor belts in high-speed production environments.
Read more...
Bringing physical AI to the factory floor by deploying humanoids in industrial operations
Siemens South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Siemens and Humanoid have marked a landmark milestone in the journey to bring physical AI from vision to industrial reality. Humanoid’s humanoid robothas been successfully tested in operations at Siemens’ electronics factory in Germany, performing autonomous logistics tasks.
Read more...
Next-generation oil-free motor systems with active magnetic bearings
WEG Africa
Motion Control & Drives
WEG and SpinDrive are collaborating to integrate SpinDrive’s AMBs and built-in IoT condition monitoring into WEG’s market-leading electric motor offering, creating an oil-free, maintenance-free drive solution.
Read more...
Rising demand for advanced coolant technology
Motion Control & Drives
As modern engines become smaller, more powerful and increasingly complex, coolant technology has undergone a fundamental transformation.
Read more...
Addressing cost, supply and disease pressures in Africa’s feed industry
Motion Control & Drives
Feed producers across Africa are operating in an increasingly complex and volatile environment. The pressures are forcing producers to rethink how they operate, balancing cost control, production efficiency and the need for greater flexibility in an unpredictable market.
Read more...
Rapid headframe replacement for Canada’s biggest potash mine
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet has supported Ledcor with the construction of BHP’s new Jansen potash mine.
Read more...
printer friendly version