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Robotics
Articles
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Developing a Robotic
Manipulator for Cancer Therapy Using Graphical System Design
At
the
Lebanese
University, we have
developed an automated robotic mechanical manipulator whose primary function
consists of skimming along the patient’s skin while performing the PDT
technique. The robot moves the laser heads over the affected area of the
patient’s body in certain geometrical designs, such as circular or elliptical
shapes, so that the tumor can be destroyed. Achieving a geometrical shape over a
patient’s body requires five movements:
- Three translations whose functions are
defined as follows:
- Z provides the vertical control of the
treating laser heads
- Two rotations:
To achieve these five
movements, five corresponding stepper motors must be controlled by the command
signals generated by the command system and delivered by the electrical circuits
to the motor drivers.
Read more...
CANopen in
non-industrial robots
The
company Telerob used CANopen servos and motors to develop a remote controlled
EOD robot for investigating dangerous areas from a safe distance and diffusing
explosive charges. It can be used, for example, on aeroplanes with a suspected
bomb on board. The CAN network is used to communicate closely with the modules.
The CANopen protocol was crucial in helping make the development of the device
quicker, simpler and more modular. The axes are largely controlled on a
time-independent basis, which means that the bus performance easily meets
requirements. The use of CANopen technology means that sub-modules, such as
apprehension arm or drives, can be used modularly for other products. CANopen
technology helps simplify the use of mechanical interfaces. The largest drives
are located in the four drive tracks, which are each fitted with a 40-mm
diameter DC motor with braking and encoder.
Read more...
What is a
gripper? Why use one?
A gripper is a device which enables the holding of an
object to be manipulated. The easier way to describe a gripper is to think of
the human hand. Just like a hand, a gripper enables holding, tightening,
handling and releasing of an object. A gripper is just one component of an
automated system. A gripper can be attached to a robot or it can be part of a
fixed automation system. Many styles and sizes of grippers exist so that the
correct model can be selected for the application.
Read
more...
Robot Gripper
A robot gripper comprising a pair of gripper surfaces with flexible, non-elastic
membranes disposed on each gripper surface respectively, these membranes being
comprised of cubic cells filled with compressible fluid, so that when each
gripper surface makes contact with the object to be lifted, they simultaneously
compress and lift the object whereby the friction between the object and the
gripper surfaces generates a shear force which distorts the membranes. As the
compression and lifting forces are simultaneously increased, the distortion to
the membranes will also increase until the pressure inside the cubic cells is
large enough to provide sufficient friction force to lift the object.
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more...
Robot Tools
Robotics and Automation Corporation,
Minneapolis, Minnesota manufactures equipment for robotic systems, in particular
a variety of tools known as "end effectors," devices attached to the end of a
robot arm for picking up, grasping, manipulating and transferring objects. The
company traces its lineage to 1981, when a predecessor organization-INTEC
Corporation-was formed to design and market robotic peripheral equipment. In May
1984 INTEC became Mecanotron Corporation and in 1989 Mecanotron was sold and
incorporated into Robotics and Automation Corporation.
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more...
Molders' Guide to Do It
Yourself Robot Tooling
An injection molding robot is no better than its
end-of-arm tooling (EOAT). All the potential benefits of robots--increased
productivity, quality, and safety, as well as reduced scrap--are influenced by
the effectiveness with which the EOAT does its job. End-of-arm tooling may
perform tasks as simple as sprue picking and demolding or as advanced as
degating, insert loading, parts reorientation, and assembly. If a molder can
build and/or repair molds, then EOAT design and engineering are within its
technical capabilities. While many molders depend on either robot suppliers or
specialty tooling houses for their EOAT, molders that design and build their own
often achieve substantial cost savings, reduced lead times, and greatly
increased flexibility to meet job changes in a timely manner.
Read
more...
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