TESTING FLEXIBLE GRIPPERS FOR GEOMETRIC AND SURFACE GRASPING CONFORMITY IN RECONFIGURABLE ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS

Authors

  • Christian Ivan Basson Discipline of Mechanical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
  • Glen Bright Discipline of Mechanical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
  • Anthony John Walker Discipline of Mechanical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/29-1-1874

Keywords:

Flexibility, Shape Conformity, Adaptability, Material Handling, Force Feedback, Force-Time Characteristics

Abstract

The ongoing development in manufacturing technology facilitates flexibility in production and faces challenges of product handling. Flexibility was required in the form of adaptable grippers for robotic arms in pick-and-place procedures for reconfigurable assembly systems. A conceptual system was designed and tested according to the surface geometric conformity of grasped objects. The system proposed was a biologically inspired Fin Ray Effect® gripper. Grasping occurs due to the deformation of the rib structure of the appendage. The appendages were simulated for conformity by means of a finite element analysis, and performance was analysed by means of a physical sample mass test and a force test.

Author Biographies

Christian Ivan Basson, Discipline of Mechanical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

School of Mechanical Engineering

Master Student

Senior Tutor

Glen Bright, Discipline of Mechanical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

School of Mechanical Engineering

Professor

Head of Department

Anthony John Walker, Discipline of Mechanical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

School of Mechanical Engineering

Doctor

Lecturer

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Published

2018-05-31

How to Cite

Basson, C. I., Bright, G., & Walker, A. J. (2018). TESTING FLEXIBLE GRIPPERS FOR GEOMETRIC AND SURFACE GRASPING CONFORMITY IN RECONFIGURABLE ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 29(1), 128–142. https://doi.org/10.7166/29-1-1874

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 1 (2018)

Section

General Articles

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