Who wants Robonova Grippers?

[bauermech]

Check these deadly things out!
http://robosavvy.com/Builders/bauermech/Robogrip.wmv
I made these over my lunch break on the band-saw so they're not the prettiest things ever, but they sure work well.
Yes, those were my fingers holding onto the arm of the Robonova as he picked up the pen ... I wasn't cheeting! The batteries were low!
...And holy, I wouldn't want to get my finger pinched in a set of 'em either! I should brobably dull them down some. Right now, they'll pierce flesh easy.

[Toukisarchu]

Thats fantastic. Brutal but fantastic. They are compact and look like there meant to be there. Well done. Now you can program it to put food in your mouth while you watch tv lol.

[Pev]

That is brilliant - and looks real nasty too lol - had been pondering the gripper thing myself but wow you are way ahead of any design I had thought of... awesome

[gsferrari]

Sign me up for a pair of grippers They work like a charm!!

Are you going to refine the design a little bit? The way it is right now...I dont think I can use it to handle softer objects (like my finger) without causing intense pain

[Guest]

I was looking at gripping hands using smaller micro servo's. Your design is cool, but the standard Robonova servos could cause a lot of damage as they are too powerfull.

I have a few servos at home and will have to play over the weekend.

[Morbeious]

Eh, do you take Paypal.. Thoughs are awsome.. I was doddleing around with adding wrist action, but the claw alone looks very impressive.

[bauermech]

Thanks guys!

Sign me up for a pair of grippers Are you going to refine the design a little bit? The way it is right now...I dont think I can use it to handle softer objects (like my finger) without causing intense pain

Yes, actually, I'm finishing up the drawings today. Modifications include: rounded 'fingertips' and the removal of excess aluminum where it's structurally not needed. I'll turn them over to be laser-cut, bent correctly, and anodized. Maybe sometime late into this upcoming week, some may be available. ...and don't worry, obtaining a set won't rape your wallet.

Robonova servos could cause a lot of damage as they are too powerfull.

Yeah, I thought of that. I probably did go a little overboard on the torque, but with what I'm doing, I can't afford to have him loose his grip. I'm also considering installing a couple of micro-switches that will sense when the grip grabs an object and haults the servo from going any further. Tightly, yet not so tight as to damage someone or something.

[limor]

Great work!

could easily be a candidate for a horror movie -- Chucky returns as a robot

can you please expand on how you plan to use these micro-switches..

[gsferrari]

I think I understand where the micro-switches will go. How hard will it be to add a pressure sensor in the grip?

The hardest part in robotic grippers IMO is identifying what is being gripped. Using a thermal sensor we can apply less pressure in the case of a living organism. Using an EMF sensor we can apply the right amount of pressure so that we dont cut through wires and stuff...Using an active EMF sensor we can check if the device is metallic or not...

If it another robot - set the pressure to MAX!

God this is exciting!! Keeping my eyes peeled!!

[subpilot]

Wow Matt, fantastic job. I'm in for a set. Looks like they wouldn't affect the acrobatics etc and not add too much weight wise.

[subpilot]

Here's some force sensors that may be useful:
http://www.tekscan.com/flexiforce/flexiforce.html

http://www.dist.unige.it/Users/cannata/ ... C-HAND.pdf

http://www.sensotec.com/torque.asp?category=reaction

[subpilot]

Another way to measure grip force is with a pressure sensor like this:
http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/All%20S ... 0sheet.pdf

It can be as simple as a piece of silicone hose filled with mineral oil (baby oil). You plug off one end and attach the other to the pressure sensor. Squishing the tube causes the pressure to increase.

[bauermech]

can you please expand on how you plan to use these micro-switches..

Limor, I was thinking of heading down this road...

Strictly boolean though. 1 or 0. I like where gsferrari and Subpilot are heading. Having a range places all the influences on the switch inside the code itself. Leaves a far less chance of error due to any physical misalignment right off the bat.
My measurments will be submitted on Monday for getting the parts cut. Before I go ahead with it, let's take a vote... Leave the 'deadly thumbs', or take the edge off? Maybe I'll just have several of each made and just leave it up to you... While sulpies last! LOL

[subpilot]

I vote for non-deadly but can go either way. Matt, I'm leaving for Japan in the morning. Would it be possible to Paypal you some $ now for a set of gripper parts? I'm not coming back till mid May and would hate to miss out.

[gsferrari]

im in for a set as well. What servo for the grippers?