Easily manipulated mechanical arm

EMMA is a product built by Temple Allen Industries. EMMA (easily manipulated mechanical arm) uses patented technology to allow workers to operate sanding equipment more safely and productively. EMMA is a manually controlled, pneumatically powered, mechanical arm that is designed for use during the sanding stages of production and maintenance operations in aerospace, marine, industrial, and military markets. EMMA is not a robot; only a source of pressurized air is needed for operation. It requires no programming, no microprocessor, and no electricity. EMMA increases productivity by producing a fine, consistent, and even surface finish at rates up to 10 times faster than traditional manual sanding.^[1]

Components

Each EMMA system consists of four basic components: the actuation package, the joystick controls box, the arm, and the end-effector. These elements work in harmony to provide the operator with a safer sanding experience, reducing both man hours and fatigue, to generate a finished product of high quality.

• The Actuation Package contains the pneumatic assemblies and cylinders that control the locomotion of EMMA. These assemblies and cylinders generate negligible lag time from operator input and provide smooth stops and starts throughout use. An auto-adjust feature allows the operator to maintain consistent unit pressure on the surface with high precision.

• The joystick controls box is the interface through which the operator directly controls the movements of EMMA and the sanding elements located on the End-Effector. Two joysticks allow the operator a generous range of motion and the ability to control speed of movement through rate-control signals.

• The arm replicates the complex motions of a human during manual sanding operations while shielding the operator from the risks of vibration-related injuries and repetitive stress. Its polyurethane core absorbs vibration while its mechanical components support the pneumatic tools that are deployed via the End-Effector. The system's Arm utilizes a sweeping motion that allows the operator to access a significant amount of surface areas from a static location.

• The end-effector is the component through which the sander(s) are deployed and contact is made with the product being sanded. The end-effector consists of a mounting frame that accommodates the appropriate type and number of sanders, plus vacuum connectivity to collect generated particulate matter.

Health and safety

While EMMA allows the operator levels of control equivalent to that of manual sanding, it largely eliminates the vibrations and high grip forces that contribute to hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), also known as vibration white finger, thus reducing the potential for traumatic injuries and their associated medical costs.^[2] The mechanical arm can also support multiple heavy and powerful tools that would be impossible for a human to wield alone.

By choosing to implement EMMA (with its integrated vacuum system) in their hangars and sanding booths, major aerospace companies are making efforts to better protect their workforce from hazardous conditions associated with sanding – with EMMA, dangerous and carcinogenic dust is collected at the source. Otherwise, overexposure to cadmium, lead, and hexavalent chromium^[3] can cause vital organ failure. These three chemicals, prevalent in aircraft paint, have a low Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) by OSHA standards, thus EMMA is currently a popular option for organizations in the aerospace and defense industries that perform surface preparation.

Images of EMMA

References

External links

• Temple Allen Industries Homepage