Robotic arm

The SRMS while deploying a payload from the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle

A robotic arm is a type of mechanical arm, usually programmable, with similar functions to a human arm; the arm may be the sum total of the mechanism or may be part of a more complex robot. The links of such a manipulator are connected by joints allowing either rotational motion (such as in an articulated robot) or translational (linear) displacement.[1][2] The links of the manipulator can be considered to form a kinematic chain. The terminus of the kinematic chain of the manipulator is called the end effector and it is analogous to the human hand.

Robotic hand

Phenoptix MeArm Robot Arm Download

The end effector, or robotic hand, can be designed to perform any desired task such as welding, gripping, spinning etc., depending on the application. For example, robot arms in automotive assembly lines perform a variety of tasks such as welding and parts rotation and placement during assembly. In some circumstances, close emulation of the human hand is desired, as in robots designed to conduct bomb disarmament and disposal.[3]

Types

6 Axis Articulated Robots from KUKA
Humans+ exhibit

Notable robotic arms

In space the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System also known as Canadarm or SRMS and its successor Canadarm2 are examples of multi degree of freedom robotic arms that have been used to perform a variety of tasks such as inspections of the Space Shuttle using a specially deployed boom with cameras and sensors attached at the end effector and satellite deployment and retrieval manoeuvres from the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle.[4]

The Curiosity rover on the planet Mars also uses a robotic arm.[5][6][7][8]

See also

References

  1. OSHA Technical Manual
  2. Paper on Space Robotics, pg 9
  3. Staff (Sandia National Labs) (August 16, 2012), "Life-like, cost-effective robotic hand can disable IEDs", R&D Magazine, rdmag.com, retrieved September 13, 2012
  4. IEEE Xplore:The Canadarm grasps this boom and can position it in the necessary positions to permit a complete inspection
  5. "Curiosity Rover - Arm and Hand". JPL. NASA. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  6. Jandura, Louise. "Mars Science Laboratory Sample Acquisition, Sample Processing and Handling: Subsystem Design and Test Challenges" (PDF). JPL. NASA. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  7. "Curiosity Stretches its Arm". JPL (NASA). 21 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  8. Billing, Rius; Fleischner, Richard (2011). "Mars Science Laboratory Robotic Arm" (PDF). 15th European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-21.

External links

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