pic: 488 Arm Prototype

[Zanella BR]

Interesting design!

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Jay H 237

Are you planning on using a third cylinder or a motor (or motor and gearbox combo) for the wrist movement?

We are trying to design a grabbing mechanism that minimizes the need for any additional motion. If we're successful, we will be able to use the motion of the arm to grab a tetra securely and will not need further actuation. We have one idea floating about that does that superbly while picking up tetras, but doesn't let go of them so well. We have a second idea that requires actuation, but releases tetras easily and accurately.

Originally Posted by Greg Perkins

Madison, you may want to contact my team leader, Dave Kelly(not from indiana) and ask him about our regenitive pneumatic circuit davekelly@cyberportal.net is his email

Basically when you extend your arm it will move reallllllly slow as the pnuematic extends, but when its retracted, it saves air and goes much faster...

Thanks, Greg. I'll send him an e-mail today and see what more I can learn about this. I have real concern about the speed at which the pistons actuate and its effect on our center of gravity as well as how it minimizes control of the placement of tetras. This sounds like it may be a solution.