Bionic Learning Network
The Bionic Learning Network is a research network of the Festo company with universities, institutes and development companies. The aim of the initiative is to produce new types of technology carriers through the application of bionics .
history
In 2008 three projects of the Bionic Learning Network were exhibited as part of the exhibition "Design and the Elastic Mind" in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The exhibits Airacuda , a pneumatically driven fish, as well as the exhibits Aqua_ray and Air_ray , which resemble a manta, were shown.
Projects
Bionic handling assistant
The Bionic Handling Assistant is a biomechatronic handling system . It serves as a gripping tool in direct human-machine contact. The system was developed by Festo together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA).
Due to its compliance behavior and the associated safe contact between man and machine, the Bionic Handling Assistant was nominated - as one of three final round projects - for the German Future Prize 2010 and finally achieved first place. While conventional industrial robots are not allowed to come into contact with people and are separated by safety precautions such as cages, grids or protective fences, the Bionic Handling Assistant is harmless in the event of a collision or failure of electronics or control.
Construction and technology
The Bionic Handling Assistant consists of three basic elements for spatial movement as well as a joint axis and a gripper with three adaptive fingers, which use "Fin-Ray technology". The "fin-ray effect" uses the natural properties of fish fins, which do not bend away when pressure is applied to the side, but rather arch against the direction of the force. The basic elements are three actuators (bellows), which are arranged in a circle and taper at an angle of 3 degrees. Each actuator is supplied with compressed air at the interfaces of the basic elements.
The device combines the technologies of bionics , pneumatics , mechatronics , handling technology and rapid manufacturing . The individual components are made of polyamide using rapid prototyping . Technical data of the system are a length of 0.75 m with a maximum extension of 1.1 m. The weight is 1.8 kg. With 13 actuators 11 degrees of freedom are achieved.
Working method and application
The work is done with compressed air, valves control the compressed air in the individual actuators so that the arm is deflected into the desired movement. The reset occurs through the loop-like construction of the actuators, which act like a tension spring after the compressed air has been released. Cable potentiometers on the outside of the actuators record their length and are used to control the system in the room. In the joint axis, three further actuators are arranged around a ball joint. Their actuation causes an angle adjustment of the gripper of up to 30 degrees. Sensors ensure that the distances are detected and enable precise alignment. With eleven degrees of freedom, it is possible to easily reach any place in your workspace with the device.
Areas of application are industry and workshops, agricultural technology, households, learning facilities and laboratories. The handling is characterized primarily by structural flexibility; In the event of a collision, the robot gives in or selects an alternative sequence of movements, thus enabling real human-technology cooperation.
See also
Web links
- Bionic Learning Network at Festo AG
Individual evidence
- ↑ Airacuda at MoMA
- ↑ Aqua_ray at MoMA
- ↑ Air_ray at MoMA
- ↑ About Bionic Learning Network exhibits in the MoMA exhibition.
- ↑ Inventors from the Ländle nominated for an innovation Oscar In: Die Welt on September 21, 2010.
- ↑ German Future Prize - Winner 2010 .
- ↑ The Bionic Handling Assistant - move flexibly and flexibly on the Festo website.