Boeing: Underwater McKibben Muscle Robotic Arm
[P14253]
Faculty Guide
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Primary Customer
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Sponsor
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Term
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Rick Lux
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Dr. Lamkin-Kennard
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Boeing
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2131-2133
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Project Summary
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Robotic arms used in underwater applications allow
users to interface with objects in depths far greater
than the human body is capable of reaching. These
robotic arms are used on unmanned underwater vehicles,
which are employed by oil and gas companies and
research organizations to interact with various objects
in this high-pressure environment. Robotic arms should
be able to function similarly to a human arm and have
no negative effect on the surrounding environment.
Current robotic arm designs utilize clamps, which lack
the dexterity of hands and hydraulic cylinders, which
if leaked, could harm the underwater environment.
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The goals of this project are to analyze current
hydraulic robotic arm designs and McKibben Muscle
robotics to identify opportunities to make the arm more
dexterous and eco-friendly. The expected end result is
a functional prototype, which can be marketed to Boeing
for further development and manufacture. The resulting
design and prototype must adhere to Boeing engineering
standards and any underwater vehicle standards that may
apply.
YouTube
- Final Demo
Example of Robotic Manipulator by Kraft Telerobotics
Rendering of Final Assembly
Winner
of the 2014 Imagine RIT - Xerox Corporation Gold Sponsor
Award
The Team
From left to right: Chris Jasinski, Will Fickenscher,
Jared Warren, Joe Taddeo, Erika Mason
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
A very special thanks to Boeing, Kathleen Lamkin-Kennard,
Rick Lux, Rob Kraynik, Jan Maneti, and the RIT ME machine
shop staff for without their generous support this
project would not have been possible.