A modular dexterous robot for glove box applications
Abstract
Many industrial processes today require the use of {open_quotes}glove boxes{close_quotes} {emdash} environmentally sealed chambers designed to allow access by human workers through ports fitted with protective gloves. A new technology for the automation of complex material-handling functions is described in this paper. The advantages of an agile robotic manipulator system being used in this application are discussed, including reduced life-cycle cost of automation, enhanced ability to respond to changes in process requirements, and improved reliability and maintainability. This paper also reviews lessons learned in applying an highly dexterous modular robot to a glove box environment, such as the evaluation of arm kinematics to achieve the required work envelope, system payload capacity, methods for automated tooling changes, tolerance of the arm mechanism and electronics to exposure to industrial chemicals and an argon atmosphere, the benefits of arm modularity for system maintenance, safety concerns, the integration of high-level control technology and off-line development of process motion sequences.
- Authors:
-
- Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Robotics Research Corp., Amelia, OH (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 10191474
- Report Number(s):
- Y/DW-1341; CONF-9409211-5
ON: DE95002057; TRN: 94:010135
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OS21400
- Resource Type:
- Conference
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics space programs and technologies conference and exhibit,Birmingham, AL (United States),27 Sep 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1994]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 42 ENGINEERING; GLOVEBOXES; FEASIBILITY STUDIES; AUTOMATION; LIFE-CYCLE COST; ROBOTS; 420203; HANDLING EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES
Citation Formats
Walker, Jr, E W, Igou, R E, Karlen, J P, Kowalski, K A, and Eismann, P H. A modular dexterous robot for glove box applications. United States: N. p., 1994.
Web.
Walker, Jr, E W, Igou, R E, Karlen, J P, Kowalski, K A, & Eismann, P H. A modular dexterous robot for glove box applications. United States.
Walker, Jr, E W, Igou, R E, Karlen, J P, Kowalski, K A, and Eismann, P H. Tue .
"A modular dexterous robot for glove box applications". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/10191474.
@article{osti_10191474,
title = {A modular dexterous robot for glove box applications},
author = {Walker, Jr, E W and Igou, R E and Karlen, J P and Kowalski, K A and Eismann, P H},
abstractNote = {Many industrial processes today require the use of {open_quotes}glove boxes{close_quotes} {emdash} environmentally sealed chambers designed to allow access by human workers through ports fitted with protective gloves. A new technology for the automation of complex material-handling functions is described in this paper. The advantages of an agile robotic manipulator system being used in this application are discussed, including reduced life-cycle cost of automation, enhanced ability to respond to changes in process requirements, and improved reliability and maintainability. This paper also reviews lessons learned in applying an highly dexterous modular robot to a glove box environment, such as the evaluation of arm kinematics to achieve the required work envelope, system payload capacity, methods for automated tooling changes, tolerance of the arm mechanism and electronics to exposure to industrial chemicals and an argon atmosphere, the benefits of arm modularity for system maintenance, safety concerns, the integration of high-level control technology and off-line development of process motion sequences.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/10191474},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1994},
month = {11}
}