1.1 Goal :
Conceptualize, design, manufacture and test a system to be able to swap suction cups on the-fly on our current vacuum tools for the Cognibotics robot.
1.2 Components
- Robot side
- Tool side
- Air filter
- (Modular) tool holder
1.3 Preferences
- On-the-fly swap, no stops
- Easy to swap suctions cups in tool holder (manually)
- Useable with current vacuum tool or future tools -> adapters for tool side
- Useable with different sizes (threads) of suction cups -> adapters for suction cup side
- Lightweight (alu, plastics)
- Low maintenance (low number of parts, durable gaskets, no lubricants, durable sliding components, …)
- Low cost (low number of parts, easily made)
- Airtight with minimal sealing degradation over time
1.4 Process
- Market study
- Concept study (hold/release systems, sealing system, …)
- Component, material and surface finish selecঞon / calculations (springs, … / plastics, … / anodizing, …)
- Budget
- Design (3D / 2D)
- Parts ordering and prodution
- Assembly
- Sution cup swap testing: functional + duration testing at different speeds and with different offsets (swapper holder)
- Vacuum level testing (sealing efficiency reference)