Engineering Projects/Bionic Tripod Manipulator

Idea

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The "bionic tripod" manipulator arm was originally developed by FESTO in 2009. This is one of many novel actuator designs originated by FESTO. The bionic tripod is simple enough that a prototype can be constructed by first-year engineering students. The goal of this project is to build a manipulator and learn to control it, such that the arm is capable grasping an object and moving it to a different location.

 
Prototype from 2011, built by Howard CC students

Documentation of FESTO design iterations are found here:

Bionic Tripod

Bionic Tripod 2.0

Bionic Tripod 3.0

Conceive

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Not applicable - Conception has been informally described above. Students start with design or implement.

Design

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As of spring 2014, students are actively working on the design phase of this project. Significant progress was made in prior years (see below for old documentation).

Implement

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Operate

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Old Documentation

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Robot arm