The project is the initial development of a new highly accurate and stable robotic arm used for high precision applications with a focus on automating a niche high precision industry. The product will advance sustainable UK manufacture by providing a significant technological advancement and improve the efficiency of UK manufacturers utilising it.
Robotic automation within the target application industry is virtually absent; as there is no robot commercially available that has the required accuracy or stability to meet the functional requirements. Robotic use is highly limited and functionally confined to pick and place within this sector which does not fulfil the customer requirements and acts as a significant barrier to adoption of robotics.
This project is to design and manufacture a proof-of-concept prototype of a subsection of the robotic arm to address these needs. The subsection consists of the shoulder joint, elbow joint and the link in between them. The prototype tests whether the system requirements can be met and what further developments are needed. The performance of these three subsections can be used to ascertain overall system performance as they have the greatest effect on overall system accuracy and stability, and the other joints and links will have many similar aspects to their construction.
The successful production of a working prototype will allow the company to go on to seek external investment to further develop and commercialise the product.