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A study of application areas for modular robots

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2009

R. Harrison ,
R. H. Western ,
P. R. Moore  and
T. W. Thatcher
R. Harrison
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Production, Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, (U.K.)
R. H. Western
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Production, Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, (U.K.)
P. R. Moore
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Production, Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, (U.K.)
T. W. Thatcher
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Production, Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, (U.K.)
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Summary

The paper describes a study of potential industrial applications where modular robots can be used in preference to conventional pedestal mounted robots and/or specially designed automatic machines. The study was conducted with reference to a particular family of pneumatically actuated robot modules.

The paper also describes a modular robotic system which was designed to automate assembly processes in the manufacture of a family of egg coddlers. The manipulator comprises multi-axis groups of modules which operate concurrently to perform the assembly operations. Flexibility is incorporated through the use of a hierarchical control system architecture.

Type
Article
Information
Robotica , Volume 5 , Issue 3 , July 1987 , pp. 217 - 221
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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References

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