PFI:AIR - TT: Hybrid Tri-pyramid Robot: A Novel Type of Double-Sided Incremental Forming Machine

PFI:AIR - TT：混合三金字塔机器人：一种新型双面渐进成型机

• 批准号: 1414394
• 负责人: Jian Cao
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: Northwestern University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-05-01 至 2017-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1414394&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: PFI; AIR; TT; Hybrid; Tri

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating an innovative dieless forming technology to fill the need for rapidly producing three-dimensional sheet products either for prototyping or for real-applications. The project will result in a desktop prototype machine ? hybrid tri-pyramid robot - for the double sided micro-incremental forming process. This tri-pyramid robot has the following unique features: the ability to manipulate an object by generating three orthogonal translational output motions in space and the ability to provide an adaptive clamping mechanism on the workpiece material. These features provide the following advantages: a machine with higher load/weight ratio, stiffness and accuracy when compared to the leading competing technologies; and a flexible forming center that does not require geometric specific tooling, which has not existed in this market space. This project addresses the following technology gaps as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application: a novel translational parallel manipulator, an integrated model of combined meso-micro positioning system, and an adaptive clamping mechanism. The project engages Scimplicity LLC to perform technology demonstration using commercial products that are currently made with the traditional deep drawing or stamping process in this technology translation effort from research discovery toward commercial reality.The hybrid tri-pyramid robot is important because it will be able to rapidly produce products with micro-complex-precision features such as fuel cell bipolar plates, membranes, heat exchanger plates, spray nozzle heads, etc. The ability to create such features/products will find applications in aerospace, medical instruments, electronics, fiber optics, precision laboratory equipment, etc. In addition, the potential economic impact is expected to be expanded to areas of high precision milling, positioning stages, high speed manipulation for pick-place operations, and general robotic assembly operations in the next 3-10 years, which will contribute to the U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing.

这个PFI: AIR技术翻译项目的重点是翻译一种创新的无模成形技术，以满足快速生产三维板材产品的需求，无论是原型制作还是实际应用。这个项目会产生一个桌面原型机吗？双面微增量成形混合三金字塔机器人。这种三金字塔机器人具有以下独特的特点：能够通过在空间中产生三个正交的平移输出运动来操纵物体，并能够在工件材料上提供自适应夹紧机构。这些特点提供了以下优势：与领先的竞争技术相比，具有更高的负载/重量比，刚度和精度的机器；以及不需要几何特定工装的柔性成形中心，这在这个市场空间中还不存在。该项目解决了从研究发现到商业应用的以下技术空白：一种新型平移并联机械手，组合中微定位系统的集成模型，以及自适应夹紧机构。该项目与simplicity LLC合作，在从研究发现到商业现实的技术转化过程中，使用目前使用传统深拉或冲压工艺制造的商业产品进行技术演示。混合三金字塔机器人非常重要，因为它将能够快速生产具有微复杂精度特征的产品，如燃料电池双极板、膜、热交换器板、喷嘴头等。创造这些功能/产品的能力将在航空航天、医疗仪器、电子、光纤、精密实验室设备等领域得到应用。此外，在未来3-10年内，潜在的经济影响预计将扩大到高精度铣削、定位阶段、拾取操作的高速操作和一般机器人装配操作领域，这将有助于美国在制造业中的竞争力。