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

该PFI：AIR技术翻译项目专注于翻译创新的无模成型技术，以满足快速生产三维板材产品的需求，无论是原型还是实际应用。该项目将导致桌面原型机？混合三棱锥机器人-用于双面微增量成形工艺。这种三棱锥机器人具有以下独特的功能：能够通过在空间中产生三个正交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。这些功能提供了以下优势：与领先的竞争技术相比，机器具有更高的负载/重量比，刚度和精度;以及灵活的成型中心，不需要几何特定的工具，这在这个市场空间中还不存在。 该项目解决了以下技术差距，因为它从研究发现转化为商业应用：一种新型的平移并联机器人，一个集成模型的组合介微定位系统，和自适应夹紧机构。该项目委托Scimplicity LLC公司进行技术演示，使用目前使用传统深拉或冲压工艺制造的商业产品，将技术从研究发现转化为商业现实。混合三棱锥机器人非常重要，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。创建这种特征/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，潜在的经济影响预计将扩展到高精度铣削、定位平台、用于拾取放置操作的高速操纵、在未来的3-10年内，美国将增加机器人和通用机器人装配业务，这将有助于提高美国在制造业方面的竞争力。

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.