Pneumatic Muscle-Actuated Adjustable Compliant Gripper System for Assembly Operations

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present and discuss an innovative, constructive solution for a gripper system that can be attached to an industrial robot for assembly operations. The construction of this gripper system is based on a linear pneumatic muscle used as the actuator and the transmission of motion by gear-and-rack mechanisms. Air compressibility renders pneumatic muscle behaviour inherently compliant; this favours automated assembly applications as it allows the correction of inevitable lateral and angular misalignments in mating operations. Therefore, the jamming of a peg-like object can be avoided when this is introduced into a hole with tight clearance. In addition to the construction of the gripper system, this paper discusses its actuation, as well other characteristics.