Compact Tensegrity Robots Capable of Locomotion Through Mass-Shifting

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Rhodes ◽  
Vishesh Vikas
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Laser Cutting ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Point Contact ◽  
Internal Mass ◽  
Continuous Change ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Breaking Symmetry

Abstract Robustness, compactness, and portability of tensegrity robots make them suitable candidates for locomotion on unknown terrains. Locomotion is achieved by breaking symmetry and altering the position of center-of-mass to induce “tip-over”. The design of curved links of tensegrity mechanisms allows continuous change in the point of contact (along the curve) as compared to discontinuities in the traditional straight links (point contact) which induces impulse reaction forces during locomotion. The illustrated curve-link tensegrity robot achieves smooth locomotion through internal mass-shifting. Additionally, this tensegrity robot displays folding and unfolding. Introduced is a design methodology for fabricating tensegrity robots of varying morphologies with modular components created using rapid prototyping techniques, including 3D printing and laser-cutting. The techniques are utilized to fabricate simple tensegrity structures, followed by locomotive tensegrity robots in icosahedron and half-circle arc morphologies.

MULTISTAGE ROCKET FLIGHT SIMULATION

2019 ◽  
pp. 105-107
Author(s):  
A. S. Busygin ◽  
А. V. Shumov
Keyword(s):  
State Vector ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Flight Simulation ◽  
Continuous Change ◽  
Information Tools ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Piecewise Continuous ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Simulated Object

The paper considers a method for simulating the flight of a multistage rocket in Matlab using Simulink software for control and guidance. The model takes into account the anisotropy of the gravity of the Earth, changes in the pressure and density of the atmosphere, piecewise continuous change of the center of mass and the moment of inertia of the rocket during the flight. Also, the proposed model allows you to work out various targeting options using both onboard and ground‑based information tools, to load information from the ground‑based radar, with imitation of «non‑ideality» of incoming target designations as a result of changes in the accuracy of determining coordinates and speeds, as well as signal fluctuations. It is stipulated that the design is variable not only by the number of steps, but also by their types. The calculations are implemented in a matrix form, which allows parallel operations in each step of processing a multidimensional state vector of the simulated object.

scholarly journals 3D MODELLING AND RAPID PROTOTYPING FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGICAL PLANNING – TWO CASE STUDIES

2016 ◽  
Vol XLI-B5 ◽  
pp. 887-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Nocerino ◽  
F. Remondino ◽  
F. Uccheddu ◽  
M. Gallo ◽  
G. Gerosa
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Surgical Planning ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Coronary Vessels ◽  
3D Modelling ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Medical Imagery

In the last years, cardiovascular diagnosis, surgical planning and intervention have taken advantages from 3D modelling and rapid prototyping techniques. The starting data for the whole process is represented by medical imagery, in particular, but not exclusively, computed tomography (CT) or multi-slice CT (MCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). On the medical imagery, regions of interest, i.e. heart chambers, valves, aorta, coronary vessels, etc., are segmented and converted into 3D models, which can be finally converted in physical replicas through 3D printing procedure. In this work, an overview on modern approaches for automatic and semiautomatic segmentation of medical imagery for 3D surface model generation is provided. The issue of accuracy check of surface models is also addressed, together with the critical aspects of converting digital models into physical replicas through 3D printing techniques. A patient-specific 3D modelling and printing procedure (Figure 1), for surgical planning in case of complex heart diseases was developed. The procedure was applied to two case studies, for which MCT scans of the chest are available. In the article, a detailed description on the implemented patient-specific modelling procedure is provided, along with a general discussion on the potentiality and future developments of personalized 3D modelling and printing for surgical planning and surgeons practice.

scholarly journals Active foot placement control ensures stable gait: Effect of constraints on foot placement and ankle moments

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0242215
Author(s):  
A. M. van Leeuwen ◽  
J. H. van Dieën ◽  
A. Daffertshofer ◽  
S. M. Bruijn
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Tight Control ◽  
Foot Placement ◽  
Ankle Moment ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Moment Control

Step-by-step foot placement control, relative to the center of mass (CoM) kinematic state, is generally considered a dominant mechanism for maintenance of gait stability. By adequate (mediolateral) positioning of the center of pressure with respect to the CoM, the ground reaction force generates a moment that prevents falling. In healthy individuals, foot placement is complemented mainly by ankle moment control ensuring stability. To evaluate possible compensatory relationships between step-by-step foot placement and complementary ankle moments, we investigated the degree of (active) foot placement control during steady-state walking, and under either foot placement-, or ankle moment constraints. Thirty healthy participants walked on a treadmill, while full-body kinematics, ground reaction forces and EMG activities were recorded. As a replication of earlier findings, we first showed step-by-step foot placement is associated with preceding CoM state and hip ab-/adductor activity during steady-state walking. Tight control of foot placement appears to be important at normal walking speed because there was a limited change in the degree of foot placement control despite the presence of a foot placement constraint. At slow speed, the degree of foot placement control decreased substantially, suggesting that tight control of foot placement is less essential when walking slowly. Step-by-step foot placement control was not tightened to compensate for constrained ankle moments. Instead compensation was achieved through increases in step width and stride frequency.

scholarly journals Effects of additional load at different heights on gait initiation: A statistical parametric mapping of center of pressure and center of mass behavior

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0242892
Author(s):  
Marcus Fraga Vieira ◽  
Fábio Barbosa Rodrigues ◽  
Alfredo de Oliveira Assis ◽  
Eduardo de Mendonça Mesquita ◽  
Thiago Santana Lemes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Statistical Parametric Mapping ◽  
Gait Initiation ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Distributed Load ◽  
Uniformly Distributed Load ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Controlled Object

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different vertical positions of an asymmetrical load on the anticipatory postural adjustments phase of gait initiation. Sixty-eight college students (32 males, 36 females; age: 23.65 ± 3.21 years old; weight: 69.98 ± 8.15 kg; height: 1.74 ± 0.08 m) were enrolled in the study. Ground reaction forces and moments were collected using two force platforms. The participants completed three trials under each of the following random conditions: no-load (NL), waist uniformly distributed load (WUD), shoulder uniformly distributed load (SUD), waist stance foot load (WST), shoulder stance foot load (SST), waist swing foot load (WSW), and shoulder swing foot load (SSW). The paired Hotelling’s T-square test was used to compare the experimental conditions. The center of pressure (COP) time series were significantly different for the SUD vs. NL, SST vs. NL, WST vs. NL, and WSW vs. NL comparisons. Significant differences in COP time series were observed for all comparisons between waist vs. shoulder conditions. Overall, these differences were greater when the load was positioned at the shoulders. For the center of mass (COM) time series, significant differences were found for the WUD vs. NL and WSW vs. NL conditions. However, no differences were observed with the load positioned at the shoulders. In conclusion, only asymmetrical loading at the waist produced significant differences, and the higher the extra load, the greater the effects on COP behavior. By contrast, only minor changes were observed in COM behavior, suggesting that the changes in COP (the controller) behavior are adjustments to maintain the COM (controlled object) unaltered.

scholarly journals Experimental studies of the quality of embossed characters of the Braille alphabet

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 607-614
Author(s):  
R. Barczyk ◽  
D. Jasińska-Choromańska
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Printed Text ◽  
Blind Persons ◽  
Blind Individuals

Abstract The paper presents studies pertaining to the quality of embossed characters of the Braille alphabet used, among other applications, for tagging drug labels. The following parameters of embossed inscriptions were measured: height, diameter of the dots and surface roughness (18 samples with various combinations of their values). 48 blind individuals assessed the quality of the printed text. Statistical analysis proved that a text with dots having height of 0.9 millimeter, diameter of 1.6 millimeters and roughness Ra of about 1 micrometer to be the best. The samples had been made using two different methods of rapid prototyping: PolyJet and SLS. 3D printing is increasingly popular and the studies proved the usefulness of these methods for labeling with embossed inscriptions, due to the repeatability, durability and quality they ensure. The assessing group of blind individuals was comprised of 24 persons 14–17 years old and other 24 persons aged over 60 who were not proficient in reading Braille alphabet, This allows to conclude that a text featuring the above values of the parameters will be easy to read for the majority of blind persons.

scholarly journals The use of rapid prototyping in the joining of fractured historical silver object

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 532-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Luiza Seixas ◽  
Paulo Santos Assis ◽  
João Cura D’Ars Figueiredo ◽  
Maria Aparecida Pinto ◽  
Daniella Gualberto Caldeira Paula
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
3D Modelling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Elemental Chemical Analysis ◽  
Original Metal

Purpose This paper aims to present a proposal for the restoration of a silver crown by means of fitting pieces produced by the process of 3D modelling and rapid prototyping. It also analyses the benefits of this procedure in restoration of objects weakened by corrosive processes. Design/methodology/approach Elemental chemical analysis was carried out in the alloy used in the manufacture of the crown and the constructive and corrosive processes present were studied. Three fitting pieces were modelled and prototyped in wax casting by the stereolithography apparatus system aiming to restore the part and protect the original metal against impacts and external tensions which could speed up some deterioration processes. Findings The procedure presented in this paper has shown that formal and dimensional accuracy, only achieved by means of 3D technologies, made the restoration and mechanical stability of the crown possible without the use of adhesives or welding. Originality/value The proposed procedure is a new restoration alternative which causes minimal impact to the object and abides by the main standards for modern conservation. It is made with metal which is compatible with the original piece, retractable and easily identifiable.

Many-legged maneuverability: dynamics of turning in hexapods

1999 ◽  
Vol 202 (12) ◽  
pp. 1603-1623 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.L. Jindrich ◽  
R.J. Full
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Plane ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Vertical Plane ◽  
Force Production ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Blaberus Discoidalis ◽  
Body Design ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Straight Ahead

Remarkable similarities in the vertical plane of forward motion exist among diverse legged runners. The effect of differences in posture may be reflected instead in maneuverability occurring in the horizontal plane. The maneuver we selected was turning during rapid running by the cockroach Blaberus discoidalis, a sprawled-postured arthropod. Executing a turn successfully involves at least two requirements. The animal's mean heading (the direction of the mean velocity vector of the center of mass) must be deflected, and the animal's body must rotate to keep the body axis aligned with the heading. We used two-dimensional kinematics to estimate net forces and rotational torques, and a photoelastic technique to estimate single-leg ground-reaction forces during turning. Stride frequencies and duty factors did not differ among legs during turning. The inside legs ended their steps closer to the body than during straight-ahead running, suggesting that they contributed to turning the body. However, the inside legs did not contribute forces or torques to turning the body, but actively pushed against the turn. Legs farther from the center of rotation on the outside of the turn contributed the majority of force and torque impulse which caused the body to turn. The dynamics of turning could not be predicted from kinematic measurements alone. To interpret the single-leg forces observed during turning, we have developed a general model that relates leg force production and leg position to turning performance. The model predicts that all legs could turn the body. Front legs can contribute most effectively to turning by producing forces nearly perpendicular to the heading, whereas middle and hind legs must produce additional force parallel to the heading. The force production necessary to turn required only minor alterations in the force hexapods generate during dynamically stable, straight-ahead locomotion. A consideration of maneuverability in the horizontal plane revealed that a sprawled-postured, hexapodal body design may provide exceptional performance with simplified control.

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