Engineering TV : Mechatronics

Pronto4 Capabilities and ProntoMimic Software

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:08:00 GMT

Vehicles retrofitted with the Pronto4 System can perform flexible roles in a tele-operational or semi-autonomous mode. The ProntoMimic Software Suite has a series of path creation / following interfaces that perform the task of path creation and maintenance using numerical data or aerial images and path execution in the form of GPS waypoint following. The software is highly flexible and adaptable, and can also be used for tele-operation. Also watch this episode: Pronto4 Agnostic Autonomy System. For more information, visit Kairos Autonomi.

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Pronto4 Technical Components

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:01:00 GMT
Troy Takach, President & CEO of Kairos Autonomi, takes us through the components of the Pronto4 Agnostic Autonomy System. This compact, modularly-constructed hardware system is capable of installation anywhere in the field in a four-four-four process — a four-person team can install four backpack-sized modules in four hours. Also watch this episode: Pronto4 Capabilities and ProntoMimic Software. For more information, visit Kairos Autonomi.

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Pronto4 Agnostic Autonomy System

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:22:00 GMT
Rather than build expensive, purpose-built systems, Kairos Autonomi produces high-quality, cost-effective solutions that can be retrofitted or "strapped-on" to any existing vehicle or vessel that has a steering wheel. The Pronto4 Agnostic Autonomy System converts any existing ground vehicle or surface vessel — either steering-wheel or skid-steer — into an unmanned system in less than four hours. Featuring scalable autonomy, the Pronto4 system allows for vehicle control ranging from tele-operation to semi-autonomy. Also watch this episode: Pronto4 Technical Components. For more information, visit Kairos Autonomi.

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WKU Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:10:00 GMT
Students of WKU's Department of Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences are training to work in management in the manufacturing business, and for their senior project are asked to come up with a simple task - design a product and build it. Working like a business, the students have to order the parts within a budget and divide into task-driven teams. One student, Joshua Ferriell, the project manager, said one of the greatest challenges was learning the lathe, laser and mill, then programming everything to operate with a push of one button. Students are learning the unique skill of integrating some of the most advanced manufacturing tools in the industry, making the young engineers highly marketable in the job field. Also watch this episode: WKU Advanced Manufacturing Lab. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

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Integration with FESTO

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:57:00 GMT
When WKU decided to upgrade its manufacturing lab, they turned to FESTO, who had the combination of technical knowledge and experience they were looking for to complete their project, the primary hurdle being integration of newer mechatronic and computer systems with their current batch of machine tools. Dan Blanck, regional manager with FESTO, said the system is one of the most progressive manufacturing labs in the nation at the college level. “At other schools, (mills, lathes and lasers) are not used together,” Blanck said. “I’ve seen stuff in corners, they’re using it, but not integrating it. And integrating it is the hardest part - it’s a tremendous reflection on this program.” Also watch this episode: WKU Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

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Designing WKU's Advanced Manufacturing Lab

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:05:00 GMT
Ever wonder what goes into setting up a mechatronics lab at a university these days? This episode reveals the process that faculty and students at WKU's advanced manufacturing lab used to set up their system, from choosing the robotics to integrate with their older systems, to the grant process that helped pay for the $1 million computer integrated manufacturing cell. Greg Arbuckle, assistant professor of architectural and manufacturing sciences at WKU, said the lab’s robotics arrived in January and have slowly been installed to consume much of the basement of the Environmental Sciences and Technology Hall. Also watch this episode: Integration with FESTO. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

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WKU Advanced Manufacturing Lab

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:08:00 GMT
Engineering TV takes a look at Western Kentucky University's advanced manufacturing lab, recently integrated with new automation systems from FESTO. Once programmed, a robotic arm system from FESTO can transport material to a Haas mill, lathe and a 120 watt Epilog Legend 36EXT laser, independent of human interaction. The lab is the capstone of the Architectural and Manufacturing sciences curriculum at WKU's Ogden College of Science and Engineering, and allows the students access to automation systems and tools they would find in industry after graduation. Also watch this episode: Designing WKU's Advanced Manufacturing Lab. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

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iRobot Seaglider

Terry Knight — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:00:00 GMT
The iRobot Seaglider is a deep-diving UUV designed for missions lasting many months and covering thousands of miles. Seaglider measures temperature, salinity and other quantities in the ocean, sending back data using global satellite telemetry. More than 70 Seaglider UUVs have been delivered worldwide, collecting ocean physical properties and performing various other missions for oceanographers, including the U.S. Navy, government agencies and research organizations. For more information, visit iRobot Government & Industrial Robots.

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GhostSwimmer AUV - Part 2

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:12:00 GMT
Mike Rufo discusses the mechanical and electronic systems on board Boston Engineering's GhostSwimmer, a new Autonomous Underwater Vehicle being developed for the Office of Naval Research (ONR). It is a biomimetic vehicle that further develops underwater platform capability in the areas of efficiency, maneuverability and stealth, among others. It is applicable to many mission areas and is entering a second Phase of development for ONR. Also watch this episode: GhostSwimmer AUV - Part 1. For more information, visit Boston Engineering.

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GhostSwimmer AUV - Part 1

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:02:00 GMT
GhostSwimmer is a tactical, efficient, biomimetic autonomous artificial fish UUV that employs the actual mechanics and dynamics of biological fish to create the ultimate in efficient swimming while remaining responsive to the needs of current covert, riverine, and littoral missions. It endeavors to attack problems facing current UUVs. A product of the combined experience of David Barrett (Olin College), inventor/developer of MIT's groundbreaking Robo-Tuna, and Mike Rufo (Boston Engineering), inventor/developer of marsupial underwater UUV/Crawler technologies, it mimics the actual motion of a tuna (one of nature's fastest and most maneuverable fish). Also watch this episode: GhostSwimmer AUV - Part 2. For more information, visit Boston Engineering.

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Festo Automation Training - Part 2

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:23:00 GMT
Festo Training and Consulting has over 40 years experience in the area of training and 20 years experience in process optimization. Public or in-house – the focus is always on hands-on experience using actual products in learning factories. Technology training includes: Pneumatics, Hydraulics, Manufacturing Automation, Control Engineering, PLC Technology, Robotics and Sensors. The focus of all activities is on people and technology. From its foundation, Festo has seen itself as a strong partner and an integral component of societies and business worldwide. Also watch this episode: Festo Automation Training - Part 1. For more information, go to: Festo Didactic.

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Festo Automation Training - Part 1

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:00:00 GMT
Innovation and productivity begins with training and consulting. Festo Didactic is a worldwide leader in professional, industry-oriented qualification solutions for process and factory automation. Approximately 42,000 course participants per year attend more than 2,900 courses. Festo offers modular and quality-assured training content in over 39 languages, as well as Industrial Consulting projects in the areas of Product development, Lean production, Procurement and Logistics. Also watch this episode: Festo Automation Training - Part 2. For more information, go to: Festo Didactic.

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Festo Airmotion Ride Simulator

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT
The interplay of fluidic muscles and mechatronic systems in the Airmotion_ride makes it possible to generate an extraordinary range of driving and flight simulations. A hexapod structure using parallel kinematics, with six Festo fluidic muscles, creates a realistic driving and flying sensation. In this project, leading pneumatics supplier Festo demonstrates an exciting, cost-effective alternative to complicated hydraulic constructions. Also watch this episode: Festo CMXR Robotic Control. For more information, go to: Festo.

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Festo Air Bearing ATBT

Terry Knight — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:00:00 GMT
The air bearing ATBT from Festo is a new way of transporting flat-panel displays and photovoltaic substrates. The air bearing works with a porous, air-permeable material with a micro porous structure which guarantees an even air flow. The key to the system is that the air bearing functions contactlessly via an air cushion, whilst still hardly using any compressed air. The air bearing ATBT is ideally suited for loading and unloading, as intermediate buffer, for lifting and centering, holding and clamping items using a vacuum or for use in inspection and test equipment, precise X-Y-movement systems or photolithography equipment. Also watch this episode: Festo Airmotion Ride Simulator. For more information, go to: Festo.

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Festo EXPT Electric Tripod

Terry Knight — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT
Festo's version of the delta robot, the EXPT Electric Tripod system, is designed for high-speed-handling of small loads in space. Up to three times quicker than Cartesian systems and requiring less space, it uses Festo's actuator technology instead of elbow joints, enabling a higher dynamic response with larger effective loads. Multi-axis functionality is provided by Festo's CMXR robotic control system. Also watch this episode: Festo Air Bearing ATBT. For more information, go to: Festo.

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