Senior Synthesis Projects
These are projects performed by undergraduates as part of fulfilling the requirements for the B.S. degree offered in the department. These projects are related to robotics, controls and manufacturing.
Three-Fingered Synchronous End-effector with Force Feedback
Single Axis Force Feedback Stewart Platform Type "Joystick" Design
Magnetic Levitation System Design
Three-Fingered Synchronous End-effector with Force FeedbackThe project consists of an endeffector with force feedback, the Digital Panel Meter (DPM-3) supplied by Transducer Techniques, and an automatic control circuit designed by Cutting Edge Robotics Engineers. The endeffector is capable of clutching objects weighing up to 2 lbs. The DPM-3 has a high speed micro processor that can be used for a variety of monitoring and control applications. The desired endeffector gripper force can be easily dialed into the DPM-3. The control circuit uses relays and ladder logic to control the endeffector. The system is fully automatic. A momentary contact activates the circuit. The fingers synchronously close until an object is encountered or the inside microswitch is tripped. Once the dialed in force has been established a relay in the DPM-3 shuts off power to the motor. To release an object clutched by the grippers, a momentary contact switch is pushed. The fingers then move synchronously outward until the outside microswitch is tripped which in turn shuts down the circuit. The
endeffector can easily be controlled by an industrial robot using two momentary contact switches and alarm relays on the DPM-3.Additional Information can be found here.
Magnetic Levitation System Design
This Senior Design Project focused on producing an experiment suitable for a control systems laboratory class. The experiment consisted of a closed loop magnetic levitation device with a variable controller and graphical interface. A laboratory manual was written to accompany the device outlining instructions of its use. The physical system consists of three primary components: the sensor, the actuator, and the controller. The controllers of this Maglev device were emulated using computer software available in LabVIEW, which utilizes a data acquisition card to act as an electronic control device.
