Assistive Robotic systems for abrasive blasting - RiB Enterprise Connect

Project Member(s): Liu, D., Waldron, K., Carmichael, M., Dissanayake, G.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (Research Connections (Formerly Researcher in Business))
Burwell Technologies Pty Limited

Start year: 2013

Summary: Australian industries such as manufacturing, construction and infrastructure maintenance have been facing significant challenges in retaining skilled workers, increasing workplace productivity, and improving workers¿ OH&S caused by physically intensive tasks, hazardous working environments and high injury rates. A typical example is abrasive blasting operation used in many industry sectors for surface preparation/cleaning. A promising solution is assistive robotic system, but developing such a system for assisting abrasive blasting workers requires many challenges to be overcome. This proposed project will address the engineering challenges in developing an assistive robotic exoskeleton for abrasive blasting, and develop a scaled down prototype for proof-of-concept. The expected outcomes include: (1). Analysis of the kinematic design to achieve suitable range of motion; (2). Creation of appropriate control systems; (3). A safety control framework; (4). A scaled down prototype.

Publications:

Carmichael, MG, Moutrie, B & Liu, D 1970, 'A framework for task-based evaluation of robotic coworkers', 2014 13th International Conference on Control Automation Robotics & Vision (ICARCV), 2014 13th International Conference on Control Automation Robotics & Vision (ICARCV), IEEE, Singapore, pp. 1362-1367.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Keywords: Robotics, abrasive blasting

FOR Codes: Industrial Machinery and Equipment, Road Infrastructure and Networks, Basic Iron and Steel Products, Manufacturing Robotics and Mechatronics (excl. Automotive Mechatronics), Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing robotics

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.