Page 13 - trends in automation

Issue 23 trends in automation
Compass 10 – 11
Working without getting
tired, feeling and moving
without direct contact –
the ExoHand is a fascinating
development from Festo that expands
the manual capabilities of humans.
The exoskeleton, which is worn like a
glove, allows active finger movement.
The strength of the hand is amplified,
movements are registered and
transmitted to the robotic hand in real
time. The ExoHand from Festo thus
combines human intelligence with
the capabilities of a robot. It has all
the principal physiological degrees of
movement of its human counterpart
and thus supports the human hand’s
diverse techniques for grasping and
handling objects.
A longer and healthier working life
Despite a high level of automation,
there are still many tasks in industry
that can only be performed by humans.
However, many repetitive tasks easily
lead to fatigue. The ExoHand amplifies
the strength of the human hand and
helps employees remain in work longer
without incurring permanent physical
damage. To prevent fatigue and physical
wear and tear, the ExoHand can be
worn for activities carried out in the
assembly process, thereby functioning
as an assistance system that makes for
more pleasant working conditions.
Handling without risk
Another area of application of the ExoHand
is the remote manipulation of a
robotic hand in an industrial setting.
Dangerous tasks can thus be
performed from a safe distance.
One more question
trends in automation: Can you describe
in just a few words the core components
of the ExoHand and how they work?
Elias M. Knubben: We produce the
ExoHand from polyamide using the
selective laser sintering technique
(SLS). The exoskeleton is created from
a 3D scan of the user’s hand. Eight
pneumatic, double acting actuators
– DFK-10 cylinders from Festo – are
attached to the outer layer. They allow
the wearer to open and close the fingers
with utmost precision. The index finger
Elias Maria Knubben,
Head of Corporate
Bionic Projects at Festo
can also be pivoted to either side, and
the thumb can be rotated towards the
palm. Linear potentiometers register
both the positions of the fingers and the
force applied by each individual drive
unit. The corresponding pressure
in the various chambers is regulated by
piezo proportional valves. Sensors on
the valve terminal regulate the pressure
and give an indication of the forces
applied by the cylinder.
Fingertip precision: Precise orientation of
all finger joints and flexible movement with
complete freedom.