Prototyping and application study of soft robot grippers

• Main Author: Chandrasekaran Vignesh Subramaniam
• Other Authors: Low Kin Huat
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2023
• Subjects: Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/166791
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Automation is an ever-growing facet in many industries. It is a tool with numerous advantages, among which are its utility in saving costs and optimizing manpower, especially in the context of countries like Singapore that is facing a shortage of workers. This pain is felt particularly by the food industry in Singapore, where difficult low paying jobs attract few workers. The application of soft robotic grippers, therefore, would prove tremendously beneficial in this context. The purpose of this Final Year Project is to study the application of soft robotic grippers in the food industry, and this will be accomplished by the following means: first, existing soft gripper technologies will be studied. Second, suitable technology will be applied in the design and fabrication of a prototype. Third, a Finite Element Modelling (FEM) study will be conducted from this design to understand the expected performance of the soft robotic gripper. Fourth, the prototype will undergo a physical evaluation to understand its functions in real world situations. Fifth, a feasibility study will be conducted to identify use-cases for the soft robot grippers and cost considerations for implementation. Some engineering tools used in this project include CAD modelling using SolidWorks, FEM using ANSYS, 3D Printing using FlashPrint and Visual Components for simulation of use cases. This project is a collaborative effort together with fellow Final Year Project student, Mr. Lew Tee Hane Benjamin.