Scientists at China’s天津大学have 3D printed a customizable robot that’s capable of scaling and monitoring pipes at industrial facilities in real-time.
The single-piece device features a series of soft bending mechanisms and modular grippers, that allow it to flexibly climb oddly-shaped infrastructure. Given that pipeline breaks often lead to production delays, and many firms still inspect them manually, the team’s bots could represent a new, more efficient alternative.
攀爬的隐藏艺术
Within many factories, pipelines represent a vital foundation on which industrial efficiency and ultimately manufacturing productivity depend. Even small breakages can cause significant disruption to production, hence constantly inspecting for leaks has become a necessity for a number of large-scale businesses.
At present, industrial firms tend to use staff to monitor their pipes manually, but this method is both labor-intensive and potentially dangerous, especially if the duct is carrying hazardous chemicals. As a result, the development of robots that can take on such perilous tasks instead, has become an important area of research.
尽管以前的研究产生了一系列的机器人解决方案，但它们倾向于内部或外部管道设备，而不是两者兼而有之。更重要的是，前者要求关闭运输网络才能工作，并且对于埋在地下的管道，无法通过从外部进行维护来避免这种情况。
With recent advances in soft robotics, however, fabricating complex devices has become easier, especially when compared to the complexity of using molding. Consequently, by adopting 3D printing, the Tianjin team were able to create an optimized device that’s able to inspect pipes more flexibly than before.
天津团队的3 dprinted design
To maximize the flexibility of their bot, the scientists designed it with a one-piece soft bending mechanism, that was capable of sustaining high levels of deformation. Using CAD software to create the device also made it easily upgradable, and enabled the team to add modules or adjust the diameter of its grippers at will.
The robot’s layout consisted of a middle section with grippers at either end, as well as three intake pipes, allowing it to be controlled and apply pressure on-demand. By alternately pressurizing and depressurizing the device’s grippers, the scientists were able to perform a ‘climbing’ motion, albeit under their direct control.
在测试过程中，机器人显示出85 nmm的扭矩输出，足以以16-38毫米的直径为14 mm p/s攀登管道。该设备还能够以45°和90°的角度缩放丙烯酸网络，这可能使其成为检查可能难以导航的倾斜管道的理想选择。
Given that their robot proved capable of climbing both internally and externally, and rotating in longitudinal or lateral directions, the team considered it to be an upgrade on existing designs. In future, the scientists intend to integrate sensors into their device, allowing it to become an autonomous pipe maintenance solution.
3D打印软机器人的“步行”
Thanks to the design flexibility provided by 3D printing, an increasing number of researchers have been able to produce innovative robots, capable of advanced walking, climbing and shimmying actions.
研究人员Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST) have created a3D printed wall-climbing robot. Inspired by the natural capabilities of the gecko, the team’s quadruped bot is even able to scale wet surfaces.
同样，Unist的另一个团队将3D打印与注射模制结合在一起，以产生walking starfish-shaped robot. The device’s five ‘limbs’ act like tendons in a biomechanical system that can be actuated to perform controlled movements.
Elsewhere, scientists from theUniversity of Illinois通过将老鼠的脊髓融合到软机器人中，将生物物质整合到其设计中3D打印的步行微型机器人. The bio-robot is powered by a patterned muscle contraction in the spine, which in turn moves its ‘feet.’
The researchers’ findings are detailed in their paper titled “完全3D打印的模块化管道机器人,” which was co-authored by Disheng Xie, Jianbin Liu, Rongjie Kang and Siyang Zuo.
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Featured image shows a diagram of the team’s 3D printed robot climbing a pipe. Image via the IEEE Robotics and Automation journal.
