Objet’s Connex350 3D Printing System Enables Real World Physical Testing at Biorobotics and Biomechanics Lab - Objet - #1

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At a Glance Company: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology URL: http://brml.technion.ac.il/ Location: Haifa, Israel Industry: leading mechanical engineering education and research center, with a specialty in biorobotics and biomechanics Challenges • Creating structurally complex parts that can withstand real world physical testing and functional use • Finding a 3D Printing System that enables printing of multiple materials with unique characteristics in one build process. This can not be done with any other RP technology and is difficult and expensive to do with tooling • Create models quickly and cost effectively Solution Connex350 3D Printing System from Objet Geometries Results • Can now create accurate, structurally complex models that can withstand impact and absorb shocks • Able to create intricate over molding structures that work • Reduced response time for modifications and changes • Achieved desired results in the shortest time with the lowest costs BRML’s interest in kinematics and mechanism design is motivated by the belief that many designers are overly dependent on computer-aided design tools and software results. In contrast, BRML focuses on asking meaningful questions and searching for fundamental understanding of the problems and processes being studied. Fascinated by the depth and complexity of the art of analysis and synthesis of bodies in motion and mechanism design, Dr Wolf and his team use kinematics tools, such as 3D models, to provide insight into their modes of operation. BRML develops mechanical structures, control strategies and motion planning for hyperredundant mechanisms. A redundant robot has at least one extra degree of freedom (DOF) than required, in order to compensate for simple constraints, i.e., using an elbow up versus an elbow down configuration, to reach a target position. Hyper-redundant robots have many more DOF than required, enabling them to handle more constraints, such as those presented in highly convoluted volumes, while at the same time enabling them to perform a variety of tasks. BRML uses Objet’s Connex350 3D printer to create robust, fully functional models that investigate the kinematics, design criteria, and control strategy for these complex mechanisms. They focus on hyper-redundant robots which are either mounted to a fixed base (like an elephant trunk), or are unconstrained (like a snake robot). The lab focuses on kinematics and robotics in areas that can impact and directly contribute to science and society. For example, its work in medical devices and robotics enhances and enables executions of new medical procedures that were not possible before; and its work in search and rescue robotics enables better and faster detection of survivors while reducing the risk of injury for the search and rescue personnel. For these applications, and others, BRML uses Objet’s Connex350 3D printer to create the highquality, working robotic models needed. Objet’s Connex350 3D Printing System Enables Real World Physical Testing at Biorobotics and Biomechanics Lab “The wide range of Connex350 Digital Materials enabled us to produce a fully functional hyper-redundant robot for real world physical testing in a matter of days” Alon Wolf, Ph.D., The Founder of the Biorobotics and Biomechanics Lab at the Technion Case Study Using Objet 3D Models to Go Beyond CAD