Adapting a Low-Cost Selective Compliant Articulated Robotic Arm for Spillage Avoidance.

Journal: Journal of laboratory automation
Published Date:

Abstract

Flexible automation systems provide the needed adaptability to serve shorter-term projects and specialty applications in biochemical analysis. A low-cost selective compliant articulated robotic arm designed for liquid spillage avoidance is developed here. In the vertical-plane robotic arm movement test, the signals from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and accelerometer were able to sense collisions. In the horizontal movement test, however, only the signals from the IMU enabled collision to be detected. Using a calculation method developed, it was possible to chart the regions where the obstacle was likely to be located when a collision occurred. The low cost of the IMU and its easy incorporation into the robotic arm offer the potential to meet the pressures of lowering operating costs, apply laboratory automation in resource-limited venues, and obviate human intervention in response to sudden disease outbreaks.

Authors

  • Darren McMorran
    Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
  • Dwayne Chung Kim Chung
    Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
  • Jonathan Li
    Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
  • Murat Muradoglu
    Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
  • Oi Wah Liew
    Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.
  • Tuck Wah Ng
    Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia engngtw@gmail.com.