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Magnetic “Invisible Grippers” Aid Non Contact Assembly Of Complex Structures
The fine control of the position of objects in space and haptic (tactile) interaction with them is important when automating the assembly of complex products from a number of smaller components.
3-D self-assembly, robotic assembly and friction free-non-contact movement of hard and soft objects all require intricate positioning. Biomimetics, soft robotics and stimulus-response materials all require fine control over orientation of objects in space.
A new manufacturing technique, under development by the George Whitesides Research Group at Harvard, uses magnetic levitation (MagLev) to suspend objects in a solution of paramagnetic salt and manganese chloride. Objects such as a nylon screw can the be manipulated using a magnetic field created by an external MagLev device.
Objects suspended in a solution can be rotated using a magnetic field as if it were being held by an invisible gripper. Current systems for manipulating objects are limited with respect to the range of dimensions and object can be moved in and out of.
With magnetic manipulation objects can be rotated in most or all directions. The following video shows the process of manipulating a nylon screw using this method. The system uses commercially available NdFeB square and disc magnets. The screw is “levitated in an aqueous solution of MnCl2 in a rectangular glass container. The concentration of MnCl2 is adjusted so that the object levitates close to the center of the device.
Tags: magnetic levitation
This entry was posted on September 15th, 2014 and is filed under Technology. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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