One part gripper (similar to Admin's one part suspension)

[Ro-Bot-X]

I have found this work of Laval University Robotics Laboratory. Based on this and somebody else's implementation of this in Lego (simplified by me) I have built my robot's hand. They have updated their site with a new model made fom one piece of plastic made in a 3D rapid prototyper. Here is the site and below are some sample pics:
http://robot.gmc.ulaval.ca/en/research/theme306.html

[Admin]

Yea I actually use a similar technology on my robot fish fins. The shape 'intelligently' bends.

I've seen similar stuff to this using folded paper, cordboard, and even carbon fiber sheets. A bit hard to design and manufacture, but mechanically simple since its a single part.

[Steve Joblin]

Awesome find!  I've seen lots of grippers, but none with such a eloquent and simplistic design!  I can't believe that companies aren't making these... seems like a great product for Pololu, Trossen, Budget Robotics, etc. to be selling.

Hey... I just remembered seeing something about BigBlueSaw having a freebie offer on August 6 (http://www.bigbluesaw.com/saw/big-blue-saw-blog/general-updates/free-part-day-august-6.html) ... seems like if we can get someone to make drawings and post it, a bunch of us can submit it and each have our own!

Anyone here have any idea on how to create a file from the info and pictures available in the first post of this thread?

[Admin]

Oh, but bigbluesaw (the water cutter) doesn't have the precision for this.

That claw above is I think done with a 3D printer (judging by the lines in the material).

You might be able to get it to work with his laser cutter and a soft material like HDPE.

[Steve Joblin]

darn about Big Blue Saw!  Does anyone have any ideas on who could manufacture such an item?

[Ro-Bot-X]

Maybe Pololu? They have laser cut service... All we need is a working design, so someone has to prototype. (I was hoping Admin would be interested...)

[Admin]

Depends on:

your budget
part size
required precision
required material

Here is my list of companies that can do various custom manufacturing for you:
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_parts_list_manufacturing.shtml

That gripper can be made with just folded cardboard, and additional layers glued on for stiffness.

I was hoping Admin would be interested...

Im waaaay to busy to even finish my own stuff at the moment

[SimonArthur]

I'm baffled as to how cardboard and glue could be precise enough, but waterjet cut parts aren't.

Anyway, there's another sale coming up at Big Blue Saw, if you are interested:
http://www.bigbluesaw.com/saw/big-blue-saw-blog/general-updates/next-sale-dates.html

[Admin]

I'm baffled as to how cardboard and glue could be precise enough, but waterjet cut parts aren't.

Here is an example below. The connections are extremely thin, yet flexible and won't fatigue or fail. This only works with specific polymers and paper. Water cutters don't have the precision to cut that thin, and paper wouldn't survive the water cutting process.

Typically laser CNC cutters cut sheets of thin cardboard to get this effect.

[SimonArthur]

Have a look at the 8th picture down on this page:
http://waterjets.org/waterjet_pictures_2.html

It's a cheese cutter with a 0.02" thick blade, made on a waterjet.

[Admin]

Whoa impressively thin! I stand corrected. Paper is still ruled out, but other materials should work fine.

I know paper sounds crude, but its actually the state-of-the-art material of choice for micro-robotics researchers.