Title: Modelling and control of a bio-inspired microgripper

Authors: G.B. Madhab, C.S. Kumar, P.K. Mishra

Addresses: Emerson Design Engineering Center, Plot No. 23, Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjewadi, Phase-II, Pune 411 057, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Pune 411005, India

Abstract: A biologically inspired microgripper has been considered with its kinematic model. The dynamic model of the gripper has been developed considering the system with its equivalent lumped inertia, stiffness and damping parameters. The biomimetic gripper developed is conceptually similar to an agonist–antagonistic mechanism. This mechanism is most commonly used by almost all crustaceans not only for gripping, but also for cutting, crushing, walking, climbing, etc., where two muscles called agonist and antagonist are working against each other to allow movement in both directions and to stabilise the joint. The mathematical model is then simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK. Based on the SIMULINK model developed, a PID controller is used for precise position control.

Keywords: microgrippers; biomimetics; antagonist muscle pair; position control; bio-inspired technology; kinematic modelling; dynamic modelling; mathematical modelling; simulation; PID control; gripping control.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2010.034294

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2010 Vol.21 No.1/2, pp.160 - 175

Published online: 31 Jul 2010 *

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