Effect of Pneumatic Based Hybrid Robotic Gripper for Safer Handling of Complex Geometries

The present research work mainly concentrates on development of hybrid grippers with the integration of hard and soft components for achieving object manipulation. By combining pneumatic actuation with mechanical fingers, complex geometries can be handled effectively. Pneumatic hybrid gripper fabricated with PLA and silicone rubber offers adaptability and versatility. Resistive sensors over silicone surface of gripper lead to cost-effective force detection and tactile sensing. The proposed gripper was designed and analyzed using Fusion 360 and ANSYS. Inflatable silicone rubber and gripper body were fabricated using liquid casting and Fused Deposited Modelling 3D printing techniques. Real-time feedback sensors were employed with fabricated gripper to get better performance. Testing proves its capability to handle loads up to 500g with a force of 3.3N. Finally, the assembled hybrid gripper offers a versatile solution for robotic manipulation, ensuring stability and minimizing damage across various industries.