Soft Robotic Grippers are flexible, deformable robotic components designed to grasp and manipulate objects with minimal damage. They utilize soft materials like silicone rubber to conform to the shape of the object they handle.
Traditional rigid robotic grippers can cause damage to delicate or irregularly shaped objects during handling. Soft Robotic Grippers address this issue by providing a safer and more versatile method of object manipulation.
These grippers use pneumatic or hydraulic pressure applied to elastomeric chambers within a flexible structure. The pressure causes the material to deform, allowing it to grip and release objects without causing damage.
Manufacturing involves creating flexible molds for the elastomeric chambers, which are then filled with air or fluid under controlled pressure. The process requires precision in mold creation to ensure consistent performance.
The build process starts with designing the gripper structure and selecting appropriate materials. Elastomers are molded into the desired shape and fitted with pneumatic or hydraulic components before final assembly.
Field units draw low hundreds of watts; fabrication is energy-intensive due to vacuum baking.
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