RoboCrane Project: An Advanced Concept for Large Scale Manufacturing

The RoboCrane is a cable driven, multi-purpose manipulator based on the Stewart Platform Parallel Link Manipulator. It provides six degree-of-freedom load control via teleoperative, graphic off-line programming, and hybrid control modes. Originally, the RoboCrane was developed under a Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) contract to stabilize loads on conventional cranes. Currently, configurations have advanced to include land, sea, air-lifted, and space applications. It can be designed for high lift-to-weight ratio, stable gantry configurations, flexibility, precise maneuverability, and mobility over a variety of surfaces including very rough terrain. As part of the NIST mission, the Intelligent Systems Division provides research in, develops methods for, and applies intelligent systems technology to improve U.S. industry competitiveness [1] relating to manufacturing, including large scale manufacturing, such as: building, airstrip, bridge, and ship construction. The RoboCrane provides an intelligent machine enhancement or alternative to current construction methods.