 | |
SolidWorks Helps to Provide Super Human Strength for BLEEX Exoskeleton
Innovators create lighter, sleeker, more agile mechanical legs to make
70-pound packs feel feather light
CONCORD, Massachusetts, December 9, 2004 - Schilling Robotics, LLC,
is using SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software to design critical
parts of an “exoskeleton” that will someday help soldiers, firefighters,
rescue workers, and others carry back-breaking burdens without feeling
the weight.
The Davis, California-based manufacturer, widely known for its remotely
operated deep-sea work vehicles and manipulator arms, is designing the
hip/thigh/knee assembly for the second-generation Berkeley Lower
Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX). Schilling is collaborating closely on the
design with the team of Dr. Homayoon Kazerooni, director of UC
Berkeley’s Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory.
The BLEEX consists of a backpack-like frame and mechanical braces
connected to the user’s feet, legs, and hips. Human users wearing the
BLEEX can carry a 70-pound backpack yet feel as though they are carrying
five pounds.
 Schilling faced three major challenges when it began designing the new
joint assembly: reducing weight, enclosing electronics and hydraulics,
and expanding its range of motion to support the way a human actually
moves. “SolidWorks was a tremendous help on all three counts,” said CEO
and co-founder Tyler Schilling. “Its 3D capabilities vividly simulated
the assembly’s new rotary actuation, and revealed new ways to
efficiently enclose the wires and tubes.
SolidWorks’ interface
automatically updated us on the assembly’s mass through dozens of
iterations, which was critical in reducing weight. SolidWorks’ COSMOSXpress design analysis tool checked the strength of any component
with a single mouse click, saving us the trouble of getting out our
calculators and ‘Roark’s Formulas for Stress and Strain.’ SolidWorks
synthesizes all of the information for you and, like the BLEEX, takes
care of the legwork.”
Schillings’ innovative hip/thigh/knee assembly will be used in the
second-generation BLEEX coming out in early 2005. The
second-generation BLEEX will be lighter weight, “field ready,” and more
agile. Thanks in large part to Schilling Robotics and SolidWorks
software, users of the new BLEEX will be able to accomplish a full squat
and bounce back up to a standing position.
Schilling Robotics first began evolving from AutoCAD to SolidWorks
software when the company’s design engineers needed a 3D modeling system
to design an irregularly shaped buoyancy device for Schilling’s QUEST
remotely operated undersea vehicle. The company immediately saw dramatic
productivity gains and has standardized on SolidWorks software for all
its new designs.
SolidWorks has delivered significant returns on Schilling’s investment
above and beyond the BLEEX project. For example, Schilling was able to
forgo extensive international travel time and expense in a customer
engagement with the University of Bremen in Germany. The company was
contracted to design portions of a deep-sea drill assembly to pull
50-meter geological samples from the ocean floor. Rather than fly to
Germany, Schilling engineers were able to display designs in an online
conferencing session using SolidWorks’ eDrawings email enabled
communication tool. The client could see the design without installing
any new software. SolidWorks has also simplified interactions with other
customers and suppliers, many of whom use SolidWorks software
themselves.
Schilling Robotics works with authorized SolidWorks reseller GEI
technology, inc. for ongoing software training, implementation, and
support.
About Schilling Robotics
Schilling Robotics is a leading producer of undersea work equipment,
including the Remote Systems Engine (RSE), the QUEST remotely operated
vehicle (ROV) systems, and telerobotic manipulator systems with a wide
range of functions, sizes, lift capacities, ranges of motion, control
systems, and dexterities. The company is the world’s leading supplier of
manipulator systems for the ROVs and cable trenching machines used in
offshore oil, telecommunications, scientific, and military operations.
While Schilling Robotics’ emphasis is on equipment for the subsea
industry, the company’s manipulator systems are also used for a variety
of terrestrial applications in government and commercial energy markets.
In addition to producing standard products, the company undertakes a
wide range of custom engineering projects. For more information, visit
www.schilling.com.
About GEI technology, inc.
GEI technology, inc. is a certified SolidWorks and COSMOS sales,
training, and technical support center with facilities in San Mateo,
Roseville, Santa Clara, Rohnert Park, and Dublin, Calif. GEI has been
providing superior support and state-of-the-art engineering solutions in
Northern California since 1974. The company’s goal is to assist its
clients in achieving their business goals by offering the resources they
need to increase productivity and profitability. For more information
about GEI technology, Inc. visit www.geitech.com.
About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systèmes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY,
Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software
for mechanical design, analysis, and product data management. It is the
#1 supplier of 3D mechanical design software for the mainstream market.
SolidWorks leads the market in number of users in production, customer
satisfaction, and revenue. For the latest news, information, or a live
online demonstration, visit the company’s Web site <www.solidworks.com>
or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
More SolidWorks Select Articles
|
|
