Preventing Pathogen Contamination in a Robotic Arm Specimen Tube Transport System

Overview

Objectives/Goals To determine the optimal tube transport carrier model, robotic arm tube gripper design, robotic arm gripper pad type, and Pressure (PSI) for proper extraction and insertion of medical blood test tubes into different automated testing lines. Methods/Materials #Specimen tube carriers, gripper pads, grippers, an air compressor, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller),PC (Laptop Computer) Robotic arm tube transport test stand, force gauge, and test tubes. #Different carriers were tested for insertion force with different test tubes. #Grippers, gripper pads, and air pressure (PSI) were tested for the slip force of different test tubes. Results #The FD (Final Design) carrier was best for test tube insertion, because of the minimal force required for the various test tubes to be inserted properly in the carrier when compared to the other carrier, gripper pad, gripper design, and air pressure (PSI) rating combinations. #The B (60 degree modified) Design Gripper makes more contact with the tubes to be inserted properly into the FD tube carrier when compared to the other carrier, gripper pad, gripper design, and air pressure (PSI) rating combinations. #The BP (Black) Gripper Pads grasped the tubes the best to sustain enough force for the tubes to be inserted into the FD tube carrier properly when compared to the other carrier, gripper pad, gripper design, and air pressure (PSI) rating combinations. #The pressure set at 100 air pressure (PSI) gripper strength made for the best gripping force to prevent the tube from slipping in the robotic gripper arm and be inserted properly into the FD tube carrier when compared to the other carrier, gripper pad, gripper design, and air pressure (PSI) rating combinations. Conclusions/Discussion The data indicates significant improvement in the insertion and extraction of various test tubes into different automated blood testing lines using these optimal parameters: the FD Carrier Model with the BP Gripper Pad and the B Design Gripper at 100 air pressure (PSI) gripper strength.

Awards (1)

• Third Place

Competition history

• CSEF 2008 Applied Mechanics & Structures · Entry S0207

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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