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08/11/2006
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End effectors are tools at the end of robotic appendages designed to perform specific tasks such as drilling, trenching or grasping. Alliance has experience with a variety of such devices.
Alliance has developed the Low-Force Sample Acquisition System (LSAS) intended to drill into a wide variety of rocks and frozen soils on Mars’ surface. Utilizing a percussive hammer action, the LSAS has demonstrated its ability to drill into Martian rock, including basalt and frozen soil. A sample acquisition bin traps the fines generated by drilling that can then be deposited into an instrument by releasing spring-loaded clamshell doors. LSAS has been successfully tested in a thermal-vacuum chamber that mimics Mars pressure and temperatures, and in the Mars Yard at JPL while mounted to the robotic arm of the Rocky 8 rover.
The Mars Integrated Drilling and Sampling (MIDAS) System was developed by Alliance to meet NASA’s need for drilling, coring and abrading tools using low-mass, mobile, robotic platforms. Incorporating the unique Ultrasonic Corer/Abrader (USDC) developed by JPL, MIDAS adds a tool-changing capability that allows a wide variety of drill, coring and abrading bits to be interchanged. Not only is functionality increased but also reliability, since a worn, broken or seized bit can be discarded and replaced. The MIDAS prototype is currently being tested. | | |  |
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Last Updated ( 08/20/2006 )
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