In this paper, we use impact-induced acceleration in conjunction with periodic stick-slip to successfully and quickly transport parts vertically against gravity. We show analytically that vertical vibratory transport is more difficult than its horizontal counterpart, and provide guidelines for achieving optimal vertical vibratory transport of a part. Namely, such a system must be capable of quickly realizing high accelerations, as well as supply normal forces at least several times that required for static equilibrium. We also show that for a given maximum acceleration, there is an optimal normal force for transport. To test our analytical guidelines, we built a vibrating surface using flexures and a voice coil actuator that can accelerate a magnetic ram into various materials to generate impacts. The surface was used to transport a part against gravity. Experimentally obtained motion tracking data confirmed the theoretical model. A series of grasping tests with a vibrating-surface equipped parallel jaw gripper confirmed the design guidelines.

This paper describes the development of a novel non-anthropomorphic robot hand with the ability to manipulate objects by means of articulated, actively driven rollers located at the fingertips. An analysis is conducted and systems of equations for two-finger and three-finger manipulation of a sphere are formulated to demonstrate full six degree of freedom nonholonomic spatial motion capability. A prototype version of the hand was constructed and used to grasp and manipulate a variety of objects. Tests conducted with the prototype confirmed the validity of the mathematical analysis. Unlike conventional approaches to within-hand manipulation using legacy robotic hands, the continuous rotation capability of our rolling fingertips allows for unbounded rotation of a grasped object without the need for finger gaiting.