| Project Reference: | ITP/030/17LP |
| Project Title: | Robotic Material Preparations Using Tactile and Visual |
| Hosting Institution: | LSCM R&D Centre (LSCM) |
| Abstract: | Material preparation procedures are common and critical for product safety and conformity assessments/tests in many product compliance laboratories around the World. The procedures are labour-intensive, repetitive, routine and tiring. Most importantly, nearly all products are required to go through such procedures. Hence, two-third (2/3) of the workers are carrying various material preparation tasks within each laboratory or organization. This project aims to research and develop a robotic material preparation device for product conformity assessments. This robotic device comprises of tactile and visual guidance. In order to avoid cross-contamination, the device is designed to have an ultrasonic bath and a sample collection tank. In addition, a novel high-speed milling cutter is developed and evaluated to remove samples from surface of selected items effectively. An industrial problem of labour intensive and manual material preparation is posed to a renowned product safety and conformity assessment organization. Product samples of kitchenware, garment/clothing, woodware toys and so on are required in different colours, shapes, sizes and made of different materials e.g. fabrics, metals and so on for chemical or biological conformity assessments. In this respect, samples of clothing labels, kitchenware and plastics are selected to be prepared by proposed device within project duration. No similar device has been developed or used in the industry. The proposed system is innovative. It improves cost effectiveness and enhances competitive edge of local product safety and conformity assessment organizations. |
| Project Coordinator: | Dr Ka Lun FAN |
| Approved Funding Amount: | HK$2.75M |
| Project Period: | 10 Jul 2017 - 9 Jul 2018 |
