Please HELP with an articulating arm design Idea
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Posted by: maceng ®

05/22/2006, 09:26:07

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Greetings,

Iam in the process of designing an articulated arm for laser beam delivery. Basically, 2 pipes and 3 joints, each joint allowing 180 degrees of rotation about one axis and contains 2 mirrors at 45 degrees to the optical axis. My concern is regarding the alignment of the components for optimum laser delivery. Is it better to incorporate a ball, cylinderical or even a bushing bearing? the aim is to keep the radial and axial play to minimum (more importantly the radial play as that will affect the shift of the laser beam from the optical axis). Any help, suggestion or recommended readings are highly appreciated.


Fadi Ishak
Mech. Eng. III
McMaster University








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Re: Please HELP with an articulating arm design Smile
Re: Please HELP with an articulating arm design -- maceng Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: Marky ®

05/26/2006, 08:12:41

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Sorry....Bud No Sarcasm intended.

25 years in the laser industry dealing with these. They are not easy to develop.

Just thought I would save you time......that's all.

Good Luck








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Re: Please HELP with an articulating arm design
Re: Please HELP with an articulating arm design -- maceng Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: maceng ®

05/25/2006, 11:35:43

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MARKY:

I already know that these arms exist in the market and they cost a fortune ($10,000-13,000). The cost is the only reason why Iam trying to design and manufacture it which would be around $1500 if done in-house.

While I would like to thank you for the reply, I emphasize that I really do NOT appreciate any sarcasm!

F. Ishak








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Re: Please HELP with an articulating arm design
Re: Please HELP with an articulating arm design -- maceng Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: Marky ®

05/25/2006, 10:54:57

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It seems to me that you may re-inventing the wheel. There are dozens of companies that make these arms.

www(DOT)optotek.si/index.php?id=50
www(DOT)lasermech.com/industrial.shtm
www(DOT)oxid.com/

These are just a few places.......I think a google search should find several more

Good Luck

Marky

No commercial direct links please - Admin







Modified by Administrator at Thu, May 25, 2006, 15:53:50


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Re: Please HELP with an articulating arm design
Re: Please HELP with an articulating arm design -- maceng Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: Kelly_Bramble ®

05/22/2006, 21:34:30

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Do you have a picture? A free body load diagram?







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Re: Re: Please HELP with an articulating arm design
Re: Re: Please HELP with an articulating arm design -- Kelly_Bramble Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: maceng ®

05/22/2006, 22:22:24

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Attached is a quick sketch of how the system may look like. Basically, 2 mirrors mounted @ 45 degrees to the optical axis (which is concentric with the tubes). the laser beam will enter thru the first tube, reflect @ 45 degrees at the first mirror to travel and hit the second mirror and bend 45 degrees again to exit at the second tube.

Iam concerned with quality and component design of the joing (to allow rotation around the optical axis) as any misalignment even in the order of +- 0.001 would shift the laser beam away from the optical axis and will require hours of adjustment. hence I believe I need precision components (bushings or bearings) to minimize axial or radial shift of joints. I hope I am clear about my objective.

Thanks for the help


 

joint.jpg (35.3 KB)  





Modified by maceng at Mon, May 22, 2006, 22:23:36


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