SGER: Research and Development of Light Assisted Adhesive Gripper (LAAG) Pad Technology

The goal of this Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) project is to investigate the potential performance of fixtures utilizing Light Assisted Adhesive Gripper (LAAG) pad technology; and, to characterize the design factors that are critical to its feasible implementation. In particular, this investigation will: (1) carry out machining tests to verify the dynamic load capacity of a LAAG pad; (2) carryout a dynamic response comparison between a dedicated fixture-workpiece system utilizing conventional technology versus one utilizing LAAG pad technology; (3) determine the necessary optical qualities of the light transmission system, and generate and test a practical design; and, (4) carry out laser release experiments in order to determine the impact of laser switching frequency, laser wavelength, laser power, and adhesive thickness on workpiece release time.

In particular, the successful development of LAAG pad technology could lead to the following benefits: (1) The total exposed volume of fixturing necessary to restrain a workpiece will be significantly decreased, while simultaneously the dynamic stiffness of the fixture-workpiece system will be significantly increased. (2) Workpiece degradation due to pre-load deformation and contact surface brinelling and scratching will be eliminated.