Overview
Both hobbyists and professionals will treasure this unique and distinctive sourcebook, the most thorough -- and thoroughly explained -- compendium of robot mechanisms and devices ever assembled. Written and illustrated specifically for people fascinated with mobile robots, Robot Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Illustrated offers a one-stop source for everything needed for the mechanical design of state-of-the-art mobile 'bots. Written by a leading robot designer -- a designer of robots used at the horizon of mobile robotics -- this resource offers a collection of both new and classic robotic mechanisms and devices unmatched in scope, from such high-level sources as the mechanical engineer's mainstay, Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Illustrated. Paul Sandin's superlative reference also brings you new robotic mechanisms and devices that have never before been collected!Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewPaul E. Sandin's book on robot technology provides detailed explanations of, as the title proclaims, mechanisms and devices that a robot needs in order to function. Sandin discusses a specific robotic function, defines it, and then addresses the various devices or mechanisms that will provide the function. The organization of the material in this excellent book allows a great deal of information to be presented in a very reasonable framework. Sandin presents this information in a very clear and concise writing style that is both fascinating and easy to read.
Sandin begins with a discussion of how today's motion control systems are used in such diverse applications as materials handling equipment, machine tool centers, chemical and pharmaceutical process lines, inspection stations, and robots and injection molding machines. He looks at mechanisms that transfer power between non-inline shafts, checks out couplers and torque limiters, and discusses the mobile robot designer's need to couple shafts together.
But what, you ask, about wheel systems for mobility? Sandin tackles everything from one-wheeled vehicles to eight-wheeled systems and covers all known track layouts used on production vehicles ranging in size from thirty centimeters long (about a foot) to over forty five meters (a city block). What's more, he evaluates statically stable walkers and addresses the interesting mobility problem of using robots to inspect and repair pipelines from the inside. Then, after comparing the movement mechanisms and mechanical linkages he's already presented, Sandin focuses on the three general arm layouts of a generic manipulator plus possible wrist and gripper designs. Finally, he presents a detailed discussion of robot switches and how they can act as the whole sensor or merely part of a sensor package.
Building robots, whether for fun or for serious function, is a rewarding endeavor. This outstanding book quickly brings the necessary comprehension and skills within your grasp. It is a must-read for anyone working or playing in this arena. John R. Vacca
John R. Vacca, the former computer security official (CSO) for NASA's space station program (Freedom), has written nearly 40 books about advanced storage, computer security, and aerospace technology.