Technology & Innovation
Robots for Confined Spaces
OC Robotics develops snake-arm robots for confined and hazardous spaces.
Snake-arm robots do not need support from the environment. This means that they can navigate through an open space, avoiding obstacles, carrying tools and conducting work.
In addition to their robot-arms being commercially successful, OC Robotics has won several awards including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category in 2009.
Nose-Following Video
Intuitive operation
OC Robotics has designed robots for 24-7 operation working from pre-programmed motion sequences for repetitive tasks. Alternatively, many tasks require so called 'man-in-the-loop' real time control to navigate within unknown or variable spaces. For both types of application, our nose-following software allows the operator to fly-the-tip, in path-following or standard Cartesian modes with the computer taking care of the rest. RetractOne™ is provided as standard and allows the operator to back up safely with one thumb speed control. StopOnContact is coming as part of the SnakeSkin option pack, and more advanced capabilities, including automated search, will be possible in future.
Nose following principle
The best way to reach inside a confined space is to snake inside, with the body of the device following where the tip has gone. This is achieved by coordinated motion of the whole arm. Only when the tip reaches an open space, can it be moved in all directions.
Snake-Arm Simulator
Free simulation software based on our advanced Snake-arm software suite
Solutions
Industrial Applications
OC Robotics has experts dedicated to analysing problems in any industrial setting. The number of different applications for snake-arm® robots is continually increasing to embrace new sectors
Nuclear
With the problems of radiation dosage and confined spaces, the nuclear industry is a clear beneficiary of snake-arm technology. That fact is borne out by the contracts won and snake-arms delivered by OC Robotics to its nuclear clients
Aerospace
OC Robotics is working with aerospace partners, focused on aircraft assembly, to develop a comprehensive toolkit for low access assembly tasks
Technology
Arm
Select arm dimensions and number of articulated links appropriate for the required performance
Tools
Define tool appropriate for the required task
Introduction
Select introduction method. Rail&Rotate™, 3rd party robot, or a mobile vehicle
Actuator pack
Motors and power electronics can be kept accessible and outside the confined or hazardous space
User Interface
Each UI is carefully constructed to the specification and requirements of the client
Latest News
OC Robotics delivers snake-arm to AMRC
January 12 2012
OC Robotics has delivered a snake-arm robot to the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). The snake-arm will be used to deliver a variety of end effectors into confined spaces, and automate processes that are currently dangerous and time consuming to perform.
LaserSnake demonstrations
January 4 2012
OC Robotics and TWI Ltd have joined forces to integrate a 5kW fibre laser into a flexible Explorer snake-arm robot. This combination of technologies enables a remote-controlled selective approach to dismantling and decommissioning in confined spaces, with the ability to cut thick steel and concrete with minimal reaction forces.
Surgery with snake-arm robots
November 17 2011
OC Robotics has completed early stage work that shows how a stiff, steerable snake-arm could be used as a platform for natural orifice surgery.
We are recruiting for a Software Engineer
October 25 2011
We are looking for a talented software engineer to design, implement and test software to control and simulate snake-arm robots.
