Robotic aid for staircase

transportation of sheet

materials

KAYMAN KRISHNAMOHAN

CHAITRA KAWATHEKAR

NATHAN ADEROGBA

PRANAVAN GUNASEELAN

Situation• Manual handling of construction materials can result in long term injuries

• 1.1m people reported that they suffered from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in 2015 caused by work manual handling.

• 12.3m working days are lost annually due to this disorder alone.

(Source: LFS annual average estimate 2014/15-2016/17)

50% caused by manual handling

BriefTo design and manufacture a manual handling aid that:

1. Will take strain off the operative’s body

2. Will make transportation of materials faster and more efficient

3. Does not damage material or the surrounding environment.

4. Cost effective

Site VisitWe visited two Morgan Lovell sites:1) 74-80 Camden Street- Ongoing office

refurbishment2) Network Rail building, Evershot street- Finished

project

User requirements:

• Cost effective- i.e. move materials faster than humans for less money (£1 per floor taken up)

• Carry 6-10 boards per journey• Quiet• Human-operated/ watched Comply with Health

and Safety law and regulations

Key Research

Stair Case Regulations:

• Maximum number of risers between landings is 16

• Maximum rise for any step is 220mm (min. 150mm)

• Minimum going of any step is 220mm (max. 300mm)

Fig 1.1 Fig 1.2

Fig 1.3 Fig 1.4

Final CAD

Developments and Manufacture: Clamping systemFunction: To close, holding the sheets securely in place as the device moves them up stairs

Fig 6.1- Sample placementFig 6.2

Fig 6.5Fig 6.4

Fig 6.3

Fig 6.6

Developments and Manufacture

Fig 4.1

Fig 4.4- Lift System

Fig 4.3 – After supportFig 4.2- Before Support

Fig 4.5

Developments and Manufacture: Counter BalanceFunction: To move forwards when sheet is held vertical in order to prevent tipping backwards

Plasterboard Sheets- 356kg

Base- 100kg

Counter balance-175kg

Effects of counter balance

1) Reduced risk of tipping backwards when sheet is held vertically

2) Prevents tipping backwards when moving up stairs with load

3) Prevents tipping forward

Future DevelopmentsMain developments:

• Install proximity sensors and integrate into program

• Unify all components into a single system

• Increase the grip of tracks by moving towards more real world materials and constructions

• Adjust lift mechanism- install linear actuators to raise and lower sheets.

• Scale up clamping mechanism and redesign so single button can release all clamps at once

.