Six-Axis Force-Torque Transducer for Mars 2018 Mission

The use of automated robotic tooling is required in a number of space missions. It is possible to have better tool control if the robotic arm could report loads experienced by the tooling. ATI Industrial Automation proposes to develop and prove technologies to be used in a low weight, low outgassing multi-axis force and torque transducer that can be used at cryogenic temperatures. The transducer will require strain gage excitation electrical power and output strain gage level voltage signals. These signals can be digitized and then mathematically transformed into values that represent the transducer's loads as forces in the X, Y, and Z axes and torques about the X, Y, and Z axes. The primary goal of this phase I proposal is to develop, produce, and characterize a proof of concept strain-sensing beam that can survive the harsh environments expected to be encountered on a Mars lander mission. The main challenges of this proposal are the development of a strain-sensing beam that can 1) survive and operate over wide temperature ranges, and 2) operate at low atmospheric pressure with minimal outgassing.

There are a number of potential NASA applications for six degree of freedom force and torque transducers which are able survive these harsh conditions. They include: * Providing loading feedback to a robot arm controller about the arm's end effector, such as a robotic drill or corer. The feedback can allow the operation to be adjusted for best performance. * Providing loading feedback from an end effector on a teleoperated robotic arm, perhaps on the ISS or another body in space. * Providing loading feedback for limbs in a Robonuat-type application.

There are a number of potential non-NASA commerical applications for six degree of freedom force and torque transducers which are able survive these harsh conditions. They include: * Robotic arm loading feedback for remote vehicles operating on the moon, such as would be needed for commercial exploration of the moon. * Sensing loads in a space tug when it connects to a satellite that is being moved to a another orbit. * Sensing loads caused by an experiment or operation being conducted in orbit. * Providing loading feedback experiments and remotely operated vehicles in the cold of the Earth's polar regions. * Providing loading information for tasks conducted in a near vacuum environment.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.