Manips for inspection class ROVs

[Stewie_G]

I’m looking for input / feedback on manips for mid sized to larger inspection class vehicles. I’m considering designing an electric manip and wanted to get some opinons before dumping cash into development. I’ve heard complaints about the small Hyd manips available and wanted to see if there is a need for a better small manip (one that doesn’t spew hyd fluid after one month or consist of jaws on a stick)

1. How many axis and which ones

2. Wrist rotation or fixed jaws?

3. How strong (lift, grip, wrist torque)?

4. How much would they pay for a good arm. (I ask almost jokingly)

5. Does anyone ever use the Hyd pack on vehicles with Hyd manips for any other tools besides manips?

I’m looking at a 24VDC arm with between 3 and 6 functions. Any relavant input woudl be greatly appreciated.

[FreddyB]

The most common small hydraulic manips are from Hydro-Lek

http://www.hydro-lek.com/

Cheap and cheerful. Bend easily but most people can fix them. Big pains is that he uses home-made fittings. Try getting those in Africa!. I think about £20k for a 5 function with valve pack and controller

I happen to know that Schilling have been looking into this market for a while. They sell a few Orions onto the bigger SubAtlantic vehicles but these are quite expensive (£55k). They used to do a thing called HV5/HV6 which is more the right size for Panther or Cougar. Maybe they will do something like that?

Having the hydraulics there is very useful to run cutters, grinders, torque tools and the like.

I’d be very wary of bigger electric manips unless there is some new technology about that is more water tolerant.

Now, who remembers seawater powered manips?

[thinsub]

I would be wary of developing a large Electrical Manip as they do get a lot of abuse under the water especially during ROV construction work. Schilling Manips in my opinon are leaders in the field for construction class Manips and a pretty robust. Most Constrution ROV’s would have a Five fucntion Grabber and a seven function Manip like the T4.

You can get the specifications from there web site

http://www.schilling.com/products_ManipulatorSystems_TITAN4.php

If you think you could improve on them I am all for it, anything to improve things offshore.

Thinsub

[Stewie_G]

I’m more than familiar with the Schiiling arms as I worked there for quite a few years. They are too busy with UHD production and flooded with manip orders to think about a small electric arm. I’m looking at the 100 – 400 Kg size ROV. Around 200W at 24 VDC and not a work class arm. An altenative to the small Hydro-Leak, smaller than the Orion and no need to waste space or payload with a valve pack and HPU. The Orion Schilling did for the Sub-Atlantic vehicle was a one-off and don’t expect to see any more and the HV arms are a long deceased product line, never to be reserected. So the basic question is, Is there a need for a manip for inspection class vehicles?

[ROVNor]

Hi.

We are looking for a alternative to Hydro Lek , are not too impressed with all the oil leak from them…

We have only Norwegian Built Sperre as "Subfigther " ROV systems, and have only good things to say about them, works very well.

there is a bit more info/spec on web site http://www.rovogdykk.no

Let me know if you are going foreward with the manips developement.

[Author]

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