o trabalho tem como objetivo o estudo e a aplicação da técnica de hardware-in-the-loop como uma ferramenta de suporte no processo de desenvolvimento de uma mão artificial robótica. Os esforços se concentram no desenvolvimento de um ambiente computacional e um ambiente experimental para trabalharem em conjunto e simultaneamente. No ambiente computacional foi desenvolvido o modelo do sistema simulado em tempo real. No ambiente experimental, partes do protótipo da mão robótica foram implementadas. Em ambos os casos, foram desenvolvidos e empregados um controlador seguidor multivariável. Adotando este tipo de abordagem, partes do sistema simulado em tempo real poderão ser substituídas - à medida de suas necessidades - por partes físicas, como por exemplo: sensores, atuadores e novos hardwares de controle, possibilitando uma considerável redução de investimento em hardware e de tempo de projeto. / The purpose of this work is the study and the application of the hardware-in-the-loop technique as a support tool in the development process of an artificial robotic hand. The efforts concentrate on the development of a computational and experimental environment to work together and simultaneously. In the computational environment, the simulated system model was developed in real-time. In the experimental environment, prototype parts of the robotic hand were implemented. In both cases, a multivariable controIler was developed and utilized. By adopting this approach, parts of the system simulated in real time can be substituted - according to the needs - by physical parts, such as: sensors, actuators, and new control hardware, allowing a considerable investment reduction in hardware and in time of project.

o trabalho tem como objetivo o estudo e a aplicação da técnica de hardware-in-the-loop como uma ferramenta de suporte no processo de desenvolvimento de uma mão artificial robótica. Os esforços se concentram no desenvolvimento de um ambiente computacional e um ambiente experimental para trabalharem em conjunto e simultaneamente. No ambiente computacional foi desenvolvido o modelo do sistema simulado em tempo real. No ambiente experimental, partes do protótipo da mão robótica foram implementadas. Em ambos os casos, foram desenvolvidos e empregados um controlador seguidor multivariável. Adotando este tipo de abordagem, partes do sistema simulado em tempo real poderão ser substituídas - à medida de suas necessidades - por partes físicas, como por exemplo: sensores, atuadores e novos hardwares de controle, possibilitando uma considerável redução de investimento em hardware e de tempo de projeto. / The purpose of this work is the study and the application of the hardware-in-the-loop technique as a support tool in the development process of an artificial robotic hand. The efforts concentrate on the development of a computational and experimental environment to work together and simultaneously. In the computational environment, the simulated system model was developed in real-time. In the experimental environment, prototype parts of the robotic hand were implemented. In both cases, a multivariable controIler was developed and utilized. By adopting this approach, parts of the system simulated in real time can be substituted - according to the needs - by physical parts, such as: sensors, actuators, and new control hardware, allowing a considerable investment reduction in hardware and in time of project.

Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. / This thesis outlines a proposed mechanical design, prototyping and testing of a five fingered artificial hand made of 15 articulated joints actuated by Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) mimicking muscular functions. SMAs Artificial muscles were incorporated in the forearm and artificial tendons made of nylon wires passing through a hollow palm transmit the pulling force to bend the fingers. Torsion springs set in each joint of the fingers create enough restoring force to straighten the finger when the actuators are disengaged. Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) wires were intrinsically embedded within the hand structure allowing significant movements mimicking human hand-like gestures. A control box made of switches connected to the artificial hand helps to control each gesture. A modular approach was taken in the design to facilitate the manufacture and assembly processes. Nickel-Titanium wires were used as actuators to perform the artificial muscle functions by changing their crystallographic structures due to Joule's heating. Rapid prototyping techniques were employed to manufacture the hand in ABS plastic.