University of Iowa, Mechanical Engineering
Johnson Space Center – Development of Actuated Real-time Control for ARGOS Negation of Gravitational Effects on the Limbs (ARC-ANGEL)
What are the current goals of your project?
The objectives for the remainder of this internship are centered on minimizing the overall design’s volume while ensuring its robustness. Key improvements will be applied to the CAD design to reduce the footprint of the brackets and pulley system. Currently, the device utilizes custom-made aluminum parts produced by a third-party supplier, which are costly and lead to delays incompatible with rapid prototyping needs. Consequently, another critical aim is to explore alternative materials such as NylonX and adopt manufacturing techniques like 3D printing. These changes are expected to maintain structural strength while significantly cutting down on production time and costs.
What accomplishments has your project made so far?
Previous versions of a gravitational offloading device for limbs have utilized passive mechanisms, such as springs, to alleviate the effects of gravity on the shoulders and upper arms of test subjects and astronauts. This device is used for training in reduced-gravity environments. The goal for the active version of this apparatus is to introduce a variable offloading mechanism capable of providing a more precise gravitational offload, depending on the arm’s orientation. In essence, the kinematics of this method have been developed, alongside an initial prototype. A pulley system is employed to lift the upper arm similarly to a marionette puppet. Ongoing rapid prototyping is focused on iterating through improved designs for the ARC-ANGEL, aiming to reduce both its volumetric footprint and material costs. These improvements are intended to enhance ergonomics while maintaining structural integrity and robustness.
What impact has this internship had so far?
This is my third rotation interning with ER3 at JSC, which has allowed me to contribute to this project over the long term and witness its evolution. This experience has significantly enhanced my technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Equally, my communication skills have seen considerable improvement. I’ve also learned the importance of networking and had the opportunity to gain insight into various initiatives not only at NASA but across the broader aerospace industry. My interest in STEM, particularly in aerospace and biomechanics, has grown immensely. I aspire to pursue a career where I can further develop my skills in these fields.