3 Parallel grip: the principle of the opposable human thumb … … transferred to the MultiChoiceGripper Universal use: flexible gripping of differently shaped objects Different tasks, various grips The MultiChoiceGripper can grip nearly every kind of object – apart from those that are very flat. In order to demonstrate this, in the exhibit it first picks up the top part of a blue ball using the centric grip and puts it to one side. At the same time, there is a dark-blue cuboid in the ball and the gripper lifts this up and then places it next to the ball. At this point a silver-plated cylinder appears; this is also gripped and put to one side. An illuminated blue diamond made of glass is the only thing left. The gripper takes the diamond out of the small holder using its centric-gripping capability and holds it up for show. It then puts the diamond back, covers it with the cylinder and then places the cuboid over the cylinder. The ball is closed once again as the gripper replaces the top part of it. Integration of functions for force and form fitting Nature usually focuses on several operating principles with regard to its gripping systems. A combination of force fitting and form fitting is employed most often. Force-fit gripping involves grasping and holding objects using forces acting on a particular point or area – such as frictional forces, vacuums, negative pressures, or magnetic and electrostatic forces. In the case of the form-fitting principle, the gripper adapts to the object and exerts less force. When it comes to technology, most grip systems also apply both operating principles. The aim of these systems is to be able to handle objects with different shapes, sizes, surfaces and textures – preferably without converting the gripper. As flexible as the human hand The MultiChoiceGripper also employs both force and form fitting type of closure by using gripping fingers which are adaptive. As a result, the MultiChoiceGripper can vary between a parallel or centric grip. This is enabled by two rotatable finger slots on the base body of the gripper, which are arranged either around a central point or opposite the third finger. This is inspired by the opposable human thumb, which is rotated by 130 ° in relation to the other fingers.
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