Technology to Assist with Lifting, Moving and Holding 0 to 40 Pounds

To increase productivity and reduce lost time in aerospace sustainment community, the development of this industrial scale passive exoskeleton system will enable the mitigation of operator fatigue, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), and hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) during power tool corrosion removal and repair maintenance at ICBM launch facility (LF) silos and other industrial maintenance environments.  Based on topic requirements, further requirements analysis, and a responsive conceptual design approach, during Phase I we developed ergonomic-based 3D CAD design models for a novel system of systems approach that is not available today in any current COTS industrial exoskeleton solution. The design is called Passive Universal Maintenance Assist Industrial Exoskeleton (PUMA I-Exo) with integral vibration dampening and will augment the human body and natural movements while performing agile lift/hold/move actions for various tools or other objects weighing 0 to 40 lb. End of arm power tools have different shapes, weights, sensitivity to vibration, pressure and electromagnetic fields, etc., and these are accommodated by quick interchange coupling.  The design is also focused on a ruggedized, flexible/modular solution for environmental conditions (e.g., operating temp. -40 to 140°F, sun, rain, snow, winds up to 60 mph, dust, explosive atmospheres, inside buildings, etc.). Depending on the maintainer’s need for lower body support, the wearer can choose to wear or not wear the lower body module. The Phase II proof of concept prototype will be fabricated and tested in an operational environment to demonstrate successful augmentation of the human body’s ability to lift/hold/move objects while keeping the natural range of motion. A preliminary hazard analysis will be completed and testing will be conducted to verify and validate conformance to performance and functional requirements.  As terrain can be smooth to rough at ICBM LF sites, our unique creeper design provides a unique maintainer aid and station mount for torque arms and the third arm can also be station mounted to creeper, work cage, or workbench. The preliminary BCA/ROI will be updated during Phase II based on the final installation-ready prototype design.