Coming Q2 2025: Meet the Wyvern Manipulator Tong Grip Assist
An important creature in European folklore and heraldry, the wyvern is a two-legged type of dragon that, while not typically capable of speech nor prone to hoarding gold like the proper flying four-legged dragons, is no less fearsome a creature.
Artist: ScrewdyCrow, for EMW S.R.L.
Grip fatigue and strength limitations can hinder many operators from using manipulators and make their machines unpleasant, but what if there was a way to enhance human grip without adding strain? Until now, no such solution has existed, and in many cases manipulators have become even more adverse to use with time, with thicker bootings, heavier tong designs, etc. This can even lead to injuries such as tendonitis, Carpal tunnel syndrome, or muscle strains for high volume production facilities. Experience with manipulators has generally shown a loss of up to 50% of the strength in the movement being communicated to the slave (remote) arm from the master (control) arm, making the situation even less favourable for the operators.
We've developed a solution to make white-knuckle operation of manipulators a thing of the past. Meet the Wyvern: a pneumatic grip assist that enhances strength, precision, and operator endurance. It is intended to be a universal solution, installable on nearly any standard manipulator, and able to provide sevenfold (7x) the grip strength possible absent its use.
The Wyvern assist requires no modifications to an existing manipulator except changing the tong cable to one of ours, and the mechanism is entirely located on the master (remote) side, meaning no complications relating to in-cell operations can arise. For this hard-fought simplicity and maximum return, the assist will provide 7x grip strength on the tong end, at no additional wear on the manipulator’s components, for a service life of a minimum of five years. It is an entirely new device to the industry, and we hope it will go on to fundamentally change the relationship between operators and their arms in a positive direction, and make manipulator operation related muscular injuries a thing of the past for those that choose to incorporate it into their operations.
Availability for purchase is projected for the end of Q2 2025. However, purchase or temporary lending of limited test runs at favourable rates may be available by inquiry to some customers. Should such interest your facility, and should your facility be interested in experiencing a previously unknown comfort in manipulator operation, you may inquire with the form below. We are always eager to expand our list of partners.