MEDIUM QUAD CORE GRIPPER

Project Summary

Objective: Resolve the clearance and detection limitations of the Quad Core Gripper (QCG) while maintaining cross-platform consistency.

Key Impact

• Increased sensing bracket sensitivity by ~30%

• Achieved reliable detection and pickup across platforms

• Validated durability over 246,000 total cycles (123k per instrument)

• Delivered full redesign, validation, and release in 4 months

Engineering Contributions

• Determined allowable bracket shortening using CAD analysis and positional measurement studies

• Built a decision table comparing design options and resulting clearances

• Performed flexural force calculations to evaluate compliance vs. internal spring force

• Redesigned sensing bracket geometry to restore compliant detection behavior

• Verified final dimensions and manufacturability with vendors while minimizing cost

• Developed a full validation plan covering force testing, detection accuracy, pickup reliability, and endurance

• Executed integration testing on two instrument platforms

• Wrote test methods and resolved hardware–software inconsistencies with engineering teams

• Diagnosed and coordinated fixes for software defects discovered during validation

Core Skills Demonstrated
Mechanical design • CAD analysis • tolerance/clearance studies • force modeling • validation testing • cross-functional engineering • vendor coordination • technical documentation • rapid problem solving