MAN-MATE

 


Western Space and Marine produces Man-Mate industrial manipulators to suit a virtually unlimited number of manufacturing and processing needs. The formidable looking grip at the end of this Man-Mate is called an end-effector. With an end-effector designed especially for your application, the Man-Mate can easily perform tasks at your plant which will improve efficiency, reduce man hours, and, most importantly, improve worker safety.

Shown is the Man-Mate 1600. Working loads are generally up to around 1500 lbs at an extended length of 15 feet from the center of the base. This changes slightly with the design of the end-effector and boom lengths.

The 1600's big brother is the 2000. It has load capabilities of up to 10,000 lbs and can reach 30 feet.
 

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR THE WORKING ENVELOPES OF THE MAN-MATE 1600,1800, AND 2000.

The Man-Mate is made of the highest quality industrial parts. Some Man-Mate machines have been in service for over 30 years working in heavy industrial forging and casting applications. Some of those have been working around the clock supporting facilities with triple production shifts. Down time is very rare, and because of the Man-Mate's simple design, repairs are usually very quick.

Not shown is a Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) necessary to operate the Man-Mate.The HPU can be placed elsewhere in the facility in order to both free up space and help reduce noise on the production floor.
 

The cab will most likely be the only cause of problem on the Man-Mate. Fighting may break out over who gets to operate this machine with air-conditioning, sound insulation, comfortable seating and even an outlet for a radio. A coffee cup holder is also an option.

The joy-stick seen in the cab is how the operator controls the Man-Mate. However the grip is moved is how the end-effector moves. The buttons on the grip provide for different end-effector motions such as roll, pitch, grab, and release. The control is a force feedback controller. If the Man-Mate is lifting 500 lbs, the operator may feel as if he's lifting 5 lbs. This is known as telepresence. It allows for a much greater degree of control over the operation than without any feedback. It works so well that almost anyone can use the Man-Mate to some degree in a matter of minutes.
 

There are a variety of boom lengths and options to allow the Man-Mate to be adapted to your specific application. Furthermore, the Man-Mate can be adapted to operate remotely when there is a dangerous environment as in hazardous waste removal or nuclear clean-up. The Man Mate can be fitted to tracks or wheels so that it is independently mobile. For precice positioning of parts, the Man-Mate can be outfitted with a video camera at the end-effector with a monitor in the cab so that the operator can feel as if he is right by the part instead of 20 feet away.
 

The Applications are Endless...








WESTERN SPACE and MARINE
53 Aero Camino
Santa Barbara, CA 93117-3103
Phone: (805) 968-3831 Fax: (805) 968-0027
E-Mail us at wsm@wsminc.com