Canadarm End Effector

Objectives

• Investigate technology used in space exploration and build models.

Materials

• Per Student:
  2 Styrofoam cups (same size)
  3 pieces of string, 12cm long
  6 pieces Scotch Tape®
  scissors

Key Questions

• What part of the Canadarm is the end effector?
• What does the end effector hold onto? (Payloads of various kinds, machinery, video cameras, astronauts, the ISS)
• What shapes can the end effector grab onto? What would that mean for you if you were designing it? How it would carry a payload?
• Why is it advantageous to have a simple design?
• What are the advantages of using robotic technology to do construction and maintenance on the ISS?

What To Do

Part 1: Building the End Effector

1. Nest the two cups together and cut through both cups as evenly as possible; about halfway down the outside cup.
   
2. Cut three pieces of string 12cm long.
3. Tape the end of the first string to the inside of the inner coffee cup (near the top of the edge where it was cut). Then loop it over and tape the other end of the string to the outside of the cup, opposite where the piece was taped to the inside cup.
4. Repeat this step twice, evenly spacing the strings around the cut edge of the cups.
   
5. Hold the drinking edge of the inner cup, and rotate the outer cup until the three strings just begin to cross each other. The strings will have some slack. You may need to make adjustments by re-positioning and re-taping some of the strings.

Part 2: Using the End Effector

1. See for yourself just how tight a grip this end effector can achieve by putting a friend’s finger in it and tightening the strings around the finger. To do this:

• Rotate the end effector so that the strings are crossing each other but form a large triangle shape in the centre.
• Slip the end effector (triangular opening) over their finger.
• Hold the outer cup and rotate the inner cup until the strings grasp their finger firmly.

2. Challenge yourself to use the end effector to pick up objects around the room (e.g. a pencil).

Extensions

• Build a model of the entire Mobile Servicing System.
• Find out more about the technology aboard the ISS. What functions do they perform? Can you think of any other technologies that could be helpful?

Other Resources

Canadian Space Agency | Canadarm 2

Canadian Space Agency | Canadarm 1,2 & 3 comparative table

Canadian Space Agency | Flight History of Canadarm

NASA | For educators | Train like an astronaut

Canadian Space Agency | Junior Astronauts
These activities are designed for youth in grades 6 to 9. They  focus on three streams—science and technology, fitness and nutrition, and communications and teamwork.