Robotic Lacrosse Stringing System for Pocket Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual lacrosse head stringing is time-consuming and inconsistent, requiring experience and often necessitating the same person to re-string the pocket to maintain consistency, which can be difficult to achieve due to variations in knot placement, tension, and string length.
Innovation Solution
A robotic arm system with grippers and end effectors is used to precisely manipulate and attach strings to a lacrosse head, controlling forces, angles, and string lengths to form a consistent pocket with adjustable tension and symmetry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual stringing is performed by hand, then the process allows for experience-based adjustments, but the stringing time is approximately thirty minutes and consistency varies between different stringers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical stringing operations with an automated robotic system featuring robotic arms, grippers, and end effectors. The controller coordinates these components to manipulate strings through openings in the lacrosse head and pocket, eliminating the need for manual hand-stringing while achieving consistent results across different units.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system enables precise control of stringing parameters including tension, string length, and knot placement. By programmatically controlling these parameters, the system achieves consistent pocket construction without relying on individual stringer experience or manual adjustments.
2Manufacturing precision
If the same person strings the pocket to maintain consistency, then pocket feel and shape are preserved, but scheduling challenges arise and the process requires experienced personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex human skill-based stringing process with an automated robotic system. The controller programming encapsulates the expertise previously held by individual stringers, transferring the complexity from human operator to machine control system, thereby eliminating scheduling challenges while maintaining consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system creates a reproducible stringing process that can be copied across multiple lacrosse heads. The controller executes the same programmed sequence for each unit, ensuring identical pocket construction without requiring the same person to perform the task each time.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual stringing is performed, then flexibility in handling different pocket styles is maintained, but knot placement precision and tension control vary
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system achieves precise knot placement and tension control through programmable parameters. The controller can adjust string tension, manipulation forces, and positioning coordinates to achieve consistent precision across different pocket styles while eliminating the variability inherent in manual stringing.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic stringing system is designed to handle multiple pocket styles and configurations through programmable control. The same robotic apparatus can be reconfigured via software to accommodate different stringing patterns, making the system universally applicable while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic manipulator is used to control the forces and angles applied on the strings during stringing of a lacrosse head. Precise string lengths may be implemented for certain features of the pocket. In some embodiments, the manipulator attaches the pocket to a lacrosse head and produces a strung head which has precise ratios of tension when comparing various strings within the pocket. One or more robot arms with end effectors such as grippers may be used. The forces used when tying each knot can be consistent throughout the pocket, or vary according to which particular knot is being tied. The tension of shooting strings and/or runners may be finely tuned in some embodiments.