BIP – Mechatronics in Action: Design of Compliant Grippers for Soft Robotics
The Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (UTCN), through the Intelligent Mechatronic Systems Laboratory (IMSLab) within the Faculty of Automotive, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, successfully organised the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) entitled “Mechatronics in Action: Design of Compliant Grippers for Soft Robotics.”
The programme brought together students and academic staff from six European partner universities:
- Rīga Technical University (Latvia);
- JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland);
- University of Cassino and Southern Lazio (Italy);
- University of Jaén (Spain);
- Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (Germany);
- Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (Romania).
The activities were delivered in a blended format, combining an online component consisting of six modules dedicated to soft robotics and mechatronic systems design with an intensive on-site week in Cluj-Napoca. During the practical activities, students worked in international multidisciplinary teams and went through the entire development process of a compliant mechatronic gripping system, from requirements definition and CAD design to numerical simulation, additive manufacturing, actuator system integration, and experimental validation.
The final challenge involved the development of robotic grippers based on the Fin-Ray effect, designed to safely handle different types of fruit, including apples, oranges, and tomatoes. All three teams successfully developed functional prototypes, which were experimentally validated during the final presentations.
The programme was designed and delivered by the IMSLab team, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Ciprian Lăpușan and Lect. Dr. Eng. Ciprian Rad from the Department of Mechatronics and Machine Dynamics, together with Lect. Dr. Eng. Radu Ștefan Chiorean from the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Participant feedback indicated a high level of satisfaction with the academic content, practical activities, and international collaboration, confirming the value of Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes in developing students’ engineering and intercultural competences.
The success of this edition represents an important step towards strengthening cooperation among the partner universities and provides a strong foundation for organising future editions of the programme.
