Underwater Manipulator

[aquatic]

Hi,

Might someone know of a source for underwater mechanical/robotic arm manipulators? The use would be for large saltwater aquariums; the arm would probably attach to the ceiling and would need to be able to reach down to the floor-level inside the aquarium, and would need to be able to handle mostly small objects.

Thanks

[Robo Guru]

Funny that you asked...

This link was posted the other day under "Hydraulic Robots" that I was looking for.

Schilling Robotics
Makes robotic articulating arms for the underwater robotics and the remotely operated vehicle industry.
 http://www.schilling.com/Pages/default.aspx

[aquatic]

Thanks for that.  Looks like those might be overkill however.

Most of the application would be to move small coral pieces (about 1", and a few grams) around the aquarium. A powered arm is not a necessity; it could easily be manually powered/controlled, just so long as it could be retracted back to the ceiling etc., so as to be out of the way.

Aquariums that are taller than 48" are almost impossible to have live corals in, because you need to be able to reach in an work on them. So a floor-to-ceiling aquarium would be out of the question without some kind of manipulator arm.

[aquatic]

Anything available for under $5000 ?