*\[With her permission, I've converted an email from Donna into a Story for broader dissemination. I'm doing this in part to draw attention to the NIOP Project on the e-NABLE Hub and to encourage others to create their own Project spaces. --Jon Schull* ## Here is a summary of what we at e-NABLE Evansville are doing and how it relates to NIOP. ### We took Nate's Helix Cuff and made a Zelix Cuff.  Ours is made to replace the previous cuffs used on any of the elbow-actuated arms. Tests with two people born with limb differences said it was much more secure on their arms and comfortable. We have it ready to begin load testing this next week. The design will have a spot for adding tensioning, similar to how it is on the Kwawu. The response to the Zelix cuff was so positive, that we turned it around and made a tool holder with the same idea. One hand can operate the tightening, loosening, and locking of the device. ### Neal's Strongarm The second part of this is the structural forearm. This is called Neal's Strongarm. It uses two pieces connected together and to a tapered piece for strength in torsion, bending, compression or tension.  The picture above is shown without the quick connect:  ### Alex's Quick Connect and a Ball and Socket Attachment Alex, I would love to talk with you about the quick connect design. Nate told me a couple of his ideas. This part was already done, but everything is editable. It uses a female taper piece integrated into the structural piece. With the taper, the pieces will stay together for low-force tasks such as brushing teeth, using a spoon or fork. Currently there is a spring pin that would be used to hold it in place for tasks requiring force. The picture below shows the male taper attached to a shovel.  The picture above shows a ball and socket attachment so we can find the best angle to attach the quick connect (then it can be mounted directly) or if items need a rolling fit they can stay on this attachment. Here is the ball and socket close up-- looks a lot like a camera tripod!  We could use some design help on an important part of this design- making sure the Kwawu 2.0 (or later seeing the great design enhancements mentioned below) will work with this. The idea is that we add the male taper shape to the Kwawu hand or wrist. The string would have a connector on the end that would link to a cable segment in the forearm. I can explain more if anyone is interested in helping. I would like this to be compatible with any of the latest Kwawu revisions. ### A multi-positioner We also made a mechanism that we aren't using in a design yet. It is a multi-positioner using a quarter-turn to operate. I hope the pictures below will give you the idea. It is shown exploded, but if you turn the knob, it will lock the two plates in position. Unscrewing the knob would allow you to rotate through up to 10 positions. If those files would be useful to anyone, let me know!  Donna Zimmerman Program Chair, Advanced Automation and Robotics Technology Assistant Professor, Industrial Technology Ivy Tech Community College 3501 First Avenue Evansville, Indiana 47710