2,981 research outputs found
Kinematically optimal hyper-redundant manipulator configurations
“Hyper-redundant” robots have a very large or infinite degree of kinematic redundancy. This paper develops new methods for determining “optimal” hyper-redundant manipulator configurations based on a continuum formulation of kinematics. This formulation uses a backbone curve model to capture the robot's essential macroscopic geometric features. The calculus of variations is used to develop differential equations, whose solution is the optimal backbone curve shape. We show that this approach is computationally efficient on a single processor, and generates solutions in O(1) time for an N degree-of-freedom manipulator when implemented in parallel on O(N) processors. For this reason, it is better suited to hyper-redundant robots than other redundancy resolution methods. Furthermore, this approach is useful for many hyper-redundant mechanical morphologies which are not handled by known methods
Kinematics and Workspace Analysis of a Three-Axis Parallel Manipulator: the Orthoglide
The paper addresses kinematic and geometrical aspects of the Orthoglide, a
three-DOF parallel mechanism. This machine consists of three fixed linear
joints, which are mounted orthogonally, three identical legs and a mobile
platform, which moves in the Cartesian x-y-z space with fixed orientation. New
solutions to solve inverse/direct kinematics are proposed and we perform a
detailed workspace and singularity analysis, taking into account specific joint
limit constraints
Dynamics of the Orthoglide parallel robot
Recursive matrix relations for kinematics and dynamics of the Orthoglide
parallel robot having three concurrent prismatic actuators are established in
this paper. These are arranged according to the Cartesian coordinate system
with fixed orientation, which means that the actuating directions are normal to
each other. Three identical legs connecting to the moving platform are located
on three planes being perpendicular to each other too. Knowing the position and
the translation motion of the platform, we develop the inverse kinematics
problem and determine the position, velocity and acceleration of each element
of the robot. Further, the principle of virtual work is used in the inverse
dynamic problem. Some matrix equations offer iterative expressions and graphs
for the input forces and the powers of the three actuators
An Algorithm for Computing Cusp Points in the Joint Space of 3-RPR Parallel Manipulators
This paper presents an algorithm for detecting and computing the cusp points
in the joint space of 3-RPR planar parallel manipulators. In manipulator
kinematics, cusp points are special points, which appear on the singular curves
of the manipulators. The nonsingular change of assembly mode of 3-RPR parallel
manipulators was shown to be associated with the existence of cusp points. At
each of these points, three direct kinematic solutions coincide. In the
literature, a condition for the existence of three coincident direct kinematic
solutions was established, but has never been exploited, because the algebra
involved was too complicated to be solved. The algorithm presented in this
paper solves this equation and detects all the cusp points in the joint space
of these manipulators
Kinematic calibration of Orthoglide-type mechanisms from observation of parallel leg motions
The paper proposes a new calibration method for parallel manipulators that
allows efficient identification of the joint offsets using observations of the
manipulator leg parallelism with respect to the base surface. The method
employs a simple and low-cost measuring system, which evaluates deviation of
the leg location during motions that are assumed to preserve the leg
parallelism for the nominal values of the manipulator parameters. Using the
measured deviations, the developed algorithm estimates the joint offsets that
are treated as the most essential parameters to be identified. The validity of
the proposed calibration method and efficiency of the developed numerical
algorithms are confirmed by experimental results. The sensitivity of the
measurement methods and the calibration accuracy are also studied
A modal approach to hyper-redundant manipulator kinematics
This paper presents novel and efficient kinematic modeling techniques for “hyper-redundant” robots. This approach is based on a “backbone curve” that captures the robot's macroscopic geometric features. The inverse kinematic, or “hyper-redundancy resolution,” problem reduces to determining the time varying backbone curve behavior. To efficiently solve the inverse kinematics problem, the authors introduce a “modal” approach, in which a set of intrinsic backbone curve shape functions are restricted to a modal form. The singularities of the modal approach, modal non-degeneracy conditions, and modal switching are considered. For discretely segmented morphologies, the authors introduce “fitting” algorithms that determine the actuator displacements that cause the discrete manipulator to adhere to the backbone curve. These techniques are demonstrated with planar and spatial mechanism examples. They have also been implemented on a 30 degree-of-freedom robot prototype
Stiffness Analysis Of Multi-Chain Parallel Robotic Systems
The paper presents a new stiffness modelling method for multi-chain parallel
robotic manipulators with flexible links and compliant actuating joints. In
contrast to other works, the method involves a FEA-based link stiffness
evaluation and employs a new solution strategy of the kinetostatic equations,
which allows computing the stiffness matrix for singular postures and to take
into account influence of the external forces. The advantages of the developed
technique are confirmed by application examples, which deal with stiffness
analysis of a parallel manipulator of the Orthoglide famil
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