Multibody modeling and verification

A summary of a ten week project on flexible multibody modeling, verification and control is presented. Emphasis was on the need for experimental verification. A literature survey was conducted for gathering information on the existence of experimental work related to flexible multibody systems. The first portion of the assigned task encompassed the modeling aspects of flexible multibodies that can undergo large angular displacements. Research in the area of modeling aspects were also surveyed, with special attention given to the component mode approach. Resulting from this is a research plan on various modeling aspects to be investigated over the next year. The relationship between the large angular displacements, boundary conditions, mode selection, and system modes is of particular interest. The other portion of the assigned task was the generation of a test plan for experimental verification of analytical and/or computer analysis techniques used for flexible multibody systems. Based on current and expected frequency ranges of flexible multibody systems to be used in space applications, an initial test article was selected and designed. A preliminary TREETOPS computer analysis was run to ensure frequency content in the low frequency range, 0.1 to 50 Hz. The initial specifications of experimental measurement and instrumentation components were also generated. Resulting from this effort is the initial multi-phase plan for a Ground Test Facility of Flexible Multibody Systems for Modeling Verification and Control. The plan focusses on the Multibody Modeling and Verification (MMV) Laboratory. General requirements of the Unobtrusive Sensor and Effector (USE) and the Robot Enhancement (RE) laboratories were considered during the laboratory development

Fuzzy PID control of a two-link flexible manipulator

For a flexible manipulator system, the unwanted vibrations deteriorate usually the performance of the system due to the coupling of large overall motion and elastic vibration. This paper focuses on the active vibration control of a two-link flexible manipulator with piezoelectric materials. The multi flexible body dynamics (MFBD) model of the two-link flexible manipulator attached with piezoelectric sensors and actuators is established firstly. Based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), the motion equations of the manipulator system are derived and motion process and dynamic responses of the system are simulated. According to the time varying feature of system, a fuzzy PID controller is developed to depress the vibration. This controller can tune control gains online accommodating to the variation of the system. Control results obtained by the fuzzy PID control and the conventional PID control indicate that the fuzzy PID controller can effectively suppress the elastic vibration of the manipulator system and performs better than the conventional PID controller

A steady state tip control strategy for long reach robots

The work presented in this thesis describes the development of a novel strategy for the steady state tip position control of a single link flexible robot arm. Control is based upon a master/slave relationship. Arm trajectory is defined by through 'master' positioning head which moves a laser through a programmed path. Tip position is detected by an optical system which produces an error signal proportional to the displacement of the tip from the demand laser spot position. The error signal and its derivative form inputs to the arm 'slave' controller so enabling direct tip control with simultaneous correction for arm bending. Trajectory definition is not model-based as it is defined optically through movement of the positioning head alone. A critical investigation of vacuum tube and solid state sensing methods is undertaken leading to the development of a photodiode quadrant detector beam tracking system. The effect of varying the incident light parameters on the beam tracker performance are examined from which the optimum illumination characteristics are determined. Operational testing of the system on a dual-axis prototype robot using the purpose-built beam tracker has shown that successful steady state tip control can be achieved through a PD based slave controller. Errors of less than 0.05 mm and settling times of 0.2 s are obtained. These results compare favourably with those for the model-based tip position correction strategies where tracking errors of ± 0.6 mm are recorded

Dynamic modeling, property investigation, and adaptive controller design of serial robotic manipulators modeled with structural compliance

Research results on general serial robotic manipulators modeled with structural compliances are presented. Two compliant manipulator modeling approaches, distributed and lumped parameter models, are used in this study. System dynamic equations for both compliant models are derived by using the first and second order influence coefficients. Also, the properties of compliant manipulator system dynamics are investigated. One of the properties, which is defined as inaccessibility of vibratory modes, is shown to display a distinct character associated with compliant manipulators. This property indicates the impact of robot geometry on the control of structural oscillations. Example studies are provided to illustrate the physical interpretation of inaccessibility of vibratory modes. Two types of controllers are designed for compliant manipulators modeled by either lumped or distributed parameter techniques. In order to maintain the generality of the results, neither linearization is introduced. Example simulations are given to demonstrate the controller performance. The second type controller is also built for general serial robot arms and is adaptive in nature which can estimate uncertain payload parameters on-line and simultaneously maintain trajectory tracking properties. The relation between manipulator motion tracking capability and convergence of parameter estimation properties is discussed through example case studies. The effect of control input update delays on adaptive controller performance is also studied