Concept development for lightweight binary-actuated robotic devices, with application to space systems

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2001."June 2001."Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-71).Exploratory space missions of the future will require robotic systems to lead the way by negotiating and mapping very rough terrain, collecting samples, performing science tasks, and constructing facilities. These robots will need to be adaptable and reconfigurable in order to achieve a wide variety of objectives. Conventional designs using gears, motors, bearings, encoders, and many discrete components will be too complex, heavy, and failure-prone to allow highly-reconfigurable systems to be feasible. This thesis develops new concepts that may potentially enable the design of self-transforming space explorers. The vision of this research is to integrate compliant bistable mechanisms with large numbers of binary-actuated embedded smart materials. Compliant mechanisms are lightweight and robust. Binary actuation is the idea of using an actuator in a discrete on/off manner rather than in a continuous manner. A binary actuator is easy to control and robust, and by using tens or hundreds of binary actuators, one can approximate a continuous system, much like a digital computer can approximate an analog system. The first part of this thesis examines the fundamental planning issues involved with systems having large numbers of binary actuators. The notion of a workspace is described and applied to the optimization of a manipulator design. Methods for solving the forward and inverse kinematics are discussed in the context of this application. These methods are extended to the trajectory and locomotion planning problems. Methods for planning systems of substantial complexity are developed in the context of exploratory space robotics. The second part of this thesis presents experimental demonstrations that examine elements of the concept. The results of several design prototypes are discussed.by Matthew D. Lichter.S.M

Inverse modeling of the stewart foot

The Stewart's leg is used today in the majority of parallel robotic systems, such as the Stewart platform, but also in many other types of mechanisms and kinematic chains, in order to operate them or to transmit motion. A special character in the study of robots is the study of inverse kinematics, with the help of which the map of the motor kinematic parameters necessary to obtain the trajectories imposed on the effector can be made. For this reason, in the proposed mechanism, we will present reverse kinematic modeling in this paper. The kinematic output parameters, ie the parameters of the foot and practically of the end effector, ie those of the point marked with T, will be determined for initiating the working algorithm with the help of logical functions, "If log(ical)", with the observation that here they play the role of input parameters; it is positioned as already specified in the inverse kinematics when the output is considered as input and the input as output. The logical functions used, as well as the entire calculation program used, were written in Math Cad

A differential-based parallel force/velocity actuation concept : theory and experiments

textRobots are now moving from their conventional confined habitats such as factory floors to human environments where they assist and physically interact with people. The requirement for inherent mechanical safety is overarching in such human-robot interaction systems. We propose a dual actuator called Parallel Force/Velocity Actuator (PFVA) that combines a Force Actuator (FA) (low velocity input) and a Velocity Actuator (VA) (high velocity input) using a differential gear train. In this arrangement mechanical safety can be achieved by limiting the torque on the FA and thus making it a backdriveable input. In addition, the kinematic redundancy in the drive can be used to control output velocity while satisfying secondary operational objectives. Our research focus was on three areas: (i) scalable parametric design of the PFVA, (ii) analytical modeling of the PFVA and experimental testing on a single-joint prototype, and (iii) generalized model formulation for PFVA-driven serial robot manipulators. In our analysis, the ratio of velocity ratios between the FA and the VA, called the relative scale factor, emerged as a purely geometric and dominant design parameter. Based on a dimensionless parametric design of PFVAs using power-flow and load distributions between the inputs, a prototype was designed and built using commercial-off-the-shelf components. Using controlled experiments, two performance-limiting phenomena in our prototype, friction and dynamic coupling between the two inputs, were identified. Two other experiments were conducted to characterize the operational performance of the actuator in velocity-mode and in what we call ‘torque-limited’ mode (i.e. when the FA input can be backdriven). Our theoretical and experimental results showed that the PFVA can be mechanical safe to both slow collisions and impacts due to the backdriveability of the FA. Also, we show that its kinematic redundancy can be effectively utilized to mitigate low-velocity friction and backlash in geared mechanisms. The implication at the system level of our actuator level analytical and experimental work was studied using a generalized dynamic modeling framework based on kinematic influence coefficients. Based on this dynamic model, three design case studies for a PFVA-driven serial planar 3R manipulator were presented. The major contributions of this research include (i) mathematical models and physical understanding for over six fundamental design and operational parameters of the PFVA, based on which approximately ten design and five operational guidelines were laid out, (ii) analytical and experimental proof-of-concept for the mechanical safety feature of the PFVA and the effective utilization of its kinematic redundancy, (iii) an experimental methodology to characterize the dynamic coupling between the inputs in a differential-summing mechanism, and (iv) a generalized dynamic model formulation for PFVA-driven serial robot manipulators with emphasis on distribution of output loads between the FA and VA input-sets.Mechanical Engineerin

Parallel Manipulators

In recent years, parallel kinematics mechanisms have attracted a lot of attention from the academic and industrial communities due to potential applications not only as robot manipulators but also as machine tools. Generally, the criteria used to compare the performance of traditional serial robots and parallel robots are the workspace, the ratio between the payload and the robot mass, accuracy, and dynamic behaviour. In addition to the reduced coupling effect between joints, parallel robots bring the benefits of much higher payload-robot mass ratios, superior accuracy and greater stiffness; qualities which lead to better dynamic performance. The main drawback with parallel robots is the relatively small workspace. A great deal of research on parallel robots has been carried out worldwide, and a large number of parallel mechanism systems have been built for various applications, such as remote handling, machine tools, medical robots, simulators, micro-robots, and humanoid robots. This book opens a window to exceptional research and development work on parallel mechanisms contributed by authors from around the world. Through this window the reader can get a good view of current parallel robot research and applications

Alignment of lines in space (with particular reference to laser-fibre coupling)

The object of this work (featuring the study of alignment of lines in space) is to produce a novel system for automatic production of optoelectronic components. It begins by reviewing the different components associated with optical fibre transmission and examines the existing laser-fibre coupling methods. The manual alignment technique adopted by STC to align a laser beam with a monomode optical fibre is then presented. The various interpretations of alignment are explored. The results obtained from the analysis determine the type of manipulator required for laser to optical fibre coupling. The central axis of a divergent beam emitted by a semi-conductor laser diode is manipulated for alignment with the axis of the fibre. Such an alignment places stringent displacement tolerance and accuracy demands on the manipulator. To construct a manipulator, actuators need to be coupled together. The coWling methods are studied and presented. Prior to this study, commercially available actuators are surveyed leading to the selecticin of the Oriel Encoder Mike actuator. This actuator exhibits some inherent control problems but meets the laser-fibre coupling accuracy demands. Various types of couplings are also examined based on the expansion of the Kelvin coupling for the construction of a four degree of freedom manipulator. A computational algorithm analogous to that used to solve two plane balancing problems is sucessfully tested on this manipulator for alignment of a conventional He-Ne laser beam with the centres of two transparent screens. This algorithm requires linearity for its success. For this reason and for purposes of completeness, spatial displacement characteristics of the manipulator are analysed and confirmed experimentally. This work ends with the ocnstruction. and testing of a program based on a hill climbing technique for the control of a three degree of freedom (Oriel Encoder Mike) manipulator to align a laser beam emitted by a semi-conductor laser diode with a monomode optical fibre

Robot Manipulators

Robot manipulators are developing more in the direction of industrial robots than of human workers. Recently, the applications of robot manipulators are spreading their focus, for example Da Vinci as a medical robot, ASIMO as a humanoid robot and so on. There are many research topics within the field of robot manipulators, e.g. motion planning, cooperation with a human, and fusion with external sensors like vision, haptic and force, etc. Moreover, these include both technical problems in the industry and theoretical problems in the academic fields. This book is a collection of papers presenting the latest research issues from around the world

Visual Servoing in Robotics

Visual servoing is a well-known approach to guide robots using visual information. Image processing, robotics, and control theory are combined in order to control the motion of a robot depending on the visual information extracted from the images captured by one or several cameras. With respect to vision issues, a number of issues are currently being addressed by ongoing research, such as the use of different types of image features (or different types of cameras such as RGBD cameras), image processing at high velocity, and convergence properties. As shown in this book, the use of new control schemes allows the system to behave more robustly, efficiently, or compliantly, with fewer delays. Related issues such as optimal and robust approaches, direct control, path tracking, or sensor fusion are also addressed. Additionally, we can currently find visual servoing systems being applied in a number of different domains. This book considers various aspects of visual servoing systems, such as the design of new strategies for their application to parallel robots, mobile manipulators, teleoperation, and the application of this type of control system in new areas

Robot Control and Programming: Class notes.

The term robot is quite complex because it can mean different things to different people. Mostly, it recalls us images of science fiction robots, such as the famous C3PO and R2D2 of Star Wars Trilogy. However, we have to focus on other types, and wait a little for the progress of the technology. If we focus on the real robots, we can find different types. However, the vast majority are classified into the industrial robot category. Industrial robots are recognised easily since their shape usually reminds the human arm. The term industrial shows the fact that those robots work in factories as components of larger manufacturing systems and processes. This book are focused on the lectures that Emilio Sánchez delivers in the frame of Robot Control and Programing subject in TECNUN, where the reader can find and introduction to the basic problems and control and programming techniques of industrial robots. Despite the fact the book is based on classnotes, the author prepared them very carefully to give to them the appearance of a real book. The book starts with a discussion about what is and what isn't a robot, classification and a very brief note about robotics history. The course will cover the different and basic programming and control strategies. Another issue discussed will be the morphology classification. The most important section is the kinematics model. This problem can be solved by means of Denavit-Hartenberg method and homogeneous transformations among coordinate systems. The last chapters are devoted to position control strategies and path planning. Finally the author encourages the reader to open and read this book since he really thinks that Robotics is a very large and interesting field, involving many different disciplines: mechanical design, sensors, actuation (pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical...), control, programming... For this reason, the term mechatronics is also used to express the link between the mechanics and electronics

Design, development and control of a new generation high performance linear actuator for parallel robots and other applications

The main focus of this research is to design and develop a high performance linear actuator based on a four bar mechanism. The present work includes the detailed analysis (kinematics and dynamics), design, implementation and experimental validation of the newly designed actuator. High performance is characterized by the acceleration of the actuator end effector. The principle of the newly designed actuator is to network the four bar rhombus configuration (where some bars are extended to form an X shape) to attain high acceleration. Firstly, a detailed kinematic analysis of the actuator is presented and kinematic performance is evaluated through MATLAB simulations. A dynamic equation of the actuator is achieved by using the Lagrangian dynamic formulation. A SIMULINK control model of the actuator is developed using the dynamic equation. In addition, Bond Graph methodology is presented for the dynamic simulation. The Bond Graph model comprises individual component modeling of the actuator along with control. Required torque was simulated using the Bond Graph model. Results indicate that, high acceleration (around 20g) can be achieved with modest (3 N-m or less) torque input. A practical prototype of the actuator is designed using SOLIDWORKS and then produced to verify the proof of concept. The design goal was to achieve the peak acceleration of more than 10g at the middle point of the travel length, when the end effector travels the stroke length (around 1 m). The actuator is primarily designed to operate in standalone condition and later to use it in the 3RPR parallel robot. A DC motor is used to operate the actuator. A quadrature encoder is attached with the DC motor to control the end effector. The associated control scheme of the actuator is analyzed and integrated with the physical prototype. From standalone experimentation of the actuator, around 17g acceleration was achieved by the end effector (stroke length was 0.2m to 0.78m). Results indicate that the developed dynamic model results are in good agreement. Finally, a Design of Experiment (DOE) based statistical approach is also introduced to identify the parametric combination that yields the greatest performance. Data are collected by using the Bond Graph model. This approach is helpful in designing the actuator without much complexity