Symmetric Subspace Motion Generators

When moving an object endowed with continuous symmetry, an ambiguity arises in its underlying rigid body transformation, induced by the arbitrariness of the portion of motion that does not change the overall body shape. The functional redundancy caused by continuous symmetry is ubiquitously present in a broad range of robotic applications, including robot machining and haptic interface (revolute symmetry), remote center of motion devices for minimal invasive surgery (line symmetry), and motion modules for hyperredundant robots (plane symmetry). In this paper, we argue that such functional redundancy can be systematically resolved by resorting to symmetric subspaces (SSs) of the special Euclidean group SE(3), which motivates us to systematically investigate the structural synthesis of SS motion generators. In particular, we develop a general synthesis procedure that allows us to generate a wide spectrum of novel mechanisms for use in the applications mentioned

Synthesis and singularity analysis of N-UU parallel wrists: A symmetric space approach

We report some recent advances in kinematics and singularity analysis of the mirrorsymmetric N-UU parallel wrists using symmetric space theory. We show that both the finite displacement and infinitesimal singularity kinematics of a N-UU wrist are governed by the mirror symmetry property and half-angle property of the underlying motion manifold, which is a symmetric submanifold of the special Euclidean group SE(3). Our result is stronger than and may be considered a closure of Hunt's argument for instantaneous mirror symmetry in his pioneering exposition of constant velocity shaft couplings. Moreover, we show that the wrist can, to some extent, be treated as a spherical mechanism, even though dependent translation exists, and the singularity-free workspace of a N-UU wrist may be analytically derived. This leads to a straightforward optimal design for maximal singularity-free workspace

Inverse geometrico-static problem of underconstrained . . .

This paper studies underconstrained cable-driven parallel robots (CDPRs) with three cables. A major challenge in the study of these robots is the intrinsic coupling between kinematics and statics, which must be tackled simultaneously. Effective elimination procedures are presented which provide the complete solution sets of the inverse geometrico-static problems (IGPs) with assigned orientation or position. In the former case, the platform orientation is given, whereas the platform position and the cable lengths and tensions must be computed. In the latter case, the platform position is known, whereas the platform orientation and the cable lengths and tensions are to be calculated. The described problems are proven to admit at the most 1 and 24 real solutions, respectively

A Deployable Cable-Driven Parallel Robot With Large Rotational Capabilities for Laser-Scanning Applications

This paper presents a novel Cable-Driven Parallel Robot dedicated to laser-scanning operations. The proposed device can inspect low-accessibility environments, thanks to a self-deployable end-effector, which can be inserted in a closed container through very small access areas, such as hatches, pipes, etc. The reconfigurable end-effector is suspended and actuated by extendable cables, and is equipped with an optical mirror, which is used to deflect a laser beam produced by a frame-fixed laser distance sensor. Thanks to its large orientation capabilities, the machine can record the position of points belonging to a large portion of the surface to be scanned, primarily by tilting and panning the end-effector. The robot is equipped with a frame-orientation calibration device, which can align the machine frame to earth gravity before operation. The robot capabilities are validated by a prototype, which experimentally reconstruct benchmark surfaces

A Vision-Based Referencing Procedure for Cable-Driven Parallel Manipulators

In the last three decades, cable-driven parallel robots (CDPRs) have captured a growing attention in the robotics field. Indeed, they promise to bring automation in fields where it is not affirmed yet, granting ease of scaling and reconfigurability. For large-workspace cable robots, accuracy is an important issue. In this paper, a look-and-move procedure is proposed, based on a wireless camera, to refer the coordinate frame of the CDPR platform to another known coordinate frame. Two sample cases are studied and presented. In the first, the proposed vision-based system is employed to let the platform precisely attain its home position. In the second, the platform is referenced to an external coordinate frame, in order to accurately accomplish an assigned task. For both cases, experiments are successfully carried out

Automatic Self-Calibration of Suspended Under-Actuated Cable-Driven Parallel Robot using Incremental Measurements

International audienceThis paper focuses on the problem of the initial-pose estimation by means of proprioceptive sensors (self-calibration) of suspended under-actuated Cable-Driven Parallel Robots (CDPRs). For this class of manipulators, the initial-pose estimation cannot be carried out by means of forward kinematics only, but mechanical equilibrium conditions must be considered as well. In addition , forward kinematics solution is based on cable-length measurements, but if the robot is equipped with incremental sensors cables' initial values are unknown. In this paper, the self-calibration problem is formulated as a non-linear least square optimization problem (NLLS), based on the direct geometrico-static problem, where only incremental measurements on cable lengths and on swivel pulley angles are required. In addition, a data acquisition algorithm and an initial value selection procedure for the NLLS are proposed, aiming at automatizing the self-calibration procedure. Simulations and experimental results on a 3-cable 6-degree-of-freedom robot are provided so as to prove the effectiveness of the proposed methodology

Toward Future Automatic Warehouses: An Autonomous Depalletizing System Based on Mobile Manipulation and 3D Perception

This paper presents a mobile manipulation platform designed for autonomous depalletizing tasks. The proposed solution integrates machine vision, control and mechanical components to increase flexibility and ease of deployment in industrial environments such as warehouses. A collaborative robot mounted on a mobile base is proposed, equipped with a simple manipulation tool and a 3D in-hand vision system that detects parcel boxes on a pallet, and that pulls them one by one on the mobile base for transportation. The robot setup allows to avoid the cumbersome implementation of pick-and-place operations, since it does not require lifting the boxes. The 3D vision system is used to provide an initial estimation of the pose of the boxes on the top layer of the pallet, and to accurately detect the separation between the boxes for manipulation. Force measurement provided by the robot together with admittance control are exploited to verify the correct execution of the manipulation task. The proposed system was implemented and tested in a simplified laboratory scenario and the results of experimental trials are reported

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This paper presents a novel family of fully isotropic parallel mechanisms whose output link is provided with Schoenflies motion, i.e., it can freely translate in space and rotate about a fixed direction. A methodology is proposed that makes use of the theory of screws to synthesize desired forms for both the direct and the inverse Jacobian matrices. In particular, these are made diagonal and constant throughout the workspace. Motors are mounted one per leg and each one of them actuates one of the degrees of freedom of the output body through a constant one-to-one velocity relation. As a consequence, motors may apply, with equal ease, a twist or a wrench of any amplitude (within the motor operation range) to the end-effector around any screw congruous with the admitted motion, so that full isotropy is achieved. Kinematic analysis is trivial and no computation is required for real-time control. Furthermore, actuator motion range

Competitiveness in Plastic Deformation (DEFCOM)

This joint industry-academia project aims at innovating made-in-Italy equipments for plastic deformation, promoting the competitiveness of this manufacturing field by increasing productivity and eco-sustainability. The project goals are pursued through four Research Lines: 1. New machine architectures; 2. Controlled heat sources; 3. New sensing strategies; 4. High-performance servo-motors. Research will be validated by four Prototype Demonstrators dedicated to: 1. Sheet-metal forming; 2. Sheet-metal bending; 3. Tube bending; 4. Massive hot forming

Four-Dimensional Persistent Screw Systems of the General Type

When a mechanism moves, the twist system S of the end-effector generally varies. In significant special cases, S is a subalgebra of the Lie algebra of the special Euclidean group, and it remains constant. In more general cases, S remains invariant up to a proper isometry, thus preserving its class. A mechanism of this kind is said to generate a persistent screw system (PSS) of the end-effector. PSSs play an important role in mobility analysis and mechanism design. This paper presents the serial generators of 4 -dimensional PSSs with a constant class of the general type