Application of Workspace Generation Techniques to Determine the Unconstrained Motion of Parallel Manipulators

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Voglewede ◽  
Imme Ebert-Uphoff
Keyword(s):  
Large Class ◽  
General Framework ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
End Effector ◽  
Singular Configurations ◽  
Joint Clearances ◽  
Generation Problem ◽  
Unconstrained Motion

Due to clearances in their passive joints, parallel manipulators always exhibit some unconstrained motion at the end effector. The amount of unconstrained motion depends on the pose of the manipulator and can increase significantly at or near singular configurations. This paper shows precisely how much unconstrained end effector motion exists at the end effector for a large class of parallel manipulators, namely those with passive revolute and/or spherical joints, if all the joint clearances are known. This includes the planar 3R_RR, and, in approximation the Gough-Stewart and the Hexa manipulators. For the analysis, the passive joints are assumed to be revolute or spherical because these are the simplest cases. However, the general framework also applies to other joint types, although leading to more complex calculations. For most manipulators, determining the amount of end effector motion can be transformed to a workspace generation problem. Therefore, general workspace generation techniques can be utilized.

Rotatability of the Floating Link on Multi-Loop Planar Linkages

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cody Leeheng Chan ◽  
Kwun-Lon Ting
Keyword(s):  
Rotation Angle ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Orientation Error ◽  
Joint Rotation ◽  
Position Uncertainty ◽  
End Effector ◽  
Uncertainty Model ◽  
Branch Formation ◽  
Joint Clearances ◽  
Planar Linkages

Abstract This paper proposes a method to deal with the orientation uncertainty problem affected by joint clearances. To solve this problem, it is necessary to establish the theory of mobility of the floating link of multi-loop linkages. Since the theory of the mobility of floating link is yet complete, this paper provides a simple treatment to determine the rotatability between any two links, adjoined or not, in planar multi-loop linkages. The rotation angle of the floating link with respect to the reference link is defined so that there is no ambiguity in analyzing the rotation range of the floating link. Based on the joint rotation space (JRS) method, one may identify not only the branch formation but also the rotatability between any two links on each of the branches. It is a visualized method that reveals the rotation characteristic of multi-loop linkages. This paper demonstrates the rotation range of the floating link with respect to the reference link on six-bar Stephenson linkages, 2-degree-of-freedom (DOF). 7-bar linkages, and 3-DOF. Eight-bar parallel manipulators. This might be the first paper to deal with the rotatability of 3-DOF planar multi-loop linkages. This paper uses the method to predict the clearance-induced angle uncertainty of the 8-bar parallel manipulators, which determines the worst orientation error of the end-effector and fills up the void of the joint clearance uncertainty model proposed by Ting et al. (2017, “Clearance-Induced Position Uncertainty of Planar Linkages and Parallel Manipulators,” J. Mech. Rob., 9, p. 061001).

A new family of spherical parallel manipulators

Robotica ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Di Gregorio
Keyword(s):  
Parallel Manipulator ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
End Effector ◽  
Singular Configurations ◽  
New Family ◽  
Geometric Conditions ◽  
Singularity Locus ◽  
The Given ◽  
Spherical Parallel Manipulator ◽  
Spherical Motion

In the literature, 3-RRPRR architectures were proposed to obtain pure translation manipulators. Moreover, the geometric conditions, which 3-RRPRR architectures must match, in order to make the end-effector (platform) perform infinitesimal (elementary) spherical motion were enunciated. The ability to perform elementary spherical motion is a necessary but not sufficient condition to conclude that the platform is bound to accomplish finite spherical motion, i.e. that the mechanism is a spherical parallel manipulator (parallel wrist). This paper demonstrates that the 3-RRPRR architectures matching the geometric conditions for elementary spherical motion make the platform accomplish finite spherical motion, i.e. they are parallel wrists (3-RRPRR wrist), provided that some singular configurations, named translation singularities, are not reached. Moreover, it shows that 3-RRPRR wrists belong to a family of parallel wrists which share the same analytic expression of the constraints which the legs impose on the platform. Finally, the condition that identifies all the translation singularities of the mechanisms of this family is found and geometrically interpreted. The result of this analysis is that the translation singularity locus can be represented by a surface (singularity surface) in the configuration space of the mechanism. Singularity surfaces drawn by exploiting the given condition are useful tools in designing these wrists.

Singularities of a planar 3-RPR parallel manipulator with joint clearance

Robotica ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 1098-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marise Gallant ◽  
Clément Gosselin
Keyword(s):  
Trajectory Planning ◽  
Parallel Manipulator ◽  
Joint Clearance ◽  
End Effector ◽  
Manipulator Design ◽  
Joint Clearances ◽  
Unconstrained Motion

SUMMARYIf the joint clearances of the joints of a manipulator are considered, an unconstrained motion of the end-effector can be computed. This is true for all poses of the manipulator, even with all actuators locked.This paper presents how this unconstrained motion can be determined for a planar 3-RPR manipulator. The singularities are then studied. It is shown that when clearances are considered, the singularity curves normally found in the workspace of such a manipulator become singular zones. These zones can be significant and greatly reduce the usable workspace of a manipulator. Since a prescribed configuration that would not, in theory, corresponds to a singular pose can become singular due to the unconstrained motion, the results of this paper are relevant to manipulator design and trajectory planning.

Overall Motion Planning for Kinematically Redundant Parallel Manipulators

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A. Carretero ◽  
Iman Ebrahimi ◽  
Roger Boudreau
Keyword(s):  
Motion Planning ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Redundant Manipulator ◽  
End Effector ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Singular Configurations ◽  
Point Motion ◽  
Point To Point ◽  
Better Than

In this work, a new approach for motion planning of kinematically redundant parallel manipulators is proposed and compared with a method previously proposed by the authors called point-to-point motion planning (PPMP). Overall motion planning (OMP) consists of determining actuation schemes that optimize the manipulator’s performance while considering the entire given trajectory of the end-effector at once. The results of OMP are compared with those of PPMP of a kinematically redundant manipulator. It is shown that the proposed OMP strategy can generate actuation schemes for given trajectories such that the manipulator avoids singular configurations better than the PPMP strategy.

scholarly journals Parallel Robot Translational Performance Evaluation through Direction-Selective Index (DSI)

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Boschetti ◽  
R. Rosa ◽  
A. Trevisani
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Performance Index ◽  
General Framework ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Parallel Robot ◽  
Performance Indexes ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Performance Variations

Performance indexes usually provide global evaluations of robot performances mixing their translational and/or rotational capabilities. This paper proposes a definition of performance index, called direction-selective index (DSI), which has been specifically developed for parallel manipulators and can provide uncoupled evaluations of robot translational capabilities along relevant directions. The DSI formulation is first presented within a general framework, highlighting its relationship with traditional manipulability definitions, and then applied to a family of parallel manipulators (4-RUU) of industrial interest. The investigation is both numerical and experimental and allows highlighting the two chief advantages of the proposed DSIs over more conventional manipulability indexes: not only are DSIs more accurate in predicting the workspace regions where manipulators can best perform translational movements along specific directions, but also they allow foreseeing satisfactorily the dynamic performance variations within the workspace, though being purely kinematic indexes. The experiments have been carried out on an instrumented 4-RUU commercial robot.

A Statically Balanced Gough/Stewart-Type Platform: Conception, Design, and Simulation

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Carricato ◽  
Clément Gosselin
Keyword(s):  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Constant Force ◽  
Parallel Mechanisms ◽  
End Effector ◽  
Neutral Equilibrium ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Elastic Elements

Gravity compensation of spatial parallel manipulators is a relatively recent topic of investigation. Perfect balancing has been accomplished, so far, only for parallel mechanisms in which the weight of the moving platform is sustained by legs comprising purely rotational joints. Indeed, balancing of parallel mechanisms with translational actuators, which are among the most common ones, has been traditionally thought possible only by resorting to additional legs containing no prismatic joints between the base and the end-effector. This paper presents the conceptual and mechanical designs of a balanced Gough/Stewart-type manipulator, in which the weight of the platform is entirely sustained by the legs comprising the extensible jacks. By the integrated action of both elastic elements and counterweights, each leg is statically balanced and it generates, at its tip, a constant force contributing to maintaining the end-effector in equilibrium in any admissible configuration. If no elastic elements are used, the resulting manipulator is balanced with respect to the shaking force too. The performance of a study prototype is simulated via a model in both static and dynamic conditions, in order to prove the feasibility of the proposed design. The effects of imperfect balancing, due to the difference between the payload inertial characteristics and the theoretical/nominal ones, are investigated. Under a theoretical point of view, formal and novel derivations are provided of the necessary and sufficient conditions allowing (i) a body arbitrarily rotating in space to rest in neutral equilibrium under the action of general constant-force generators, (ii) a body pivoting about a universal joint and acted upon by a number of zero-free-length springs to exhibit constant potential energy, and (iii) a leg of a Gough/Stewart-type manipulator to operate as a constant-force generator.

A New Measurement Device for Kinematic Calibration of Parallel Manipulators

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Rauf ◽  
Sung-Gaun Kim ◽  
Jeha Ryu
Keyword(s):  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Measurement Procedure ◽  
Initial Guess ◽  
Measurement Noise ◽  
Kinematic Calibration ◽  
Kinematic Parameters ◽  
End Effector ◽  
Experimental Procedure ◽  
New Device ◽  
Rotation Component

Kinematic calibration is a process that estimates the actual values of geometric parameters to minimize the error in absolute positioning. Measuring all the components of Cartesian posture assure identification of all parameters. However, measuring all components, particularly the orientation, can be difficult and expensive. On the other hand, with partial pose measurements, experimental procedure is simpler. However, all parameters may not be identifiable. This paper proposes a new device that can be used to identify all kinematic parameters with partial pose measurements. Study is performed for a 6 DOF (degree-of-freedom) fully parallel Hexa Slide manipulator. The device, however, is general and can be used for other parallel manipulators. The proposed device consists of a link with U joints on both sides and is equipped with a rotary sensor and a biaxial inclinometer. When attached between the base and the mobile platform, the device restricts the end-effector’s motion to 5 DOF and measures two position components and one rotation component of the end-effector. Numerical analyses of the identification Jacobian reveal that all parameters are identifiable. Computer simulations show that the identification is robust for the errors in the initial guess and the measurement noise. Intrinsic inaccuracies of the device can significantly deteriorate the calibration results. A measurement procedure is proposed and cost functions are discussed to prevent propagation of the inaccuracies to the calibration results.

Dynamic Modeling of a Parallel Manipulator With Three Translational Degrees of Freedom

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Stamper ◽  
Lung-Wen Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Parallel Manipulator ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Close Agreement ◽  
Jacobian Matrix ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Kinematic Structure ◽  
End Effector ◽  
Moving Platform ◽  
Euler Approach ◽  
Computationally Intensive

Abstract The dynamics of a parallel manipulator with three translational degrees of freedom are considered. Two models are developed to characterize the dynamics of the manipulator. The first is a traditional Lagrangian based model, and is presented to provide a basis of comparison for the second approach. The second model is based on a simplified Newton-Euler formulation. This method takes advantage of the kinematic structure of this type of parallel manipulator that allows the actuators to be mounted directly on the base. Accordingly, the dynamics of the manipulator is dominated by the mass of the moving platform, end-effector, and payload rather than the mass of the actuators. This paper suggests a new method to approach the dynamics of parallel manipulators that takes advantage of this characteristic. Using this method the forces that define the motion of moving platform are mapped to the actuators using the Jacobian matrix, allowing a simplified Newton-Euler approach to be applied. This second method offers the advantage of characterizing the dynamics of the manipulator nearly as well as the Lagrangian approach while being less computationally intensive. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the close agreement between the two models.

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