An Analytical Model for Calculating the Workspace of a Flexure Hexapod Nanopositioner

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongliang Shi ◽  
Hai-Jun Su

This paper presents an analytical model for calculating the workspace of a flexure-based hexapod nanopositioner previously built by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This nanopositioner is capable of producing high-resolution motions in six degrees of freedom by actuating linear actuators on a planar tri-stage. However, the workspace of this positioner is still unknown, which limits its uses in practical applications. In this work, we seek to derive a kinematic model for predicting the workspace of such kinds of flexure based platforms by assuming that their workspace is mainly constrained by the deformation of flexure joints. We first study the maximum deformation including bending and torsion angles of an individual flexure joint. We then derive the inverse kinematics and calculation of bending and torsion angles of each wire flexure in the overall mechanism with given position of the top platform center of the hexapod nanopositioner. At last, we compare results with finite element models of the entire platform. This model is beneficial for workspace analysis and optimization for design of compliant parallel mechanisms.

Author(s):  
Hongliang Shi ◽  
Hai-Jun Su

This paper studies the workspace of a flexure-based, hexa-pod nanopositioner previously built by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which can produce high-resolution motions in six degree of freedom by actuating linear actuators on planar tri-stage. Because there is a lack of work in workspace of such kind of compliant mechanisms, the controller is typically limited to a very small range of motion in order to avoid material failure. In this work, we seek to derive a kinematic model for predicting the workspace of such kind of flexure based platforms by assuming that their workspace is mainly constrained by the deformation of flexure joints. We first study the maximum deformation including bending and torsion angles of each flexure joint. We then derive the inverse kinematics and calculation of bending and torsion angles of this compliant platform. To obtain the workspace of the mechanism, we developed a computational algorithm that varies the displacement of the top platform to extreme positions till the deformation of any flexure exceeding a maximum value. To demonstrate this approach, we provided example studies including constant orientation workspace and constant position workspace. We compare results with a finite element model of the entire platform. The error is 4.74% for original analytical model and 8.26% for simplified analytical model. This model is beneficial in guiding design engineers in maximizing workspace of flexure based parallel compliant mechanisms. To the end-users of the positioner, it gives them a guidance on how to efficiently exploit the workspace of the nanopositioner.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Rouhani ◽  
M. J. Nategh

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the workspace and dexterity of a microhexapod which is a 6-degrees of freedom (DOF) parallel compliant manipulator, and also to investigate its dimensional synthesis to maximize the workspace and the global dexterity index at the same time. Microassembly is so essential in the current industry for manufacturing complicated structures. Most of the micromanipulators suffer from their restricted workspace because of using flexure joints compared to the conventional ones. In addition, the controllability of micromanipulators inside the whole workspace is very vital. Thus, it is very important to select the design parameters in a way that not only maximize the workspace but also its global dexterity index. Design/methodology/approach – Microassembly is so essential in the current industry for manufacturing complicated structures. Most of the micromanipulators suffer from their restricted workspace because of using flexure joints compared to the conventional ones. In addition, the controllability of micromanipulators inside the whole workspace is very vital. Thus, it is very important to select the design parameters in a way that not only maximize the workspace but also its global dexterity index. Findings – It has been shown that the proposed procedure for the workspace calculation can considerably speed the required calculations. The optimization results show that a converged-diverged configuration of pods and an increase in the difference between the moving and the stationary platforms’ radii cause the global dexterity index to increase and the workspace to decrease. Originality/value – The proposed algorithm for the workspace analysis is very important, especially when it is an objective function of an optimization problem based on the search method. In addition, using screw theory can simply construct the homogeneous Jacobian matrix. The proposed methodology can be used for any other micromanipulator.


2013 ◽  
Vol 456 ◽  
pp. 146-150
Author(s):  
Zhi Jiang Xie ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Xiao Bo Liu

This paper designed a kind of parallel mechanism with three degrees of freedom, the freedom and movement types of the robot are analyzed in detail, the parallel mechanisms Kinematics positive and inverse solutions are derived through using the vector method. And at last its workspace is analyzed and studied systematically.


1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Kinzel ◽  
L. J. Gutkowski

When the motion associated with an anatomical joint is to be measured, a kinematic model for the joint must first be established. The joint model will have from one to six degrees of freedom, and both the measurement technique and the means used to describe the motion will be influenced by the model and its degrees of freedom. This paper discusses the modeling and measurement of anatomical joint motion from a kinematics viewpoint. A review of the literature pertaining to measurement techniques, kinematic assumptions, and motion descriptions for anatomical joint motion is presented. One, two, three and six degree-of-freedom models for various anatomical joints have appeared in the literature, and the applicability of these models is compared and discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristan Marlow ◽  
Mats Isaksson ◽  
Jian S. Dai ◽  
Saeid Nahavandi

Singularities are one of the most important issues affecting the performance of parallel mechanisms. A parallel mechanism with less than six degrees of freedom (6DOF) is classed as having lower mobility. In addition to input–output singularities, such mechanisms potentially suffer from singularities among their constraints. Furthermore, the utilization of closed-loop subchains (CLSCs) may introduce additional singularities, which can strongly affect the motion/force transmission ability of the entire mechanism. In this paper, we propose a technique for the analysis of singularities occurring within planar CLSCs, along with a finite, dimensionless, frame invariant index, based on screw theory, for examining the closeness to these singularities. The integration of the proposed index with existing performance measures is discussed in detail and exemplified on a prototype industrial parallel mechanism.


Author(s):  
Hao Wang ◽  
GuoHua Gao ◽  
Qixiao Xia ◽  
Han Ren ◽  
LianShi Li ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a novel stretch-retractable single section (SRSS) continuum manipulator which owns three degrees of freedom and higher motion range in three-dimension workspace than regular single continuum manipulator. Moreover, the motion accuracy was analyzed based on the kinematic model. In addition, the experiments were carried out for validation of the theory. Design/methodology/approach A kinematics model of the SRSS continuum manipulator is presented for analysis on bending, rotating and retracting in its workspace. To discuss the motion accuracy of the SRSS continuum manipulator, the dexterity theory was introduced based on the decomposing of the Jacobian matrix. In addition, the accuracy of motion is estimated based on the inverse kinematics and dexterity theory. To verify the presented theory, the motion of free end was tracked by an electromagnetic positioning system. According to the comparison of experimental value and theoretical analysis, the free end error of SRSS continuum manipulator is less than 6.24 per cent in the region with favorable dexterity. Findings This paper presents a new stretch-retractable continuum manipulator that the structure was composed of several springs as the backbone. Thus, the SRSS continuum manipulator could own wide motion range depending on its retractable structure. Then, the motion accuracy character of the SRSS continuum manipulator in the different regions of its workspace was obtained both theoretically and experimentally. The results show that the high accuracy region distributes in the vicinity of the outer boundary of the workspace. The motion accuracy gradually decreases with the motion position approaching to the center of its workspace. Research limitations/implications The presented SRSS continuum manipulator owns three degrees of freedom. The future work would be focused on the two-section structure which will own six degrees of freedom. Practical implications In this study, the SRSS continuum manipulator could be extended to six degrees of freedom continuum robot with two sections that is less one section than regular six degrees of freedom with three single section continuum manipulator. Originality/value The value of this study is to propose a SRSS continuum manipulator which owns three degrees of freedom and could stretch and retract to expend workspace, for which the accuracy in different regions of the workspace was analyzed and validated based on the kinematics model and experiments. The results could be feasible to plan the motion space of the SRSS continuum manipulator for keeping in suitable accuracy region.


Robotica ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 224-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvador Cobos-Guzman ◽  
David Palmer ◽  
Dragos Axinte

SUMMARYThis paper presents a novel kinematic approach for controlling the end-effector of a continuum robot for in-situ repair/inspection in restricted and hazardous environments. Forward and inverse kinematic (IK) models have been developed to control the last segment of the continuum robot for performing multi-axis processing tasks using the last six Degrees of Freedom (DoF). The forward kinematics (FK) is proposed using a combination of Euler angle representation and homogeneous matrices. Due to the redundancy of the system, different constraints are proposed to solve the IK for different cases; therefore, the IK model is solved for bending and direction angles between (−π/2 to +π/2) radians. In addition, a novel method to calculate the Jacobian matrix is proposed for this type of hyper-redundant kinematics. The error between the results calculated using the proposed Jacobian algorithm and using the partial derivative equations of the FK map (with respect to linear and angular velocity) is evaluated. The error between the two models is found to be insignificant, thus, the Jacobian is validated as a method of calculating the IK for six DoF.


Author(s):  
T S Zhao ◽  
J S Dai ◽  
Z Huang

Manipulators with fewer than six degrees of freedom meet specific tasks and have the advantage of reducing structural complexity, design redundancy and cost. In order to construct parallel manipulators for given tasks, this paper develops an algebraic approach to type synthesis of spatial parallel mechanisms with fewer than six degrees of freedom based on the screw theory. With the proposed steps (i.e. describing restraining screws, identifying basic kinematic pair (KP) screws reciprocal to the restraining screws, linearly transforming the basic KP screws to obtain equivalent serial limbs and allocating the serial limbs) new parallel mechanisms can be constructed. The approach converts a mechanism design into a screw algebra operation, in which screws describe kinematic pairs and constraints between links. As examples, synthesis procedures of parallel mechanisms with four degrees of freedom are given, from which five novel parallel mechanisms result.


2015 ◽  
Vol 762 ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stelian Popa ◽  
Alexandru Dorin ◽  
Florin Adrian Nicolescu ◽  
Andrei Mario Ivan

This article follows a detailed description of development and validation for the direct kinematic model of six degrees of freedom articulated arm robot - Kawasaki FS10E model. The development of the kinematic model is based on widely used Denavit-Hartenberg notation, but, after the initial parameter identification, the mathematical algorithm itself follows an approach that uses the quaternion number system, taking advantage of their efficiency in describing spatial rotation - providing a convenient mathematical notation for expressing rotations and orientations of objects in three-dimensional space. The proposed algorithm concludes with two quaternion-based relations that express both the position of robot tool center point (TCP) position and end-effector orientation with respect to robot base coordinate system using Denavit-Hartenberg parameters and joint values as input data. Furthermore, the developed direct kinematic model was validated using the programming and offline simulation software Kawasaki PC Roset.


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