A Comparison of Architectures of Parallel Mechanisms for Workspace and Kinematic Properties

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement M. Gosselin ◽  
Rémi Ricard ◽  
Meyer A. Nahon
Keyword(s):  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Parallel Architectures ◽  
Parallel Mechanisms ◽  
Design And Optimization ◽  
Stiffness Properties ◽  
Structural Differences ◽  
Six Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Kinematic Properties ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Normalization Factors

Abstract This paper presents a study of the workspace and kinematic properties of four different architectures of six-degree-of-freedom parallel mechanisms. For each architecture, the volume of the Cartesian workspace is computed at different orientations of the moving platform. The distribution of the workspace is also found by computing the 2D sections of the 3D workspace. The rotational workspace is then determined at the reference position of the platform. Finally, the stiffness properties of the architectures are obtained. Normalization factors are then defined to account for the structural differences between the architectures of mechanisms. The comparison of the different architectures of parallel mechanisms has been performed using SIMPA, a specialized CAD tool developed for the kinematic analysis and optimization of parallel manipulators. The results thus obtained illustrate the range of performance which can be expected from different parallel architectures. Although none of the architectures proves to be better than all the others in all respects, particular architectures do excel in particular performance measures. The approach proposed would therefore be useful in further studies relating to the design and optimization of parallel manipulators and mechanisms.

The Realization of Desired Stiffness of Parallel Mechanism by Adding Redundantly-Actuated Limbs

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunzhou Huang ◽  
Jue Yu ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
Yong Zhao ◽  
Xinmin Lai
Keyword(s):  
Parallel Mechanism ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Stewart Platform ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Parallel Mechanisms ◽  
Normal Stiffness ◽  
Stiffness Properties ◽  
Mirror Milling ◽  
Redundantly Actuated ◽  
Mapping Models

Stiffness performance is of importance for the use of parallel manipulators in the industrial applications. For this consideration, this paper proposes to realize the desired stiffness properties of parallel mechanism by adding redundantly-actuated limbs. Based on the stiffness mapping models of both the full-DOF and limited-DOF parallel mechanisms, the stiffness variation rules when redundant limbs is introduced into the mechanism are discussed. Moreover, an algorithm for designing the types and configurations of redundant limbs is studied. Two cases are investigated to validate the presented approach. One is about the stiffness decoupling of the Stewart platform, the other is focused on the enhancement of normal stiffness of a Tricept supporting mechanism used in a mirror milling machine designed by us. The result shows that the stiffness performance of Stewart platform can be decoupled when adding six redundantly-actuated limbs that are symmetric with the original active limbs. Besides, the normal stiffness of Tricept mechanism can be enhanced significantly by transforming the passive UP chain to be a redundant actuated chain.

Configuration Bifurcations Analysis of Six Degree-of-Freedom Symmetrical Stewart Parallel Mechanisms

2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Xin Wang ◽  
Yi-Ming Wang
Keyword(s):  
Matrix Method ◽  
Parallel Manipulator ◽  
Jacobian Matrix ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Multiple Point ◽  
Parallel Mechanisms ◽  
Variation Trend ◽  
Bifurcation Points ◽  
Movable Platform ◽  
Six Degree Of Freedom

The configuration bifurcations of Stewart parallel manipulators at singular positions induce the uncertainty of the moving trends of the manipulative platform. The Jacobian matrix method can determine the singular position of Stewart manipulators, but it cannot determine the configuration variation trend in the vicinity of the singular position. In order to investigate the concrete motion behaviors of the Stewart parallel manipulator at singular positions, we construct the algorithm for determining all the configuration branches and bifurcation points. Through detailed investigations of configuration bifurcation characteristics, we have found that with a decrease of the extensible legs’ length, the bifurcation points of configuration branches of the movable platform get together gradually and the bifurcation type changes from turning to dual-point bifurcation, and then, finally, it becomes multiple-point bifurcation.

scholarly journals Introduction to the special issue: parallel manipulators.

Robotica ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-353
Author(s):  
François Pierrot
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Parallel Robots ◽  
Parallel Mechanisms ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Industrial Areas

It has been a pleasure for me to arrange this Special Issue of Robotica on Parallel Robots which provides 9 papers from authors from Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe; worldwide research on this topic is proof of the growing interest of both the scientific and the industrial areas of parallel mechanisms. I truly believe that the main reason for this enthusiasm is that parallel mechanisms research extends from theoretical mathematics and kinematics to applied robotics, and even beyond, creating new technological challenges.

WRENCH-CLOSURE WORKSPACE OF SIX-DOF PARALLEL MECHANISMS DRIVEN BY 7 CABLES

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Gouttefarde ◽  
Clément M. Gosselin
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Parallel Mechanisms ◽  
Six Dof ◽  
Moving Platform ◽  
Six Degree Of Freedom

The wrench-closure workspace (WCW) of six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) parallel cable-driven mechanisms is defined as the set of poses of the moving platform of the mechanism for which any external wrench can be balanced by tension forces in the cables. This workspace is fundamental in order to analyze and design parallel cable-driven mechanisms. This paper deals with the class of six-DOF mechanisms driven by seven cables. Two theorems, which provide efficient means to test whether a given pose of the moving platform belongs to the WCW, are proposed. One of these two theorems reveals the nature of the boundary of the constant-orientation cross sections of the WCW. Moreover, some of the possible applications of these theorems are discussed and illustrated.

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.

Determination of the Workspace of 6-DOF Parallel Manipulators

1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Gosselin
Keyword(s):  
Parallel Manipulator ◽  
Graphical Representation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Geometrical Properties ◽  
Cartesian Space ◽  
Six Degree Of Freedom

Abstract This paper presents an algorithm for the determination of the workspace of parallel manipulators. The method described here, which is based on geometrical properties of the workspace, leads to a simple graphical representation of the regions of the three-dimensional Cartesian space that are attainable by the manipulator with a given orientation of the platform. Moreover, the volume of the workspace can be easily computed by performing an integration on its boundary, which is obtained from the algorithm. Examples are included to illustrate the application of the method to a six-degree-of-freedom fully-parallel manipulator.

Analysis of Active Joint Failure in Parallel Robot Manipulators

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (6) ◽  
pp. 959-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahir Hassan ◽  
Leila Notash
Keyword(s):  
Jacobian Matrix ◽  
Null Space ◽  
Robot Manipulators ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Parallel Robot ◽  
Task Space ◽  
Active Joint ◽  
Joint Failure ◽  
Space Vectors ◽  
Six Degree Of Freedom

In this study, the effect of active joint failure on the mobility, velocity, and static force of parallel robot manipulators is investigated. Two catastrophic active joint failure types are considered: joint jam and actuator force loss. To investigate the effect of failure on mobility, the Gru¨bler’s mobility equation is modified to take into account the kinematic constraints imposed by various branches in the manipulator. In the case of joint jam, the manipulator loses the ability to move and apply force in a specific portion of its task space; while in the case of actuator force loss, the manipulator gains an unconstrained motion in a specific portion of the task space in which an externally applied force cannot be resisted by the actuator forces. The effect of joint jam and actuator force loss on the velocity and on the force capabilities of parallel manipulators is investigated by examining the change in the Jacobian matrix, its inverse, and transposes. It is shown that the reduced velocity and force capabilities after joint jam and loss of actuator force could be determined using the null space vectors of the transpose of the Jacobian matrix and its inverse. Computer simulation is conducted to demonstrate the application of the developed methodology in determining the post-failure trajectory of a 3-3 six-degree-of-freedom Stewart-Gough manipulator, when encountering active joint jam and actuator force loss.

A Novel Method on Singularity Analysis in Parallel Manipulators

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hodjat Pendar ◽  
Maryam Mahnama ◽  
Hassan Zohoor
Keyword(s):  
Closed Loop ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Singularity Analysis ◽  
Parallel Mechanisms ◽  
Kinematic Chains ◽  
Working Space ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Main Technique ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Constraint Plane

A parallel manipulator is a closed loop mechanism in which a moving platform is connected to the base by at least two serial kinematic chains. The main problem engaged in these mechanisms, is their restricted working space as a result of singularities. In order to tackle these problems, many methods have been introduced by scholars. However, most of the mentioned methods are too much time consuming and need a great amount of computations. They also in most cases do not provide a good insight to the existence of singularity for the designer. In this paper a novel approach is introduced and utilized to identify singularities in parallel manipulators. By applying the new method, one could get a better understanding of geometrical interpretation of singularities in parallel mechanisms. Here we have introduced the Constraint Plane Method (CPM) and some of its applications in parallel mechanisms. The main technique used here, is based on Ceva Theorem.

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