Actuator Array Manipulation Using Low Resolution Local Sensing

An actuator array is a planar distributed manipulation system that uses multiple two degree-of-freedom actuators to manipulate objects with three degrees of freedom (x, y and θ). This paper presents an accurate method of estimating position and orientation of an object using local sensing and communication. In this method, each of the distributed modules contains a number of binary sensors, weight sensors, and two planar actuators. The binary sensors combined together give a binary image and analog sensors in each module combined together form a grayscale image representation of the weight distribution of the object under manipulation. Additive normalization has been used to combine binary and grayscale distributed sensing images together to come up with increased precision estimates of the position and orientation of an object. A distributed sensing simulation has been developed in Simulink and the effectiveness of this method has been verified for rectangular and circular objects using the Simulink model.

Implementation of a Large-Scale Actuator Network for Distributed Manipulation

A class of cyber-physical systems that is gradually attracting increased scientific attention is Large-Scale Actuator Networks (LSAN). A prospective application of actuator networks is distributed manipulation. Distributed manipulation has the potential to become a game-changing technology in the area of industrial automation. To examine this class of systems, this paper presents a reactive elastic surface that autonomously morphs its shape by using a grid of linear actuators to transport an object into a target location. The combined action of the actuator grid overcomes the limitations of individual actuators, resulting in a system with multiple degrees-of-freedom. Experimental results illustrate the applicability of the platform.

Actuator Array Dynamics Incorporating Actuator Inertia

Actuator arrays are planar distributed manipulation systems that use multiple two degree-of-freedom actuators to manipulate objects with three degrees of freedom (x, y, and θ). Prior work has discussed actuator array dynamics while neglecting the inertia of the actuators; this paper extends prior work to the case of non-negligible actuator inertia. The dynamics are presented using a standard friction model incorporating stiction. Simulation results are presented that show object motion under previously derived control laws.

Distributed Sensing in Actuator Array Manipulation

Actuator arrays are planar distributed manipulation systems that use multiple two degree-of-freedom actuators to manipulate objects with three degrees of freedom (x, y, and θ). This paper describes methods of sensing the position and orientation of objects on an actuator array using only binary object sensors at each actuator. The object sensor information, when combined, forms a binary image of the object which may be processed to recover object pose. The methods’ effectiveness for rectangular objects is verified via simulation.

Wireless communication for control of manipulation systems

Wireless communication for control of manipulation systemsThe paper deals with a novel application of the wireless data communication for a continual control of the distributed manipulation systems. The solution is intended for industrial robotic plants. A considered way of the wireless communication is based on ZigBee protocol. The protocol is tested for a real time bidirectional data communication within a manipulation system. The system consists of several moving manipulation units, several stationary auxiliary units and one control computer. The computer provides the cooperation of all units in the system in relation to the user requirements. The system is controlled by a simple feedback multi-level control realized in MATLAB - Simulink environment. The paper is focused on the realization of the boards of power electronics, transmitters, optical positional sensors, optical gates and their networking in accordance with ZigBee protocol definition. The behavior of the ZigBee is illustrated by several records from real experiments.