Constraint Equations for a Planar Parallel Platform

<p>The aim of this thesis is to apply the Grünwald–Blaschke kinematic mapping to standard types of parallel general planar three-legged platforms in order to obtain the univariate polynomials which provide the solution of the forward kinematic problem. We rely on the method of Gröbner basis to reach these univariate polynomials. The Gröbner basis is determined from the constraint equations of the three legs of the platforms. The degrees of these polynomials are examined geometrically based on Bezout’s Theorem. The principle conclusion is that the univariate polynomials for the symmetric platforms under circular constraints are of degree six, which describe the maximum number of real solutions. The univariate polynomials for the symmetric platforms under linear constraints are of degree two, that describe the maximum number of real solutions.</p>

Constraint Equations for a Planar Parallel Platform

<p>The aim of this thesis is to apply the Grünwald–Blaschke kinematic mapping to standard types of parallel general planar three-legged platforms in order to obtain the univariate polynomials which provide the solution of the forward kinematic problem. We rely on the method of Gröbner basis to reach these univariate polynomials. The Gröbner basis is determined from the constraint equations of the three legs of the platforms. The degrees of these polynomials are examined geometrically based on Bezout’s Theorem. The principle conclusion is that the univariate polynomials for the symmetric platforms under circular constraints are of degree six, which describe the maximum number of real solutions. The univariate polynomials for the symmetric platforms under linear constraints are of degree two, that describe the maximum number of real solutions.</p>

Forward Kinematic Analysis of Kinematically Redundant Hybrid Parallel Robots

This paper focuses on the forward kinematic analysis of (6 + 3)-degree-of-freedom kinematically redundant hybrid parallel robots. Because all of the singularities are avoidable, the robot can cover a very large orientational workspace. The control of the robot requires the solution of the direct kinematic problem using the actuator encoder data as inputs. Seven different approaches of solving the forward kinematic problem based on different numbers of extra encoders are developed. It is revealed that five of these methods can produce a unique solution analytically or numerically. An example is given to validate the feasibility of these approaches. One of the provided approaches is applied to the real-time control of a prototype of the robot. It is also revealed that the proposed approaches can be applied to other kinematically redundant hybrid parallel robots proposed by the authors.

An Application of the Newton-Homotopy Continuation Method for Solving the Forward Kinematic Problem of the 3-RRS Parallel Manipulator

The forward kinematic problem (FKP) of the 3-RRS parallel manipulator is solved by means of the Newton-homotopy continuation method. The closure equations are formulated in the three-dimensional Euclidean spaces considering the coordinates of the centers of the spherical joints as unknown variables. The method is easy to follow and unlike the classical Newton-Raphson method it allows finding all the solutions of the FKP. A case study is included in the contribution in order to confirm the correctness of the method. In that concern, the numerical results obtained by means of the proposed method are verified with the aid of two different approaches such as the application of commercially available software like Maple16™ and the application of the PHCpack, a general purpose solver for polynomial systems based on homotopy continuation.

Kinematic effects of number of legs in 6-DOF UPS parallel mechanisms

SUMMARYIn this paper, we study the kinematic effects of number of legs in 6-DOF UPS parallel manipulators. A group of 3-, 4-, and 6-legged mechanisms are evaluated in terms of the kinematic performance indices, workspace, singular configurations, and forward kinematic solutions. Results show that the optimum number of legs varies due to priorities in kinematic measures in different applications. The non-symmetric Wide-Open mechanism enjoys the largest workspace, while the well-known Gough–Stewart (3–3) platform retains the highest dexterity. Especially, the redundantly actuated 4-legged mechanism has several important advantages over its non-redundant counterparts and different architectures of Gough–Stewart platform. It has dramatically less singular configurations, a higher manipulability, and at the same time less sensitivity. It is also shown that the forward kinematic problem has 40, 16, and 1 solution(s), respectively for the 6-, 3-, and the 4-legged mechanisms. Superior capabilities of the 4-legged mechanism make it a perfect candidate to be used in more challenging 6-DOF applications in assembly, manufacturing, biomedical, and space technologies.

Gröbner basis and resultant method for the forward displacement of 3-DoF planar parallel manipulators in seven-dimensional kinematic space

SUMMARYIn this paper, the forward kinematic analysis of 3-degree-of-freedom planar parallel robots with identical limb structures is presented. The proposed algorithm is based on Study's kinematic mapping (E. Study, “von den Bewegungen und Umlegungen,” Math. Ann.39, 441–565 (1891)), resultant method, and the Gröbner basis in seven-dimensional kinematic space. The obtained solution in seven-dimensional kinematic space of the forward kinematic problem is mapped into three-dimensional Euclidean space. An alternative solution of the forward kinematic problem is obtained using resultant method in three-dimensional Euclidean space, and the result is compared with the obtained mapping result from seven-dimensional kinematic space. Both approaches lead to the same maximum number of solutions: 2, 6, 6, 6, 2, 2, 2, 6, 2, and 2 for the forward kinematic problem of planar parallel robots; 3-RPR, 3-RPR, 3-RRR, 3-RRR, 3-RRP, 3-RPP, 3-RPP, 3-PRR, 3-PRR, and 3-PRP, respectively.