Design and simulation of a PK testbed for head impact evaluation

This paper presents the design and simulation of a Parallel Kinematic (PK) testbed for head impacts. The proposed design is presented as a novel head impact testbed using a parallel platform as main motion simulation mechanism. The testbed is used to give a motion to a head mannequin to impact against a steel plate. In addition, the platform in the testbed allows to modify the orientation of the head mannequin model to evaluate different types of impacts. The testbed has been modeled with software MS ADAMS® to evaluate its performance with a dynamic simulation and to characterize the testbed design during top and lateral impact events. Results show that PK testbed gives a significant force and acceleration to the head mannequin at the moment of the impact.

Multi-objective Optimization of Compliant Parallel Platform for Desired Stiffness and Workspace

Stiffness and workspace are crucial performance indexes of a precision mechanism. In this paper, an optimization method is presented, for a compliant parallel platform to achieve desired stiffness and workspace. First, a numerical model is proposed to reveal the relationship between structural parameters, desired stiffness and workspace of the compliant parallel platform. Then, the influence of the various parameters on stiffness and workspace of the platform is analyzed. Based on Gaussian distribution, the multi-objective optimization problem is transformed into a single-objective one, in order to guarantee convergence precision. Furthermore, particle swarm optimization is used to optimize the structural parameters of the platform, which significantly improve its stiffness and workspace. Last, the effectiveness of the proposed numerical model is verified by finite element analysis and experiment.

Kinematic Analysis and Performance Test of a 6-DOF Parallel Platform with Dense Ball Shafting as a Revolute Joint

To meet the special requirements of the third mirror adjustment system for an optical telescope, a 6-P-RR-R-RR parallel platform using offset RR-joints is designed with high precision, a large load-to-size ratio and high stiffness. In order to improve the adjustment accuracy and the stiffness of the whole mechanism, each rotating joint in the subchain is designed as a zero-gap bead shaft system. When compared with a traditional Hooke joint, the offset RR joint has certain characteristics, including large carrying capacity and easy processing and adjustment, that effectively reduce the risk of interference with the joint during rotation and increase the working space of the entire machine. Because of the additional variables introduced by the offset joints, the kinematics problem becomes much more complicated. Regarding the P-RRRRR series subchain, the kinematics model is established using the Denavit–Hartenberg parameter method and then solved by the numerical iteration method. The stiffness of the parallel platform is analyzed and tested, including static and fundamental frequency. Motion performance testing of the parallel platform is performed.

Kinematics analysis and performance testing of 6-RR-RP-RR parallel platform with offset RR-hinges based on Denavit-Hartenberg parameter method

A six degrees-of-freedom parallel platform in a 6-RR-RP-RR configuration with high accuracy, high stiffness and a large working stroke is studied for application to the sub-mirror adjustment system of a large-aperture telescope. To meet the performance requirements, the parallel platform adopts a self-centering and well-designed offset universal hinge. The two hinge axes of the offset hinge do not intersect but have a specific offset in space, which makes the kinematics more complex than that with a common universal hinge. Therefore, to solve this complex kinematics problem, this paper innovatively introduces the Denavit–Hartenberg (D-H) parameter method that is used for series mechanisms. The method has a simple modeling process, strong applicability and continuity, providing a new tool for the analysis and application of the parallel mechanisms. A kinematics model of the parallel platform can be constructed and solved using a numerical iteration method. The accuracy of the numerical kinematics solution is verified using a co-simulation method. This paper analyses the passive derivative motion and the leg length error is compensated. Finally, test studies of the motion resolution, the repetitive positioning accuracy, the motion stroke, the static stiffness of the legs, and the static stiffness and dynamic stiffness of the entire machine were also carried out to verify the platform’s performance.

A Novel Three-SPR Parallel Platform for Vessel Wave Compensation

A wave compensation platform based on 3-SPR parallel platform is designed for marine ships with a dynamic positioning system. It can compensate for the heave, rolling, and pitching movement of a vessel under level 4 sea state. The forward kinematics of the mechanism is used to draw the central point position workspace and the attitude workspace of the moving deck of the compensation platform. The compensation effects of the 3-RPS parallel compensation platform and the 3-SPR parallel compensation platform are compared, and the feasibility and superiority of the compensation scheme using the 3-SPR parallel compensation platform are proved. To lower the working height of the upper deck of the compensation platform and reduce the extension range of the support legs, the structure of the compensation platform is optimized, and a novel 3-SPR parallel platform is designed. Finally, a simulation model was established. Using the inverse kinematic model as a compensation movement solver which can online calculate the length of branch legs based on the measured heaving, rolling, and pitching values of vessels, the compensation effect of the new structure under a certain sea state is simulated. The result demonstrated the efficiency of the ship motion decoupling movement of the newly designed compensation platform and proved the competence of it.

Functional Design of a 6-DOF Platform for Micro-Positioning

Parallel kinematic machines (PKMs) have demonstrated their potential in many applications when high stiffness and accuracy are needed, even at micro- and nanoscales. The present paper is focused on the functional design of a parallel platform providing high accuracy and repeatability in full spatial motion. The hexaglide architecture with 6-PSS kinematics was demonstrated as the best solution according to the specifications provided by an important Italian company active in the field of micro-positioning, particularly in vacuum applications. All the steps needed to prove the applicability of such kinematics at the microscale and their inherent advantages are presented. First, the kinematic model of the manipulator based on the study’s parametrization is provided. A global conditioning index (GCI) is proposed in order to optimize the kinetostatic performance of the robot, so that precise positioning in the required platform workspace is guaranteed avoiding singular configurations. Some numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the study. Finally, some details about the realization of a physical prototype are given.

Development of a Multi-Cable-Driven Continuum Robot Controlled by Parallel Platforms

Cable-driven continuum robots exhibit excellent capabilities in the unstructured environment due to their inherent compliance and dexterity. To improve the reliability and load capacity of continuum robots, increasing the number of cables is often used in the control of continuum robots. However, the number of actuators will increase with the cables. To tackle this challenge, this work proposes a method for increasing the number of cables without increasing actuators in a continuum robot through parallel platforms. The parallel platforms are used to control all the cables in the continuum robot, and can be separated from the continuum robot to enable the remote drive of a manipulation arm by using the cable-tube structure. The manipulation arm is composed of several independent bending modules in series, which can be configured freely according to the demand of degrees of freedom. Further, each bending module is controlled independently by a parallel platform, which can avoid the mutual interference between the cables of one bending module and another one, improve the position accuracy and simplify the control difficulty of the manipulation arm. To evaluate the proposed method, this work develops a prototype of six-cable-driven continuum robot controlled by 3RPS parallel platforms, and presents some basic kinematic models to describe its function, and then an experimental work characterizing its performance. Experimental results illustrated the importance of increasing the number of cables, the rationality of kinematic models of the continuum robot, and the feasibility of controlling multiple cables by a parallel platform.