Machines

6435 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Study on the Kinematic Performances and Optimization for Three Types of Parallel Manipulators

by Dan Zhang and Bin Wei

Machines 2016, 4(4), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines4040024 - 16 Dec 2016

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4310

The modelling, optimization issues and stiffness for several types of three degrees-of-freedom parallel robotic manipulators, i.e., 3-DOF pure translational, 3-DOF pure rotational and 3-DOF mixed motion types, are studied in this paper. First of all, the kinematics and Jacobian for the robotic manipulators [...] Read more.

The modelling, optimization issues and stiffness for several types of three degrees-of-freedom parallel robotic manipulators, i.e., 3-DOF pure translational, 3-DOF pure rotational and 3-DOF mixed motion types, are studied in this paper. First of all, the kinematics and Jacobian for the robotic manipulators are determined through different approaches; secondly, objective functions modelling are presented, and the associated optimization issues and the geometric parameters’ effect on the objective functions for the robotic mechanisms are illustrated and analyzed in detail. Through employing several multi-objective optimization approaches, we manifest an overall process and approach for multi-objective optimization of robotic systems. The correlation among different stiffness models is finally presented. The results indicate that the kinetostatic compliance model is the closest one to the traditional stiffness model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Robotic Machine Tools)

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7277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Organization and Self-Coordination in Welding Automation with Collaborating Teams of Industrial Robots

by Günther Starke, Daniel Hahn, Diana G. Pedroza Yanez and Luz M. Ugalde Leal

Machines 2016, 4(4), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines4040023 - 30 Nov 2016

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6617

Abstract

In welding automation, growing interest can be recognized in applying teams of industrial robots to perform manufacturing processes through collaboration. Although robot teamwork can increase profitability and cost-effectiveness in production, the programming of the robots is still a problem. It is extremely time [...] Read more.

In welding automation, growing interest can be recognized in applying teams of industrial robots to perform manufacturing processes through collaboration. Although robot teamwork can increase profitability and cost-effectiveness in production, the programming of the robots is still a problem. It is extremely time consuming and requires special expertise in synchronizing the activities of the robots to avoid any collision. Therefore, a research project has been initiated to solve those problems. This paper will present strategies, concepts, and research results in applying robot operating system (ROS) and ROS-based solutions to overcome existing technical deficits through the integration of self-organization capabilities, autonomous path planning, and self-coordination of the robots’ work. The new approach should contribute to improving the application of robot teamwork and collaboration in the manufacturing sector at a higher level of flexibility and reduced need for human intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechatronics: Intelligent Machines)

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1290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Kinematics and Dynamics of a Translational Parallel Robot Based on Planar Mechanisms

by Mario A. Garcia-Murillo, Roger E. Sanchez-Alonso and Jaime Gallardo-Alvarado

Machines 2016, 4(4), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines4040022 - 09 Nov 2016

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 10271

Abstract

In this contribution, a novel translational parallel robot composed of an arrangement of mechanisms with planar motion is presented. Its mobility is analyzed and the position analysis is solved by using equations derived from mechanical constraints. Furthermore, the analysis of velocity and acceleration [...] Read more.

In this contribution, a novel translational parallel robot composed of an arrangement of mechanisms with planar motion is presented. Its mobility is analyzed and the position analysis is solved by using equations derived from mechanical constraints. Furthermore, the analysis of velocity and acceleration are solved by means of the screw theory. For completeness, the inverse dynamics are also presented and solved by means of an interesting combination of the screw theory and the virtual work principle. Finally, a numerical example is included to show the application of the kinematic model, which is verified with the aid of a commercially available software. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Robotic Machine Tools)

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3822 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Payload Effects on the Joint Motion Accuracy of Serial Mechanical Mechanisms

by Dan Zhang and Bin Wei

Machines 2016, 4(4), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines4040021 - 04 Nov 2016

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4107

Abstract

Robotic manipulators have been widely used in many arenas, when the robotic arm performs positioning, a traditional controller (e.g., a proportional-integral-derivative, PID controller) has the problem of not being able to compensate the payload variations. When the end-effector of the robotic arm grasps [...] Read more.

Robotic manipulators have been widely used in many arenas, when the robotic arm performs positioning, a traditional controller (e.g., a proportional-integral-derivative, PID controller) has the problem of not being able to compensate the payload variations. When the end-effector of the robotic arm grasps different payload masses as most applications require, the output of joint motion will vary under different payload masses, which will decrease the end-effector positioning accuracy of the robotic arm system. Based on the model reference adaptive control technique, the payload variation effect can be solved, therefore improving the positioning accuracy. This paper studies payload effects on the joint motion accuracy of serial mechanical mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Robotic Machine Tools)

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6473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vibration Isolation and Trajectory Following Control of a Cable Suspended Stewart Platform

by Xuechao Duan, Jianwei Mi and Ze Zhao

Machines 2016, 4(4), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines4040020 - 25 Oct 2016

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 8003

Abstract

To achieve high-quality vibration isolation and trajectory following control of a cable driven parallel robot based Stewart platform in the five hundred meter aperture spherical radio telescope (FAST) design, the integrated dynamic model of the Stewart platform including the electric cylinder is established [...] Read more.

To achieve high-quality vibration isolation and trajectory following control of a cable driven parallel robot based Stewart platform in the five hundred meter aperture spherical radio telescope (FAST) design, the integrated dynamic model of the Stewart platform including the electric cylinder is established in this paper, the globally feedback linearization of the dynamic model is implemented based on the control law partitioning approach. To overcome the disadvantages of the external disturbance on the base and unmodeled flexibility of the mechanism, a PID (Proportional-Derivative-Integral) controller with base acceleration feedforward is designed in the operational space of the Stewart platform. Experiments of the vibration isolation and trajectory following control of the cable suspended Stewart platform with presence of the base disturbance is carried out. The experimental results show that the presented control scheme has the advantage of stable dynamics, high accuracy and strong robustness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics and Vibrations in Machines)

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2802 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rotor Unbalance Estimation with Reduced Number of Sensors

by Sami M. Ibn Shamsah and Jyoti K. Sinha

Machines 2016, 4(4), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines4040019 - 25 Oct 2016

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5305

Abstract

The most common cause of the excessive vibration in rotating machines is the rotor mass unbalance. If a machine vibration due to mass unbalance exceeds the alarm limits, then it may lead to machine failure. Therefore, rotating machines should be regularly checked to [...] Read more.

The most common cause of the excessive vibration in rotating machines is the rotor mass unbalance. If a machine vibration due to mass unbalance exceeds the alarm limits, then it may lead to machine failure. Therefore, rotating machines should be regularly checked to ensure that they are properly balanced. Currently, industries use the influence coefficient (IC) balancing technique for in situ machine balancing. The accepted practice is to use the vibration measurements in both vertical and horizontal directions at the machine-bearing pedestals together with the tachometer signal to estimate the machine rotor unbalance (both mass and phase angle). It is generally believed that the use of the machine vibration measurements in the vertical and horizontal directions represents better machine dynamics, and hence the estimated unbalance is likely to be more accurate. However, this paper applies the same concept of the IC method but with a reduced number of vibration sensors (one sensor per bearing pedestal at 45° instead of two sensors at the vertical and horizontal directions). The use of one sensor per bearing pedestal at 45° from both vertical and horizontal directions is likely to have responses from both directions. The reduction in the number of sensors by half will definitely save the instruments and their maintenance cost and reduce the computational effort in the signal processing significantly. The proposed concept is applied on a small-size laboratory rig with two balancing planes. The paper presents the unbalance estimations by using the measured vibration responses in both the vertical and horizontal directions simultaneously and using vibration responses measured at 45°. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics and Vibrations in Machines)

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3609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the “Zero of Potential of the Electric Field Produced by the Heart Beat”. A Machine Capable of Estimating this Underlying Persistent Error in Electrocardiography

by Gaetano D. Gargiulo, Paolo Bifulco, Mario Cesarelli, Alistair L. McEwan, Hossein Moeinzadeh, Aiden O’Loughlin, Ibrahim M. Shugman, Jonathan C. Tapson and Aravinda Thiagalingam

Machines 2016, 4(4), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines4040018 - 15 Oct 2016

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 10458

Abstract

Modern electrocardiography (ECG) uses a constructed reference potential for the majority of leads. This reference potential, named after its inventor as the Wilson central terminal, is assumed to have negligible value and to be stationary during the cardiac cycle. However, the problem of [...] Read more.

Modern electrocardiography (ECG) uses a constructed reference potential for the majority of leads. This reference potential, named after its inventor as the Wilson central terminal, is assumed to have negligible value and to be stationary during the cardiac cycle. However, the problem of its variability during the cardiac cycle has been known almost since the inception of 12-lead electrocardiography. Due to the cumbersomeness of the measurement system required to fully appreciate these variations, this topic has received scant research attention during the last 60 years. Taking advantage of modern electronic amplifiers’ capability to detect small voltages, drawing only femtoamperes from physiological equivalent signal sources and of the right-leg connection availability, we developed a complete electrocardiography device that, aside from the eight independent signals of the standard 12-lead ECG, allows direct recording of the Wilson central terminal components. In this paper, we present details of the circuit together with its initial clinical evaluation. For this trial, we recorded data from 44 volunteer patients at Campbelltown Hospital (Campbelltown, Australia) and we found that the Wilson central terminal amplitude, as foreseen by Frank and others in the 1950s, is not negligible, its amplitude in relation to the lead II is, on average, 51.2%, and thus it may be clinically relevant. Full article

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Machines, Volume 4, Issue 4 (December 2016) – 7 articles

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