Tolerance design of manipulator parameters using design of experiment approach

A robotic arm must manipulate objects with high accuracy and repeatability to perform precise tasks. There are many factors that cause variations in performance and they referred as noise factors. A probabilistic approach has been used to model the effects of noise factors and an experimental design technique has been adopted to select optimal tolerance of kinematic and dynamic parameters for minimal performance variations. The control and noise factor arrays are employed to identify statistically significant parameters and their interactions. The performance measures like signal to noise ratio and reliability have been utilized and results are validated by Monte Carlo simulations. The proposed design of experiment methodology requires minimal computations. The tolerance design methodology of manipulator is illustrated by 2-DOF revolute–revolute planar manipulator following cubic and quintic trajectory to perform a task. The statistical analysis of simulated performances is carried out using analysis of variance technique, which showed that statistically significant parameters are independent of trajectory. The individual parameter tolerance sensitivity has also been carried out.     

Parametric design optimization of 2-DOF R–R planar manipulator—A design of experiment approach

This work illustrates simulation approach for optimizing the parametric design and performance of a 2-DOF R–R planar manipulator. Using dynamic and kinematic models of a manipulator different performance measures for the manipulator are obtained for different combination of parameters with effect of noise incorporated to imitate the real time performance of the manipulator. A novel approach has been proposed to model, the otherwise difficult to model, noise effects. The data generated during simulation for various parameter combinations are utilized to analyze the statistical significance of kinematic and dynamic parameters on performance of manipulator using ANOVA technique. The parameter combinations, which give optimum performance measures obtained for different points in workspace, are compared and reported.     

Index based optimal anatomy of a metamorphic manipulator for a given task

This paper introduces an approach for the determination of the best anatomy of a metamorphic manipulator for a given task at a given location. The location of the task is determined by maximizing the performance of a current industrial fixed anatomy robot. Two types of tasks are considered: a point to point task and a path following task, where in the first case the approximated minimum of the manipulability index is formed along the task points and in the second case the approximated minimum of the manipulator velocity ratio is formed along the line segments. These indexes are maximized in order to determine the best anatomy for the task. The proposed approach is tested and the results show that the determined best anatomy for each type of task acquired higher performance than the respective one achieved by the fixed anatomy manipulator.     

Computer simulation of a parallel link manipulator

A parallel link manipulator has been designed, which may be used as a robot wrist. The dynamic equations of the system have been formulated rigorously without assuming that the displacements and rotations are small. In computer simulation, it is shown that this manipulator can be used to perform tasks such as position control, path tracing, and force control. For each task, the control algorithm is formulated and tested.     

The power manipulability – A new homogeneous performance index of robot manipulators

Jacobian-based performance indices such as the manipulability ellipsoid, the condition number and the minimum singular value, have been very helpful tools both for mechanical manipulator design and for determining suitable manipulator postures to execute a given task. For a manipulator having complex degrees of freedom (translations and rotations), Jacobian matrix becomes non-homogeneous, i.e. it contains elements with different physical units; therefore, the evaluation of its determinant, eigenvalues or singular values needs the combination of quantities of different nature, which is physically inconsistent and moreover it corresponds to a noncommensurable system. In this paper, a new performance index of robot manipulators is proposed. It is fully homogeneous and it constitutes a physically consistent system whether the manipulator contains joints of different natures, or the task space combines both translation and rotation motion. The development is concerned with the study of power within the mechanism. Given that the power has the same physical units in translation and rotation, it can be used as a homogeneous or natural performance index of manipulators by examining the behaviour of its basic components namely, force and speed, at different kinematics configurations. Furthermore, the new concept of vectorial power is introduced, followed by to the quadrivector of apparent power, and leading to the final homogeneous performance index of the power manipulability (PM). This new approach matches perfectly with mechanisms having joints of different natures, as well as with a task space combining both translation and rotation.     

基于随机投影和主成分分析的网络嵌入后处理算法

网络嵌入作为网络表示学习,近年来受到了研究人员的广泛关注。目前,已有许多基于网络结构学习网络中结点的低维向量表示的模型,如DeepWalk等,并且这些模型在结点分类和链接预测等任务中取得了良好的效果。然而,随着网络规模的增大,多个网络嵌入算法存在计算瓶颈问题。为缓解该问题,可采用诸如随机投影这类无需学习的方法,但这样可能会丢失网络结构的关键信息,致使算法性能下降。为此,文中提出了一种网络嵌入的后处理算法PPNE(Post-Processing Network Embedding),该算法结合了随机投影以及主成分分析,有效地保留了网络结构的关键信息,保持了网络结构的高阶近似性。将所提算法与其他网络嵌入算法在3个公共数据集上针对结点分类和链接预测任务进行实验对比,以验证其有效性。实验结果表明,PPNE算法在运行速度和预测性能方面相比其他算法有较大的提升,尤其是该算法在保证良好任务效果的同时,运行速度比其他基于学习的算法提升了至少两个数量级。     

Dynamic formulation and performance evaluation of the redundant parallel manipulator

The dynamic formulation and performance evaluation of the redundant parallel manipulator are presented in this paper. By means of the principle of virtual work and the concept of link Jacobian matrices, the inverse dynamic model of the redundant parallel manipulator is set up. It consists of six linear consistent equations with eight unknown quantities. Then, the optimum solution of the actuating torques is achieved by employing the Moore-Penrose inverse matrix. It is with minimum norm and least quadratic sum among the possible actuating torque vectors. A series of new dynamic performance indices with obvious physical meanings have been proposed in the paper. By decoupling the inverse dynamics in the exhaustive way, a novel dynamic performance index combining the acceleration, velocity and gravity terms of the dynamic equations has been presented to evaluate the dynamic characteristic of the redundant parallel manipulator. With the index, it is possible to control the performance in the different direction. The index has been applied to the dynamic characteristic evaluation of the redundant parallel manipulator in the simulation. It is general and can be used for the dynamic performance evaluation of other types of parallel manipulators.     

Comparative study of performance indices for fundamental robot manipulators

In this paper, conventional global and local indices–structural length index, manipulability measure, condition number and Global Conditioning Index (GCI)–have been examined for the workspace optimization of the sixteen fundamental robot manipulators classified by B. Huang and V. Milenkovic [Kinematics of major robot linkages, Robotics International of SME 2 (1983) 16–31]. To find the optimum link length and volumes of these robot manipulators, two design objectives have been used: maximize the workspace area covered by the robot manipulator and maximize the local indices. As an example, a three-link robot manipulator has been studied based on the above design objectives. Also, optimization results of the sixteen robot manipulators have been compared to each other and summarized in tables.     

Stability and control aspects of flexible link robot manipulators during constrained motion tasks

The effect of robotic manipulator structural compliance on system stability and trajectory tracking performance and the compensation of this structural compliance has been the subject of a number of publications for the case of robotic manipulator noncontact task execution. The subject of this article is the examination of dynamics and stability issues of a robotic manipulator modeled with link structural flexibility during execution of a task that requires the robot tip to contact fixed rigid objects in the work environment. The dynamic behavior of a general n degree of freedom flexible link manipulator is investigated with a previously proposed nonlinear computed torque constrained motion control applied, computed based on the rigid link equations of motion. Through the use of techniques from the theory of singular perturbations, the analysis of the system stability is investigated by examining the stability of the “slow” and “fast” subsystem dynamics. The conditions under which the fast subsystem dynamics exhibit a stable response are examined. It is shown that if certain conditions are satisfied a control based on only the rigid link equations of motion will lead to asymptotic trajectory tracking of the desired generalized position and force trajectories during constrained motion. Experiments reported here have been carried out to investigate the performance of the nonlinear computed torque control law during constrained motion of the manipulator. While based only on the rigid link equations of motion, experimental results confirm that high-frequency structural link modes, exhibited in the response of the robot, are asymptotically stable and do not destabilize the slow subsystem dynamics, leading to asymptotic trajectory tracking of the overall system. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Sliding Mode Rest-to-Rest Stabilization and Trajectory Tracking for a Discretized Flexible Joint Manipulator

In this article, a difference flatness approach is used for trajectory tracking tasks of an approximately (Euler) discretized model of a nonlinear, single link, flexible joint manipulator. The system's flat output is commanded to follow a prescribed trajectory achieving a desired angular position maneuver. A new robust discrete time feedback controller design technique, of the sliding mode type, is then proposed for the closed loop regulation of the link position around the prescribed trajectory. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by means of digital computer simulations in a rest-to-rest stabilization maneuver and in a sinusoidal reference trajectory tracking task.     

Optimal design of a 2-DOF parallel manipulator with actuation redundancy considering kinematics and natural frequency

In this paper, a planar 2-DOF parallel manipulator with actuation redundancy is proposed and the optimal design considering kinematics and natural frequency is presented. The stiffness matrix and mass matrix are derived, and the structural dynamics is modeled. The natural frequency is obtained on the basis of dynamic model. Based on the kinematic performance, the range for link length is given. Then, considering the natural frequency, the geometry is optimized. The natural frequency is simulated and compared with the corresponding non-redundant parallel manipulator. The designed redundant parallel manipulator has desired kinematic performance and natural frequency and is incorporated into a 4-DOF hybrid machine tool.     

Evolutionary Minimum Cost Trajectory Planning for Industrial Robots

A general method for computing minimum cost trajectory planning for industrial robot manipulators is presented. The aim is minimization of a cost function with constraints namely joint positions, velocities, jerks and torques by considering dynamic equations of motion. A clamped cubic spline curve is used to represent the trajectory. This is a non-linear constrained optimization problem with five objective functions, 30 constraints and 144 variables. The cost function is a weighted balance of transfer time, mean average of actuators efforts and power, singularity avoidance, joint jerks and joint accelerations. The problem is solved by two evolutionary techniques such as Elitist Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) and Differential Evolution (DE). Numerical applications for a six link robotic manipulator – STANFORD robot (pick and place operation) and a two link planar manipulator (motion in the presence of obstacles) are illustrated. The results obtained from the Proposed techniques (NSGA-II and DE) are compared for different values of weighting coefficients. The influences of the algorithm parameters and weight factors on algorithm performance are analyzed. The DE algorithm converges quickly than NSGA-II. Also DE algorithm gives better results than NSGA-II in majority of cases. A comprehensive user-friendly general-purpose software package has been developed using VC++ to obtain the optimal solutions of any complex problem using DE algorithm.     

A simulation study of the performances of HDLC controlled links

Among the exchanging link protocols, HDLC is becoming more and more popular. But the standards which define it contain options and parameters to be selected according to the actual environment.A model of the information exchange phase of a balanced HDLC link is presented. The choice of two parameters (the maximum window width and a timer constant) is discussed with the help of simulation results. Information frames are of random length and two types of Supervisory frames are used (RR and REJ). The link has been simulated in saturated and nonsaturated situations with different transmission error rates. P/F checkpointing is not used, line propagation times are neglected.The illustrated performances include the link efficiency and various delays associated with the transmission of Information frames.     

Design and performance evaluation of an actively compliant underwater manipulator for full-ocean depth

An underwater manipulator is described that can exhibit a wide range of compliance through a combination of mechanical design and software control and its performance characterized. The manipulator has been used in conjunction with the JASON Remotely Operated Vehicle at full-ocean depth. The major goal of the design was to produce a manipulator that can actively control the interaction forces with the work task in the hostile deep-ocean environment. The manipulator's performance has been characterized in the lab and its overall operational utility has been confirmed during tests to depths of approximately 4000 meters, including an archaeological excavation at 700 meters depth in the Mediterranean. The manipulator uses high performance brushless DC servomotors driving the joints though low-friction, zero-backlash reductions of moderate ratio consisting of cables and pulleys. Each joint is highly backdriveable and has a large range of rotation. This approach permits a variety of force control schemes such as impedance control to be implemented with no sensors other than the displacement sensors integrated with the brushless motor. It also permits high-quality torque servomechanisms to be directly implemented. This article outlines the design and illustrates the performance of a single joint in terms of friction, stiffness, and in implementing variable compliance and as a closed-loop torque servo.     

Efficiency evaluation of robots in machining applications using industrial performance measure

The paper is devoted to the robotic based machining. The main focus is made on robot accuracy in milling operation and evaluation robot capacity to perform the task with desired precision. Particular attention is paid to the proper modeling of manipulator stiffness properties and the cutting force estimation. In contrast to other works, the robot performance is evaluated using the circularity norm that evaluates the contortion degree of the benchmark circle to be machined. The developed approach is applied to five industrial robots of KUKA family, which have been ranked for several machining tasks. The validity of the proposed technique was confirmed by experimental study dealing with robot-based machining of circular grooves for several workpiece samples and different locations.     

Considering inter-task resource constraints in task allocation

This paper focuses on task allocation with single-task robots, multi-robot tasks and instantaneous assignment, which has been shown to be strongly NP-hard. Although this problem has been studied extensively, few efficient approximation algorithms have been provided due to its inherent complexity. In this paper, we first provide discussions and analyses for two natural greedy heuristics for solving this problem. Then, a new greedy heuristic is introduced, which considers inter-task resource constraints to approximate the influence between different assignments in task allocation. Instead of only looking at the utility of the assignment, our approach computes the expected loss of utility (due to the assigned robots and task) as an offset and uses the offset utility for making the greedy choice. A formal analysis is provided for the new heuristic, which reveals that the solution quality is bounded by two different factors. A new algorithm is then provided to approximate the new heuristic for performance improvement. Finally, for more complicated applications, we extend this problem to include general task dependencies and provide a result on the hardness of approximating this new formulation. Comparison results with the two natural heuristics in simulation are provided for both formulations, which show that the new approach achieves improved performance.     

Investigating the Impact of Task Change Type and Transparency on Transfer of Learning

This article investigates users' transfer of learning on two e-mail platforms with different transparency levels and task change types. The objective is to provide implication on task design in product upgrading. A mixed design of 4 (types of task change)?×?2 (transparency)?×?2 blocks (Hotmail and Outlook platform) within-subjects design and 3 levels of expertise between-subjects design, both having repeated measures on type of task change and transparency, was used to evaluate participants' transfer of learning. A main effect of both transparency and task change type is expected. High-transparency tasks are expected to lead to higher performance than low-transparency tasks. Commission task changes are expected to lead to lower performance than other types of task change due to the addition of new task steps. The results showed that commission task changes led to the greatest disturbance on user performance, whereas performance is best during sequence task changes in which participants have a positive transfer in performance time per step and no increase in error ratio. Participants also showed better transfer of learning in high-transparency tasks. The conclusion is that transparency level is critical in the future design of product changes. A refined design approach is necessary to ensure that the design tasks are highly transparent to users. In addition, to facilitate user's transfer of learning, commission task changes should be reduced and sequence task changes should be increased.     

关节型机器人的似人操作构型规划

对关节型机器人的操作构型进行规划时,本文提出了一种新的规划方法,它结合了似人评估准则和机器人传速特性优化的概念,可实现有最大末端传速特性的操作,同时与人类手臂操作的特点最为相似.该方法首先利用应用人体工程学中的快速上肢评价准则(RULA)对机器人的操作空间进行划分,然后在各子空间内最大化机器人末端沿指定方向的传速速率.最终选定一个最符合人类操作特性又同时满足操作任务的机器人操作构型.通过在2自由度平面机器人和7自由度拟人机械臂上的规划实验进一步展示了本方法的使用,规划结果验证了其有效性.     

Assembly task execution using visual 3D surface reconstruction: An integrated approach to parts mating

This paper is focused on assembly tasks executed by an industrial robotic manipulator in the presence of uncertainties. The goal is to achieve higher levels of autonomy and flexibility of robotic systems in the execution of such tasks. In particular, as a well-established paradigm of assembly tasks, a Peg-in-Hole task has been considered, where the pose of the target object with respect to the robot is known with uncertainties far larger than the task tolerance, e.g., due to manual positioning of the object in the workcell. The proposed approach is based on the reconstruction of the object surface by means of a number of point clouds provided by a depth sensor. The reconstruction is then compared with a known CAD model of the surface, in order to localize the position and tilt of the holes. Finally, the peg insertion is performed in two steps: a search phase, in which the peg tip gently slides on the surface following a trajectory described by Lissajous functions, and a mechanical coupling phase, in which a compliant behavior is imposed to the peg. Experiments on a collaborative manipulator confirm that the proposed approach allows to achieve a better degree of autonomy and flexibility for a class of robotic tasks in partially structured environments.     

A general formulation and approach to constrained,continuum manipulation

A continuum manipulator is particularly suitable for performing tasks in cluttered environments with limited space for maneuvering and is even more flexible with a mobile base. However, to perform a task, the motion of a continuum manipulator must not only avoid obstacles, i.e. subject to environment constraints, but also satisfy certain position and orientation constraints imposed by the task. An important open issue is how to enable a (mobile) continuum manipulator to perform a task-constrained motion while avoiding obstacles. In this paper, we introduce a general formulation of the problem and an approach to automatic planning of mobile continuum manipulation under general task and environmental constraints. The effectiveness of the approach is verified by simulation and real experiments.