| Abstract: | This paper presents a linear algebraic procedure in obtaining (6?n) reciprocal screws from an n‐screw system of a robotic manipulator. The procedure starts by formulating the reciprocal relationship between a screw system and its reciprocal screw system in matrix form, and augmenting the screw matrix which is assembled with n screws in the screw system. Vectors of cofactors of the augmented row are then produced and the partitioning of the screw matrix is implemented to generate each of the (6?n) reciprocal screws. The theory developed in this paper provides a novel and simple procedure to obtain reciprocal screws from any screw system. The paper illustrates applications to cases with different screw systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
