Task-oriented optimal dimensional synthesis of robotic manipulators with limited mobility. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Russo, Matteo; Raimondi, Luca; Dong, Xin; Axinte, Dragos; Kell, James
• Is Part Of: Robotics and computer-integrated manufacturing. Volume 69(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Optimization -- Dimensional Synthesis -- Kinematics -- Manipulators; Robots, Industrial -- Periodicals; Computer integrated manufacturing systems -- Periodicals; Robotics -- Periodicals; Robots industriels -- Périodiques; Productique -- Périodiques; Robotique -- Périodiques; 670.285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rcim.2020.102096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-5845

Abstract

Highlights: The performance of lower-mobility manipulators can be improved with task-oriented designs. An optimization method is proposed for the dimensional synthesis of these robotic systems. The proposed algorithm finds the optimal geometry for best accuracy over prescribed paths. A case study with a 4-DoF robot for high-precision laser operations in aeroengines is reported. Abstract: In this article, an optimization method is proposed for the dimensional synthesis of robotic manipulators with limited mobility, i.e. with less than 6 degrees-of-freedom ("DoF"), with a prescribed set of tasks in a constrained environment. Since these manipulators cannot achieve full 6-DoF mobility, they are able to follow only certain paths with prescribed position and orientation in space. While the most common approach to this problem employs pure path-planning algorithms, operations in narrow and complex environments might require changes to the robot design too. For this reason, this paper presents an improved approach which aims to minimize position and orientation error with a dimensional synthesis. First, a novel methodology that combines a path planning algorithm and dimensional synthesis has been proposed in order to optimize both robot geometry and pose for a given set of points. Then, the method is validated with a 4-DoF robot for high-precision laser operations in aeroengines as a case study. The example shows that the proposed procedure provides a stable algorithm with a high convergence rate and a short time to solution for robots with limited mobility in highly constrained scenarios.