Dynamic Performance and Modular Design of Redundant Macro-/Minimanipulators

Abstract

This paper presents methodologies for the analysis and design of redundant manipulators, especially macro-/ministructures, for improved dynamic performance. Herein, the dynamic performance of a redundant manipulator is characterized by the end-effector inertial and acceleration properties. The belted inertia ellipsoid is used to characterize inertial properties, and the recently developed dynamic capability equations are used to analyze acceleration capability. The approach followed here is to design the ministructure to achieve the task performance and then to design the macrostructure to support and complement the ministructure, referred to here as modular design. The methodology is illustrated in the design of a six-degree-of-freedom planar manipulator.