Latest Papers

ASME Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics

  • Investigation on a Class of 2D Profile Amplified Stroke Dielectric Elastomer Actuators
    on September 24, 2024 at 12:00 am

    AbstractDielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have been widely studied in soft robotics due to their muscle-like movements. Linear DEAs are typically tensioned using compression springs with positive stiffness or weights directly attached to the flexible film of the DEA. In this paper, a novel class of 2D profile linear DEAs (butterfly- and X-shaped linear DEAs) with compact structure is introduced, which, employing negative-stiffness mechanisms, can largely increase the stroke of the actuators. Then, a dynamic model of the proposed amplified-stroke linear DEAs (ASL-DEAs) is developed and used to predict the actuator stroke. The fabrication process of linear DEAs is presented. This, using compliant joints, 3D-printed links, and dielectric elastomer, allows for rapid and affordable production. The experimental validation of the butterfly- and X-shaped linear DEAs proved capable of increasing the stroke up to 32.7% and 24.0%, respectively, compared with the conventional design employing springs and constant weights. Finally, the dynamic model is validated against the experimental data of stroke amplitude and output force; errors smaller than 10.5% for a large stroke amplitude (60% of maximum stroke) and 10.5% on the output force are observed.

Motion Modeling of a 5-Axis Delta Robot with Telescopic Shafts

Abstract

This paper deals with motion modeling of a 5-axis industrial Delta robot. The robot has extra rotational two degrees-of-freedom (DoF) realized with a wrist arm driven through two co-axial telescopic shafts as compared to the basic 3-DoF Delta robot. The kinematic model is derived with fully symbolic Jacobian matrices. Using the derived Jacobians, a novel simplified dynamic model is proposed based on the virtual work principle and the trajectory dependent artificial mass distribution. As compared to the existing literature, the proposed dynamic model does not require Lagrangian multiplier calculation or recursive and parallel computing so that it provides advantage for model-based control design. Also a linear regression model is provided to identify the dynamic parameters. The presented models are suitable to be employed for basic Delta and the extended Delta robots with parallel telescopic shafts as well. The derived models are verified through a Simulink model where the 3D CAD files of robot bodies having the information of real dimensions, masses and moments of inertia are used. The adequate agreement of the proposed dynamic model with the simulation results is illustrated via performing three different generated trajectory profiles. We also demonstrate the better accuracy of the proposed dynamic model as compared to a simplified and widely employed model for basic 3-DoF Delta robot. The simulation model is shared online to serve as a research and test platform for performing tasks such as motion planning, model prototyping, and control design.

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