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Flexible link manipulators (FLM) are well-known for their light mass and small energy consumption compared to rigid link manipulators (RLM). These advantages of FLM are even of greater importance in applications where energy efficiency is crucial, such as in space applications. However, RLM are still preferred over FLM for industrial applications. This is due to the fact that the reliability and predictability of the performance of FLM are not yet as good as those of RLM. The major cause for these drawbacks is link flexibility, which not only makes the dynamic modeling of FLM very challenging, but also turns its end-effector trajectory tracking (EETT) into a complicated control problem. <p>The major objectives of the research undertaken in this project were to develop a dynamic model for a FLM and model-based controllers for the EETT. Therefore, the dynamic model of FLM was first derived. This dynamic model was then used to develop the EETT controllers. <p>A dynamic model of a FLM was derived by means of a novel method using the dynamic model of a single flexible link manipulator on a moving base (SFLMB). The computational efficiency of this method is among its novelties. To obtain the dynamic model, the Lagrange method was adopted. Derivation of the kinetic energy and the calculation of the corresponding derivatives, which are required in the Lagrange method, are complex for the FLM. The new method introduced in this thesis alleviated these complexities by calculating the kinetic energy and the required derivatives only for a SFLMB, which were much simpler than those of the FLM. To verify the derived dynamic model the simulation results for a two-link manipulator, with both links being flexible, were compared with those of full nonlinear finite element analysis. These comparisons showed sound agreement. <p>A new controller for EETT of FLM, which used the singularly perturbed form of the dynamic model and the integral manifold concept, was developed. By using the integral manifold concept the links lateral deflections were approximately represented in terms of the rotations of the links and input torques. Therefore the end-effector displacement, which was composed of the rotations of the links and links lateral deflections, was expressed in terms of the rotations of the links and input torques. The input torques were then selected to reduce the EETT error. The originalities of this controller, which was based on the singularly perturbed form of the dynamic model of FLM, are: (1) it is easy and computationally efficient to implement, and (2) it does not require the time derivative of links lateral deflections, which are impractical to measure. The ease and computational efficiency of the new controller were due to the use of the several properties of the dynamic model of the FLM. This controller was first employed for the EETT of a single flexible link manipulator (SFLM) with a linear model. The novel controller was then extended for the EETT of a class of flexible link manipulators, which were composed of a chain of rigid links with only a flexible end-link (CRFE). Finally it was used for the EETT of a FLM with all links being flexible. The simulation results showed the effectiveness of the new controller. These simulations were conducted on a SFLM, a CRFE (with the first link being rigid and second link being flexible) and finally a two-link manipulator, with both links being flexible. Moreover, the feasibility of the new controller proposed in this thesis was verified by experimental studies carried out using the equipment available in the newly established Robotic Laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan. The experimental verifications were performed on a SFLM and a two-link manipulator, with first link being rigid and second link being flexible.<p>Another new controller was also introduced in this thesis for the EETT of single flexible link manipulators with the linear dynamic model. This controller combined the feedforward torque, which was required to move the end-effector along the desired path, with a feedback controller. The novelty of this EETT controller was in developing a new method for the derivation of the feedforward torque. The feedforward torque was obtained by redefining the desired end-effector trajectory. For the end-effector trajectory redefinition, the summation of the stable exponential functions was used. Simulation studies showed the effectiveness of this new controller. Its feasibility was also proven by experimental verification carried out in the Robotic Laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan.

Flexible link manipulators (FLM) are well-known for their light mass and small energy consumption compared to rigid link manipulators (RLM). These advantages of FLM are even of greater importance in applications where energy efficiency is crucial, such as in space applications. However, RLM are still preferred over FLM for industrial applications. This is due to the fact that the reliability and predictability of the performance of FLM are not yet as good as those of RLM. The major cause for these drawbacks is link flexibility, which not only makes the dynamic modeling of FLM very challenging, but also turns its end-effector trajectory tracking (EETT) into a complicated control problem. <p>The major objectives of the research undertaken in this project were to develop a dynamic model for a FLM and model-based controllers for the EETT. Therefore, the dynamic model of FLM was first derived. This dynamic model was then used to develop the EETT controllers. <p>A dynamic model of a FLM was derived by means of a novel method using the dynamic model of a single flexible link manipulator on a moving base (SFLMB). The computational efficiency of this method is among its novelties. To obtain the dynamic model, the Lagrange method was adopted. Derivation of the kinetic energy and the calculation of the corresponding derivatives, which are required in the Lagrange method, are complex for the FLM. The new method introduced in this thesis alleviated these complexities by calculating the kinetic energy and the required derivatives only for a SFLMB, which were much simpler than those of the FLM. To verify the derived dynamic model the simulation results for a two-link manipulator, with both links being flexible, were compared with those of full nonlinear finite element analysis. These comparisons showed sound agreement. <p>A new controller for EETT of FLM, which used the singularly perturbed form of the dynamic model and the integral manifold concept, was developed. By using the integral manifold concept the links lateral deflections were approximately represented in terms of the rotations of the links and input torques. Therefore the end-effector displacement, which was composed of the rotations of the links and links lateral deflections, was expressed in terms of the rotations of the links and input torques. The input torques were then selected to reduce the EETT error. The originalities of this controller, which was based on the singularly perturbed form of the dynamic model of FLM, are: (1) it is easy and computationally efficient to implement, and (2) it does not require the time derivative of links lateral deflections, which are impractical to measure. The ease and computational efficiency of the new controller were due to the use of the several properties of the dynamic model of the FLM. This controller was first employed for the EETT of a single flexible link manipulator (SFLM) with a linear model. The novel controller was then extended for the EETT of a class of flexible link manipulators, which were composed of a chain of rigid links with only a flexible end-link (CRFE). Finally it was used for the EETT of a FLM with all links being flexible. The simulation results showed the effectiveness of the new controller. These simulations were conducted on a SFLM, a CRFE (with the first link being rigid and second link being flexible) and finally a two-link manipulator, with both links being flexible. Moreover, the feasibility of the new controller proposed in this thesis was verified by experimental studies carried out using the equipment available in the newly established Robotic Laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan. The experimental verifications were performed on a SFLM and a two-link manipulator, with first link being rigid and second link being flexible.<p>Another new controller was also introduced in this thesis for the EETT of single flexible link manipulators with the linear dynamic model. This controller combined the feedforward torque, which was required to move the end-effector along the desired path, with a feedback controller. The novelty of this EETT controller was in developing a new method for the derivation of the feedforward torque. The feedforward torque was obtained by redefining the desired end-effector trajectory. For the end-effector trajectory redefinition, the summation of the stable exponential functions was used. Simulation studies showed the effectiveness of this new controller. Its feasibility was also proven by experimental verification carried out in the Robotic Laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan.

<p>In the assembly process of airframe structures there are many drilled holes and on some parts the holes are mainly drilled manually with pneumatic handheld drilling machines. During conventional drilling in metal, burrs appear. To remove these burrs the parts of the structure must be separated and deburred before they can be put together for fastening. This is a time consuming measure and therefore expensive. To facilitate this process and lower production costs some parts of the process needs to be automated.</p><p>A part of this thesis was a project in co-operation with Saab, Novator, Specma Automation and the University of Linköping. The purpose of this project was to investigate the ability of an industrial robot to drill holes in aeroplane structures using orbital drilling.</p><p>How the project tests were carried out and the results of these tests are presented in the first part of this thesis. The tests showed that slip-stick appeared when a force was applied on the working object by the robot. Because of the movement of the pressure foot the drilled hole will be in the wrong position and if the movement appears during drilling the quality of the hole is being poor.</p><p>Several different tests were performed using different amounts of forces and different pressure feet trying to prevent slip-stick from appearing. Finally tests were performed with good results concerning the quality of the holes.</p><p>In the second part of this thesis the proceeding tests that were carried out are presented. The purpose of these tests was to find out how the robot acts when a static pressure is applied on a work object by the robot and try to find out what the cause of the slip-stick was. Several tests were done where the robot applied a force on several different points on the fixture and the slip-stick was measured.</p><p>The tests that were carried out during this thesis showed that an industrial robot can be used to drill holes in aeroplane structures. To make sure that the quality of the drilled holes is sufficient for the high demands of the aeroplane industry the working area of the robot is limited to a small area in front of the robot. The slip-stick that appears when the robot is extended into a position on the far side of the robot is too large for the robot to drill the hole in an accurate position.</p> / <p>Vid flygplansmontering borras det många olika hål och på vissa delar borras större delen av dessa hål manuellt med pneumatiska handborrmaskiner. Vid konventionell borrning i metall bildas oönskade grader. Strukturen plockas därför isär så att graderna kan tas bort innan strukturens delar kan passas samman igen för att sammanfogas. Detta är en tidskrävande åtgärd och därmed dyr och i ett steg att förenkla denna process och få en billigare produktion vill man automatisera vissa steg i denna process.</p><p>En del av detta examensarbete var ett projekt i samarbete med Saab, Novator, Specma Automation och Linköpings Universitet vars syfte var att klargöra en robots förmåga att borra hål i flygplansmaterial med orbitalborrningsteknik.</p><p>I första delen av detta examensarbete redovisas genomförande och resultat av projektets tester. Testerna visade att tryckfoten gled på testmaterialets yta när roboten lade en tryckkraft på testplåten, så kallad slip-stick uppkom. Denna glidning gör att det borrade hålet inte hamnar på rätt position och sker glidningen under borroperationen så försämras hålets kvalité. Flera olika tester gjordes med varierad tryckkraft och med olika tryckfötter för att försöka förhindra att slip-stick uppkom. Tester genomfördes där hål borrades med bra kvalité.</p><p>I den andra delen av denna rapport redovisas fortsättningen på examensarbetet som var en vidareundersökning av de tidigare genomförda testerna. Syftet med denna del var att undersöka hur en industrirobot beter sig när den används för att lägga på en tryckkraft mot ett material samt att försöka ta reda på vad som är orsaken till slip-sticken. Fler tester gjordes där roboten tryckte på olika punkter på en fixtur och de uppkomna slip-sticken mättes upp.</p><p>Testerna under detta examensarbete har visat att det går att använda en industrirobot till att borra hål i flyglansmaterial. För att kvaliteten på de borrade hålen ska klara de höga krav som ställs inom flygplansindustrin är robotens arbetsområde begränsat till ett litet fönster mitt framför roboten. De glidningar som uppkommer när robotarmen är utsträckt långt åt sidan om roboten är alldeles för stora för de positioneringskrav som är på hålens placering på flygplansstrukturen.</p>

In the assembly process of airframe structures there are many drilled holes and on some parts the holes are mainly drilled manually with pneumatic handheld drilling machines. During conventional drilling in metal, burrs appear. To remove these burrs the parts of the structure must be separated and deburred before they can be put together for fastening. This is a time consuming measure and therefore expensive. To facilitate this process and lower production costs some parts of the process needs to be automated. A part of this thesis was a project in co-operation with Saab, Novator, Specma Automation and the University of Linköping. The purpose of this project was to investigate the ability of an industrial robot to drill holes in aeroplane structures using orbital drilling. How the project tests were carried out and the results of these tests are presented in the first part of this thesis. The tests showed that slip-stick appeared when a force was applied on the working object by the robot. Because of the movement of the pressure foot the drilled hole will be in the wrong position and if the movement appears during drilling the quality of the hole is being poor. Several different tests were performed using different amounts of forces and different pressure feet trying to prevent slip-stick from appearing. Finally tests were performed with good results concerning the quality of the holes. In the second part of this thesis the proceeding tests that were carried out are presented. The purpose of these tests was to find out how the robot acts when a static pressure is applied on a work object by the robot and try to find out what the cause of the slip-stick was. Several tests were done where the robot applied a force on several different points on the fixture and the slip-stick was measured. The tests that were carried out during this thesis showed that an industrial robot can be used to drill holes in aeroplane structures. To make sure that the quality of the drilled holes is sufficient for the high demands of the aeroplane industry the working area of the robot is limited to a small area in front of the robot. The slip-stick that appears when the robot is extended into a position on the far side of the robot is too large for the robot to drill the hole in an accurate position. / Vid flygplansmontering borras det många olika hål och på vissa delar borras större delen av dessa hål manuellt med pneumatiska handborrmaskiner. Vid konventionell borrning i metall bildas oönskade grader. Strukturen plockas därför isär så att graderna kan tas bort innan strukturens delar kan passas samman igen för att sammanfogas. Detta är en tidskrävande åtgärd och därmed dyr och i ett steg att förenkla denna process och få en billigare produktion vill man automatisera vissa steg i denna process. En del av detta examensarbete var ett projekt i samarbete med Saab, Novator, Specma Automation och Linköpings Universitet vars syfte var att klargöra en robots förmåga att borra hål i flygplansmaterial med orbitalborrningsteknik. I första delen av detta examensarbete redovisas genomförande och resultat av projektets tester. Testerna visade att tryckfoten gled på testmaterialets yta när roboten lade en tryckkraft på testplåten, så kallad slip-stick uppkom. Denna glidning gör att det borrade hålet inte hamnar på rätt position och sker glidningen under borroperationen så försämras hålets kvalité. Flera olika tester gjordes med varierad tryckkraft och med olika tryckfötter för att försöka förhindra att slip-stick uppkom. Tester genomfördes där hål borrades med bra kvalité. I den andra delen av denna rapport redovisas fortsättningen på examensarbetet som var en vidareundersökning av de tidigare genomförda testerna. Syftet med denna del var att undersöka hur en industrirobot beter sig när den används för att lägga på en tryckkraft mot ett material samt att försöka ta reda på vad som är orsaken till slip-sticken. Fler tester gjordes där roboten tryckte på olika punkter på en fixtur och de uppkomna slip-sticken mättes upp. Testerna under detta examensarbete har visat att det går att använda en industrirobot till att borra hål i flyglansmaterial. För att kvaliteten på de borrade hålen ska klara de höga krav som ställs inom flygplansindustrin är robotens arbetsområde begränsat till ett litet fönster mitt framför roboten. De glidningar som uppkommer när robotarmen är utsträckt långt åt sidan om roboten är alldeles för stora för de positioneringskrav som är på hålens placering på flygplansstrukturen.

No description available.

This study explored the development of a stationary robotic strawberry harvester that was combined with a movable bench system as part of the development of an industrially production system for a strawberry in a plant factory. At first the difficulty of approaching target fruit was investigated using table-top plants cultured in a greenhouse. Then the maximum force needed to separate fruit from the peduncle was measured. Based on these results, an end-effector was designed with three unique functions; (1) suction cup was vibrated to minimize the influence of the adjoining fruits at the time of approach; (2) compressed air was blown toward the adjoining fruits to force them away from the target fruit; (3) peduncle was removed with the motion of tilting and pulling the target fruit. Next, an optical system to equip the machine with the ability to detect and determine the position and coloration of strawberry fruit was constructed. The position of the fruit was detected from below with a stereo-camera. The coloration measurement unit was set against the bed of the movable bench system at fruit level to capture images of target fruit. Considering the spectral reflectance characteristics of strawberry fruit, the coloration measurement unit was equipped with red, green, and white LEDs. Finally the stationary robot was tested in an experimental harvesting system in which the robot was combined with a movable bench unit. In the experiment system, the stationary robot enabled highly stable harvesting operation. / Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(農学) / 乙第12528号 / 論農博第2747号 / 新制||農||988(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H23||N4584(農学部図書室) / 28350 / (主査)教授 近藤 直, 教授 清水 浩, 准教授 飯田 訓久 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当

This diploma thesis deals with the design of a workplace concept for the purpose of machining semifinished bolts used in automotive industry. The workplace includes a special purpose machine, input and output slip and robotic handling. Layout of the workplace is also part of the work. Further, the work is focused on the specific design of the special purpose machine and the 6th-axis robot gripping end effector is more detailed.

This master´s thesis describes the concept of Bin-picking technology, image recognition and the posibility of grasping parts of various shapes. It deals with the interaction between industrial robot, end-effector and recognition cell system in the industrial cell in process of random collection of parts from the box. The practical part is concerned with construction of end effector for a given part of a specific shape in a random selection/collection of parts from industrial pallets. For this operation is used the KUKA KR16 industrial robot and for safety reasons senzor FTC/collision OPS. Further work is designed working cell which deals with the design and layout of the working elements including security.

The goal of this diploma thesis on the topic of „Automation of workplaces for laser welding“ is the design of a robotic manipulation device for a four position laser welder which has been designed for a real project for automotive parts company. The introduction part of this work analyses the assignment and describes the current state of the workplace, describes each work cycle operation and customer requirements at the workplace. The work then deals with solving individual key nodes at the workplace, including introducing this robot and end effector design. The conclusion of this work explains safety solutions at the workplace, and financial and technical evaluation.