Control of the interaction of a gantry robot end effector with the environment by the adaptive behaviour of its joint drive actuators

Kashikar, Parikshit

Abstract

The thesis examines a way in which the performance of the robot electric actuators can be precisely and accurately force controlled where there is a need for maintaining a stable specified contact force with an external environment. It describes the advantages of the proposed research, which eliminates the need for any external sensors and solely depends on the precise torque control of electric motors. The aim of the research is thus the development of a software based control system and then a proposal for possible inclusion of this control philosophy in existing range of automated manufacturing techniques.

The primary aim of the research is to introduce force controlled behaviour in the electric actuators when the robot interacts with the environment, by measuring and controlling the contact forces between them. A software control system is developed and implemented on a robot gantry manipulator to follow two dimensional contours without the explicit geometrical knowledge of those contours. The torque signatures from the electric actuators are monitored and maintained within a desired force band.

The secondary aim is the optimal design of the software controller structure. Experiments are performed and the mathematical model is validated against conventional Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control. Fuzzy control is introduced in the software architecture to incorporate a sophisticated control. Investigation is carried out with the combination of PID and Fuzzy logic which depend on the geometrical complexity of the external environment to achieve the expected results.

Citation

Kashikar, P. Control of the interaction of a gantry robot end effector with the environment by the adaptive behaviour of its joint drive actuators. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/810883

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 6, 2019
• Keywords: interaction, gantry robot, effector, environment, drive actuators
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/810883
• Award Date: Oct 1, 2014