Modeling and Analysis of a Planar Soft Panel Continuum Mechanism

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenbin Wang ◽  
Fengfeng Xi ◽  
Yingzhong Tian ◽  
Yinjun Zhao ◽  
Yuwen Li

Abstract Continuum mechanisms have drawn wide attention to scholars due to their salient advantages including compliance and dexterity. In this paper, a planar continuum mechanism made of soft panels is proposed. This mechanism has a reduced degree-of-freedom (DOF) compared with some existing continuum mechanisms capable of 3D motion. However, it can meet some application requirements in the field of robot and aerospace due to its characteristics of small stiffness in the motion plane and large stiffness perpendicular to the motion plane. Besides, a combined kinematics and statics modeling approach is presented for this mechanism by using the classical beam theory and a constrained optimization method. In order to ensure the model accuracy, a hybrid approach is proposed to consider gravity depending on the deformation under study. By comparing our results with those from the commonly used constant-curvature method, it is shown that our model is more accurate in predicting the deformation shapes.

Author(s):  
Pierpaolo Belardinelli ◽  
Stefano Lenci ◽  
Maurizio Brocchini

This work investigates the mechanical behavior of a clamped-clamped microbeam modeled within the framework of the strain-gradient elasticity theory. The governing equation of motion gives proper account of both the effect of the nonlinear midplane stretching and of an applied axial load. An electric-voltage difference, introducing into the model a further source of nonlinearity, is considered, including also a correction term for fringing field effects. The electric force acting on the microbeam is rearranged by means of the Chebyshev method, verifying the accuracy of the proposed approximation. The results show that a uniform error on the whole domain can be achieved. The static solution is obtained by a numerical differential quadrature method. The paper looks into the variation of the maximal deflection of the microbeam with respect to several parameters. Study of the pull-in limit on the high-order material parameters introduced by the nonclassical approach and a comparison with respect to the classical beam theory are also carried out. The numerical simulation indicates that the static response is larger, affected by the use of a nonclassical theory near the pull-in instability regime. The dynamical problem is, finally, analyzed, deriving the multi degree-of-freedom problem through a Galerkin-based approach. The study on the single degree-of-freedom model enables us to note the large influence of the nonlinear terms.


Author(s):  
Y. F. Zhang ◽  
A. Y. C. Nee ◽  
J. Y. H. Fuh

Abstract One of the most difficult tasks in automated process planning is the determination of operation sequencing. This paper describes a hybrid approach for identifying the optimal operation sequence of machining prismatic parts on a three-axis milling machining centre. In the proposed methodology, the operation sequencing is carried out in two levels of planning: set-up planning and operation planning. Various constraints on the precedence relationships between features are identified and rules and heuristics are created. Based on the precedence relationships between features, an optimization method is developed to find the optimal plan(s) with minimum number of set-ups in which the conflict between the feature precedence relationships and set-up sequence is avoided. For each set-up, an optimal feature machining sequence with minimum number of tool changes is also determined using a developed algorithm. The proposed system is still under development and the hybrid approach is partially implemented. An example is provided to demonstrate this approach.


Author(s):  
Satish Sundar ◽  
Zvi Shiller

Abstract This paper presents a design method of multi-degree-of-freedom mechanisms for near-time optimal motions. The design objective is to select system parameters, such as link lengths and actuator sizes, so as to minimize the optimal motion time of the mechanism along a given path. The exact time optimization problem is approximated by a simpler procedure that maximizes the acceleration near the end points. Representing the directions of maximum acceleration with the acceleration lines, and the reachability constraints as explicit functions of the design parameters, we transform the constrained optimization to a simpler curve fitting problem that can be formulated analytically. This allows the use of efficient gradient type optimizations, instead of the pattern search optimization that is otherwise required. Examples for optimizing the dimensions of a five-bar planar mechanism demonstrate close correlation of the approximate with the exact solutions, and an order of magnitude better computational efficiency than the previously developed unconstrained optimization methods.


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