Geometric characterization and parametric representation of the singularity manifold of a 6-6 Stewart platform manipulator

Bandyopadhyay, Sandipan and Ghosal, Ashitava (2006) Geometric characterization and parametric representation of the singularity manifold of a 6-6 Stewart platform manipulator. In: Mechanism and Machine Theory, 41 (11). pp. 1377-1400.

PDF sdarticle.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

In this paper, we present a compact closed-form expression for the singularity manifold of a class of 6-6 Stewart platform manipulators most commonly used in research and industry. The singularity manifold is obtained as the hyper-surface in the task-space, SE(3), on which the wrench transformation matrix for the top platform degenerates. This condition leads to an extremely large expression containing algebraic and trigonometric functions of the architecture, position and orientation variables. We present algorithms or effcient symbolic simplicfication of such large expressions. Using these algorithms, for a given architecture and orientation, the singularity manifold is obtained as a cubic surface in $R^3$. The symbolic computations yield a simple parametric expression for the surface in terms of the architectural and orientation parameters of the manipulator, and allows us to completely characterise and visualise the singularity manifold. We show that, in general, the cubic surface is a one-parameter family of hyperbolas in planes parallel to the base of the manipulator. It is further shown that the hyperbola degenerates to a parabola in a unique plane, and to a pair of straight lines in four other planes. The explicit parameterization allows us to obtain the location of each of these special planes analytically. For a given architecture and position, the singularity manifold is a surface in SO(3), which can be, in general, algebraically described by a 6th degree polynomial in the Rodrigue's parameters. In this paper, we present explicit expressions for the polynomial defining the orientation singularity manifold in terms architecture and orientation parameters. The theoretical results are illustrated with several numerical examples.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Mechanism and Machine Theory
Publisher:	Elseiver
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Elseiver.
Keywords:	6-6 Stewart Platform;Singularity Manifold;Analytical Expressions for singularity;symbolic computation
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Mechanical Engineering
Date Deposited:	23 Nov 2007
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:31
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/8290

Actions (login required)

View Item