Inertial Vibration Damping of a Flexible Base Manipulator

Abstract

A rigid (micro) robot mounted serially to the tip of a long, flexible (macro) manipulator is often used to increase reach capability, but flexibility in the macromanipulator can make it susceptible to vibration. A rigid manipulator attached to a flexible but unactuated base was used to study a scheme to achieve positioning of the micromanipulator combined with enhanced vibration damping of the base. . The interaction forces and torques acting between the robot and its flexible base were modeled and studied. Simulated and measured interactions generated at the base of a three degree of freedom rigid robot are compared. Simulated and experimental results are included that demonstrate with the proper control of these interactions, damping can be added to the base.