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1 – 8 of 8Wei Zhao, Juliang Xiao, Sijiang Liu, Saixiong Dou and Haitao Liu
In customized production such as plate workpiece grinding, because of the diversity of the workpiece shapes and the positional/orientational clamping errors, great efforts are…
Abstract
Purpose
In customized production such as plate workpiece grinding, because of the diversity of the workpiece shapes and the positional/orientational clamping errors, great efforts are taken to repeatedly calibrate and program the robots. To change this situation, the purpose of this study is to propose a method of robotic direct grinding for unknown workpiece contour based on adaptive constant force control and human–robot collaboration.
Design/methodology/approach
First, an adaptive constant force controller based on stiffness estimation is proposed, which can distinguish the contact of the human hand and the unknown workpiece contour. Second, a normal vector search algorithm is developed to calculate the normal vector of the unknown workpiece contour in real-time. Finally, the force and position are controlled in the calculated normal and tangential directions to realize the direct grinding.
Findings
The method considers the disturbance of the tangential grinding force and the friction, so the robot can track and grind the workpiece contour simultaneously. The experiments prove that the method can ensure the force error and the normal vector calculating error within 0.3 N and 4°. This human–robot collaboration pattern improves the convenience of the grinding process.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed method realizes constant force grinding of unknown workpiece contour in real-time and ensures the grinding consistency. In addition, combined with human–robot collaboration, the method saves the time spent in repeated calibration and programming.
Originality/value
Compared with other related research, this method has better accuracy and anti-disturbance capability of force control and normal vector calculation during the actual grinding process.
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Keywords
Haitao Liu, Junfu Zhou, Guangxi Li, Juliang Xiao and Xucang Zheng
This paper aims to present a new trajectory scheduling method to generate a smooth and continuous trajectory for a hybrid machining robot.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a new trajectory scheduling method to generate a smooth and continuous trajectory for a hybrid machining robot.
Design/methodology/approach
The trajectory scheduling method includes two steps. First, a G3 continuity local smoothing approach is proposed to smooth the toolpath. Then, considering the tool/joint motion and geometric error constraints, a jerk-continuous feedrate scheduling method is proposed to generate the trajectory.
Findings
The simulations and experiments are conducted on the hybrid robot TriMule-800. The simulation results demonstrate that this method is effectively applicable to machining trajectory scheduling for various parts and is computationally friendly. Moreover, it improves the robot machining speed and ensures smooth operation under constraints. The results of the S-shaped part machining experiment show that the resulting surface profile error is below 0.12 mm specified in the ISO standard, confirming that the proposed method can ensure the machining accuracy of the hybrid robot.
Originality/value
This paper implements an analytical local toolpath smoothing approach to address the non-high-order continuity problem of the toolpath expressed in G code. Meanwhile, the feedrate scheduling method addresses the segmented paths after local smoothing, achieving smooth and continuous trajectory generation to balance machining accuracy and machining efficiency.
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Keywords
Juliang Xiao, Yunpeng Wang, Sijiang Liu, YuBo Sun, Haitao Liu, Tian Huang and Jian Xu
The purpose of this paper is to generate grinding trajectory of unknown model parts simply and efficiently. In this paper, a method of grinding trajectory generation of hybrid…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to generate grinding trajectory of unknown model parts simply and efficiently. In this paper, a method of grinding trajectory generation of hybrid robot based on Cartesian space direct teaching technology is proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
This method first realizes the direct teaching of hybrid robot based on 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse (3DMouse) sensor, and the full path points of the robot are recorded in the teaching process. To reduce the jitter and make the speed control more freely when dragging the robot, the sensor data is processed by Kalman filter, and a variable admittance control model is established. And the joint constraint processing is given during teaching. After that, the path points are modified and fitted into double B-splines, and the speed planning is performed to generate the final grinding trajectory.
Findings
Experiment verifies the feasibility of using direct teaching technology in Cartesian space to generate grinding trajectory of unknown model parts. By fitting all the teaching points into cubic B-spline, the smoothness of the grinding trajectory is improved.
Practical implications
The whole method is verified by the self-developed TriMule-600 hybrid robot, and it can also be applied to other industrial robots.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this paper is to realize the direct teaching and trajectory generation of the hybrid robot in Cartesian space, which provides an effective new method for the robot to generate grinding trajectory of unknown model parts.
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Keywords
Juliang Xiao, Fan Zeng, Qiulong Zhang and Haitao Liu
This paper aims to propose a forcefree control algorithm that is based on a dynamic model with full torque compensation is proposed to improve the compliance and flexibility of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a forcefree control algorithm that is based on a dynamic model with full torque compensation is proposed to improve the compliance and flexibility of the direct teaching of cooperative robots.
Design/methodology/approach
Dynamic parameters identification is performed first to obtain an accurate dynamic model. The identification process is divided into two steps to reduce the complexity of trajectory simplification, and each step contains two excitation trajectories for higher identification precision. A nonlinear friction model that considers the angular displacement and angular velocity of joints is proposed as a secondary compensation for identification. A torque compensation algorithm that is based on the Hogan impedance model is proposed, and the torque obtained by an impedance equation is regarded as the command torque, which can be adjusted. The compensatory torque, including gravity torque, inertia torque, friction torque and Coriolis torque, is added to the compensation to improve the effect of forcefree control.
Findings
The model improves the total accuracy of the dynamic model by approximately 20% after compensation. Compared with the traditional method, the results prove that the forcefree control algorithm can effectively reduce the drag force approximately 50% for direct teaching and realize a flexible and smooth drag.
Practical implications
The entire algorithm is verified by the laboratory-developed six degrees-of-freedom cooperative robot, and it can be applied to other robots as well.
Originality/value
A full torque compensation is performed after parameters identification, and a more accurate forcefree control is guaranteed. This allows the cooperative robot to be dragged more smoothly without external sensors.
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Keywords
YuBo Sun, Juliang Xiao, Haitao Liu, Tian Huang and Guodong Wang
The purpose of this paper is to accurately obtain the deformation of a hybrid robot and rapidly enable real-time compensation in friction stir welding (FSW). In this paper, a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to accurately obtain the deformation of a hybrid robot and rapidly enable real-time compensation in friction stir welding (FSW). In this paper, a prediction algorithm based on the back-propagation neural network (BPNN) optimized by the adaptive genetic algorithm (GA) is presented.
Design/methodology/approach
Via the algorithm, the deformations of a five-degree-of-freedom (5-DOF) hybrid robot TriMule800 at a limited number of positions are taken as the training set. The current position of the robot and the axial force it is subjected to are used as the input; the deformation of the robot is taken as the output to construct a BPNN; and an adaptive GA is adopted to optimize the weights and thresholds of the BPNN.
Findings
This algorithm can quickly predict the deformation of a robot at any point in the workspace. In this study, a force-deformation experiment bench is built, and the experiment proves that the correspondence between the simulated and actual deformations is as high as 98%; therefore, the simulation data can be used as the actual deformation. Finally, 40 sets of data are taken as examples for the prediction, the errors of predicted and simulated deformations are calculated and the accuracy of the prediction algorithm is verified.
Practical implications
The entire algorithm is verified by the laboratory-developed 5-DOF hybrid robot, and it can be applied to other hybrid robots as well.
Originality/value
Robots have been widely used in FSW. Traditional series robots cannot bear the large axial force during welding, and the deformation of the robot will affect the machining quality. In some research studies, hybrid robots have been used in FSW. However, the deformation of a hybrid robot in thick-plate welding applications cannot be ignored. Presently, there is no research on the deformation of hybrid robots in FSW, let alone the analysis and prediction of their deformation. This research provides a feasible methodology for analysing the deformation and compensation of hybrid robots in FSW. This makes it possible to calculate the deformation of the hybrid robot in FSW without external sensors.
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Pengkun Cheng, Juliang Xiao, Wei Zhao, Yangyang Zhang, Haitao Liu and Xianlei Shan
This paper aims to enhance the machining accuracy of hybrid robots by treating the moving platform as the first joint of a serial robot for direct position measurement and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to enhance the machining accuracy of hybrid robots by treating the moving platform as the first joint of a serial robot for direct position measurement and integrating external grating sensors with motor encoders for real-time error compensation.
Design/methodology/approach
Initially, a spherical coordinate system is established using one linear and two circular grating sensors. This system enables direct acquisition of the moving platform’s position in the hybrid robot. Subsequently, during the coarse interpolation stage, the motor command for the next interpolation point is dynamically updated using error data from external grating sensors and motor encoders. Finally, fuzzy proportional integral derivative (PID) control is applied to maintain robot stability post-compensation.
Findings
Experiments were conducted on the TriMule-600 hybrid robot. The results indicate that the following errors of the five grating sensors are reduced by 94%, 93%, 80%, 75% and 88% respectively, after compensation. Using the fourth drive joint as an example, it was verified that fuzzy adaptive PID control performs better than traditional PID control.
Practical implications
The proposed online error compensation strategy significantly enhances the positional accuracy of the robot end, thereby improving the actual processing quality of the workpiece.
Social implications
This method presents a technique for achieving online error compensation in hybrid robots, which promotes the advancement of the manufacturing industry.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a cost-effective and practical method for online error compensation in hybrid robots using grating sensors, which contributes to the advancement of hybrid robot technology.
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Zaihua Luo, Juliang Xiao, Sijiang Liu, Mingli Wang, Wei Zhao and Haitao Liu
This paper aims to propose a dynamic parameter identification method based on sensitivity analysis for the 5-degree of freedom (DOF) hybrid robots, to solve the problems of too…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a dynamic parameter identification method based on sensitivity analysis for the 5-degree of freedom (DOF) hybrid robots, to solve the problems of too many identification parameters, complex model, difficult convergence of optimization algorithms and easy-to-fall into a locally optimal solution, and improve the efficiency and accuracy of dynamic parameter identification.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the dynamic parameter identification model of the 5-DOF hybrid robot was established based on the principle of virtual work. Then, the sensitivity of the parameters to be identified is analyzed by Sobol’s sensitivity method and verified by simulation. Finally, an identification strategy based on sensitivity analysis was designed, experiments were carried out on the real robot and the results were verified.
Findings
Compared with the traditional full-parameter identification method, the dynamic parameter identification method based on sensitivity analysis proposed in this paper converges faster when optimized using the genetic algorithm, and the identified dynamic model has higher prediction accuracy for joint drive forces and torques than the full-parameter identification models.
Originality/value
This work analyzes the sensitivity of the parameters to be identified in the dynamic parameter identification model for the first time. Then a parameter identification method is proposed based on the results of the sensitivity analysis, which can effectively reduce the parameters to be identified, simplify the identification model, accelerate the convergence of the optimization algorithm and improve the prediction accuracy of the identified model for the joint driving forces and torques.
Details
Keywords
Xinwang Li, Juliang Xiao, Wei Zhao, Haitao Liu and Guodong Wang
As complex analysis of contact models is required in the traditional assembly strategy, it is still a challenge for a robot to complete the multiple peg-in-hole assembly tasks…
Abstract
Purpose
As complex analysis of contact models is required in the traditional assembly strategy, it is still a challenge for a robot to complete the multiple peg-in-hole assembly tasks autonomously. This paper aims to enable the robot to complete the assembly tasks autonomously and more efficiently, with the strategies learned by reinforcement learning (RL), a learning-accelerated deep deterministic policy gradient (LADDPG) algorithm is proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
The multiple peg-in-hole assembly strategy is designed in two modules: an advanced planning module and a bottom control module. The advanced module is completed by the LADDPG agent, which is used to derive advanced commands based on geometric and environmental constraints, that is, the desired contact force. The bottom-level control module will drive the robot to complete the compliant assembly task through the adaptive impedance algorithm according to the command set issued by the advanced module. In addition, a set of safety assurance mechanisms is developed to safely train a collaborative robot to complete autonomous learning.
Findings
The method can complete the assembly tasks well through RL, and it can realize satisfactory compliance of the robot to the environment. Compared with the original DDPG algorithm, the average values of the instantaneous maximum contact force and contact torque during the assembly process are reduced by approximately 38% and 74%, respectively.
Practical implications
The entire algorithm can also be applied to other robots and the assembly strategy can be applied in the field of the automatic assembly.
Originality/value
A compliant assembly strategy based on the LADDPG algorithm is proposed to complete the automated multiple peg-in-hole assembly tasks.
Details