Kinematics and dynamics of a six-degree-of-freedom parallel manipulator with revolute legs

Abstract

This paper presents the kinematics and dynamics of a six-degree-of-freedom platform-type parallel manipulator with six revolute legs, i.e. each leg consists of two links that are connected by a revolute joint. Moreover, each leg is connected, in turn, to the base and moving platforms by means of universal and spherical joints, respectively. We first introduce a kinematic model for the manipulator under study. Then, this model is used to derive the kinematics relations of the manipulator at the displacement, velocity and acceleration levels. Based on the proposed model, we develop the dynamics equations of the manipulator using the method of the natural orthogonal complement. The implementation of the model is illustrated by computer simulation and numerical results are presented for a sample trajectory in the Cartesian space.