Advanced Strategies for Robot Manipulators

An industrial robot is comprised of a robot manipulator, power supply, and controllers. A robot manipulator is constructed using rigid links connected by joints with one fixed end and one free end to perform a given task (e.g., to move a box from one location to the next). The joints to this robotic manipulator are the movable components, which enables relative motion between the adjoining links. There are also two linear joints to this robotic manipulator that ensure non-rotational motion between the links, and three rotary type joints that ensure relative rotational motion between the adjacent links. Industry-specific robots perform several tasks such as picking and placing objects, movement adapted from observing how similar manual tasks are handled by a fully-functioning human arm. Such robotic arms are also known as robotic manipulators. These manipulators were originally used for applications with respect to bio-hazardous or radioactive materials or for use in inaccessible places. In industrial ergonomics a manipulator is a lift assist device used to help workers lift, maneuver and place articles in process that are too heavy, too hot, too large or otherwise too difficult for a single worker to manually handle. As opposed to simply vertical lift assists (cranes, hoists, etc.) manipulators have the ability to reach in to tight spaces and remove work pieces. A good example would be removing large stamped parts from a press and placing them in a rack or similar dunnage. Additionally, manipulator tooling gives the lift assist the ability to pitch, roll, or spin the part for appropriate placement. An example would be removing a part from a press in the horizontal and then pitching it up for vertical placement in a rack or rolling a part over for exposing the back of the part. This book, Advanced Strategies for Robot Manipulators, emphasizes on the advances in the robotic manipulation and takes a closer look at samples of robot manipulators.