Design and Analysis of An Articulated Robot Arm For Various Industrial Applications

IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)
e- ISSN: 2278-1684, p-ISSN : 2320–334X

PP 42-53
www.iosrjournals.org
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF AN ARTICULATED ROBOT

ARM FOR VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
S.Pachaiyappan1 , M.Micheal Balraj2, T.Sridhar3
1&2(
Assistant Professor , Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adhiparasakthi Engineering College,
Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu, India)
3(
PG Scholar , Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adhiparasakthi Engineering College, Melmaruvathur,
Tamil Nadu, India)
1
balrajmicheal@gmail.com , 2pachaisachi@gmail.com, 3thamusridhar@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Nowadays Robots play a vital role in all the activities in human life including industrial needs.
In modern industrial manufacturing process consists of precise and fastest proceedings. Human operations are
needed to perform a variety of tasks in a robotic system such as set-up, programming, trouble shooting,
maintenance and error handling activities. Hazardous conditions exist when human operators intervene into
the robotic work zones. Human perception, decision making, and action strategies need to be studied to prevent
robot-related accidents. System designers and technology managers are required to consider the limitations of
operator perceptual process in design and layout of robotic system. The ultimate object is to save human lives
in addition to increasing productivity and quality of high technology work environments. Effective safety
training programs for work with industrial robots should be developed. The objective of this project is to design,
analysis of a Generic articulated robot Arm. Articulated robot has been noted for application in traversing and
performing manipulation in nuclear reactor facilities. Some aspects of the articulated Robot that are
anticipated as useful are its small cross section and its projected ability to change elevation and maneuver over
obstacle. The small cross section and the loads associated with suspension of the Robot while changing
elevation or maneuvering over obstacles require large joint torque to weight rations for joint actuation. A novel
joint actions actuation scheme is described and its implementation detailed in this project.
Keywords: articulated robot. Manipulation, Novel joint, obstacles, robotic work zones
1. INTRODUCTION
At present, the main interest is to protect nuclear workers in highly contaminated areas or hostile
environments, robots can be used in nuclear power plants to reduce human exposure not only to radiation, but
also to hot, humid and oxygen-deficient atmosphere researchers in the field of robotics are proposing a great
variety of robots configurations and functional capabilities to be used in nuclear power plants. Wheeled robots
and tracked vehicles are the common configurations for mobile robots.
The robotic system is made up of three main sub-systems: sensory head; teleportation and control
panel; and mobile robot, vision, sound and temperature cover 90% of all inspections tasks required in BWR
nuclear power plants pan-tilt mechanism. So it can be easily plugged into different mechanical robots. Video
camera used inspection purpose, stereo vision equipment, produced by stereo Graphics, has been integrated in
the tele-operation panel.
This stereo system is of great use in guiding the mechanical robot through cloistered areas. The
telepresence is completed with a stereophonic bidirectional audio set, which also provides signals for sound
inspection. To carry out close inspection tasks of the vacuum vessel first wall using a long reach robot is called
the “Articulated Inspection Arm” (AIA).
Significant stress and high deformations in bending and torsion occur in the structure. The load
depends on the articulated structure. The model has to be realistic to have a good knowledge of the end-
effectors position.
The model of the complete robot is the assembly of the five elementary models described before. It
gives the deformation and position of the structure for any given joint position and loads. The calculation is
iterative due to the non-linearities induced by the large displacements and the cumulative effect of the
deformations.
National Conference on Contemporary Approaches in Mechanical, 42 | Page
Automobile and Building sciences-2014
Karpaga Vinayaga College Of Engineering & Technology
e- ISSN: 2278-1684, p-ISSN : 2320–334X
PP 42-53
2. A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROBOTS

Leonardo da Vinci created many robot-like sketches and designs in the 1500’s.The word robot first
appeared in print in the 1920 play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) by Karl Kapek, a Czechoslovakian
playwright. Robota is Czechoslovakian for worker or serf (peasant). Typical of early science fiction, the robots
take over and exterminate the human race.
Isaac Asimov popularized the term robotics through many science-fiction novels and short stories.
Asimov is a visionary who envisioned in the 1930’s the positronic brain for controlling robots; this pre-dated
digital computers by a couple of decades. Unlike earlier robots in science fiction, robots do not threaten humans
since Asimov invented the three laws of robotics:
1. A robot may not harm a human or, through inaction, allow a human to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given by human beings, except when such orders conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as it does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.
Joseph Engleberger and George Devoe were the fathers of industrial robots. Their company,
animation, built the first industrial robot, the PUMA (Programmable Universal Manipulator Arm, a later
version shown below), in 1961.
2.1 ROBOTIC SYSTEMS

Typically, robots are used to perform jobs that are difficult, hazardous or monotonous for humans.
They lift heavy objects, paint, weld, handle chemicals, and perform assembly work for days at a time without
suffering from fatigue. Robots are defined by the nature of their movement. This section describes the
following,
2.2 CLASSIFICATIONS OF ROBOTS

• Cartesian
• Cylindrical
• Polar
• Articulated
• Scara
2.3 ROBOT PARTS
Fig 2.3.1 Parts of Robotic Arm

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PP 42-53
2.3.1 TECHNICAL ROBOTICS TERMS

SPEED
Speed is the amount of distance per unit time at which the robot can move, usually specified in inches
per second or meters per second. The speed is usually specified at a specific load or assuming that the robot is
carrying a fixed weight. Actual speed may vary depending upon the weight carried by the robot.
LOAD BEARING CAPACITY

Load bearing capacity is the maximum weight-carrying capacity of the robot. Robots that carry large
weights, but must still be precise are expensive.
ACCURACY
Accuracy is the ability of a robot to go to the specified position without making a mistake. It is
impossible to position a machine exactly. Accuracy is therefore defined as the ability of the robot to position
itself to the desired location with the minimal error (usually 0.001 inch).
REPEATABILITY
Repeatability is the ability of a robot to repeatedly position itself when asked to perform a task multiple
times. Accuracy is an absolute concept, repeatability is relative. Note that a robot that is repeatable may not be
very accurate. Likewise, an accurate robot may not be repeatable.
WORK ENVELOPE
Work envelope is the maximum robot reach, or volume within which a robot can operate. This is
usually specified as a combination of the limits of each of the robot's parts. The figure below shows how a
work-envelope of a robot is documented.
Fig2.3.2 Work cell Arrangements
WORKCELLS
Robots seldom function in an isolated environment. In order to do useful work, robots must coordinate
their movements with other machines and equipment, and possibly with humans. A group of
machines/equipment positioned with a robot or robots to do useful work is termed a workcell. For example, a
robot doing welding on an automotive assembly line must coordinate with a conveyor that is moving the car-
frame and a laser-positioning / inspection robot that uses a laser beam to locate the position of the weld and then
inspect the quality of the weld when it is complete.

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PP 42-53
ROBOTIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Robotic system components can be grouped into one of three categories:
MECHANICAL STRUCTURE
This comprises all of the linkages and joints capable of movement.
ACTUATOR
The mechanism that provides the necessary forces to move the mechanical structure.
CONTROLLER CIRCUIT
Supplies the actuators with the input required to achieve the desired position, force, speed, etc. The
design of the mechanical structure will be discussed in Chapter III. Actuators and controller circuits will be
reviewed here.
ACTUATOR TYPES
The proper selection of actuator will dictate how effective a robot is in performing a specific task.
Actuators can be either mechanical or electrical and have varying strengths and weaknesses as demonstrated in
table 1. The basic actuators used for controlling motion include:
• Air Motors
• Hydraulic Motors
• Clutch/Brake
• Stepper Motors
The most commonly used actuators in robotics are electric motors, be it either a stepper or servo type.
Stepper motors perform best in open loop systems and servomotors are best suited for closed loop applications.
These two specific actuators will be discussed in some detail along with open and closed loop systems.
STEPPER MOTORS
Stepper motors, or steppers, are mechanically simple when compared to other motors in that there are
no internal brushes or contacts. Armature rotation is achieved by switching the magnetic field sequentially.

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TYPES OF STEPPERS
Steppers can be grouped into three categories that differ in terms of internal construction based on the
use of permanent magnets and/or iron rotors with laminated steel stators:
• Permanent magnet
• Variable reluctance
• Hybrid.
SERVOMOTORS
The term “servomotor” does not refer to one single kind of motor. Instead it refers any type of motor
that receives a command signal from a controller. In this same respect, any closed loop system can be referred to
as a servo system. Figure 13 diagrams the operation of a typical servo system.
Fig 2.3.4 The Concepts of Servo System
This flexibility allows for several suitable types of electric motors to be used in servo systems. These
electric motors include:
• Permanent Magnet DC Motor
• Brushless DC Motor
• Induction AC Motor
Electromagnetic motors operate based on the principle that the magnetic force on an electrical conductor in a
magnetic field is perpendicular to that field. This force is defined by,
F= qv*B
Where:
F is the vector describing the magnetic force
q is the magnitude of the electrical charge
v is the vector magnitude of the charged particle’s velocity
B is the vector describing the magnetic field
However, in the case of an electric motor the force can be quantified as a scalar
F=I*L*B
Where:
F is the magnetic force
I is the electric current in the coil
L is the length of the coil contained within the magnetic field
B is the strength of the magnetic field

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1.4 PERMANENT MAGNET DC MOTOR

The DC permanent magnet motor is based on a similar concept to permanent magnet stepper motors,
but it is the mechanical inverse. Whereas the PM stepper relies on stationary coils and a movable magnet
attached to the rotor, a DC PM motor has a stationary electromagnet. The coil is wrapped around the rotor and is
coupled via brushes to a commutator, which can switch the direction of the current and cause the motor to 22
rotate clockwise or counterclockwise (figure 14).
Since the motor shaft will rotate freely while an electric current is present, an encoder must be used to provide
feedback to a controller.
Fig2.4 Permanent Magnet DC Motor
DC PM motors are common and can be very cost effective, however many of the motor’s problems are
related to the interface between the brushes and commuter. Contact between the two components causes friction
and can be disrupted at higher speeds. A brushless DC motor addresses these issues.
1.5 BRUSHLESS DC MOTOR

A brushless DC motor replaces the commutator and brushes with an electronic controller. This
controller maintains the proper current in the stationary coils. Figure 15 shows a basic diagram of a brushless
DC motor.
Fig 2.5 Brushless DC Motor
It should be noted that the internal layout of a brushless DC motor looks very similar to a permanent
magnet stepper, yet a brushless motor relies on a feedback device such as a Hall Effect sensor to keep track of
the position of the rotor. This provides for precise speed control. The brushless DC motor has a much higher
initial cost than a conventional DC motor, but these costs can usually be justified by the increased performance
and elimination of the maintenance needed to replace the brush contacts.
1.6 INDUCTION AC MOTOR

AC induction motors rely on a minimum of two alternating current signals applied out of phase to
cause the motor shaft to rotate. Figure 16 shows how the north pole of the motor shaft is attracted to the active
south pole of the magnet. Applying the current out of phase (as shown in figure 17) ensures that when one pole
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is at its peak current, the opposing signal is equal to zero. This is called a rotating magnetic field since in reality
the shaft is not rotating but following the shifting magnetic force.
The AC signal regulates the motor speed based on the frequency of the sine wave and the number of
stator poles. The maximum speed the motor could theoretically achieve is called the synchronous speed, and is
defined as:
NS= 120 * f /P
Where:
N is the synchronous speed of the motor

f is the frequency of the AC signal
P is the number of stator poles
However, in order to create torque, the motor must rotate slower than the synchronous speed. The
difference between the two speeds is called slip and is represented as a percentage.
3. AIM OF THE PROJECT

1) The main goal of the project is to design and analysis of an articulated robot arm for inspection purpose.
2) To design the robotic arm using analytical calculation
3) To achieve computer aided modeling of this robot arm using solid works software.
4) To perform the Finite Element Analysis of the designed robot arm for the selected dynamic condition using
the ANSYS software.
3.1 DESIGN OF ARTICULATED INSPECTION ARM (AIA)

The design calculations are done using basic formulae from strength of materials. The lengths of the
AIAs are calculated considering the distance of the control panels from the core, diameter of the core to be
inspected and height of the core. This length is considered invariant with respect to the robot designed. The two
variants of cross sections considered are hollow square and hollow circular. Since the electrical and control
system wiring to the various motors in the robotic assembly are required to pass through the hollow portion of
the arm the inner and hence the outer dimensions are first considered.
Calculations:
Volume of the shaft ,V
V =π/4(do2 - di2) x Length

Considering, k= di /do = 0.75
di = 0.75 do
Volume, V= π/4 (do 2-0.5625 do2 ) x 4
V=1.37 do2 m3 ---------- Eqn.
1
Mass of the shaft, m

Mass = volume x density
= 1.37 do2 x 1.1x 103 [Considering, density of nylon = 1.1x103 kg/m3]
2
Mass, m=1507 do ----------- Eqn.
2
Force Acting On the Shaft, F
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Force, f =mass x acceleration due to gravity

=1507 do2 x 9.81
F = 14783.67 do2 ----------- Eqn.
3
Power of the motor, P

P = (length of the shaft from the motor x speed of the motor x load acting)
60
P = 4x 10x14783.67 do2/60
P = 9855.78 do2 KW ---------- Eqn.
4
Fig3. 1 Schematic Diagram of the Robotic Arm
Bending moment on the shaft occurs due to

1. Motor
2. Camera
3. Knuckle Joint
4. Weight of the shaft
Bending moment, M =10 x 4(1+2+3+4+5)+(50 x 20)+20X2(1+3+5+7+9)+π/4(d o2 - di2) x ρ x 2(1+3+5+7+9)

M = 2600+75350 do2 ----------
Eqn. 5
Calculations based on Torsion:
𝛼 .F.do . 1+k 2 2
Equivalent Torsion, Te = Km x M + + (kt x T)2
8
𝜋 (𝑑𝑜 4 −𝑑𝑖 4 )
I 64 0.033 𝑑𝑜 4
Radius of gyration, K = = 𝜋 (𝑑𝑜 2 −𝑑𝑖 2 )
=
A 0.343 𝑑𝑜 2
4
K = 0.31 do -----------
Eqn. 6
1
Column Factor, α = 𝐿
1−0.0044
𝐾
= 1 / 1-0.0044(4/.31do)
= 0.31do/(0.31do-0.0176) ------------
Eqn. 7
Torque, T = (P x 60) / (2πN)

= (9855.78 do2 x 60) / 2π x 10

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T = 9411.57 do2 KN-m -----------

Eqn. 8
𝛼 .F.do . 1+k 2 2
Te = Km x M + + (kt x T)2
8
0.31𝑑𝑜 x 14783 .67do 3 x 1.5625 2
= 1.5 x (2600 + 75350 do2 ) + + (1 x 9411.57do)2
2.48 do −0.14
-------
----- Eqn. 9
We also know that,
Te = π/16 x τ do3 x (1-k4)
= π/16 x 7.5x109 x do3 x 0.68
Te = 1.00138 x 109 do3 KN-m -------------
Eqn.10
Equating 9 & 10, we find that,
do = 0.267 m ≈ 0.27 m
di = 0.75 x 0.27 = 0.202 m ≈ 0.2 m
Calculations based on bending moment :
𝛼 .F.do . 1+k 2
Me = ½[km x M + + Te]
8
( 0.31 do x 14783 .67 do 3 x1.5625 )
=1/2[1.5 x (2600 + 75350 d o2) +
2.48do−0.14
0.31𝑑𝑜 x 14783 .67do 3 x 1.5625 2
+ 1.5 x (2600 + 75350 do2 ) + + (1 x 9411.57do)2
2.48 do −0.14
---------- Eqn.
11
And,
𝜋
Me= x σb (do3)(1-k4)
32
To find σb,,
𝑇 𝜎𝑏
=
𝐽 𝑦
𝜋
J= [do4- 0.31do4]
32
J=0.097 do4 m4
Deflection (y) for nylon material would be 0.07 m for every 1 m length
y=0.07 m
Txy
σb =
𝐽
0.07
= 9411.57 do2 x
0.097 𝑑𝑜 4
σb = 6791.85/ do2 KN/m2
𝜋 6791 .85
Me = x (do3)(0.683)
32 do 2
Me = 455.41 do --------- Eqn.
12
Equating 11 & 12, we get
do = 0.298 m ≈ 0.3 m
di = 0.75 x do = 0.75 x 0.3 = 0.225 m

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5) Results and discussion

The maximum displacements of the circular and rectangular sections are 26.638mm and 26.03mm
during the first load step i.e., while considering the position of the base arm is at 30 degrees. Considering
the 4000mm length of the arm, the deflection is 0.66% in case of circular and 0.65% in case of rectangular
section arm. It cumulates to a maximum of 159.83mm in circular and 156.18mm in rectangular section arm.
But this is only an elevated estimate since the bending moment and force acting on the arm will also
decrease linearly (5-n) with the nth position of the five arms from the base arm. This deflection is negligible
and can be controlled while programming the controller for precision. Hence both the models are eligible
for further studies.
Fig. 4.1 a,b,c,d,e,f,g. Displacement sum of circular cross section AIA considering loads when the
arm is at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90

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Fig. 4.2 a,b,c,d,e,f,g. Displacement sum of rectangular cross section AIA considering loads when
the arm is at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90

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Fig. 4.3 a,b,c,d,e,f,g. Von Mises stress of circular cross section AIA considering loads when the
arm is at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90
4. CONCLUSION
The AIA is designed using basic formulae from strength of materials. Two possible hollow cross
sections, considering the electrical, control and feedback wiring to pass through, is modelled using
commercially available 3D modelling tool, SolidWorks, for further study and comparison.
The Model is used for analysis using a commercially available analysis tool, ANSYS, taking into
account the various critical loads acting on the base arm alone. Since the base arm is the major component in
which maximum magnitude of the critical loads considered occur, it is enough to analyze the base arm alone.
Considering the shapes, sizes, deflections during working and stresses occurring, both the AIAs are
workable comparatively. Considering the manufacturability, ease of transport, assembly, and weight,
the circular section AIAs are preferred over the rectangular section AIAs.
REFERENCE
[1] D. Arthur, Y. Perrot, C. Bidard et al. ITER Articulated Inspection Arm (AIA), Geometric Calibration Issues
of a long –reach flexible robot. Fusion Engineering and Design75-79(2005) 543-546.
[2] J.V.Miro, A.S.White, Modeling and industrial manipulator a case study, Simulation practice and theory,
9(2002) 293-319.
[3] Leoncio Briones, Paul Bustmante, Miguel A.Serna, A Wall Climbing pneumatic robot for inspection in
nuclear power plants, Robotics and computer integrated manufacturing, 0736-5845(95)00005-4.
[4] O.A.Barbian, W.Kappes, R.Neumann, H.K.Stanger, apparative developments for in-service inspection of
reactor pressure vessels, Nuclear engineering and design 102(1987)341-355.
[5] Ernst G.Schlechtendahl, CAD Supported Remote Handling Systems For Fusion Reactors, Nuclear
Engineering And Design 100(1987)461-474.
[6] Baldev Raj.D, D.K.Bhatacharya, P.Rodriguez, Development Of In-Service Inspection Techniques For
Nuclear Power Plant In India, International Journal Of Pressure Vessel And Piping 56(1993)183-211.
[7] Joseph S.Byrd, John.J.Fisher, William R Mallet, Expert Robots For Process Environments, Automation In
Construction 1(1992)55-69.
[8] Guido La Rosa, Michele Messina, Giovanni Muscato, T.Sinatra, A Low Cost Light Weight Climbing Robot
For The Inspection Of Vertical Surface, Mechatronics 12(2002)71-96.
[9] Debu Majumdar, Artificial Intelligence Applications In The Nuclear Industry And International View,
Nuclear Engineering And Design, 113(1989)181-193.


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IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)

e- ISSN: 2278-1684, p-ISSN : 2320–334X

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF AN ARTICULATED ROBOT

2. A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROBOTS

2.1 ROBOTIC SYSTEMS

2.2 CLASSIFICATIONS OF ROBOTS

2.3 ROBOT PARTS

Fig 2.3.1 Parts of Robotic Arm

National Conference on Contemporary Approaches in Mechanical, 43 | Page

2.3.1 TECHNICAL ROBOTICS TERMS

LOAD BEARING CAPACITY

Fig2.3.2 Work cell Arrangements

National Conference on Contemporary Approaches in Mechanical, 44 | Page

ROBOTIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS

National Conference on Contemporary Approaches in Mechanical, 45 | Page

Fig 2.3.4 The Concepts of Servo System

National Conference on Contemporary Approaches in Mechanical, 46 | Page

1.4 PERMANENT MAGNET DC MOTOR

Fig2.4 Permanent Magnet DC Motor

1.5 BRUSHLESS DC MOTOR

Fig 2.5 Brushless DC Motor

1.6 INDUCTION AC MOTOR

N is the synchronous speed of the motor

3. AIM OF THE PROJECT

3.1 DESIGN OF ARTICULATED INSPECTION ARM (AIA)

V =π/4(do2 - di2) x Length

Mass of the shaft, m

Force, f =mass x acceleration due to gravity

Power of the motor, P

Fig3. 1 Schematic Diagram of the Robotic Arm

Bending moment on the shaft occurs due to

Bending moment, M =10 x 4(1+2+3+4+5)+(50 x 20)+20X2(1+3+5+7+9)+π/4(d o2 - di2) x ρ x 2(1+3+5+7+9)

Torque, T = (P x 60) / (2πN)

National Conference on Contemporary Approaches in Mechanical, 49 | Page

T = 9411.57 do2 KN-m -----------

Calculations based on bending moment :

National Conference on Contemporary Approaches in Mechanical, 50 | Page

5) Results and discussion

National Conference on Contemporary Approaches in Mechanical, 51 | Page

National Conference on Contemporary Approaches in Mechanical, 52 | Page

National Conference on Contemporary Approaches in Mechanical, 53 | Page

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