A Primer on Parallel Manipulators
A four
degree of freedom parallel manipulator based flight simulator (source:
SLR Netherlands)
The parallel manipulators have been studied as a mathematical problem
for some time. Octahedral structure has aroused most interest because of
its special properties. Even today the Octahedral Structure has found most
applications.
One of the first applications came in form of a Tyre testing machine.
In 1965 Stewart published his paper defining the structure now known as
Stewart Platform. One of the applications proposed in the paper was as
mechanism for flight simulator. Along with this was also proposed application
as a milling machine
Since late 1980s parallel manipulators have invited a lot of
research. The number of papers published on the subject have increased
dramatically.
The Parallel manipulators especially Stewart Platforms have
been widely applied for varied purposes like-
-
Milling machine Tool (Gidding's and Lewis, Ingersoll Milling)
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As a Robotic crane (NIST Robocrane)
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Lunar/Mars probe vehicle(NASA)
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To simulate docking system, no gravity environment (NASA, MIT)
-
Medicine - For fine positioning of operating devices, as an aid to the
diabled
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Simulators-Flight, car, helicopter etc.
-
Mining Robot (Japan)
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Nanotechnology-As a micromachining device (Xerox)
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Positioning System for Radars, Satellite dishes.