Abstract
In this work, a new 3-PSP type spatial 3-degree-of-freedom parallel mechanism is proposed. And a 6 DOF hybrid manipulator which consists of a 3-PPR type planar 3 DOF parallel mechanism and a new 3-PSP type spatial 3-degree-of-freedom parallel mechanism is proposed. Both 3 DOF mechanism modules have closed-form forward position solutions and particularly, 3-PSP spatial module has unique forward position solution. Firstly, the closed-form position analysis and first-order kinematic analysis for the proposed 3-PSP type module are carried out, and the first-order kinematic characteristics are examined via maximum singular value and the isotropic index of the mechanism. It is shown through these analyses that the mechanism has excellent isotrpic property throughout the workspace. Secondly, position and kinematic analysis of the 3-PPR planar module are briefly described. Thirdly, the forward position analysis for the 3-PPR 3-PSP type 6 degree-of-freedom hybrid mechanism consisting of a 3-PPR planar module and a 3-PSP spatial module is performed along with the analysis of the workspace size and first-order kinematic characteristics. The kinematic characteristics of the proposed hybrid manipulator are compared to those of geometrically similar Stewart manipulator.
