Abstract
This paper presents a simplified dynamics model, dynamics simulations, and computed torque control experiments of the Delta high-speed parallel robot. Using the typical Newton-Euler method, a simplified but accurate dynamics model with practical assumptions is derived. Accuracy and fast calculations of the dynamics are essential in the computed torque control for high-speed applications. It was found that the simplified dynamics equation is in very god agreement with the ADAMS model, and the calculation time of the inverse kinematics and inverse dynamics is about 0.04 msec. From the dynamics simulations, the cycle trajectory along the y-axis requires less peak motor torque and a lower angular velocity and less power than that along the x-axis. The computed torque control scheme can reduce the position error by half as compared to a PD control scheme. Finally, the developed Delta parallel robot prototype, half the size of the ABB Flexpicker robot, can achieve a cycle time of 0.43 sec with a 1.0kg payload.