Modeling of flexible-link manipulators with prismatic joints

The axially translating flexible link in flexible manipulators with a prismatic joint can be modeled using the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation together with the convective terms. In general, the method of separation of variables cannot be applied to solve this partial differential equation. In this paper, we present a nondimensional form of the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation using the concept of group velocity and present conditions under which separation of variables and assumed modes method can be used. The use of clamped-mass boundary conditions lead to a time-dependent frequency equation for the translating flexible beam. We present a novel method to solve this time-dependent frequency equation by using a differential form of the frequency equation. We then present a systematic modeling procedure for spatial multi-link flexible manipulators having both revolute and prismatic joints. The assumed mode/Lagrangian formulation of dynamics is employed to derive closed form equations of motion. We show, using a model-based control law, that the closed-loop dynamic response of modal variables become unstable during retraction of a flexible link, compared to the stable dynamic response during extension of the link. Numerical simulation results are presented for a flexible spatial RRP configuration robot arm. We show that the numerical results compare favorably with those obtained by using a finite element-based model.