The 3-RPS cube parallel manipulator, a three-degree-of-freedom parallel manipulator initially proposed by Huang and Fang (1995, “Motion Characteristics and Rotational Axis Analysis of Three DOF Parallel Robot Mechanisms,” IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics. Intelligent Systems for the 21st Century, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Oct. 22–25, pp. 67–71) is analyzed in this paper with an algebraic approach, namely, Study kinematic mapping of the Euclidean group SE(3) and is described by a set of eight constraint equations. A primary decomposition is computed over the set of eight constraint equations and reveals that the manipulator has only one operation mode. Inside this operation mode, it turns out that the direct kinematics of the manipulator with arbitrary values of design parameters and joint variables, has 16 solutions in the complex space. A geometric interpretation of the real solutions is given. The singularity conditions are obtained by deriving the determinant of the Jacobian matrix of the eight constraint equations. All the singular poses are mapped onto the joint space and are geometrically interpreted. By parametrizing the set of constraint equations under the singularity conditions, it is shown that the manipulator is in actuation singularity. The uncontrolled motion gained by the moving platform is also provided. The motion of the moving platform is essentially determined by the fact that three vertices in the moving platform move in three mutually orthogonal planes. The workspace of each point of the moving platform (with exception of the three vertices) is bounded by a Steiner surface. This type of motion has been studied by Darboux in 1897. Moreover, the 3DOF motion of the 3-RPS cube parallel manipulator contains a special one-degree-of-freedom motion, called the vertical Darboux motion (VDM). In this motion, the moving platform can rotate and translate about and along the same axis simultaneously. The surface generated by a line in the moving platform turns out to be a right-conoid surface.

The area affected by earthquakes is unpredictable and massive. Thus, this paper deals with the development and dimension synthesis of Cable-Driven Parallel Robot (CDPR) for search-and-rescue operation. CDPR is a particular class of parallel robot whose rigid legs are replaced by cables. The idea proposed in this research is suspended CDPR with eight cables. The dimensions of mobile platform were synthesized based on the cable arrangement and the maximum size of Wrench Feasible Workspace (WFW) and Twist Feasible Workspace (TFW) performed by the mobile platform. A pose of mobile platform is said to be wrench feasible when the available wrench set exerted by cables can balance the task wrench set applied on the mobile platform. A pose is said to be twist feasible if the mobile platform can assume a given range of output velocities while satisfying the cable speed limits imposed by the actuators and transmission systems. A set of optimum designs of CDPR is obtained. One of the CDPR design platform length and height are 0.3m and 0.1m, respectively, can reach up to 94% WFW and 33% TFW.

Over the past few years, the concept of multi-directional three-dimensional (3D) printing has been introduced to print complex shapes and overhang geometry. This technique requires the nozzle to constantly change orientation to print the object along its tangential direction. A six-degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF) robotic arm or Stewart platform can be a solution, but these mechanisms use more components and motors. An alternative solution has been proposed in this paper based on a four-CRU (cylindrical, revolute, and universal joints) mechanism. This mechanism can orient the nozzle by switching into different motion types with minimal numbers of motors while keeping the mechanism rigid and agile. Therefore, analyses of the reconfiguration, workspace, singularities, and self-motions of a four-CRU mechanism presented in this paper have become necessities. By using primary decomposition, four geometric constraints have been identified, and the reconfiguration analysis has been carried out in each of these. It reveals that each geometric constraint will have three distinct operation modes, namely Schönflies mode, reversed Schönflies mode, and an additional mode. The additional mode can either be a four-DOF mode or a degenerated three-DOF mode, depending on the type of geometric constraints. By taking into account the actuation and constraint singularities, the workspace of each operation mode has been analyzed and geometrically illustrated. It allows us to determine the regions in which the reconfiguration takes place. Furthermore, the inherent self-motion in the Schönflies mode is revealed and illustrated, which occurs at two specified actuated leg lengths. Demonstration of the reconfiguration process and self-motions is provided through a mock-up prototype.