Tolerance design of robot parameters using Taguchi method

A robotic arm must be able to manipulate objects with high accuracy and repeatability. As with every physical system, there are number of noise factors cause uncertainty in the performance. A probabilistic approach has been used to model, the otherwise difficult to model, noise effects. This paper presents the approach utilised in selection of tolerance specification of robot kinematic and dynamic parameters using experimental design technique for reduction of performance variations. The concept of inner and outer orthogonal arrays proposed by Taguchi is employed to identify the significant parameters and select the optimal tolerance range. The performance measure, i.e. signal-to-noise ratio is utilised to validate by Monte Carlo simulations and to complement above study individual parameter tolerance sensitivity are investigated. To provide insight to investigation, parameter sensitivity maps are plotted. The tolerance specification selection methodology of a manipulator is illustrated by taking 2-DOF RR planar manipulator with payload. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.