Type Synthesis of Two DOF Hybrid Translational Parallel Manipulators

Abstract

This paper introduces a methodology for the type synthesis of two degree-of-freedom hybrid translational manipulators with identical legs. The type synthesis method is based upon the screw theory. Three types of two degree-of-freedom hybrid translational manipulators with identical legs are identified based upon their wrench decomposition. Each leg of the manipulators is composed of a proximal module and a distal module mounted in series. The assembly conditions and the validity of the actuation scheme are also defined. Eventually, some novel two degree-of-freedom hybrid translational manipulators are synthesized with the proposed procedure.