Mechatronic stiffness of cable-driven mechanisms: a study on production machine model

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology Vol. 123; no. 1-2; pp. 431 - 446
• Main Authors: Neusser, Zdeněk, Nečas, Martin, Pelikán, Jan, Karlíček, Jindřich, Pawlik, Vít, Beneš, Petr, Machálka, Martin, Šika, Zbyněk, Valášek, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01-11-2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accuracy; Actuation; Advanced manufacturing technologies; Cables; CAE) and Design; Composite materials; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Control algorithms; Design; Engineering; Flexible structures; Industrial and Production Engineering; Investigations; Machine tools; Machining; Manufacturing; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Optimization; Original Article; Stiffness; Surface properties; Vibration; Flexible manipulator; Machine tool quill; Flexible structure; Motion control; Position control; Mechatronic stiffness
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-022-10165-8

Position control of the mechanical structure with naturally limited stiffness is a common problem. Moreover, the system is usually exposed to random exciting by the external force effects and yet it is needed to hold the system in the desired position. Such an example in engineering practice can be the machine tool quill slim structure, which determines the machining accuracy and the machined surface quality. The limited structure stiffness can be overcome by suitable support structure solution. In principle, it is a matter of introducing the necessary force effect in the place where it is necessary to ensure the required position. A promising means how to apply control force to the flexible structure tip can be a thin cable structure with the force actuation and proper force control. The resulting system is characterized by increased stiffness achieved in a mechatronic manner. Therefore, the introduced concept is called mechatronic stiffness. The article describes selected mechanical arrangement of the mechatronic stiffness concept, its features, behaviour and control results. The proposed approach offers a solution for precise position control of the flexible structure. An experimental device was created in parallel with the simulation experiment and preliminary simulation results are obtained. The described concept is transferable to other flexible structures such as various manipulators.