Large deformation modeling of flexible manipulators to determine allowable load

This paper focuses on the study of complete dynamic modeling and maximum dynamic load carrying capacity computation of N-flexible links and N-flexible joints mobile manipulator undergoing large deformation. Nonlinear dynamic analysis relies on the Timoshenko theory of beams. In order to model the system completely and precisely, structural and joint flexibility, nonlinear strain-displacement relationship, payload, and non-holonomic constraints will be considered to. A finite element solution method based on mixed method is applied to model the shear deformation. This procedure is considerably more involved than displacement based element and shear deformation can be readily included without inducing the shear locking in the element. Another goal of this paper is to present a computational procedure for determination of the maximum dynamic load of geometrically nonlinear manipulators with structural and joint flexibility. An effective measure named as Moment-Height Stability (MHS) measure is applied to consider the dynamic stability of a wheeled mobile manipulator. Simulations are performed for mobile base manipulator with two flexible links and joints. The results represent that dynamic stability constraint is sensitive when calculating the maximum carrying load. Furthermore, by changing the trajectory of end effector, allowable load also changes. The effect of torsional spring parameter on the joint deformation is investigated in a parametric sensitivity study. The findings show that, by the increase of torsional stiffness, the behavior of system approaches to a system with rigid joints and allowable load of robot is also enhanced. A comparison is also made between the results obtained from small and large deformation models. Fluctuation range in obtained figures for angular displacement of links and end effector path is bigger for large deformation model. Experimental results are also provided to validate the theoretical model and these have good agreement with the simulated results.