We present some feedback control techniques recently developed for the exact solution of trajectory tracking problems for manipulators with flexible elements. Two classes are considered: i) robots with rigid links but with elastic transmissions, in which flexibility is concentrated at the joints, and ii) robots with lightweight and/or long arms, where flexibility is distributed along the links. For robots with elastic joints, we introduce a generalized inversion algorithm for the synthesis of a dynamic feedback control law that gives input-output decoupling and full state linearization. For robots with flexible links, the end-effector trajectory tracking problem is solved based on the iterative computation of the link deformations associated with the desired output motion, combined with a state trajectory regulator. For both robot models, the control design is performed directly on the second-order dynamic equations.
I n t r o d u c t i o nModeling robot manipulators as rigid mechanical systems is an idealization that becomes unrealistic when higher performance is requested. Tasks involving fast motion and/or hard contact with the environment are expected to induce deflections in the robot components, eventually exciting an oscillatory behavior. There are two sources of vibration in robot manipulators: joint flexibility, due to the elasticity of motion transmission elements such as harmonic drives, belts, or long shafts [26], and link flezibility, introduced by a long reach and slender/lightweight construction of the arm [6,17]. In order to be able to counteract the negative effects of flexibility, advanced robot control systems should be designed on the basis of a more complete dynamic model of the robot (see, e.g.
[27] and [5])In robotic systems with flexible elements, output trajectories are typically defined beyond the structural flexibility, i.e. in terms of link motion for robots with elastic joints or at the level of manipulator tip for robots with link flexibility. We address in this chapter the stable and accurate reproduction of such trajectories using model-based state feedback control. Standard tools for solving trajectory tracking problems in nonlinear systems, such as feedback linearization, input-output decoupling, or inversion control (see, e.g. [19]), are not sufficient in these cases, so that the application of more advanced control techniques should be investigated.