Research on a ø6m TBM Steel Arch Splicing Manipulator

Abstract

As a challenging task, the robotic splicing of steel arch is required to realize the grasping and docking of steel arches in a limited space. The steel arches often have a mass of over 200kg and a length of over 4m. Due to the large volume and mass of steel arches and the high requirements for the positioning accuracy of splicing, it is difficult for the general manipulator to meet its flexibility and stiffness requirements. The single-degree-of-freedom(DOF) closed-loop mechanism has a simple and reliable structure. Adding it into the manipulator can effectively improve the dynamic performance and increase the structural stiffness. In this paper, a solution model of a single-DOF closed-loop planar mechanism is presented, and alternative kinematic pairs of the mechanism with different input constraints and output requirements are derived. Based on this model, a design method of steel arch splicing manipulator with single-DOF closed-loop grasping structure is proposed. All the optional basic configurations of the manipulator are deduced, and then the optimal configuration is obtained by using the performance indexes. A prototype of the steel arch splicing manipulator is manufactured, and the reliability of the manipulator is proved by experiments.