• International Journal of Technology (IJTech)
  • Vol 15, No 4 (2024)

Kinematic and Parametric Modeling of 6DOF(Degree-of-Freedom) Industrial Welding Robot Design and Implementation

Kinematic and Parametric Modeling of 6DOF(Degree-of-Freedom) Industrial Welding Robot Design and Implementation

Title: Kinematic and Parametric Modeling of 6DOF(Degree-of-Freedom) Industrial Welding Robot Design and Implementation
Louie Villaverde, Dechrit Maneetham

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Cite this article as:
Villaverde, L., Maneetham, D., 2024. Kinematic and Parametric Modeling of 6DOF(Degree-of-Freedom) Industrial Welding Robot Design and Implementation. International Journal of Technology. Volume 15(4), pp. 1056-1070

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Louie Villaverde Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi 39 Moo 1, Khlong 6, Khlong Luang Pathum Thani 12110 Thailand
Dechrit Maneetham Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi 39 Moo 1, Khlong 6, Khlong Luang Pathum Thani 12110 Thailand
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Abstract
Kinematic and Parametric Modeling of 6DOF(Degree-of-Freedom) Industrial Welding Robot Design and Implementation

The increasing demand for automated equipment for precision and versatility requires innovative methods in manufacturing. Despite the high demand, the design and development of industrial robot systems are costly, showing the importance of improving design conceptualization phase. Therefore, this study aimed to address the need by developing an industrial welding robot using a parametric and kinematic modeling method. The investigation focused on the design of six degree of freedom (6DOF) industrial robotic arm for arc welding, exploring kinematic model and dimensional parameters of robotic structure. Computer-aided design (CAD) was applied for modeling and analysis, using Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) convention for mathematical analysis of link and frame movements. This study introduced forward kinematic simulation, which included exploring the position and orientation of the end effector regarding the joint angular values and link parameters. Furthermore, the development of kinematic model of robotic mechanism was proposed to describe the behavior of the physical system compared to an actual robot assembly. Due a reduction ratio of 80 from a rated torque of 22 Nm at a 2000r/min input harmonic drive, the system mechanism was fabricated and assembled. The results showed that robot successfully performed welding process, as indicated by tests carried out using a four-point movement. Moreover, further separate studies should be conducted to assess the quality of welds.

Industrial robot design; Kinematic model; Parametric modelling; Robotic simulation

Introduction

Industrial robot applications are improving product quality due to their reliability and precision in motion (Xu et al., 2017). This robot is also used in handling toxic or heavy items making a workplace safer. Repetitive tasks for workers are replaced by robot deployed in the manufacturing setup as well as in automating the factory floor (Zeng, Liu, and You, 2019; Fan, Wang, and Xiao, 2014). Currently, industrial factories are searching for cost-effective strategies to enhance the productivity and quality of processes (Krishnan and Sankar, 2022). Among the processes that apply robot in welding (Zeng, Liu, and You, 2019), a fabrication method typically used when combining or joining two different parts (Chen et al., 2016). Specifically, positional accuracy significantly affects welding quality, representing the ability of robot to precisely position the end effector, which handles welding torch to the target points (Baskoro, Kurniawan, and Haikal, 2019).

        Consistency in achieving high quality makes robotic welding advantageous to manual operation, thereby conferring a competitive edge to industrial applications, particularly automating the process (Wu et al., 2015). Examples of the demand for robotic arc welding are the automotive industry and electronics manufacturing assembly lines(Kah et al., 2015). This robot executes the programmed commands to perform welding operations with minimal human intervention (Dinham and Fang, 2013), although there is a challenge in designing and fabrication. Recently, standard commercial robot has been available for deployment in the industrial setup (Bilancia et al., 2023), leading to the development of the mechanical design of robot in this study. Building an industrial robot requires a significant amount of initial financial investment, as conceptualization plays an essential role in minimizing developmental costs(Wang et al., 2024). Therefore, this study aimed to contribute to the cost-effective and optimal development of custom industrial robot.

Based on the background above, this study focused on designing and assembling robot system for welding applications, considering standard methods (Vasilev et al., 2021). The design of robot for industrial applications starts with the mechanical structure (Zeng, Liu, and You, 2019), which includes the configuration of robot mechanism using kinematic modeling. In this context, the configuration of six degree of freedom (6DOF) robotic manipulator is suitable for industrial processes such as welding. Therefore, the analysis of the movement of end effector position and orientation is based on the rigid component’s measurements and joint angle (Nektarios and Aspragathos, 2010). The custom mechanical design of robot also contributes to the concept of industrial modularity and ease of fabrication. The development process is carried out to construct a parametric model of the industrial welding robot including the parameters topology (Zhang et al., 2022). To optimize the movement or rigidity characteristics, adjustment was made to these parameters, and selection was based on the dimensions conceived from the developed kinematic model(Russo et al., 2024). This study also applied a paradigm shift in the optimization of robot characteristics through the derivation of parameters using the developed kinematic model and simulation.

Several studies have been conducted on design of industrial robot. For example, (Li and Wang, 2019) used genetic algorithm for optimization, while (Jiang et al., 2020) focused on accuracy improvement using artificial networks by algorithm with differential evolution. Furthermore, there is a study on selecting industrial robot used for arc welding (Chodha et al., 2021) through the implementation and presentation of simulated and actual experimental results. According to (Pramujati et al., 2023), parallel robot modeling based on a control position of cable-driven servo motors was proposed for design mechanism and system development using existing literature.

This study is significantly different from previous investigations by including comprehensive kinematic and parametric modeling in the development of industrial robot. Conceptualization of new hardware components for industrial robot application is simplified using simulated models. The use of computer system can help save the cost associated with the building process. Moreover, modeling kinematic before developing robot control is significant, as these models are categorized as forward and inverse kinematic (Farzan and Desouza, 2013). The pose is described using a set matrix or vectors in Cartesian coordinate system, with kinematic model having constraints such as joint angle, link length, inertia, etc(Andersen, 2020). The joint variables measured in angles for each link directly reflect end effector pose (Pham et al., 2018). The challenge of this study is to design the dimensions and physical components of each link based on analysis of kinematic model described using lengths and Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) convention.

In this study, kinematic model leading to the physical structure is presented using the software. Establishing a conceptual kinematic model is important to design the desired motion of robotic system (Fazel, Shafei, and Nekoo, 2024). After the analysis, the physical structure of the system is designed to match the specifications of kinematic model. By defining the motion of robotic arm system through kinematic model, the physical structure could be developed effectively and optimized by iterative processes. This model is specifically subjected to forward kinematic and robot is modeled for simulation, guiding the actual design and implementation. Moreover, the physical systems are modeled using CAD software, and the control can be simulated with MATLAB Robotics Toolbox for validation (Crenganis et al., 2019; Liu, Liu, and Tian, 2019). Robot can be modeled as a kinematic chain according to the mechanical structure, showing the dimension and structure of robotic arm for kinematic modelling (Singh and Singla, 2017).

The contributions made in this study included (1) the effect of kinematic on the position of welding torch. (2) A new industrial welding robot design based on revolute joint was fabricated and assembled along with essential parts including links and servo motors, as a custom-made welding robot developed first in Thailand. Changing the joint angles of each axis affected the position and orientation of the end-effector, namely welding torch. This was because the integration of robotic components from a design in Thailand to fit an industrial application such as welding was considered more economical.

This study was organized as follows, Section 2 discussed methods of the mechanical structure, kinematic model, and forward kinematic model. Section 3 presented the results and discussion, while Section 4 concluded this study and presented future endeavors.

Experimental Methods

2.1. Mechanical Structure

The criteria for designing a custom-made robotic arm were established by considering a serial robot configuration and range of motion to determine the dimensions of each link.  Industrial robot joints could be prismatic or revolute, depending on the application. In this study, the configuration of joints is all revolute, which was in line with the common standard of industrial welding. The anthropomorphic structure was composed of the waist, shoulders, elbows, also wrists, which corresponded to the joints of the human arm (Megalingam et al., 2018), as shown in Figure 1. Moreover, Figure 2 shows the mechanism of robotic arm, where the wrist articulates in three directions (yaw, roll, pitch), which increases the ability of the end effector to become flexible when manipulating welding tool. The parameters of the design mechanism are presented in Table 1, which includes Range of Motion (ROM), while the Link lengths and offsets are shown in Table 2. The range of motion is designed for parameters pitch, yaw, roll, waist, shoulder, and elbow, considering cabling and inertia. The link lengths were based on the potential reach of robot. Additionally, the digital prototype was made using 3D tool to develop the physical systems model, which showed the dimensions, weight, appearance, and other characteristics of robot arm.

Figure 1 Anthropomorphic Arm Configuration

Table 1 Robotic Arm Specification

Feature

Description

Range of Motion (ROM)

Wrist - Pitch: 180°, Roll:180°, Yaw:180°, Elbow: 130°, Shoulder: 110°, Waist: 180°

Table 2 Link Lengths and Offsets

Joint

Waist

Shoulder

Elbow

Wrist

Symbol

L1

L2

L3

L4

Link Length (mm)

635

650

455

421

2.2. Forward Kinematic (FK)

Forward kinematic is the study of describing the position and orientation of the end effector in terms of the joint angular values and link parameters (Vacharakornrawut et al., 2016; Mehmood et al., 2014). This can be solved by determining the homogeneous transformation matrix through the combination of the rotational matrix and the displacement vector. Moreover, the mathematical solution of forward kinematic is based on DH parameters (Bian, Ye, and Mu, 2016). The convention is a maturely recognized parameterization for industrial robot modelling (Zhao et al., 2018), which is carried out by computing the product of the homogeneous matrices resulting in the final transformation matrix (Ritboon and Maneetham, 2019). The product is used to identify the pose of the end effector, given the joint parameters, in the form of Special Euclidean (SE) (3) or 4x4 homogeneous matrix composed of the rotation matrix and displacement vector. The initial step in determining forward kinematic of the manipulator is categorizing each frame using DH parameters (Bouzgou and Ahmed-Foitih, 2014), which is called kinematic model as shown in Figure 3. The construction of kinematic model follows the right-hand rule and DH parameters can be found based on the frame assignment, as shown in Table 3. Each column is assigned for specified parameters, named joint angle  angle of twist  link offset (d), and link length (a). This is carried out to precisely determine the spatial configuration of robotic arm by establishing kinematic model and applying forward kinematic simulation, thereby contributing to the prototyping process of 6DOF robotic arm (Ekrem and Aksoy, 2023).

Figure 2 Robotic Arm Configuration showing major mechanical components and direction of articulation

Figure 3 Kinematic Model of the Robotic Arm with dimension

Table 3 DH Parameter

Equation 1 shows the general formula of the transformation matrix, . Components of this matrix are dependent on the variables from DH parameter table. The result describes rotation matrix and displacement vector of a coordinate frame based on the adjacent frame.  


The general formula was applied to respective components from DH parameter table. The substitution of the values corresponding to respective joint and link parameters led to individual transformation matrix per coordinate frame. Simulation and modeling were made to validate the equation and analyze kinematic of robot arm using MATLAB software.

 

Equations 2-7 are substitutions of the values each respective frame. The application of the equation to 6DOF robotic arm manipulator includes the multiplication for respective transformation matrix. The result is reflected in matrix  from the base to the end effector frame. Equation 8 shows the final transformation matrix as a product of all transformation matrices with respect to the frame assignment.

 

2.3. Post Processor

The tasks of the system for translating the joint angles to the specific tool location were designed in the post processor stage. In this section, the mechanism of transformation was discussed. Initially, the post processor of robotic arm was developed using Programmable Logic Control (PLC), with servo motors executed through drivers as the final actuating elements. The ladder logic design focused on transmitting signal from GUI, which showed the joint angle of the axis, along with the tool position. To ensure the program executed the intended position and orientation, ROM was considered along with workspace requirements and coordinate system relating to the physical world. Calibration of each axis joint angle with the servo motor was carried out by checking the angle against the corresponding feedback from drivers’ encoders. Simulating each corresponding angle by jogging axis using robot pendant was performed to verify the response of the servo motor driver and motors. Subsequently, data collection was carried out by recording the angles versus input feedback from the servo motors’ absolute encoder. 

Results and Discussion

3.1.  Forward Kinematic Simulation

Kinematic simulation model was performed using MATLAB Robotics Toolbox. The numerical results, combined with a visual plot of robot's pose in MATLAB software, provide a comprehensive knowledge of the end effector pose. The results have been plotted using various joint angles as inputs to the forward kinematic model and MATLAB Robotics Toolbox. Subsequently, visual simulation is performed by feeding the four parameters derived from the six links using the software.

The process is carried out with several different joint configuration value scenarios. The first scenario, [0 0 0 0 0 0] results in the position of the xyz end effector at [421 0 1740] with a yaw, pitch, and roll of [0 90 180]. This is followed by matrix value generated using the first scenario, while the results of robot arm simulation plot are shown in Figure 4 and Equation 9.

Figure 4 Visualization from Plot function for [0 0 0 0 0 0] configuration

The second scenario with the value of the joint angle configuration is set to [-15 -15 -15 0 0 0], followed by the xyz end effector position [734 -196.8 1446.39] and the yaw pitch roll end effector value [28.2 56.8 155.9], as shown in Figure 5 and Equation 10. Subsequently, matrix and simulation plots are obtained from scenario.


Figure 5 Visualization from Plot function for [-15 -15 -15 0 0 0] configuration

        In the third scenario, the joint angle configuration is set to [-30 -30 -30 0 0 0], resulting in the position of the xyz end effector [805 -464.8 1061], with a roll value of yaw, pitch, and roll value of [33.7 25.7 163.9]. The results of the calculation of the third scenario matrix are shown in Figure 6 and Equation 11.


Figure 6 Visualization from Plot function for [-30 -30 -30 0 0 0] configuration

Forward kinematic is an essential requirement in building industrial robot to establish the relationship between the joint angle and tool position. Furthermore, it serves as a fundamental theory during the development of robotic arm, particularly when the application does not require autonomous control. In this study, MATLAB was used for simulation and analysis (Junior et al., 2011).

3.2.  Parametric Modeling

This study is divided into two stages, namely design and implementation. CAD software is used during the design stage to create 3D models (Kholil et al., 2023), which is critical due to the potential for cost-efficient implementation. The second stage is the implementation, where the process of constructing CAD design using various materials is initiated. Certain components of robot are made of aluminum, while others are cast alloy steel. The 2D models shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9 are based on the arbitrary links made from kinematic model.

One of the contributions of this study is a novel design of 6 DOF industrial robotic arm, presented in Figure 7, as 2D parametric model of (a) elbow link (b) wrist link, and (c) shoulder link. Figures 8 (a), (c), (e), (g), (i), and (k) are the results of 3D model design using CAD application, while (b), (d), (f), (h), (j), and (l) are the actual robot implementation. The total weight of the mechanism including the motors is 155 kilograms. There is an application of the harmonic gear concept in Figures 8 (i) and (j), while Figures 8 (k) and (l) are the design of the end effector link model to enable movement in roll and pitch. Moreover, the system has a reduction ratio of 80 from a rated torque of 22 Nm with a 2000r/min input.


Figure 7 2D Parametric model. Components labeled as (a) Elbow link, (b) Wrist link, (c) Shoulder link


Figure 8 3D model and Actual. These images are components, which are labeled as (a)Base Model, (b) Actual Base, (c)Shoulder Link Model, (d) Actual Shoulder Link, (e) Elbow Link Model, (f) Actual Elbow Link, (g) Wrist Link, Model (h) Actual Wrist Link, (i) Servo Motor and Harmonic Gear Model, (j) Actual Servo Motor and Harmonic Gear, (k) End Effector Link Model, (l) Actual End-Effector Link

3.3.  Implementation

Figure 9 shows the schematics and control box, which consists of six servo motors connected to three servo drives, with robot's CPU being a Beckhoff C5102-0040. Additionally, the Ehave-CM350 serves as welding machine that is connected to the IO Device through USB cable for remote control. The arm is fully driven with each DOF achieved by a precision servo motor equipped with a three-phase synchronous motor excited by a permanent magnet.  The specifications of the servo motor used are shown in Table 4.