Cooperative 2-DOF robots for precision assembly

Abstract

A new configuration of cooperative 2-DOF robots is presented for use in precision assembly applications. This configuration consists of direct drive planar linear motors traveling on a tabletop platen stator surface combined with overhead 2-DOF manipulators. We outline desirable features of a precision assembly system and use them to compare the proposed configuration to typical configurations that use 4-DOF robots. Advantages of the new approach are used to motivate further research needed to fully develop precision assembly systems based on this concept.