High-bandwidth force and impedance control for industrial robots

Abstract

Common geared industrial robots call for force control methods with special properties such as good rejection of frictional disturbances, smoothness of corrective motions, and more. A new method is presented which meets these requirements and provides a high control bandwidth. In the manner of hybrid control, directions of a task frame can be selected to be force, impedance or position controlled. A joint-based inner position loop and a superimposed predictive force controller are used. Practical results include data from a robotic grinding facility. Here, the controller proved robustness and good performance under rough conditions.